Avis Foundation Inc is a private charitable foundation based in Upland, Indiana, established in 2006 by Leland and LaRita Boren. The foundation continues the philanthropic legacy begun when the Borens created the Boren Foundation in 1982. It awards grants to 501(c)(3) public charities focused on improving quality of life in communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$51.8M
+5.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.7M
+0.0% YoY
Grant Count
10
-37.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$270K
+60.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Avis Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Avis Foundation empowers organizations through impactful gifts in the areas of the arts, education, entrepreneurship, and autism, stewarding the Boren legacy.
Vision: To improve the quality of life in communities by connecting growth-minded grantees with the resources needed to thrive.
Core Values: Transparent Leadership, Transformational Stewardship, Trustworthy Partnership
Primary Funding Areas:
- Arts
- Education
- Entrepreneurship
- Autism
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$168,770
Average Grant
$168,770
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Arkansas
- Indiana
- Texas
Specific cities include: Anderson, Arkadelphia, Fort Wayne, Fishers, Huntington, Indianapolis, Longview, Muncie, Marion, Matthews, and Upland.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $51.8 million (as of 2024)
- Annual Giving: $2.7 million (2023)
- Total Revenue: $1.4 million
- Annual Expenses: Approximately $3 million
- Investments: $48.4 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $51,820,169 | $49,195,531 | $50,699,973 |
| Revenue | $5,766,773 | $1,400,832 | $34,233,871 |
| Expenses | $3,142,135 | $3,051,018 | $2,094,073 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,839,151 | $2,830,888 | $1,896,601 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,909,550 | $1,512,043 | $839,954 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,968,646 | $2,690,438 | $1,940,249 |
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
53 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ouachita Baptist University ($500,000), Huntington University ($350,000), Ball State University ($339,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ball State University Muncie, IN | Inclusive Excellence Scholarship | $339,000 |
| Conner Prairie Fishers, IN | Sensory Room and Inclusive Signage in the Museum Experience Center | $166,667 |
| Eiteljorg Museum Indianapolis, IN | Quest for the West fundraising event | $200,000 |
| Huntington University Huntington, IN | Veterinary Medicine, Leadership Coaching, and Occupational Therapy Assistant Training | $350,000 |
| NearSpace Education Upland, IN | Phase I of Dream Big Program (Satellite Construction and College Modular Curriculum Development) | $210,000 |
| Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, AR | Graduate Program in Counseling | $500,000 |
| Taylor University Upland, IN | Film and Media Equipment for Student Learning | $250,000 |
| Agape Therapeutic Cicero, IN | Therapeutic Horse-Riding Facilities | $300,000 |
| Core Inc Fort Wayne, IN | Welding Program for Individuals with Disabilities and At-Risk Students | $80,000 |
| Indianapolis Children's Museum Indianapolis, IN | Visual and Performing Arts Atelier | $305,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Loralee Songer – Executive Director
- Angie Darlington – President
- Marty Songer – Vice President
- Dr. Susan Wilczynski – Director
- Norma Korporal – Secretary
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angela Darlington | President | 1 | $3,000 |
| Marylou Habecker | Vice President | 1 | $3,000 |
| Norma Korporal | Secretary | 1 | $1,500 |
| Dr Susan Wilczynski | Director | 1 | $3,000 |
| Martha Songer | Executive Director | 30 | $72,115 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Anderson University:** Received a $250,000 grant to expand and improve its award-winning dance program
Anderson University Receives $250,000 Grant From Avis Foundation**Huntington University:** Received an $850,000 capacity-building grant supporting multiple university programs
Anderson University Receives $250,000 Grant From Avis Foundation**Hillcroft Services:** Received funding to establish a facility for ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) services in the Pendleton area for children on the autism spectrum
Contact Information
Address: 1909 S Main Street, Upland, IN 46989-1301
Phone: 765-998-8100 / 765-987-4299
Email: loralee.songer@avisfoundationinc.org
Website: avisfoundationinc.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Avis Foundation Inc fund?
**Mission:** The Avis Foundation empowers organizations through impactful gifts in the areas of the arts, education, entrepreneurship, and autism, stewarding the Boren legacy. **Vision:** To improve the quality of life in communities by connecting growth-minded grantees with the resources needed to thrive. **Core Values:** Transparent Leadership, Transformational Stewardship, Trustworthy Partnership **Primary Funding Areas:** • Arts • Education • Entrepreneurship • Autism
How do I apply for a grant from Avis Foundation Inc?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $20,000–$600,000 • Average grant size: $168,770 • Median grant size: $125,000 • Individual grants have ranged from $20,000 to $500,000 **Recent Activity:** • 2023: Awarded $2.7 million in grants to 16 organizations • Since 2015: Awarded 61 grants totaling over $7.3 million **Application Process:** • Annual application cycle with a two-stage process • Letter of Intent (LOI) submission in March • Grant decisions made in September • Average decisio…
Where does Avis Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Arkansas • Indiana • Texas Specific cities include: Anderson, Arkadelphia, Fort Wayne, Fishers, Huntington, Indianapolis, Longview, Muncie, Marion, Matthews, and Upland.
What size grants does Avis Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Avis Foundation Inc awarded 10 grants totaling $2.7M — an average of about $270K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Avis Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Avis Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Avis Foundation Inc's EIN?
Avis Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-5063209. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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