Edward D & Ione Auer Foundation
The Edward D & Ione Auer Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Established in June 1984, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and trust structure. The foundation is classified under the NTEE category of Private Grantmaking Foundations.
Financial Overview
From 2021 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
-100.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$20.8M
+1238.4% YoY
Grant Count
44
+7.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$472K
+1147.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Edward D & Ione Auer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $727K for 2021 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Grantmaking
The foundation has demonstrated significant philanthropic activity with a strong upward trajectory in giving. Over its history, the foundation has awarded 274 grants totaling $37,991,054. In recent years, the foundation awarded 44 grants in 2021 with a median grant size of $164,467, representing a 558% increase in median grant size compared to the previous year.
Grant Range
of $164,467, representing a 558% increase in median grant size compared to the previous year.
Average Grant
across the foundation's history is approximately $471,700.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation concentrates its funding exclusively within Indiana, with 100% of all grants directed to Indiana-based organizations. Within the state, funding is highly concentrated in Fort Wayne (98%), with minimal activity in Roanoke (2%) and Huntertown.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Based on the most recent available data (2021):
- Total Revenue: $1.9 million
- Total Giving: $20,753,913 (2021); $37,991,054 (all years)
- Total Assets: $0 (as reported in 2021 Form 990)
- Number of Grants: 44 (2021)
Historical asset data indicates the foundation held between $10 million and $49,999,999 in assets in earlier reporting periods.
| Metric | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $10,184,023 | — |
| Revenue | $1,918,800 | $485,365 | — |
| Expenses | $20,961,713 | $1,723,645 | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | $20,819,266 | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,796,353 | $349,778 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $726,946 | $855,592 | — |
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 2021
Grant Size Distribution
135 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2021 grants, the largest include Purdue University Fort Wayne ($2,461,989), Fort Wayne Philharmonic ($2,430,113), Fort Wayne Zoological Society ($2,382,557).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FORT WAYNE PHILHARMONIC FORT WAYNE, IN | ENDOWMENT GRANT | $686,802 |
| FORT WAYNE BALLET FORT WAYNE, IN | SCHOOL ADOPTION PROGRAM | $525,000 |
| SCIENCE CENTRAL FORT WAYNE, IN | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $273,934 |
| FORT WAYNE CIVIC THEATRE FORT WAYNE, IN | GROWTH INITIATIVE CAMPAIGN | $198,934 |
| TURNSTONE CENTER FOR CHILDREN FORT WAYNE, IN | THERAPEUTIC SERVICES | $225,000 |
| SCAN FORT WAYNE, IN | FAMILY RESTORATION PROGRAM | $75,000 |
| FORT WAYNE MUSEUM OF ART FORT WAYNE, IN | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $422,868 |
| COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION NETWORK FORT WAYNE, IN | MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| YMCA OF GREATER FORT WAYNE FORT WAYNE, IN | RENAISSANCE POINT SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| FIRST WAYNE STREET UNITED METHODIST FORT WAYNE, IN | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $40,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key personnel identified include:
- David Meyer — Co-Trustee
- Lake City Bank — Co-Trustee
- Katherine Moenter — Listed as contact person (Monarch C)
Compensation Overview
From 2021 IRS filing
From 2021 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID MEYER - SEE FOOTNOTE 1 | CO-TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| LAKE CITY BANK | CO-TRUSTEE | 1 | $50,425 |
Contact Information
Address: 127 W Berry Street, Suite 402, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Website: AUERFOUNDATION.ORG
EIN: 31-1097946
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a grant from Edward D & Ione Auer Foundation?
The foundation has demonstrated significant philanthropic activity with a strong upward trajectory in giving. Over its history, the foundation has awarded 274 grants totaling $37,991,054. In recent years, the foundation awarded 44 grants in 2021 with a median grant size of $164,467, representing a 558% increase in median grant size compared to the previous year. Individual grants have ranged from $4,000 to $2,461,989. The average grant size across the foundation's history is approximately $471,…
Where does Edward D & Ione Auer Foundation make grants?
The foundation concentrates its funding exclusively within Indiana, with 100% of all grants directed to Indiana-based organizations. Within the state, funding is highly concentrated in Fort Wayne (98%), with minimal activity in Roanoke (2%) and Huntertown.
What size grants does Edward D & Ione Auer Foundation award?
In 2021, Edward D & Ione Auer Foundation awarded 44 grants totaling $20.8M — an average of about $472K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Edward D & Ione Auer Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2021, Edward D & Ione Auer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $727K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Edward D & Ione Auer Foundation's EIN?
Edward D & Ione Auer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1097946. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2021.
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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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