FortLAN Awarded $10,000 Grant from City of Fort Wayne to Expand Youth Gaming Programs
FortLAN Awarded $10,000 Youth Violence Prevention Micro-Grant
FortLAN has been awarded a $10,000 Youth Violence Prevention Program (YVPP) Micro-Grant from the City of Fort Wayne. The funding will directly support three major youth events between now and October 2026, each focused on using gaming to introduce STEAM and STEM concepts in a safe, educational environment.
The grant is part of Mayor Sharon Tucker’s citywide initiative to curb youth violence. In August, Tucker proposed a three-tier plan that included issuing grants of up to $10,000 to local groups working to engage and mentor young people. FortLAN was among 11 recipients selected for funding by the mayor’s Young Adult Council, which reviewed and recommended applications for final approval.
With this grant, FortLAN will deliver free programming to hundreds of local youth through hands-on activities, leadership development, and mentorship. The three funded programs include:
Play in the Park: Winter Nights
Running from December 2, 2025 through January 27, 2026, this series will offer nine evening sessions in collaboration with Riverfront Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation. Youth will explore STEAM topics through VR, PC gaming, and board games in a supervised setting.
FortLAN Spring Event
At FortLAN’s annual spring event, 20 laptop gaming stations will be reserved for students from local schools and the Boys & Girls Club of Fort Wayne. In partnership with the Indiana Esports Network, the grant will cover the full $120 participation cost per student and provide giveaways that support continued engagement.
FortLAN Fall Event
The largest of the three programs will take place in October 2026. It will feature 30 full PC stations and workshops focused on STEAM career pathways including streaming, cybersecurity, and tournament organization. Admission will be free, supported by FortLAN’s partnership with the Indiana Executive Council on Cybersecurity and local schools.
FortLAN is the official Fort Wayne chapter of LANFest, a national nonprofit focused on building healthy communities through gaming.
Congratulations to FortLAN for receiving this grant in support of their innovative, youth-centered programming.