Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation
The Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation is a private foundation based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Its main activity is making grants to 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, including museums, colleges, churches, and hospitals.
Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation at a glance
In short: Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation gave $120K across 9 grants in 2025 (avg $13K), mostly in Indiana. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $120,348
- -1.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 9
- -40.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $13,372
- +63.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $8,000
- Total assets
- $2,050,213
- -0.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Indiana (78% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Applications must be in writing. The filing lists Jeffrey H Thomasson, c/o Lori Starr, as the contact and states there are no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: Jeffrey H Thomasson Co Lori Starr
Mailing address: PO Box 80238, Indianapolis, IN 46280
Phone: (317) 843-5678
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Oaks Academy ($60K). Together the top 9 received $120K.
Grant Size Distribution
73 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 69 grants of 73 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 78% of grant dollars went to recipients in Indiana. Other listed recipient-state shares were Georgia (8%), South Carolina (7%), Florida (2%), and New Jersey (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−13%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 95% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $120K (2025) to $138K (2022). In 2025 it made 9 grants totaling $120K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Oaks Academy Indianapolis, IN | Scholarships & Capital | $60,348 |
| Butler University Indianapolis, IN | Scholarships & Capital | $20,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity International Americus, GA | General Fund | $10,000 |
| The Childrens' Museum of Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN | New Program Development | $8,000 |
| Christ Central West Columbia, SC | General Fund | $8,000 |
| Newfields Summer Camp Scholarships Indianapolis, IN | Scholarships & Capital | $5,000 |
| Baker Senior Center Naples Naples, FL | General Fund | $3,000 |
| Madison Area YMCA Madison, NJ | General Fund | $3,000 |
| Young Life Colorado Springs, CO | General Fund | $3,000 |
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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 | $2,050,213 | $210,597 | $213,401 | $120,348 | 9 | $123,848 | $121,044 | $129,729 |
| 2024 | $2,053,017 | $211,889 | $287,433 | $122,500 | 15 | $126,200 | $51,664 | $125,695 |
| 2023 | $2,128,561 | $192,451 | $230,106 | $136,800 | 16 | $140,380 | $104,297 | $124,601 |
| 2022 | $2,166,216 | $89,501 | $200,447 | $137,800 | 14 | $141,300 | $35,795 | $137,150 |
| 2021 | $2,277,162 | $210,668 | $171,183 | $129,800 | 19 | $133,150 | $173,984 | $144,090 |
| 2020 | $2,237,677 | $125,512 | $166,055 | $121,000 | 19 | — | $82,687 | $139,224 |
| 2019 | $2,278,220 | $219,940 | $256,621 | $127,690 | 21 | — | $96,002 | $126,846 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation reported a distributable amount of $130K 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
The foundation’s filing does not state a separate mission. Its 2025 grants included support for scholarships and capital, general funds, and new program development.
Grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the kinds of organizations supported. The Oaks Academy says it provides a Christ-centered classical education to students from diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. Butler University describes its work as fostering a collaborative learning environment and preparing learners to lead meaningful lives. Habitat for Humanity International says it brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis describes its mission as creating learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities for children and families.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 9 grants totaling $120,348. Grant amounts ranged from $3,000 to $60,348, with a median of $8,000. Its largest awards were $60,348 to The Oaks Academy for scholarships and capital, and $20,000 to Butler University for scholarships and capital. Other notable grants were $10,000 to Habitat for Humanity International for its general fund, $8,000 to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis for new program development, and $8,000 to Christ Central for its general fund.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Barbara J Burris as president, Stacey L Burris Ice as vice president, and Jeffrey H Thomasson as secretary.
Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation is led by Barbara J. Burris, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Barbara J. Burris
President
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey H. Thomasson
Secretary
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stacey L. Burris Ice
Vice President
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation
How much does Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation give each year?
Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation gave $120K across 9 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $123K across 15 grants.
What is Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation's typical grant size?
Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $8,000, and its average grant was $13,372, across 9 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation give grants?
Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation gives mostly in Indiana: 78% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Georgia (8%) and South Carolina (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Indianapolis, IN (4 grants).
Does Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 56% of Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 9) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Scholarships & Capital" (3 grants).
Who are Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation's largest grantees?
Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include The Oaks Academy ($60,348), Butler University ($20,000) and Habitat for Humanity International ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 75% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation?
Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation reported $2.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $124K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $130K (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 Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation fund?
The foundation’s filing does not state a separate mission. Its 2025 grants included support for scholarships and capital, general funds, and new program development. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation?
Applications must be in writing. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation's EIN?
Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-1914399. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 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
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 14, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 30, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 9, 2025)
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The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Jerry L and Barbara J Burris Foundation'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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