News
“What a Great Place”: Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne Receives 11-Acre Land Gift from The Lutheran Foundation
<p data-start="234" data-end="590">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.</p>
<h2 data-start="592" data-end="638">A Grant Request Turns Into Something Bigger</h2>
<p data-start="640" data-end="897">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.</p>
<p data-start="899" data-end="1011">The Foundation’s president and CEO, Mark Dixon, had once walked the halls of the Boys &; Girls Clubs himself.</p>
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<p data-start="1015" data-end="1190">“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&#8230; ‘What a great place.’”</p>
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<p data-start="1015" data-end="1190"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13107" src="https://budgyapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Boys-and-Girls-Clubs-Fort-Wayne-land-donation.jpg" alt="Boys and Girls Clubs Fort Wayne land donation," width="493" height="420" /></p>
<h2 data-start="1192" data-end="1215">Land with Deep Roots</h2>
<p data-start="1217" data-end="1479">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.</p>
<p data-start="1481" data-end="1666">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.</p>
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<p data-start="1670" data-end="1853">“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.”</p>
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<p data-start="1855" data-end="2022">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.</p>
<h2 data-start="2024" data-end="2064">A Place to Be Safe, Loved, and Active</h2>
<p data-start="2066" data-end="2225">Jordan called the donation “incredible” and highlighted its significance, especially during the summer when children need safe, engaging spaces more than ever.</p>
<blockquote data-start="2227" data-end="2413">
<p data-start="2229" data-end="2413">“The most critical time for kids is in the summertime&#8230; So, getting into a space and place where kids are gonna be cared for, and also, loved on, right&#8230; is incredible,” said Jordan.</p>
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<p data-start="2415" data-end="2649">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.</p>
<h2 data-start="2651" data-end="2682">A Community Legacy Preserved</h2>
<p data-start="2684" data-end="2823">The gift speaks volumes about the long-term vision both organizations hold—not just for the land, but for Fort Wayne’s next generation.</p>
<p data-start="2825" data-end="3058">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.</p>