Herbert Simon Family Foundation
The Herbert Simon Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Its 2024 grants included support for Central Indiana Community Foundation and annual literary awards honoring authors of fiction, nonfiction, and young readers’ literature.
Herbert Simon Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Herbert Simon Family Foundation gave $13.7M across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $3.4M), mostly in Indiana. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $13,698,764
- +6.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,424,691
- +6.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $31,104,753
- +35.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Indiana (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Herbert Simon Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 600 E 96Th Street 510, Indianapolis, IN 46240
Phone: (317) 575-2953
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Herbert Simon Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Central Indiana Community Foundation Inc ($13.5M).
Organizations only. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($150,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
49 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 18 grants of 49 (37%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Indiana (99%) and New York (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How Herbert Simon Family Foundation gives
- Giving grew 25% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 818% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $8.9M (2020) to $13.7M (2024). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $13.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Central Indiana Community Foundation Inc Indianapolis, IN | Making grants to charitable organizations. For details, see the section 170(c)(2)(b) statement. | $13,548,764 |
| 3 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $150,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $31,104,753 | $22,734,479 | $14,609,943 | $13,698,764 | 4 | $14,259,314 | $7,891,609 | $1,743,382 |
| 2023 | $22,985,763 | $13,477,682 | $13,662,671 | $12,882,546 | 4 | $13,300,021 | $6,894,998 | $1,398,435 |
| 2022 | $22,224,980 | $7,831,017 | $11,096,244 | $10,293,958 | 5 | $10,628,958 | $719,537 | $1,486,372 |
| 2021 | $26,075,189 | $9,696,254 | $11,758,260 | $10,919,603 | 6 | $11,378,973 | $6,452,612 | $2,058,383 |
| 2020 | $29,667,278 | $2,275,416 | $9,722,409 | $8,927,835 | 30 | — | $2,100,417 | $1,947,202 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Herbert Simon Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The grants listed for 2024 show support for a community foundation and literary awards. Central Indiana Community Foundation describes its mission as helping people give to causes they care about and supporting nonprofits in their work across Central Indiana.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported four grants totaling $13,698,764. Grant amounts ranged from $50,000 to $13,548,764, with a median of $50,000. The largest grant was $13,548,764 to Central Indiana Community Foundation Inc. Three grants of $50,000 each funded annual literary awards honoring authors of fiction, nonfiction, and young readers’ literature.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Rachel M. Simon as president and director, Herbert Simon as chair and director, and Stephen H. Simon, Jennifer K. Simon, Sarah M. Simon, and Asher M. Simon as directors.
Herbert Simon Family Foundation is led by Rachel M. Simon, President & Director since 2022 (on filings since 2020); none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Rachel M. Simon
President & Director
Director → President & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Herbert Simon
Chair & Director
President & Director → Chair & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Asher M. Simon
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer K. Simon
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah M. Simon
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen H. Simon
Director
Secretary & Director → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Herbert Simon Family Foundation
How much does Herbert Simon Family Foundation give each year?
Herbert Simon Family Foundation gave $13.7M across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $12.9M across 4 grants.
What is Herbert Simon Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Herbert Simon Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $3,424,691, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Herbert Simon Family Foundation give grants?
Herbert Simon Family Foundation gives mostly in Indiana: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does Herbert Simon Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on Herbert Simon Family Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
How large is Herbert Simon Family Foundation?
Herbert Simon Family Foundation reported $31.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $14.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Herbert Simon Family Foundation fund?
The grants listed for 2024 show support for a community foundation and literary awards. Central Indiana Community Foundation describes its mission as helping people give to causes they care about and supporting nonprofits in their work across Central Indiana. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Herbert Simon Family Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Herbert Simon Family Foundation's EIN?
Herbert Simon Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3905454. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Herbert Simon Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Herbert Simon Family Foundation funds
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Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Central Indiana Community Foundation Inc
Indianapolis, IN
Through its funds and collaborative entities, CICF supports a broad range of charitable work, including equity, food access, childcare, arts, nature, and youth programs, primarily in Central Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $25,000; some funds offer competitive applications, while others are invitation-only, and CICF itself does not directly award grants.
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The foundation supports affordable housing, democracy, Jewish cultural life, arts, education, basic needs, and economic mobility, primarily in central Indiana and communities where Glick-managed properties are located. Its 2025 grants ranged from $250 to $17.51 million, with a median of $2,500; current grants are by invitation only, so it does not accept unsolicited requests.
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The foundation funds charitable organizations and educational institutions in arts and culture, education, health and human services, civic and community service, religion, and environmental initiatives, primarily in greater Indianapolis and central Indiana, including Indiana colleges and universities. In 2025, grants ranged from $2,500 to $300,000, with a median of $10,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through a letter of intent during designated application windows; full proposals are by invitation only.
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Lilly Endowment Inc
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Lilly Endowment funds community development, education and youth, and religion, with priority given to Indianapolis and Indiana and some national support, especially for religion. Its 2025 grants had a median of $100,000, though awards varied widely; for community development requests, it suggests starting with a brief preliminary letter.
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Strada Education Foundation Inc
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Strada Education Foundation funds U.S. nonprofits, postsecondary institutions, and workforce educators working to connect education with opportunity, including through affordability, career coaching, work-based learning, and employer partnerships. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,500 to $1.3 million, with a median of about $110,000; its work is national. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
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