Dekko Foundation

10/09/2026

The results of our recent investment in the music program at Mentone Elementary are music to our ears. Children are working together, solving problems, and learning to make music.

Engaging and musical experiences like this help students build their knowledge and skills they can use both in and outside the classroom!

10/08/2026

We invest in the use of developmental principles at home, in schools, and in youth-serving organizations.

Want to know more about developmental principles? You can find these ‘conversation starters’, as we like to call them, on our website at https://www.dekkofoundation.org/our-beliefs/economic-freedom/child-development-resources/

10/05/2026

We are officially ONE MONTH away from Phil’s 500 in Speedway, Indiana!

We hope by now our Youth Pods have received their racecars and are busy brainstorming how to make the most stylish and speediest racecars on the track.

You can learn more about Phil’s 500 on our website at

It's an event 30 years in the making! Youth Pod members from four states are coming together to celebrate youth philanthropy.

10/02/2026

Flashback Friday, Phil Philanthropy style!

Meet Phil Philanthropy, our Youth Pod Mascot. Every other year, our Youth Pods attend a retreat, and Phil always comes dressed for the occasion!

As we take a stroll down memory lane, do any former Youth Pod Members or Navigators recognize Phil and the retreat his outfit is representing?

09/30/2026

We believe in lifelong learning, and we want to highlight Operation Read, one of our recent grantees.

By promoting and encouraging literacy at every stage of life, Operation Read creates more opportunities for individuals to become lifelong learners!

NORTH WEBSTER — Before a child can dream of becoming a teacher, a doctor or an astronaut, that child must first learn to read.

09/28/2026

We are ending September with thirteen board approved investments!

We invest in six counties in Indiana, five in Iowa, one in Minnesota and one in Alabama! If your organization has been thinking about applying for a grant, take this as your sign 😉

You can learn more from a grantseeker’s point of view at https://www.dekkofoundation.org/grant-making/grantseeker-support/

09/24/2026

What happens when learning environments offer meaningful choice, freedom of movement, and activities that promote healthy development?

Children and young people grow in their self-sufficiency and are more likely to achieve economic freedom later in life! Do you provide high-quality learning environments?

Learn more about this funding priorities on our website at https://www.dekkofoundation.org/our-beliefs/our-funding-priorities/

09/18/2026

Philanthropy- a word that's tricky to say but fun to do. Thankfully, a group of young people taught us an easy way to talk about it...Phil’s Aunt Throws Peas!

We promote youth philanthropy every year by investing in Youth Pods, groups of teens in our grantmaking areas learning to share their time, talents and treasure with their communities. With support from local community foundations, they practice philanthropy by using their own ideas to bring about change in their communities.

What do you know about the Youth Pod in your community?

09/14/2026

Have you registered for Elevating Financials with Mike Ott this Thursday, September 17?

If not, there’s still time! https://cfnoble.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/event?event_date_id=3380

📅 Thursday, September 17
🕘 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
📍 Community Learning Center | Kendallville

Mike will share insight into practical tools to better understand budgets, financial statements, cash flow, and financial oversight. This event is part of the 2026 Nonprofit Leadership Workshop Series and hosted in collaboration with the Community Foundation of Noble County and Crossroads United Way, serving Elkhart, LaGrange, Noble and Steuben Counties and the Dekko Foundation.

We hope to see you there!

09/10/2026

Last week, Codi and Jenna visited with Youth Pod members of SHOCK & AWE Youth Philanthropy in Norman Co., MN

They shared how last year, they focused on raising awareness about philanthropy in their community by organizing a Color Run, making valentines with local senior citizens, and hosting a clothing drive for those in need.

We can’t wait to see the inspiring impact these young people will make in their community this year!