The Palmer Family Foundation
Carmel, IN · EIN 35-6691822. Reported 310 grants totalling $1,265,805 to 133 recipients across tax years 2021-2025. 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. The Palmer Family Foundation 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 $3,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $1,000 and $5,000; the smallest was $150 and the largest $50,000. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Stairs | Greenwood Village, CO | $110,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Heart Change Ministries | Indianapolis, IN | $96,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| KIPP Indy | Indianapolis, IN | $45,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| National Chrisitan Foundation | Indianapolis, IN | $42,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Young Life | Prescott, AZ | $41,205 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Edify | San Diego, CA | $32,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Hope International | Lancaster, PA | $31,500 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Purposeful-Design | Indianapolis, IN | $31,500 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Opportunity International | Chicago, IL | $30,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Youth With a Mission | Chula Vista, CA | $30,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Goodwill Foundation of Central & Southern Indiana | Indianapolis, IN | $29,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Bethel Church | Noblesville, IN | $27,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Second Presbyterian Church | Indianapolis, IN | $26,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| The Advancement Center for Washington Twsp Schools and North Central Alumni | Indianapolis, IN | $24,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Empart | Denver, CO | $23,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Elevate Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | $22,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Plant With Purpose | San Diego, CA | $20,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Wheeler Mission | Indianapolis, IN | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Redeem International | Merrifeld, VA | $19,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Faithtech | North Bend, WA | $18,500 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Camptown | Indianapolis, IN | $17,500 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Lumity | Chicago, IL | $17,500 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Global Faith & Work Movement | Mountain View, CA | $16,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Cmf International | Indianapolis, IN | $16,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Justice Ventures International | Silver Spring, MD | $16,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Sagamore Institute | Indianapolis, IN | $15,500 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Hope Sports | Chula Vista, CA | $14,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Shepherd Community Center | Indianapolis, IN | $14,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Forgotten Voices | Dillsburgh, PA | $13,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Renewing Communities | Indianapolis, IN | $13,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Tom Ellsworth Ministries | Bloomington, IN | $12,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Love Justice International | Lincoln, NE | $12,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Indiana University Foundation | Bloomington, IN | $10,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| St Mary's Episcopal School | Memphis, TN | $10,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Trader's Point Christian Church | Whitestown, IN | $10,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Bright Hope International | South Barrington, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Midwest Food Bank | Indianapolis, IN | $9,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Ur Chicago Alliance | Chicago, IL | $9,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Community Caring and Sharing Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $9,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Kanakuk Ministries | Branson, MO | $9,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Upper Room Church | Indianapolis, IN | $9,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| The Refuge Community Outreach LLC | Hubbard, OH | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Union Presbyterian Seminary | Richmond, VA | $8,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Butler University | Indianapolis, IN | $7,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Family Hope | Indianapolis, IN | $7,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| International Justice Mission | Washington DC, DC | $7,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Harrison Center | Indianapolis, IN | $6,750 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Lifesong for Orphans | Gridley, IL | $6,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Marian University | Indianapolis, IN | $6,500 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| P30 Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $6,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Synapsis | New York, NY | $6,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Providence Cristo Rey High School | Indianapolis, IN | $6,250 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Down But Not Out | Indianapolis, IN | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Janus Developmental Services | Noblesville, IN | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Samaritan's Purse | Boone, NC | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Sinapis | Wheaton, IL | $6,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| YMCA of Greater Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | $6,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Butler Beyond | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| College Park Church | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Grit and Grace Project Inc | Estero, FL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| International House of Prayer | Kansas City, MO | $5,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| James Whitcomb Riley Memorial Association Dba Riley Children's Endowment | Indianapolis, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| John and Vera Mae Perkins Foundation | Jackson, MS | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Kids Across America | Branson, MO | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Kids Alive International Inc | Alpharetta, GA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Simple Charity Inc | Durham, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Ben's Ranch Foundation Inc | Carmel, IN | $4,800 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Chicago Hope Academy | Chicago, IL | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Christian Foundation of Indiana Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Conservation Law Center | Bloomington, IN | $3,950 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Circle City Preparatory Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $3,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Jesus Image | Lake Mary, FL | $3,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Mission to Ukraine | Noblesville, IN | $3,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Unite Indy | Indianapolis, IN | $3,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Indianapolis Theological Seminary | Indianapolis, IN | $3,250 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Bible Project | Portland, OR | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Indianapolis Soap Box Derby Association Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $3,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| ISAIAH117 | Elizabethton, TN | $3,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Joseph Maley Foundation | Indianapolis, IN | $3,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Little Red Door Cancer Agency | Indianapolis, IN | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Orbis Ministries Inc | Memphis, TN | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Purdue Research Foundation | West Lafayette, IN | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| St Vincent Hospital Foundation Inc | St Louis, MO | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| The Brave Collective Inc | Waleska, GA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| World Vision | Federal Way, WA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Anchors Away | Carmel, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Apprentice University Foundation Inc (veritcal Immersive) | Westfield, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| English Language Institute China | Fort Collins, CO | $2,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| FCA Central Indiana | Kansas City, MO | $2,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Indianapolis Colts Foundation Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Society for the Advancement of Ecclesial Theology | Oak Park, IL | $2,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Wayfinders | Brownsburg, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Fellowship of Christian Athletes | Indianapolis, IN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Janus | Noblesville, IN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic | Indianapolis, IN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Second Helpings Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Teenworks | Indianapolis, IN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Cooper House | Noblesville, IN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| The Oaks Academy Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Sycamore School | Indianapolis, IN | $1,750 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Center for Leadership Development Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Edge Mentoring Inc | Carmel, IN | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Starfish Initiative | Indianapolis, IN | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Mind Trust | Indianapolis, IN | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| United Schools of Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| 100 Black Men of Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| 2ND Chance Foundation | Carmel, IN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Advancement Center Wash Twp | Indianapolis, IN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Antioch Community Church of Indianapolis Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ascension St Vincent | Indianapolis, IN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Bonita Bay Hurricane Relief Fund | Bonita Springs, FL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Brooke's Place | Indianapolis, IN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| City of God | Indianapolis, IN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Cru Foundation | Orlando, FL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Discovering Broadway Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $1,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Faith & Work Movement | Silicon Valley, CA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Free to Smile | Columbus, OH | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Iu Fnd Iu Chancellor's Circle | Indianapolis, IN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Josiah Venture | Wheaton, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Kaleidoscope Inc | Carmel, IN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Missionary Atheletes | Charlotte, NC | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Rally Foundation Inc | Atlanta, GA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Riley Children's Foundation | Indianapolis, IN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Think Do Now | Indianapolis, IN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| United Way of Central Indiana | Indianapolis, IN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Voice for the Martyrs | Bartlesville, OK | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| World Bicycle Relief | Chicago, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Centerpoint Counseling | Indianapolis, IN | $800 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Hoosier Salon Patrons Association Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $750 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Halftime Worldwide | Irving, TX | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana | Indianapolis, IN | $400 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Trinity Forum | Washington, DC | $250 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Xavier University | Cincinnati, OH | $150 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
73 of 133 (55%) received money in more than one year over the 5 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 69%, across 4 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 188 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 | 60 | $200,550 | $1,250 |
| 2022 | 65 | $262,800 | $2,500 |
| 2023 | 62 | $255,700 | $3,500 |
| 2024 | 59 | $259,105 | $3,500 |
| 2025 | 64 | $287,650 | $3,000 |
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.
Where its money goes
52% 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 $3,000. 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 The Palmer Family Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 5 returns (tax years 2021-2025). 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: 2410 Londonberry Blvd, Carmel, IN, 46032. 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 35-6691822 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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