Sagamore Institute Inc
An indianapolis-based nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy research organization or "think tank." it is our mission to research and analyze difficult issues and to connect the best ideas with leaders who can transform them into smarter policy and improved practice.
Sagamore Institute Inc at a glance
In short: Sagamore Institute Inc gave $1.1M across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $263K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,050,261
- +54.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- -20.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $262,565
- +93.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $162,202
- Total assets
- $20,781,071
- +31.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (62% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Sagamore Institute Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Center for Serving Leadership ($649K). Together the top 4 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
37 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 19 grants of 37 (51%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Sagamore Institute Inc gives
- Giving fell 68% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 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 $679K (2023) to $3.2M (2021). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Center for Serving Leadership Pittsburg, PA | GRANTS | $648,931 |
| Declare Worship Community Dayton, OH | GRANTS | $188,704 |
| India Collective Southport, CT | GRANTS | $135,700 |
| Family Hope Carmel, IN | GRANTS | $76,926 |
Ready to take the next step with Sagamore Institute Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $20,781,071 | $23,248,783 | $18,759,819 | $1,050,261 | 4 | $481,462 |
| 2023 | $15,774,857 | $16,762,794 | $13,902,629 | $678,565 | 5 | $350,206 |
| 2022 | $13,251,995 | $15,197,658 | $16,525,932 | $690,960 | 7 | $104,924 |
| 2021 | $13,977,659 | $19,355,363 | $14,835,776 | $3,248,619 | 6 | $6,126 |
| 2020 | $9,305,298 | $13,086,562 | $11,630,285 | $1,007,683 | 15 | $29,391 |
About Sagamore Institute Inc
Based on IRS filings
Sagamore Institute Inc is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Indianapolis, IN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $20.8M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $1.1M. Net investment income was $481K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Sagamore Institute Inc is led by Jay F. Hein, Chief Executive Officer since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 9 of 20 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jay F. Hein
Chief Executive Officer
President → Chief Executive Officer, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$182K (2020) → $250K (2024)
Teresa Lubbers
President
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$50K (2022) → $193K (2024)
Allison Barber
Chair
Director → Chair, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laurel Vandenberg
Director - Educational Opportunities
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$101K (2023) → $114K (2024)
Doug Wilson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jean Wojtowicz
Director
Vice Chair → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Earl Martin Phalen
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sam Odle
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Coats
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim George
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rob Panos
Chief of Staff
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$68K (2020) → $104K (2024)
Brian Schmidt
Manager - Purposeful Design & Llc
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$134K (2022) → $148K (2024)
David Palmer
Manager - Purposeful Design & Llc
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$134K (2022) → $140K (2024)
Brady Roberts
Sales - Purposeful Design
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$109K (2024)
Margaret Carter
Sales - Purposeful Design
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$113K (2024)
Matt Jesch
Manager - Purposeful Design & Llc
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$113K (2024)
Claudia Cummings
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Craig Westrick
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dayton Molendorp
Vice Chair
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katie Mote
Past Chair
Director → Chair, 2021
Chair → Past Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Rich Westlake (2020–2023) — Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Blair Milo (2022–2023) — Director - Center Talent & Oppo
- Former: Daniel M. Cahalen (2023) — Senior Fellow
- Former: Jerry D. Semler (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Chris Lowery (2020–2021) — Past Chair
- Former: Mike Humphrey (2021) — Director
- Former: David Helmer (2020) — Director
- Former: Jim Morris (2020) — Director
- Former: Michael Bucchi (2020) — Treasurer
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 $250K, to Jay F Hein (Chief Executive Officer). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Sagamore Institute Inc
How much does Sagamore Institute Inc give each year?
Sagamore Institute Inc gave $1.1M across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $679K across 5 grants.
What is Sagamore Institute Inc's typical grant size?
Sagamore Institute Inc's median grant in 2024 was $162,202, and its average grant was $262,565, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Sagamore Institute Inc give grants?
Sagamore Institute Inc gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 62% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Ohio (18%) and Connecticut (13%).
Does Sagamore Institute Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on Sagamore Institute Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Grants" (4 grants).
How large is Sagamore Institute Inc?
Sagamore Institute Inc reported $20.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $23.2M.
What is Sagamore Institute Inc?
Sagamore Institute Inc is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Indianapolis, IN. It holds $20.8M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Sagamore Institute Inc's EIN?
Sagamore Institute Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1161578. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 24, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 5, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Sagamore Institute Inc funds
Public, Societal Benefit Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sagamore Institute Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Stitt Charitable Foundation
Tulsa, OK
The foundation funds a range of charitable organizations, including groups working on community support, homelessness, and services for women transitioning out of incarceration. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $348,990, with a median grant of $5,000; 99% of funding went to organizations in Oklahoma. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$653K
Grants
16
Total Given
$1.0M
Free Men Foundation
Corvallis, OR
Assets
—
Grants
5
Total Given
$34K
Stewards for Christ
Springfield, OH
Assets
$901K
Grants
9
Total Given
$81K
Allen Morris Charitable Foundation
Alpharetta, GA
The Allen Morris Charitable Foundation supports charities across varied fields, including Christian ministry, education, health, and community services. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,400 to $135,224, with a median of $18,677; most funding went to Florida, followed by Tennessee and Georgia. The available materials do not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$55K
Grants
11
Total Given
$290K
The Palmer Family Foundation
Carmel, IN
The Palmer Family Foundation supports education, job and skills training, self-sufficiency, and efforts to relieve suffering, primarily in Central Indiana and through NGOs abroad. In 2025, grants ranged from $150 to $50,000, with a median of $3,000. It has no open application process; selected organizations are invited to apply.
Assets
$4.7M
Grants
64
Total Given
$288K
McGowan Gin Rosica Family
North Aurora, IL
The McGowan Gin Rosica Family Foundation funds 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving underserved and at-risk people, with interests including family welfare, disability services, homelessness, senior support, job skills, and violence prevention. It primarily considers organizations in the Chicago metropolitan area and Western New York; 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $6,800, with a median of $5,400. Its 2024 filing says it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.4M
Grants
21
Total Given
$83K
More similar funders
More Funders in Indiana
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Sagamore Institute 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.
Sagamore Institute Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?