Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc logo

Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc

Private foundation · Grantmaker Terre Haute, IN EIN: 35-6042734 Website

Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Terre Haute, Indiana. Its 2025 filing reports 15 grants totaling $120,000, all to recipients in Indiana.

Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc at a glance

In short: Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc gave $120K across 15 grants in 2025 (avg $8K), mostly in Indiana. 40% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2025)
$120,000
+4.5% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
15
-16.7% vs 2024
Average grant
$8,000
+25.3% vs 2024
Median grant
$5,000
Total assets
$2,774,299
+10.9% vs 2024
New grantees (estimate)
40% first-time grantees (6 of 15, 2025; small sample)
Primary geography
Indiana (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc

How to Apply

The foundation’s 2024 filing says applicants should submit a letter on the charitable organization’s letterhead with a narrative explaining the request, the amount requested, and the estimated number of individuals who…

The foundation’s 2024 filing says applicants should submit a letter on the charitable organization’s letterhead with a narrative explaining the request, the amount requested, and the estimated number of individuals who will benefit. The filing lists no restrictions on awards.

Review Cycle
August 1, as stated on the 2024 filing. That deadline has passed for 2026.
Deadline
August 1, as stated on the 2024 filing.
Contact

Application contact: James D Owen
Mailing address: PO Box 11088, Terre Haute, IN 47801
Phone: (812) 299-9499
Website: https://www.clarafairbanksfoundation.com

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Terre Haute Catholic Char: $17KTerre Haute Catholic Char$17KTerre Haute Childrens Museum: $15KTerre Haute Childrens Museum$15KVigo County Education: $15KVigo County Education$15KVigo County YMCA: $13KVigo County YMCA$13KNext Step Foundation: $10KNext Step Foundation$10KSt Joseph Univ Parish Coda: $10KSt Joseph Univ Parish Coda$10KProvidence Food Pantry: $8KProvidence Food Pantry$8KChances and Services for: $5KChances and Services for$5KMaple Center - Integrative Health: $5KMaple Center - IntegrativeHealth$5KRethink Inc: $5KRethink Inc$5K

The largest 2025 recipient was Terre Haute Catholic Char ($17K). Together the top 10 received $102K.

Grant Size Distribution

86 grants across all recorded years

86<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 86 grants of 86 (100%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in Indiana. The listed grants were concentrated in Terre Haute and West Terre Haute.

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.

Cities

Terre HauteIndianapolisWest Terre HauteEffinghamSeattle

Is Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc open to new grantees?

40%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 6 of 15 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $8K. How we count

Medians: $5K first-time, $8K repeat.

  • 47% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+0%). Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$50K$100K$150K10 grants2020 14 grants2021 21 grants2022 18 grants2023 18 grants2024 15 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $94K (2020) to $121K (2021). In 2025 it made 15 grants totaling $120K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Terre Haute Catholic Char Terre Haute, INComputer Systems$16,700
Terre Haute Childrens Museum Terre Haute, INOperations$15,000
Vigo County Education Terre Haute, INMini Grant Programs$15,000
Vigo County YMCA Terre Haute, INLivestrong Program$12,500
Next Step Foundation Terre Haute, INOperations$10,000
St Joseph Univ Parish Coda Terre Haute, INOperations$10,000
Providence Food Pantry West Terre Haute, INFood Pantry$7,500
Chances and Services for Terre Haute, INBuilding Improvements$5,000
Maple Center - Integrative Health Terre Haute, INOpertations$5,000
Rethink Inc Terre Haute, INOperations$5,000
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2025$2,774,299$60,786$134,033$120,00015$120,000$55,892$128,692
2024$2,501,414$55,246$139,832$114,88218$114,882$55,265$121,789
2023$2,358,202$470,541$123,276$111,76218$111,762$465,661$104,114
2022$2,074,707$59,458$154,246$120,49721$120,497$43,684$110,510
2021$2,559,774$151,768$142,715$120,64014$120,640$125,402$119,008
2020$2,265,573$75,915$128,807$93,50010—$57,056$103,210

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $129K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for operations, computer systems and equipment, education mini-grant programs, a food pantry, a YMCA program, and building improvements.

Among its grantees, Terre Haute Children’s Museum describes itself as an educational and cultural facility for young people that encourages curiosity through hands-on activities. Next Step Foundation describes its work as providing a rehabilitation home for women and men recovering from addiction. reTHink Inc says it empowers the community to live healthier, more sustainable lives. Western Indiana Community says it helps people improve the community and awards grants for community projects, nonprofit organizations, and student scholarships.

Grantmaking

In 2025, the foundation gave 15 grants totaling $120,000. Grant amounts ranged from $2,000 to $16,700, with a median of $5,000.

Notable 2025 grants included $16,700 to Terre Haute Catholic Char for computer systems; $15,000 to Terre Haute Children’s Museum for operations; $15,000 to Vigo County Education for mini-grant programs; $12,500 to Vigo County YMCA for the LIVESTRONG program; and $10,000 each to Next Step Foundation and St Joseph Univ Parish Coda for operations.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists James D Owen as president, Ann L Prox as secretary, Richard Templeton as treasurer, and Michael J Sacopulos as vice preside. It also lists Henry T Smith, Brenda Voll, Elizabeth Haley, Jim Winning, and Maya Stewart as directors.

Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc is led by James D. Owen, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 9 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • James D. Owen

    President

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Brenda Voll

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Elizabeth Haley

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Henry T. Smith

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Jim Winning

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    No compensation reported

  • Maya Stewart

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    No compensation reported

  • Ann L. Prox

    Secretary

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Michael J. Sacopulos

    Vice President

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Richard Templeton

    Treasurer

    Director → Treasurer, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

Former officers (1)
  • Former: Daniel Callahan (2020–2022) — Treasurer

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Frequently asked questions about Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc

How much does Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc give each year?

Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc gave $120K across 15 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $115K across 18 grants.

What is Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc's typical grant size?

Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $8,000, across 15 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc that year got $7K on average.

Where does Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc give grants?

Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc gives mostly in Indiana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Terre Haute, IN (14 grants).

Does Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Operations" (5 grants).

Who are Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc's largest grantees?

Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Terre Haute Catholic Char ($16,700), Terre Haute Childrens Museum ($15,000) and Vigo County Education ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc?

Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc reported $2.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $120K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $129K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.

What does Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for operations, computer systems and equipment, education mini-grant programs, a food pantry, a YMCA program, and building improvements. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc?

The foundation’s 2024 filing says applicants should submit a letter on the charitable organization’s letterhead with a narrative explaining the request, the amount requested, and the estimated number of individuals who… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc's EIN?

Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-6042734. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(7)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 28, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 7, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 2, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 31, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 14, 2025)
  6. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 7, 2026)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025

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Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Wabash Valley Community Foundation Inc

Terre Haute, IN

Wabash Valley Community Foundation supports nonprofits and community initiatives in Clay, Sullivan, and Vigo counties, Indiana, across areas including arts and culture, community development, education, health and human services, and religion. Its listed Impact Grants range from $2,000 to $25,000, and Urgent Grants are up to $5,000; 2025 grants had a median of $14,883. It accepts applications through county-specific processes, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$128.5M

Grants

88

Total Given

$3.0M

Duke Energy Foundation

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The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.

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Frederick R Benson Trust

Terre Haute, IN

The Frederick R Benson Trust supports charitable organizations in areas including behavioral and mental health, community services, meals for older and disabled people, and animal welfare. Its 2025 grants ranged from $250 to $27,667, with a median of $1,000, and are limited to 501(c)(3) organizations in Vigo County, Indiana. It accepts written applications describing the need and planned use of funds, with proof of 501(c)(3) status; no deadline is listed.

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Max L Gibson & Jacqueline Gibson

Terre Haute, IN

The foundation supports organizations in areas including recreation, education, health care, addiction recovery, arts, animal care, and community development, primarily in Indiana. Its 2025 grants ranged from $250 to $45,000, with a median of $1,000. It accepts written requests; applicants should describe their organization, include a tax-exemption letter, and explain the request.

Assets

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Gregory L Gibson Charitable Foundation

Terre Haute, IN

The Gregory L Gibson Charitable Foundation funds Indiana organizations working in areas including recreation, education, historical preservation, addiction recovery, and healthcare; nearly all of its 2025 giving went to Indiana. Its 65 grants ranged from $500 to $210,000, with a median of $3,000. It accepts written requests with an organization description, tax-exemption letter, and reason for the request; there are no stated deadlines or award restrictions.

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$10.4M

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United Way of the Wabash Valley Inc

Terre Haute, IN

United Way of the Wabash Valley funds local programs in education, health, and community basics, including youth success, early childhood development, and substance use disorder services. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,485 to $106,792, with a median of $20,000, for work in its service area: five Indiana counties and Clark County, Illinois. It accepts applications for specific funding opportunities; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$4.9M

Grants

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Total Given

$561K

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/clara-fairbanks-foundation-inc-morg_d058c8699960499f8f40ebc3ce543651

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_356042734_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/clara-fairbanks-foundation-inc-morg_d058c8699960499f8f40ebc3ce543651},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}

The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.

Figures come from Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.

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