Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc
CLARENCE E CUSTER AND INEZ R CUSTER is a private foundation based in Columbus, Indiana. It makes charitable grants, with its 2025 grants going to organizations in Indiana.
Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc gave $497K across 37 grants in 2025 (avg $13K), mostly in Indiana. 24% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $496,500
- +40.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 37
- +5.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $13,419
- +32.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $8,000
- Total assets
- $4,955,664
- -2.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (9 of 37, 2025)
- 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 Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, preferably within 50 miles of Columbus, Indiana; churches are not currently considered. The foundation prefers proposals that benefit Bartholomew County residents. A preset grant application is available. The filing lists William Helmbrecht as the contact.
- Review Cycle
- The board meets on a called basis twice annually.
- Deadline
- The board meets on a called basis twice annually.
- Contact
Application contact: William Helmbrecht
Mailing address: First Financial Bank 125 3Rd St, Columbus, IN 47201
Phone: (812) 376-1718
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Bridge to Dove Recovery House Inc ($72K). Together the top 10 received $315K.
Grant Size Distribution
196 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 193 grants of 196 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars in the 2025 itemized grant data went to recipients in Indiana. The foundation states a preference for applicants within 50 miles of Columbus and for benefits to Bartholomew County residents.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 37 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 9 of 37 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $14K. How we count
Medians: $12K first-time, $7K repeat.
- 62% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 50% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 117% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $319K (2020) to $497K (2025). In 2025 it made 37 grants totaling $497K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge to Dove Recovery House Inc Columbus, IN | Charitable Purposes | $72,000 |
| Hospice of South Central Indiana Columbus, IN | Charitable Purposes | $51,500 |
| Indiana University Columbus Columbus, IN | Charitable Purposes | $40,000 |
| American Red Cross Columbus, IN | Charitable Purposes | $34,000 |
| Chain Breaker Ministries Columbus, IN | Charitable Purposes | $25,000 |
| Family Services of Bartholomew County Columbus, IN | Charitable Purposes | $25,000 |
| Lincoln Central Neighborhood Columbus, IN | Charitable Purpose | $20,000 |
| CASA Columbus, IN | Charitable Purposes | $17,000 |
| Love Chapel Foundation Columbus, IN | Charitable Purposes | $15,000 |
| Just Friends Inc Columbus, IN | Charitable Purposes | $15,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,955,664 | $455,774 | $569,849 | $496,500 | 37 | $500,982 | $393,691 | $428,048 |
| 2024 | $5,069,741 | $420,259 | $427,455 | $354,500 | 35 | $357,255 | $353,550 | $405,758 |
| 2023 | $5,077,781 | $296,418 | $465,178 | $397,300 | 40 | $399,763 | $231,003 | $398,363 |
| 2022 | $5,246,366 | $395,533 | $560,360 | $330,500 | 46 | $335,269 | $174,085 | $362,072 |
| 2021 | $5,421,944 | $528,411 | $538,643 | $319,500 | 38 | $322,914 | $373,625 | $378,832 |
| 2020 | $5,434,367 | $823,965 | $496,381 | $319,300 | 43 | — | $645,877 | $340,452 |
| 2019 | $5,220,269 | $431,105 | $629,133 | $442,050 | 40 | — | $283,676 | $375,044 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $428K 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 grant recipients’ missions illustrate the kinds of work it supports. Bridge to Dove Recovery House, which received $72,000 in 2025, says it collaborates to secure what is needed to open a residential substance use disorder treatment facility for women. Just Friends, which received $15,000, says it supports independence through socialization, exercise, creative exploration, nursing supervision, and community engagement. Mill Race Center, which received $12,000, says its mission is to help people over age 50 lead independent, healthy, and meaningful lives.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 37 grants totaling $496,500. Awards ranged from $1,000 to $72,000, with a median grant of $8,000. Among the largest were $51,500 to Hospice of South Central Indiana, $40,000 to Indiana University Columbus, $34,000 to the American Red Cross, and $25,000 each to Chain Breaker Ministries and Family Services of Bartholomew County. The stated purposes for these grants were charitable purposes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Diane Bradley, Steve Carothers, Richard H. Weaver, and Seth A. Keele as directors; James Holland as secretary; and Sam Pentzer as vice president.
Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc's 2025 filing lists 6 officers; all 6 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Diane Bradley
Director
On filings since 2019
$325 (2019) → $650 (2025)
Richard H. Weaver
Director
On filings since 2019
$650 (2019) → $650 (2025)
Steve Carothers
Director
On filings since 2019
$650 (2019) → $650 (2025)
Seth A. Keele
Director
On filings since 2022
$650 (2022) → $650 (2025)
James Holland
Secretary
Director & Secretary → Secretary, 2020
On filings since 2019
$650 (2019) → $650 (2025)
Sam Pentzer
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2019
$650 (2019) → $650 (2025)
Former officers (3)
- Former: William Helmbrecht (2019–2023) — President & Treasurer
- Former: First Financial Bank (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Robert L. Spurgin (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $650, to Diane Bradley (Director). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc
How much does Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc give each year?
Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc gave $497K across 37 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $355K across 35 grants.
What is Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $8,000, and its average grant was $13,419, across 37 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc that year got $12K on average.
Where does Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc give grants?
Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer 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 Columbus, IN (30 grants) and Indianapolis, IN (5 grants).
Who are Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Bridge to Dove Recovery House Inc ($72,000), Hospice of South Central Indiana ($51,500) and Indiana University Columbus ($40,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc?
Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc reported $5.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $501K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $428K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grant recipients’ missions illustrate the kinds of work it supports. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc?
The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc's EIN?
Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1130385. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 1, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 4, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 25, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 28, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 26, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 29, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 21, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/clarence-e-custer-and-inez-r-custer-foundation-inc-morg_c65e7ce4c9074ab3bf21d6b373ed36e9
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_311130385_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/clarence-e-custer-and-inez-r-custer-foundation-inc-morg_c65e7ce4c9074ab3bf21d6b373ed36e9},
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 Clarence E Custer and Inez R Custer 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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