The Palmer Family Foundation
The Palmer Family Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 1999 and granted tax-exempt status in September 2000. Based in Carmel, Indiana, the foundation was created by Eldon and Elaine Palmer along with their children Marsha East, Barbara Tait, Donald Palmer, and Patricia Nichols. The foundation operates with a relational approach to philanthropy, focusing on causes and organizations with which the family is personally involved.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.6M
-3.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$259K
+1.3% YoY
Grant Count
59
-4.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$4K
+6.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Palmer Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $261K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to promote human flourishing. The organization emphasizes a highly relational approach to philanthropy, donating greater than 80% of its funds to causes and organizations the family is personally involved with throughout Central Indiana and to NGOs abroad. The foundation supports both Christ-centered and secular organizations.
Primary areas of interest include:
- Increasing educational opportunities
- Job and skills training towards self-sufficiency
- Alleviating human suffering
- Helping those in need
The foundation places high value on self-reliance and supports organizations that share this belief and goal.
Grantmaking
The foundation seeks partners that are:
Grant Range
approximately $18,000
Average Grant
approximately $18,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations across the United States, with a primary focus on Central Indiana. Geographic reach extends to at least 20+ states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and others. The foundation also supports NGOs abroad.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $4,809,819
- Total revenue: $588,169
- Total expenses: $290,539
- Total liabilities: $30,300
Historical Financial Trend: The foundation has maintained relatively stable assets over time, with total assets of approximately $4.8 million as of the most recent filing.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,645,071 | $4,809,819 | $4,273,689 |
| Revenue | $274,718 | $588,169 | $260,723 |
| Expenses | $312,685 | $290,539 | $304,331 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $262,005 | $258,600 | $262,800 |
| Net Investment Income | $240,463 | $556,230 | $222,431 |
| Distributable Amount | $260,942 | $241,045 | $239,458 |
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
242 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Southern Stairs ($25,000), Heart Change Ministries ($12,500), Second Presbyterian Church ($10,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2ND CHANCE FOUNDATION CARMEL, IN | GENERAL FUND | $1,000 |
| BEN'S RANCH FOUNDATION INC CARMEL, IN | GENERAL FUND | $1,000 |
| BETHEL CHURCH NOBLESVILLE, IN | GENERAL FUND | $9,000 |
| CAMPTOWN INDIANAPOLIS, IN | GENERAL FUND | $4,500 |
| CIRCLE CITY PREPARATORY INC INDIANAPOLIS, IN | GENERAL FUND | $2,500 |
| CMF INTERNATIONAL INDIANAPOLIS, IN | GENERAL FUND | $5,000 |
| CONSERVATION LAW CENTER BLOOMINGTON, IN | GENERAL FUND | $750 |
| DISCOVERING BROADWAY INC INDIANAPOLIS, IN | GENERAL FUND | $500 |
| EDGE MENTORING INC CARMEL, IN | GENERAL FUND | $1,500 |
| EDIFY SAN DIEGO, CA | GENERAL FUND | $6,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Directors:
- Donald L. Palmer
- Carolyn J. Palmer
- M. Elaine Palmer
All three directors serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DONALD PALMER | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| CAROLYN PALMER | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| M ELAINE PALMER | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Palmer Family Foundation partnered with the Human Development Fund to launch the "Roots of Recovery" Hurricane Relief Program in Jamaica, demonstrating the foundation's commitment to international humanitarian work and disaster relief efforts.
Human Development Fund Partners with Palmer Family Foundation to Launch "RootsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Palmer Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to promote human flourishing. The organization emphasizes a highly relational approach to philanthropy, donating greater than 80% of its funds to causes and organizations the family is personally involved with throughout Central Indiana and to NGOs abroad. The foundation supports both Christ-centered and secular organizations. **Primary areas of interest include:** • Increasing educational opportunities • Job and skills training towards self-sufficiency • Alleviating…
How do I apply for a grant from The Palmer Family Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant awards range from $250 to $36,500 • Average grant size: approximately $18,000 • Median grant size data available in recent filings **Recent Grant Activity (2023):** • Total giving: $255,700 • Made 60 grants in the most recent year • Notable recent grantees include Southern Stairs ($25,000), Heart Change Ministries ($13,000), and Indiana University Foundation ($10,000) **Foundation Approach:** The foundation seeks partners that are: • **Relational:** Op…
Where does The Palmer Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds organizations across the United States, with a primary focus on Central Indiana. Geographic reach extends to at least 20+ states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and others. The foundation also supports NGOs abroad.
What size grants does The Palmer Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Palmer Family Foundation awarded 59 grants totaling $259K — an average of about $4K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Palmer Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Palmer Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $261K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Palmer Family Foundation's EIN?
The Palmer Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-6691822. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Palmer Family 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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