In a heartwarming moment of community investment and full-circle philanthropy, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne received a major gift on Wednesday: 11 acres of land from The Lutheran Foundation. The generous donation ensures the preservation of Lutheran Park while expanding opportunities for local youth just in time for the summer months.
A Grant Request Turns Into Something Bigger
What began as a standard grant inquiry became a transformative conversation. Joe Jordan, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne, had approached The Lutheran Foundation seeking funding support. But during that meeting, something unexpected happened.
The Foundation’s president and CEO, Mark Dixon, had once walked the halls of the Boys & Girls Clubs himself.
“It just so happened that Joe came down from the Boys and Girls Club to inquire about a grant,” Dixon recalled. “When he came down, it occurred to me… ‘What a great place.’”
Land with Deep Roots
The donated land, Lutheran Park, occupies 11 acres where the former Lutheran Hospital once stood. It’s located only a few blocks from the Boys & Girls Clubs’ existing Fairfield Avenue location—making it a natural extension for youth-centered programming.
Dixon says the property had attracted offers from multiple real estate developers over the years, but the board at The Lutheran Foundation remained adamant: the land should stay a park.
“We had been approached by several developers about selling the park and developing the property,” Dixon said. “But myself and the board were highly committed to it remaining a park.”
The timing couldn’t have been better. For Dixon, giving the land to an organization that shaped his own childhood felt like more than philanthropy—it was a homecoming.
A Place to Be Safe, Loved, and Active
Jordan called the donation “incredible” and highlighted its significance, especially during the summer when children need safe, engaging spaces more than ever.
“The most critical time for kids is in the summertime… So, getting into a space and place where kids are gonna be cared for, and also, loved on, right… is incredible,” said Jordan.
With expanded outdoor space, the club can now explore new programming, sports, gardening initiatives, and community events, deepening its mission to support youth development through access, mentorship, and enrichment.
A Community Legacy Preserved
The gift speaks volumes about the long-term vision both organizations hold—not just for the land, but for Fort Wayne’s next generation.
The Lutheran Foundation’s choice to prioritize youth and community over commercial gain reaffirms a legacy of compassion. And with one former club kid now leading that decision, it’s a story of return, resilience, and responsibility.
