Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc
Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Established in 1986, it supports organizations and initiatives intended to advance the vitality of Indianapolis and the well-being of its people.
Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc gave $14.3M across 155 grants in 2024 (avg $92K), mostly in Indiana. 35% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $14,292,187
- -5.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 155
- -6.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $92,208
- +1.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,647
- Total assets
- $387,266,061
- +3.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 35% first-time grantees (38 of 110, 2024)
- 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. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Its grants-process information invites eligible organizations to submit an inquiry describing the issue, organization, proposed activities and outcomes, funding requested and other support, total project cost, and applicant contact details. Proposals are submitted only when invited. The proposal checklist calls for a signed cover letter, organizational overview, current organizational or departmental budget, project or program budget when applicable, IRS determination letter, and most recent audited financial statements. Additional documentation may be required for new applicants or prior and current grantees. The Foundation excludes grants for individuals, initiatives that do not impact Indianapolis, most for-profit organizations, and certain supporting organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 820 Massachusetts Ave Suite 1365, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 846-7111
Website: https://www.rmff.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc
Who Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Central Indiana Corporate Partnership Foundation Inc ($2.6M across 5 grants). Together the top 10 received $10.4M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($230,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
776 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 607 grants of 776 (78%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation says its grantmaking and strategic initiatives focus on Indianapolis and that it funds organizations serving greater Indianapolis. In 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Indiana.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 155 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
35%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 38 of 110 grantees (35%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $36K; repeat grants $180K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $18K repeat.
- 59% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 24% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $11.5M (2021) to $15.1M (2023). In 2024 it made 155 grants totaling $14.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Central Indiana Corporate Partnership Foundation Inc Indianapolis, IN | Continued funding for Ascend Indiana's Youth Apprenticeship Marion County Pilot and Statewide Master Plan | $2,000,000 |
| The Mind Trust Indianapolis, IN | General Operating Support 2023-2025 | $1,350,000 |
| Wfyi Indianapolis, IN | Continued Support for Side Effects Health Reporting and Expanded Education Reporting | $1,060,000 |
| Eskenazi Health Foundation Inc Indianapolis, IN | Support for Health Engagement Zone pilot | $1,000,000 |
| Marian University Indianapolis, IN | School of Engineering | $1,000,000 |
| Newfields Indianapolis, IN | Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park | $1,000,000 |
| Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce Foundation Indianapolis, IN | General operating support | $952,950 |
| Aspire Indiana Health Inc Noblesville, IN | Capital support | $500,000 |
| Dove Recovery House for Women Inc Indianapolis, IN | Capital Support for Facility Expansion | $500,000 |
| Indiana Chamber of Commerce Foundation Indianapolis, IN | General operating support | $387,000 |
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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 | $387,266,061 | $30,746,301 | $25,304,799 | $14,292,187 | 155 | $18,588,989 | $24,162,647 | $18,379,415 |
| 2023 | $375,537,175 | $31,315,153 | $25,261,761 | $15,079,803 | 166 | $18,778,208 | $25,092,098 | $17,948,614 |
| 2022 | $373,299,346 | $16,032,948 | $21,822,898 | $12,301,657 | 154 | $15,872,871 | $10,547,635 | $18,621,722 |
| 2021 | $417,423,592 | $50,688,731 | $20,996,782 | $11,534,850 | 155 | $14,896,133 | $45,091,701 | $19,541,284 |
| 2020 | $343,052,565 | $13,782,735 | $21,473,003 | $12,256,719 | 146 | — | $8,014,352 | $16,620,467 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $18.4M 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 Foundation’s mission is to advance the vitality of Indianapolis and the well-being of its people. Its current Education strategies include evidence-based and promising approaches to help students prepare for and enroll in college, and support for the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway. Its Health strategy is to identify transformational approaches to improve health outcomes. For the Vitality of Indianapolis, it seeks potentially high-impact grant opportunities consistent with its core values.
The Foundation funds eligible tax-exempt organizations serving greater Indianapolis, including 501(c)(3) public charities and public entities designated under section 170(c). Its grantees include organizations with varied missions: The Mind Trust says it works to provide students in Indianapolis and beyond access to excellent education; Eskenazi Health Foundation says it supports a vital, healthy Indianapolis community through resources for Eskenazi Health; and Dove Recovery House for Women says it provides safe housing and recovery programming to empower women to become substance-free, self-sufficient, and healthy.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 155 grants totaling $14,292,187. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $2,000,000, with a median of $5,647. Its largest grant was $2,000,000 to Central Indiana Corporate Partnership Foundation for continued funding for Ascend Indiana’s Youth Apprenticeship Marion County Pilot and Statewide Master Plan. Other large awards included $1,350,000 to The Mind Trust for general operating support; $1,060,000 to WFYI for continued support of health and education reporting; and $1,000,000 each to Eskenazi Health Foundation, Marian University, and Newfields for specified health, engineering, and arts-and-nature-park support, respectively.
The Foundation has historically made general operating, capital, endowment, capacity-building, start-up or seed, matching or challenge, one-year, and multi-year grants. Its current standard inquiry process is accepting inquiries only in Education; it says Health inquiries are expected to open in late 2026 and it is not currently accepting inquiries in Health or Vitality of Indianapolis. Some Foundation-led initiatives may use a different process.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc is led by Claire Fiddian-Green, CEO on every filing since 2020; 4 of 14 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Claire Fiddian-Green
CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$357K (2020) → $456K (2024)
Daniel C. Appel
Chairman
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bryan A. Mills
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher M. Callahan
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Harrison
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan B. Fairbanks
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas H. Ristine
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amandula N. Anderson
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mario Rodriguez
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Zainab Bass
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Lowery
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ellen Quigley
Vice President of Programs
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$221K (2020) → $261K (2024)
Kevin Kessinger
CFO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$206K (2020) → $243K (2024)
Andrea Farmer
CCO
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$179K (2023) → $180K (2024)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Marilee J. Springer (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Elizabeth F. Mann (2020) — Director
- Former: Leonard J. Betley (2020) — Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $456K, to Claire Fiddian-Green (CEO). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc
How much does Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc give each year?
Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc gave $14.3M across 155 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $15.1M across 166 grants.
What is Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $5,647, and its average grant was $92,208, across 155 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc that year got $36K on average.
Where does Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc give grants?
Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc gives mostly in Indiana: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Indianapolis, IN (114 grants), Noblesville, IN (6 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants) and Denver, CO (2 grants).
Does Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 3% of Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 155) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Matching Gift Donation" (77 grants), "College Matters: Meeting the Moment." (17 grants) and "2024 Charitable Grant" (6 grants).
Who are Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Central Indiana Corporate Partnership Foundation Inc ($2,574,834 across 5 grants), The Mind Trust ($1,350,000) and Wfyi ($1,065,400 across 5 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($230,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc?
Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc reported $387.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $18.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $18.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to advance the vitality of Indianapolis and the well-being of its people. Its current Education strategies include evidence-based and promising approaches to help students prepare for and enroll in college, and support for the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc?
The Foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc's EIN?
Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1189885. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/richard-m-fairbanks-foundation-inc-morg_fdaf684ecc304fee95e051a800c9f767
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_311189885_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/richard-m-fairbanks-foundation-inc-morg_fdaf684ecc304fee95e051a800c9f767},
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 Richard M Fairbanks 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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