Foundations that fund organizations in Spencer, Indiana
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Spencer nonprofits
16 private foundations gave $1.0M to Spencer organizations in their latest filings; 7 of the 16 that say either way accept applications.
19 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Spencer around $5,000. 5 of these funders are based in Indiana; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 16
- Accept applications
- 7
- of 16 that state a policy
- Dollars to Spencer
- $1.0M
- latest filings
- Grants
- 19
- Typical median grant
- $5,000
- Based in IN
- 31%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Spencer organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lilly Endowment Inc | Indianapolis, IN | 2 | $850K | $425K | Yes | Indiana community fdn init-gift |
| The Simons Foundation Inc | New York, NY | 2 | $49K | $25K | Preselected only | Spencer gift; Spencer + simons foundation = a catalyst for rural stem edu… |
| Mak Foundation | Lake Havasu City, AZ | 1 | $40K | $40K | Yes | Payments to Church for General Building Fund and religious… |
| The Coleman Foundation Inc | Chicago, IL | 1 | $35K | $35K | Yes | General Operating Support - Exploratory |
| Beem John D Irrev | Erie, PA | 1 | $28K | $28K | Preselected only | General fund |
| The Smithville Charitable Foundation Inc | Ellettsville, IN | 2 | $13K | $6,689 | Yes | General |
| Houston Family Foundation | Armonk, NY | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Sustainer's fund, rehabilitation work |
| Hirt Family Foundation Inc | Bloomington, IN | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | To further the exempt purpose of the organization |
| Mary J Demmon Private Foundation | Willowbrook, IL | 1 | $4,500 | $4,500 | Yes | Gift |
| Padgett Perpetual Tr | Erie, PA | 1 | $3,638 | $3,638 | Preselected only | General purposes |
| Jpmorgan Chase Foundation | New York, NY | 1 | $2,200 | $2,200 | Preselected only | Matching contribution (general operating support) |
| Melick Frank & Ona Irrevocable Tuw | Erie, PA | 1 | $1,847 | $1,847 | Preselected only | General purpose |
| The Brave Heart Foundation Inc | Fishers, IN | 1 | $1,500 | $1,500 | Preselected only | Community support |
| Land O'Lakes Foundation | St Paul, MN | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | Member co-op matches |
| Chubb Charitable Foundation | Philadelphia, PA | 1 | $500 | $500 | Yes | Matching Gifts |
| Helen Thoele Family Foundation | Noblesville, IN | 1 | $500 | $500 | Preselected only | General Charitable |
Source: IRS Form 990-PF Part XV, latest electronic return per foundation (2026-10-28). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own checkbox on Part XV line 2. Grants to individuals excluded.
Common questions
Which foundations give to nonprofits in Spencer, Indiana?
Lilly Endowment Inc, The Simons Foundation Inc, Mak Foundation, The Coleman Foundation Inc, Beem John D Irrev and 11 others reported grants to Spencer organizations on their latest Form 990-PF.
How do I approach a foundation that doesn't accept applications?
A foundation that checks "contributes only to preselected organizations" on its 990-PF won't review a cold proposal. Look at who it funds, find a shared board member, grantee or advisor, and ask for an introduction. Foundations that accept applications usually list a contact and deadlines in Part XV; we show that text on each foundation's page.
Is this list complete?
No. It covers private foundations (Form 990-PF filers) whose latest electronic return lists at least one grant to an organization in Spencer. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.