Samerian Foundation Inc
Indianapolis, IN · EIN 37-1439047. Reported 242 grants totalling $19.3M to 144 recipients across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Samerian Foundation Inc did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $5,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $5,000 and $25,000; the smallest was $1,000 and the largest $2,000,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University Foundation | Indianapolis, IN | $8,240,000 | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
| United States Holocaust Memorial Museum | Washington, DC | $4,150,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Riley Children's Foundation | Indianapolis, IN | $1,425,056 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Humane Society of Hamilton County | Noblesville, IN | $1,250,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Central Indiana Community Foundation | Indianapolis, IN | $1,085,000 | 8 | 4 | 2024 |
| Human Rights First | New York, NY | $400,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| 500 Festival Foundation | Indianapolis, IN | $300,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Indiana Sports Corp | Indianapolis, IN | $166,000 | 7 | 4 | 2024 |
| Indiana University Hillel Center | Bloomington, IN | $160,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Child Advocates | Indianapolis, IN | $125,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Jewish Federation | Indianapolis, IN | $110,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Elevate Chicago | Chicago, IL | $102,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| City Colleges of Chicago Foundation | Chicago, IL | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Employindy | Indianapolis, IN | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Gleaner's Food Bank | Indianapolis, IN | $91,000 | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
| Indiana Democracy Collective | Indianapolis, IN | $83,333 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Indy Championship Legacy | Indianapolis, IN | $83,333 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Coburn Place - Safe Haven | Indianapolis, IN | $75,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Pacers Foundation | Indianapolis, IN | $60,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Simon Youth Foundation | Indianapolis, IN | $55,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Free Press Indiana | Indianapolis, IN | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Indiana School Counselor Association | Indianapolis, IN | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Cristel House | Indianapolis, IN | $49,440 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| American Red Cross | Indianapolis, IN | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Peace Learning Center | Indianapolis, IN | $38,334 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Ben's Ranch | Carmel, IN | $36,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Cancer Support Community | Indianapolis, IN | $30,000 | 2 | 1 | 2022 |
| Antidefamation League | Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Brightlane Learning | Indianapolis, IN | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Iu Foundation-Queer Philanthropy Circle | Bloomington, IN | $25,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| WOMEN4CHANGE | Indianapolis, IN | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Assistance League of Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | $20,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Catch the Stars Foundation | Indianapolis, IN | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Center for It Talent Acceleration | Libertyville, IL | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Meals on Wheels | Indianapolis, IN | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| The Patachou Foundation | Indianapolis, IN | $17,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Little Wish Foundation | Indianapolis, IN | $16,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| American Cancer Society | Indianapolis, IN | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Arts With a Purpose | Indianapolis, IN | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters | Indianapolis, IN | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Firefly Children & Family Alliance | Indianapolis, IN | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault | Indianapolis, IN | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Lifesmart Youth | Indianapolis, IN | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Teachers Treasures | Indianapolis, IN | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Morning Light Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $12,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Why Aren't You Smiling | Indianapolis, IN | $12,080 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Ascent 121 | Indianapolis, IN | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Covenant House California | Hollywood, CA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Eskenazi Health Foundation | Indianapolis, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Immigrant Welcome Center | Indianapolis, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Indiana Historical Society | Indianapolis, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Indiana Women in Need | Indianapolis, IN | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Indiana Youth Group | Indianapolis, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| National Junior Tennis League | Indianapolis, IN | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Pancreatic Cancer Action Network | Manhattan Beach, CA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Shepherd Community Center | Indianapolis, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| St Joseph Institute for the Deaf | Indianapolis, IN | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Sycamore Services Inc | Danville, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Teen Works | Indianapolis, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Teenworks | Indianapolis, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The La Trust | Los Angeles, CA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Westfield Youth Sports | Westfield, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Usna Parents Club of Indiana | Greenfield, IN | $9,999 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| College Mentors for Kids Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $8,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Damien Center | Indianapolis, IN | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Boner Neighborhood Ctrs | Indianapolis, IN | $7,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Family Promise of Hendricks Co | Plainfield, IN | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Girls Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $7,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Hoosier Burn Camp | Battle Ground, IN | $7,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Project | Indianapolis, IN | $7,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Joy's House | Indianapolis, IN | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Second Helpings | Indianapolis, IN | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Seeds of Caring | Columbus, OH | $7,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Brooke's Place for Grieving Young People | Indianapolis, IN | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Dress for Success Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | $5,100 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| 16 Tech Community Corp | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| A Kid Again | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Agape Therapeutic Riding | Cicero, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| All-Options | Bloomington, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Boone County | Zionsville, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Chaucie's Place | Carmel, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Children's Bureau | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Community Harvest Food Bank | Ft Wayne, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Conner Prairie Museum | Fishers, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Domestic Violence Network | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Elevate Indy | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| End Overdose | Pasadena, CA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Foundation to Combat Anti-Semitism | Foxborough, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Hoosier Hysterics Inc | Valley Village, CA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Hope Family Care Center | Cicero, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Horizon House | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Indiana Center for Suicide Prevention | Carmel, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault & Human Trafficking | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Indiana Diaper Bank | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Indianapolis Art Center | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Indianapolis Colts Foundation | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Jameson Camp | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Joseph Maley Foundation | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Kids' Voice of Indiana | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| La Plaza Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Little Red Door | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Mlk Center | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| National Alliance on Mental Health | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Prevail | Noblesville, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Purposeful Design | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Reach for Youth | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Sandy Hook Promise | Newtown, CT | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central in | Muncie, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Black Hats Society of Historic Irvington | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The STEM Connection | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Youth Connections | Franklin, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Youth Empowered | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation | Carmel, IN | $4,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Birthright Israel Foundation | New York, NY | $3,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Best Buddies Indiana | Indianapolis, IN | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Adelante School | Indianapolis, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Allied Solutions for Performing Arts | Carmel, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Aspire Indiana Health | Anderson, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Children's Theraplay Foundation | Carmel, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Cultivate Food Rescue | South Bend, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Dayspring Center | Indianapolis, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Heartland Film Festival | Indianapolis, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Hope Academy | Indianapolis, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Independent Living for Adults With Disabilities | Zionsville, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Janus Development | Noblesville, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Love Lucas | Indianapolis, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Monroe County United Ministries | Bloomington, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Pattern Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Ronald Mcdonald House Charities of Central Indiana | Indianapolis, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| St Vincent Depaul Food Pantry | Noblesville, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Techpoint Foundation for Youth | Indianapolis, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Center for Performing Arts | Carmel, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Mind Trust | Indianapolis, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Ukrainian Society of Indpls | Fishers, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Urban Musical Theater | Indianapolis, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Aspire House | Indianapolis, IN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| In Canine Assistance Network | Zionsville, IN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Indianapolis Metro Church | Indianapolis, IN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Primrose Children's Foundation | Atlanta, GA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Big Car Collaborative | Indianapolis, IN | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Claude Mcneal's Musical Theatre | Indianapolis, IN | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Chris Center | Carmel, IN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
48 of 144 (33%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 55%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Indiana University Foundation
SIMON CANCER CENTER - IN HONOR OF PAUL'S BIRTHDAY - City Colleges of Chicago Foundation
AAS DEGREE PROGRAM SUPPORT - Employindy
OPPORTUNITY YOUTH PROGRAM SUPPORT - Indiana Sports Corp
INSPIRING SPORTS YOUTH PROGRAM - Indiana School Counselor Association
JEWISH STUDIES PROGRAM AT IU - Free Press Indiana
CIVIC/COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 146 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 52 | $4,694,278 | $7,500 |
| 2022 | 37 | $4,938,097 | $15,000 |
| 2023 | 60 | $4,851,704 | $5,000 |
| 2024 | 93 | $4,859,596 | $5,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Already committed for future years
Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. Samerian Foundation Inc has 2 of them, worth $210,000. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back.
| Organization | Location | Approved |
|---|---|---|
| 500 Festival Foundation | Indianapolis, IN | $200,000 |
| Iu Foundation-Queer Philanthropy Circle | Bloomington, IN | $10,000 |
Where its money goes
75% of its giving went to organizations in Indiana. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $5,000. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Indiana.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Samerian Foundation Inc's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.
Address of record on the latest return: 600 E 96TH St 510, Indianapolis, IN, 46240. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 37-1439047 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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