Olin B. Schwab had a dream. That dream was to help young people make career choices that gave them the opportunity to fully recognize and realize their talents and potential.

In order to realize his dream, Mr. Schwab established the Olin B. and Desta Schwab Foundation in 1989 with the mission to identify and support not-for-profit organizations in Allen County, Indiana, that provide programs for counseling, testing, guiding, and educating young people in careers, occupations, or professions to which they are best suited.

Between 1989 and 2002, the Foundation awarded an average of $90,000 in grants each year to programs that fulfilled the Foundation’s mission.

Unfortunately, in 2002, Mr. Schwab’s dream – and the Foundation – was temporarily derailed by unscrupulous board leadership.  The malfeasance was uncovered in 2005 and immediate steps were taken to correct the situation.  By June, 2007, the Schwab Foundation was back on track.  All new, all volunteer board was seated with new bylaws and new procedures that included better transparency. 

Since 2007, the Schwab Foundation has awarded just under $1.5 million in funding to 25 Allen County not-for-profit organizations that help students build their 21st century job skills and choose careers.