Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc
Heritage Fund is a public charity based in Columbus, Indiana, serving as the community foundation of Bartholomew County. Established in 1976, it connects donors with charitable causes and supports community betterment through grantmaking, scholarships, leadership development, and partnerships.
Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc at a glance
In short: Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc gave $4.3M across 64 grants in 2025 (avg $66K), mostly in Indiana. 25% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,252,557
- -21.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 64
- -9.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $66,446
- -13.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $19,919
- Total assets
- $128,030,247
- +16.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (16 of 64, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Indiana (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc
- How to Apply
-
Submit an LOI through the online grant process. After LOI approval, the organization may access the full application. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposal with program staff before applying.
- Review Cycle
- The listed 2026 Community Fund deadlines were April 3 and September 25; both have passed. The LOI is due one week before the application deadline.
- Deadline
- The listed 2026 Community Fund deadlines were April 3 and September 25; both have passed.
- Next open deadline
- October 23, 2026 (David and Margaret Bottorff Math and Science Initiative for Elementary Teachers)
- Contact
Mailing address: 538 Franklin St, Columbus, IN 47202-1547
Phone: (812) 376-7772
Website: https://heritagefundbc.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
9 open opportunities from Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc
African American Foundation of Bartholomew County
Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Community Fund Grants
Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
David and Margaret Bottorff Math and Science Initiative for Elementary Teachers
Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Expected ~October
Based on past cycles
Who Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Landmark Columbus Foundation ($782K). Together the top 10 received $2.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
296 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 205 grants of 296 (69%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Heritage Fund’s Community Fund guidelines identify Bartholomew County, Indiana, as the service area. Its 2025 filing reports that all grant dollars went to recipients in Indiana. Some separately administered programs extend beyond Bartholomew County: the AEI Youth Sports Fund serves youth in Bartholomew and surrounding counties, while the Voelz, Reed, & Mount Foundation opportunity names Bartholomew, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson, and Decatur counties.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 64 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 16 of 64 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $83K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $2.0M (2020) to $6.0M (2023). In 2025 it made 64 grants totaling $4.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Landmark Columbus Foundation Columbus, IN | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $782,001 |
| Community Education Coalition Columbus, IN | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $368,427 |
| Foundation for Youth Columbus, IN | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $288,488 |
| Office of Downtown Development Columbus, IN | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $223,000 |
| Bartholomew County Historical Society Columbus, IN | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $211,781 |
| Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Columbus, IN | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $209,586 |
| Columbus Indiana Philharmonic Columbus, IN | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $179,232 |
| Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp Columbus, IN | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $165,071 |
| Asbury United Methodist Church Columbus, IN | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $156,326 |
| Bartholomew County Public Library Columbus, IN | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $149,610 |
Ready to take the next step with Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $128,030,247 | $14,722,235 | $8,226,853 | $4,252,557 | 64 | $6,031,834 |
| 2024 | $110,312,886 | $10,015,349 | $8,756,719 | $5,444,983 | 71 | $3,752,852 |
| 2023 | $99,398,224 | $9,729,076 | $8,864,458 | $6,016,495 | 50 | $3,381,823 |
| 2022 | $88,643,891 | $14,883,686 | $5,716,195 | $3,055,483 | 50 | $3,919,678 |
| 2021 | $96,647,351 | $9,809,715 | $6,636,106 | $4,167,774 | 61 | $7,075,388 |
| 2020 | $88,845,797 | $11,114,759 | $4,199,751 | $1,951,553 | 37 | $5,215,799 |
| 2019 | $77,779,031 | $6,858,136 | $5,772,496 | $2,057,539 | 37 | $2,939,691 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Heritage Fund’s mission is to inspire generosity, gather and grow community leaders, and help ensure that Bartholomew County is an exceptional place for all to live, learn, work, and play. Its stated purpose includes responsible stewardship of charitable gifts, developing leadership to address community issues, partnering as a catalyst for positive change, and promoting philanthropy.
Its primary areas of impact are youth development, downtown vitality, and arts, culture, architecture and design. Youth development priorities include early learning, youth mental health, and social-emotional learning. Secondary areas are diversity, equity and inclusion; leadership development; and responsive community needs.
The 2025 grantees included organizations working in several of these areas. For example, Landmark Columbus Foundation describes its work as caring for, celebrating, and advancing Columbus’s cultural heritage through design; the Office of Downtown Development says it works to strengthen downtown assets; and the Bartholomew County Historical Society’s mission is to discover, collect, preserve, and share county history. Foundation for Youth says its mission is to help young people access resources and opportunities to grow, learn, and thrive. Other grantees’ stated work includes education-system partnerships, hospice care, music and music education, and support for families and individuals through education, financial stability, health, and personal relationships.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Heritage Fund reported making 64 grants totaling $4,252,557. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $782,001, with a median of $19,918. The largest grants included $782,001 to Landmark Columbus Foundation, $368,427 to Community Education Coalition, $288,488 to Foundation for Youth, $223,000 to the Office of Downtown Development, and $211,781 to Bartholomew County Historical Society. The filing lists the purpose of these grants as furthering each recipient’s exempt purpose.
Heritage Fund’s website says it makes competitive Community Fund grants four times each year and that its grants programs provide over $700,000 annually to local organizations. Its 2026 grant page lists April 3 and September 25 application deadlines, both of which have passed as of October 2, 2026. The page says a letter of intent through the grant portal is required one week before an application deadline, with awards announced approximately eight weeks after each deadline. The application guidelines describe an online process: applicants are encouraged to discuss proposals with program staff, submit an LOI, and, if the LOI is approved, complete the full application. Heritage Fund favors proposals that address community needs innovatively, collaborate with other organizations, reach a broad segment of the community, encourage additional funding, avoid service duplication, and plan for sustainability.
Heritage Fund also administers other opportunities. The AEI Youth Sports Fund provides assistance for sports participation for youth ages 18 and under in Bartholomew and surrounding counties, with quarterly deadlines. The David and Margaret Bottorff Math and Science Initiative provides grants to elementary teachers for math- and science-related programming; its 2026 application period opens August 1 and has an October 23 deadline. The Voelz, Reed, & Mount Foundation opportunity supports eligible nonprofit organizations serving older adults and people with disabilities in specified counties; its listed May 8, 2026 deadline has passed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists these directors: Aida Ramirez, Anuja Mazgaonkar, Brad Davis, Carl Lienhoop, Chad Phillips, Courtney Metzger, Jeff Brown, Jeff Wiltrout, Jim Roberts, and John Whittington.
Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc is led by Tracy Souza, President & CEO - since 2025 (on filings since 2019); 4 of 30 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Tracy Souza
President & CEO -
President & CEO → President & CEO -, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$169K (2019) → $123K (2025)
Edith Blakeslee
President & CEO -
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$121K (2025)
Lori Thompson
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carl Lienhoop
Director
On filings since 2019
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Roberts
Director
On filings since 2019
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Stewart
Director
On filings since 2019
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Reinhold Hill
Director
On filings since 2019
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Harmon
Director
On filings since 2019
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Brown
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lora Mount
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tracy Haddad
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Aida Ramirez
Director
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brad Davis
Director
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Johnnie Edwards
Director
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katie Glick
Director
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicholas Sprague
Director
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anuja Mazgaonkar
Director
On filings since 2022
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarla Kalsi
Director
On filings since 2022
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Courtney Metzger
Director
On filings since 2023
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Wiltrout
Director
On filings since 2024
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Whittington
Director
On filings since 2024
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Ferdon
Director
On filings since 2024
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Baker
Director
On filings since 2024
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chad Phillips
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mandy Wyant
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristin Munn
Employee
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$102K (2022) → $118K (2025)
Stephanie Seaborne
Employee
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$101K (2025)
Michelle Schaefer
Vice Chair
Director → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Phil Luzius
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maggie Kamman
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2024
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (23)
- Former: Alice Johnson (2019–2024) — Vice Chair
- Former: Felipe Martinez (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Kathy Oren (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Jim Bickel (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Jim Lienhoop (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: John Elwood (2019–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Johnny Tsai (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: John Burnett (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Mark Levett (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Matthew Kirr (2019–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Jarvis Cooper (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Kelly Benjamin (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Norbert Nusterer (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Diane Doup (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Laura Leonard (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Tom Vujovich (2019–2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Tony M. Gambaiani (2019–2020) — Vice Chair
- Former: Wendy Elwood (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Amit Patel (2019) — Director
- Former: Dave Barker (2019) — Director
- Former: Ro Whittington (2019) — Director
- Former: Tobi Herron (2019) — Director
- Former: Victoria Craig Griffin (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 $123K, to Tracy Souza (President & CEO - Part Year). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc
How much does Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc give each year?
Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc gave $4.3M across 64 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $5.4M across 71 grants.
What is Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc's typical grant size?
Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc's median grant in 2025 was $19,919, and its average grant was $66,446, across 64 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc that year got $18K on average.
Where does Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc give grants?
Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc gives mostly in Indiana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Columbus, IN (51 grants), Indianapolis, IN (5 grants) and Hope, IN (2 grants).
Who are Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc's largest grantees?
Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Landmark Columbus Foundation ($782,001), Community Education Coalition ($368,427) and Foundation for Youth ($288,488), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc?
Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc reported $128.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $14.7M.
What does Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc fund?
Heritage Fund’s mission is to inspire generosity, gather and grow community leaders, and help ensure that Bartholomew County is an exceptional place for all to live, learn, work, and play. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc?
Submit an LOI through the online grant process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc's EIN?
Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-1343903. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 31, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 30, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 28, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 18, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/heritage-fund-the-community-foundation-of-bartholomew-county-inc-morg_1705a66369d74053a82ca29fdbb08357
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_351343903_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/heritage-fund-the-community-foundation-of-bartholomew-county-inc-morg_1705a66369d74053a82ca29fdbb08357},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County 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.
Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?