Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc
The Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Indianapolis, Indiana, dedicated to funding the arts in the greater Indianapolis area. Established in 1990 and fully funded by the estate of its founder in 2002, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with tax-exempt status since December 1990.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$172.6M
+12.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$16.5M
-3.8% YoY
Grant Count
160
+15900.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$103K
-99.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $27.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary mission is to support charitable organizations that promote or preserve the Arts and Humanities. Priority is given to organizations located in central Indiana, with particular emphasis on those supported by Allen Whitehill Clowes during his lifetime or similar to those he supported.
The foundation supports organizations across a wide range of artistic disciplines and cultural practices, with grantee partners playing a vital role in creating support systems that empower artists and creative leaders to practice, produce, and lead within the arts sector in and around Indianapolis.
Grantmaking
The Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation operates two main grant cycles annually:
Review Cycle
annually:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation prioritizes funding organizations located in central Indiana and the greater Indianapolis area, though the Board has discretion to make decisions regarding proposals on a case-by-case basis.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $153 million
- Annual Revenue: $36.2 million
- Annual Expenses: $18.3 million
- Total Liabilities: $2,760
Historical Impact: Over the last 25 years (as of 2025), the foundation has provided $171,543,144 in grants to 305 organizations.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $172,619,172 | $152,882,236 | $134,995,277 |
| Revenue | $38,902,880 | $36,222,544 | $16,905,954 |
| Expenses | $18,673,582 | $18,331,711 | $13,012,818 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $17,308,591 | $17,920,390 | $12,793,435 |
| Net Investment Income | $38,651,678 | $35,980,618 | $16,544,060 |
| Distributable Amount | $27,793,663 | $18,395,832 | $15,115,099 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
54 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc
Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Capital & Special Project Grants
Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc
Amount
US $1,000 - US $1,000,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation: Operations Grants
Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc
Amount
US $1,000 - US $75,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Butler University ($4,500,000), Aspire Higher Foundation Inc ($600,000), Crown Hill Heritage Foundation Inc ($550,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Tech Community Corporation Indianapolis, IN | Capital & Special Project | $220,000 |
| A Children's Habitat Inc Indianapolis, IN | Capital & Special Project | $50,000 |
| Actors Theatre of Indiana Inc Carmel, IN | Operations | $32,000 |
| All Hands and Hearts Smart Response Inc Mattapoisett, MA | Emergency Relief | $30,000 |
| American Cabaret Theatre Inc Indianapolis, IN | Operations | $35,000 |
| American Friends of Archbishop Canterbury Greenwich, CT | Operations | $2,200 |
| American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem Darien, CT | Emergency Relief | $30,000 |
| American Lives Theatre Inc Indianapolis, IN | Operations | $9,000 |
| American National Red Cross 2 Washington, DC | Emergency Relief | $60,000 |
| American Pianists Association Inc Indianapolis, IN | Operations, Capital, & Special Project | $208,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Allen Whitehill Clowes (February 18, 1917 – November 3, 2000) was the founder and philanthropist. Born in Buffalo, New York, he moved to Indianapolis at age two and remained a loyal Indianapolis resident throughout his life. He was the son of Dr. George H. A. Clowes, an eminent chemist and research director of the Eli Lilly pharmaceutical company, and Mrs. Edith Clowes, an Indianapolis leader in education, arts, and society.
Clowes was a graduate of Harvard University (B.A. 1939, M.B.A. 1942) and a Naval officer during World War II. Butler University, Marian University, and Franklin College awarded him honorary doctorates. He served as President and Treasurer of the Clowes Fund, the family charitable foundation, and had an office at the Indianapolis Museum of Art where he functioned as an administrator and curator of the Clowes Collection of Old Masters' paintings.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra received a $1.2 million grant to support expanded ballet collaborations
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra receives $1.2 million grant from Allen WhitehillThe Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation provided a gift to fund renovations at Butler University's Clowes Memorial Hall
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra receives $1.2 million grant from Allen WhitehillThe Carmel Symphony Orchestra received a $20,000 grant
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra receives $1.2 million grant from Allen WhitehillIn 2025, marking the 25th anniversary of Allen Whitehill Clowes' death, the foundation initiated a video archival resource with interviews with long-time friends and associates of Mr. Clowes, with results to be made more generally available in 2026.
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra receives $1.2 million grant from Allen WhitehillFrequently Asked Questions
What does Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's primary mission is to support charitable organizations that promote or preserve the Arts and Humanities. Priority is given to organizations located in central Indiana, with particular emphasis on those supported by Allen Whitehill Clowes during his lifetime or similar to those he supported. The foundation supports organizations across a wide range of artistic disciplines and cultural practices, with grantee partners playing a vital role in creating support systems that empower …
How do I apply for a grant from Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc?
The Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation operates two main grant cycles annually: **Operations Grant Cycle** • Supports eligible arts and humanities organizations in fulfilling their core mission on an ongoing basis • Generally designed for smaller organizations with awards typically ranging from $1,000 to $75,000 • Organizations may apply annually for general operating support • First-time applicants must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) by November 30 before receiving approval to proce…
Where does Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation prioritizes funding organizations located in central Indiana and the greater Indianapolis area, though the Board has discretion to make decisions regarding proposals on a case-by-case basis.
What size grants does Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc awarded 160 grants totaling $16.5M — an average of about $103K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $27.8M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc's EIN?
Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-1812631. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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