Brightpoint Brightpoint
October 8, 2026| Fort Wayne, Ind. — Brightpoint has received a $100,000 Special Opportunity Grant from Foellinger Foundation to support the Community Loan Center (CLC) of Northeast Indiana, a program operated by Brightpoint Development Fund. The funding will strengthen the program’s loan loss reserve, making up to $1 million in affordable loans available to working families throughout northeast Indiana.
Brightpoint Development Fund partners with employers across Indiana to offer this employee benefit, helping workers access affordable credit when unexpected expenses arise. The program can help reduce financial stress, improve workplace stability, and support employee well-being without placing an administrative burden on employers.
Client testimonials highlight the real impact of the program. Participants have described using Community Loan Center loans to repair vehicles needed to get to work, cover emergency household expenses, and avoid the cycle of high-interest payday lending. Borrowers consistently report that access to affordable credit provided peace of mind during difficult situations and helped them stay focused on their jobs and family responsibilities.
“Financial emergencies can happen to anyone,” said Matt Crouch, VP of Community Economic Development for Brightpoint. “By partnering with the Community Loan Center, employers can provide a practical resource that helps employees address unexpected expenses while building greater financial stability. This investment from Foellinger Foundation will allow us to expand access to this important benefit and serve even more working families throughout northeast Indiana.”
“When families are working hard but still struggling to make ends meet, access to affordable financial resources can be a lifeline,” said Sarah Strimmenos, President and CEO of Foellinger Foundation. “We’re proud to support solutions that help people navigate difficult moments with hope and dignity. We are thankful to Brightpoint’s Community Loan Center for its impact and for the employers that recognize the benefit this provides for their workforce.”
Brightpoint Development Fund is always looking for additional employers who would like to offer this valuable benefit to their employees. Employers interested in learning more about becoming a Community Loan Center partner can contact Brightpoint Development Fund at (260) 399-4108 or visit mybrightpoint.org/clc.
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Brightpoint is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving more than 60,000 people across northeast Indiana. Through a wide range of programs, Brightpoint helps communities, families, and individuals remove the causes and conditions of poverty. All Brightpoint services are provided without regard to race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, ancestry, or status as a veteran.
Foellinger Foundation is a private, charitable foundation that invests in organizations, programming, and initiatives that serve Allen County residents with the greatest economic need and least opportunity. The Foundation was created in 1958 by Helene Foellinger, publisher of The News-Sentinel from 1936 to 1981, and her mother, Esther Foellinger. Visit www.foellinger.org for more information.