The Ackerman Foundation
The Ackerman Foundation is a private foundation established in 1992 as a charitable trust by Jim and Lois Ackerman, local entrepreneurs and philanthropists. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status since August 1993. The next generation of the Ackerman family has doubled the size of the foundation to continue its philanthropic impact.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$16.7M
-2.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$810K
+3.8% YoY
Grant Count
36
+2.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$23K
+1.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ackerman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $889K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Ackerman Foundation strives to improve the vitality of central Indiana by supporting organizations that:
- Focus on bettering the lives of the underprivileged through fostering self-sufficiency
- Lead to great educational outcomes for all Hoosiers
- Build and sustain local cultural and health institutions that make the community a vibrant place to live
Primary funding areas include:
- Education
- Arts & Culture
- Community Development
- Health
- Social & Human Services
- Philanthropy & Voluntarism
Grantmaking
The foundation welcomes grant proposals from eligible organizations that are tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Service Code section 501(c)(3). Grant requests are considered for both operating fund purposes and capital campaigns.
Grant Range
$3,000–$63,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Approximately 88% of grants remain in Indiana. The foundation also provides grants to organizations in Illinois, Ohio, New York, and Colorado. While giving is primarily focused on central Indiana, the foundation also supports select national medical research institutions.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Current Assets & Giving (2023):
- Total Assets: $17.1 million
- Total Giving: $524,000
- Total Revenue: $515,184
- Total Expenses: $1,249,980
- Total Liabilities: $0
Historical Financial Trends:
| Year | Total Assets | Total Giving | Number of Grants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $17.1M | $524K | 34 |
| 2022 | $16.8M | $425K | 38 |
| 2021 | $8.0M | $397K | 37 |
| 2020 | $8.5M | $443K | 47 |
| 2019 | $7.8M | $413K | 45 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $16,688,803 | $17,068,960 | $17,809,664 |
| Revenue | $1,057,660 | $515,184 | $4,481,611 |
| Expenses | $1,263,808 | $1,249,980 | $834,592 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $814,985 | $784,925 | $528,780 |
| Net Investment Income | $609,939 | $357,829 | $4,196,932 |
| Distributable Amount | $889,046 | $823,010 | $778,484 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
180 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Ackerman Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Purdue Foundation ($100,000), Oaks Academy ($75,000), Conner Prairie Museum ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS INDIANAPOLIS, IN | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
| CHILDREN'S MUSEUM INDIANAPOLIS, IN | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $5,000 |
| COLLEGE MENTORS INDIANAPOLIS, IN | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
| CONNER PRAIRIE MUSEUM FISHERS, IN | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $50,000 |
| ESKENAZI HEALTH FOUNDATION INDIANAPOLIS, IN | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $5,000 |
| GLEANERS FOOD BANK INDIANAPOLIS, IN | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $50,000 |
| INDIANA REPERATORY THEATRE INDIANAPOLIS, IN | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $5,000 |
| INDIANAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FOUNDATION INDIANAPOLIS, IN | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $5,000 |
| INDIANAPOLIS ZOO INDIANAPOLIS, IN | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $50,000 |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER INDIANAPOLIS INDIANAPOLIS, IN | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
John F Ackerman serves as Trustee of the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN F ACKERMAN | TRUSTEE | 0.1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has announced 2023 grant winners and continues to actively accept grant applications. The foundation reached a new level of giving in recent years, with the next generation's involvement doubling the foundation's size and expanding its philanthropic reach.
The Ackerman Foundation Announces 2023 Grant WinnersSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Ackerman Foundation fund?
The Ackerman Foundation strives to improve the vitality of central Indiana by supporting organizations that: • Focus on bettering the lives of the underprivileged through fostering self-sufficiency • Lead to great educational outcomes for all Hoosiers • Build and sustain local cultural and health institutions that make the community a vibrant place to live Primary funding areas include: • Education • Arts & Culture • Community Development • Health • Social & Human Services • Philanthropy & Volu…
How do I apply for a grant from The Ackerman Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $2,500–$100,000 • Recent grant range: $3,000–$63,000 • Median grant size: $10,000 (2023) • Does not make grants to individuals **Recent Grant Activity:** • 2023: 34 grants totaling $524,000 • 2022: 38 grants totaling $425,000 • 2021: 37 grants totaling $397,000 • 2020: 47 grants totaling $443,000 **Recent Grant Recipients (2023):** • Providence Cristo Rey Work Study Program: $70,000 • Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis: $50,000 • The Oaks…
Where does The Ackerman Foundation make grants?
Approximately 88% of grants remain in Indiana. The foundation also provides grants to organizations in Illinois, Ohio, New York, and Colorado. While giving is primarily focused on central Indiana, the foundation also supports select national medical research institutions.
What size grants does The Ackerman Foundation award?
In 2024, The Ackerman Foundation awarded 36 grants totaling $810K — an average of about $23K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Ackerman Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Ackerman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $889K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Ackerman Foundation's EIN?
The Ackerman Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-6567579. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Ackerman Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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