The Brave Heart Foundation Inc
The Brave Heart Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Fishers, Indiana. Founded in 2009, it supports programs serving underserved populations, with special emphasis on children and families, primarily in Indiana.
The Brave Heart Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Brave Heart Foundation Inc gave $795K across 167 grants in 2024 (avg $5K), mostly in Indiana. 39% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $795,430
- +20.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 167
- +10.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $4,763
- +9.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $5,045,338
- +6.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 39% first-time grantees (65 of 167, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Indiana (92% 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 The Brave Heart Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states on its 2024 IRS filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Its website separately describes an online application process for new applicants and previous grantees, with requests accepted during March 1–30 for spring funding and September 1–30 for fall funding. Those 2026 application periods have passed. The website says requests should be for program purposes, not fundraising or solicitation; requests above $5,000 without prior approval will not be considered, and agencies with annual budgets above $1–2 million are not typically funded. Previous grantees seeking increased funding must have submitted the required Impact Report and may submit only one request per year.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists March 1–30 and September 1–30 as annual application periods; both 2026 periods have passed.
- Deadline
- The website lists March 1–30 and September 1–30 as annual application periods; both 2026 periods have passed.
- Contact
Mailing address: 10056 Boysenberry Drive, Fishers, IN 46038
Phone: (317) 918-8000
Website: https://thebraveheartfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Brave Heart Foundation Inc
Who The Brave Heart Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Firefly Children & Family Alliance ($35K). Together the top 10 received $184K.
Grant Size Distribution
711 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 711 grants of 711 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website says it primarily funds organizations and projects in Indiana. In 2024, 92% of grant dollars went to recipients in Indiana; the remaining listed shares were California (2%), and Pennsylvania, Washington, and New York (1% each).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 167 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Brave Heart Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
39%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 65 of 167 grantees (39%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 55% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 53% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 247% 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 $521K (2021) to $795K (2024). In 2024 it made 167 grants totaling $795K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Firefly Children & Family Alliance Indianapolis, IN | Community Support | $35,000 |
| Avondale Meadows Academy United Schools of Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN | Community Support | $33,000 |
| Indianapolis Art Center Indianapolis, IN | Community Support | $28,000 |
| Iwin (Indiana Women in Need Foundation Inc) Indianapolis, IN | Community Support | $20,000 |
| Horizon House Indianapolis, IN | Community Support | $15,000 |
| Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana Indianapolis, IN | Community Support | $12,500 |
| Exodus Refugee Immigration Inc Indianapolis, IN | Community Support | $10,000 |
| Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse and Suicide Carmel, IN | Community Support | $10,000 |
| Lutheran Children and Family Services of Inky Inc Indianapolis, IN | Community Support | $10,000 |
| Pack Away Hunger Indianapolis, IN | Community Support | $10,000 |
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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 | $5,045,338 | $903,614 | $861,856 | $795,430 | 167 | $831,230 | $548,877 | $336,002 |
| 2023 | $4,721,563 | $606,095 | $735,836 | $658,488 | 151 | $689,541 | $279,804 | $307,818 |
| 2022 | $5,133,309 | $1,231,362 | $810,463 | $738,041 | 151 | $770,373 | $904,944 | $314,632 |
| 2021 | $4,986,262 | $1,211,472 | $588,593 | $521,250 | 135 | $543,281 | $776,423 | $341,670 |
| 2020 | $4,363,383 | $1,417,142 | $725,553 | $669,490 | 107 | — | $775,563 | $281,161 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Brave Heart Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $336K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that its mission is to assist and support programs serving underserved populations, especially children and families, through education, health and wellness, and grassroots community action programs and services.
Its 2024 grants illustrate support for organizations addressing varied community needs. For example, the Indianapolis Art Center describes its mission as providing accessible and inclusive art experiences; Horizon House says it supports neighbors experiencing homelessness with services to help them secure and maintain housing; and Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana describes its work as promoting equitable access to nutritious food. Other 2024 grantees include organizations whose stated missions address child abuse and youth suicide prevention, refugee resettlement, infant health through access to human milk, and meal distribution.
Grantmaking
IRS filing data reports 167 grants totaling $795,430 in 2024. Grants ranged from $500 to $35,000, with a median of $5,000. The foundation’s website says awards typically are around $5,000; it also describes the Big Heart grant as an invitation-only $25,000 award for capacity-building projects.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $35,000 to Firefly Children & Family Alliance, $33,000 to Avondale Meadows Academy United Schools of Indianapolis, and $28,000 to the Indianapolis Art Center. Other listed awards included $20,000 to IWIN (Indiana Women in Need Foundation), $15,000 to Horizon House, and $12,500 to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists William Griffith as chair; Gerry Griffith as treasurer; James Mulholland as secretary; Kim Walton, David McDaniel, Katie Hagerty, Kevin Hampton, and Carmen Hansen Rivera as members; and Lara Chandler-Belsley as executive director.
The Brave Heart Foundation Inc is led by Lara Chandler-Belsley, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lara Chandler-Belsley
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$15K (2020) → $26K (2024)
William Griffith
Chair
Chairman → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David McDaniel
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gerry Griffith
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Mulholland
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katie Hagerty
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Hampton
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kim Walton
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carmen Hansen Rivera
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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 $26K, to Lara Chandler-Belsley (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Brave Heart Foundation Inc
How much does The Brave Heart Foundation Inc give each year?
The Brave Heart Foundation Inc gave $795K across 167 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $658K across 151 grants.
What is The Brave Heart Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Brave Heart Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $4,763, across 167 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Brave Heart Foundation Inc that year got $4K on average.
Where does The Brave Heart Foundation Inc give grants?
The Brave Heart Foundation Inc gives mostly in Indiana: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Indianapolis, IN (84 grants), Noblesville, IN (7 grants), Carmel, IN (6 grants) and Richmond, IN (4 grants).
Does The Brave Heart Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 167 grants with a stated purpose on The Brave Heart Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community Support" (165 grants).
Who are The Brave Heart Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Brave Heart Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Firefly Children & Family Alliance ($35,000), Avondale Meadows Academy United Schools of Indianapolis ($33,000) and Indianapolis Art Center ($28,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 12% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Brave Heart Foundation Inc?
The Brave Heart Foundation Inc reported $5.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $831K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $336K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Brave Heart Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation states that its mission is to assist and support programs serving underserved populations, especially children and families, through education, health and wellness, and grassroots community action programs and services. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Brave Heart Foundation Inc?
The foundation states on its 2024 IRS filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and 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 The Brave Heart Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Brave Heart Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-0720856. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Brave Heart 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 October 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). The Brave Heart Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-brave-heart-foundation-inc-morg_ac443a64c0ff4479b15ee6e1e69c96a5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_270720856_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Brave Heart Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-brave-heart-foundation-inc-morg_ac443a64c0ff4479b15ee6e1e69c96a5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 The Brave Heart 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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