The Avis Foundation primarily funds faith-affiliated higher education and regional youth development in Indiana, with large capital grants that build facilities, equip classrooms, and expand vocational and arts programming. They favor Christian colleges and universities (often repeatedly) while also supporting STEM, arts, therapeutic, and workforce-training projects that serve K–16 students and young people across East Central Indiana. Their giving emphasizes hands-on learning environments and program infrastructure rather than unrestricted operating support.
A defining pattern in Avis Foundation Inc’s giving is repeated support for faith-affiliated higher education in Indiana, paired with large facility and equipment grants that shape how students learn. Taylor University appears more than once, including support for a western art gallery and film and media equipment, while Ball State University receives grants tied to autism programming, special education, counseling, and an inclusive excellence scholarship. That mix shows a funder interested in student experience, campus infrastructure, and access-oriented programming rather than narrow annual operating support. The foundation also backs youth-serving community institutions and hands-on learning spaces. Grants to YMCA of Muncie, Indianapolis Children’s Museum, Conner Prairie, and Eiteljorg Museum point to an interest in environments where children, families, and students encounter arts, exhibits, and development programs. Other awards support therapeutic horse-riding facilities, robotics facilities, and a STEM center, suggesting a consistent preference for physical improvements, specialized equipment, and programs that can be used directly by students and young people.
Avis Foundation Inc gives across several connected cause areas, often through named projects rather than general support. In STEM and robotics, NearSpace Education received $271,650 for completion of a STEM Center and $210,000 for Phase I of the Dream Big Program, including satellite construction and college modular curriculum development. In career and workforce preparation, Huntington University got $350,000 for veterinary medicine, leadership coaching, and occupational therapy assistant training, and Core Inc received $80,000 for a welding program for individuals with disabilities and at-risk students. Their education and inclusion work is also visible at Ball State University, where grants supported autism programming, Project Special Education, Arts, and Counseling, and a school nurses project serving K–12 students with autism spectrum disorder. Arts and experiential learning show up in funding for the Indianapolis Children’s Museum’s Visual and Performing Arts Atelier and Anderson University’s dance program and studio enhancement.
Typical grants are sizeable: the 25th percentile is $80,000, the median is $167,334, and the 75th percentile is $250,000. The recent grant list shows both one-time awards and repeat support over multiple years, including recurring grants to Taylor University, Ball State University, Eiteljorg Museum, Conner Prairie, Ouachita Baptist University, and NearSpace Education. That pattern suggests a grantmaker willing to return to institutions that fit its priorities. Avis Foundation Inc uses an annual LOI-to-full-proposal process across several of its grant programs, and some descriptions say grants are usually designed for outcomes achievable in one to three years. The foundation also funds individuals, and the grant list includes a mix of project, equipment, capital, scholarship, and event-support awards.
$3M
$52.6M
$4.2M
$3.4M
Most grants fall between $80K and $250K, with a median of $167K.
25th Percentile
$80K
Median
$167K
75th Percentile
$250K
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Concentrated, capital-focused grants: relatively few but large awards (many six-figure grants), recurring support to some higher-education institutions, and a regional emphasis on East Central Indiana with occasional out-of-state Christian higher-education gifts.
Notable grantees: Taylor University, Ball State University, YMCA of Muncie, NearSpace Education, Ouachita Baptist University
Giving is highly concentrated in Indiana: 90% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Indiana is also the top state by grant count. Recent awards land in Muncie, Upland, Indianapolis, Fishers, Huntington, Anderson, Cicero, Matthews, and Fort Wayne, showing a strong East Central Indiana footprint with some reach into other parts of the state. Outside Indiana, the recent grants list includes Arkansas and Texas recipients, but all recorded grants are in the United States.
The foundation repeatedly funds campus facilities, equipment, and specialized programs. Recent grants supported a STEM center, film and media equipment, a dance studio enhancement, therapeutic horse-riding facilities, and inclusive learning spaces such as a sensory room and inclusive signage.
No. Education is central, but the foundation also funds arts, autism-related services, entrepreneurship-related priorities, and community quality-of-life projects. Recent grants reached museums, a youth development center, therapeutic services, and workforce training programs.
It commonly uses an LOI-first process. Several active programs require a Letter of Inquiry, then invite selected applicants to submit a full proposal. Some program descriptions say awards are intended for outcomes achievable in one to three years.
The giving is local in practice, with 90% of grants going to recipients in Indiana. The recent grants list is entirely U.S.-based, and Indiana is the top state by grant count.
Yes. The recent grant list includes multiple repeat recipients across years, including Taylor University, Ball State University, Eiteljorg Museum, Conner Prairie, Ouachita Baptist University, and NearSpace Education.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Avis Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations must submit an LOI on organizational letterhead, signed by the chief executive officer. Further eligibility details are provided in the foundation's LOI and full proposal guidelines.
Deadline: LOI due March 1; invited full proposals due July 31; decisions in September; funding typically in October.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations whose projects align with one or more of the Avis Foundation's priorities and the organization's strategic plan may submit an LOI. Only organizations with an approved LOI are eligible to submit a full grant proposal. Successful proposals should establish compelling, measurable outcomes achievable within one to three years.
Deadline: LOIs are due March 1 annually; full grant proposals from approved LOIs are due July 31. LOI decisions occur in April, funding decisions in September, and funding is typically completed in October.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor University | Upland, IN | $425,000 | 2026 | Mitchell Theatre Infrastructure Enhancements |
| Huntington University | Huntington, IN | $250,000 | 2026 | Veterinary Medicine, Leadership Coaching, Occupational Therapy Assistant Training |
| NearSpace Education | Upland, IN | $250,000 | 2026 | Pipelines of Impact |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | $250,000 | 2026 | Graduate Program in Counseling |
| Ball State University | Muncie, IN | $250,000 | 2026 | Camp Achieve (Summer Social Skills Autism Day Camp) |
| Eiteljorg Museum | Indianapolis, IN | $200,000 | 2026 | Quest for the West Event and Four Art Exhibitions |
| Purdue University Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, IN | $174,000 | 2026 | Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Engineering Nexus |
| Conner Prairie | Fishers, IN | $166,666 | 2026 | Sensory Room and Inclusive Signage in the Museum Experience Center |
| Muncie Civic Theatre | Muncie, IN | $150,000 | 2026 | Boyce Block Remodel |
| Indianapolis Public Library Foundation | Indianapolis, IN | $100,000 | 2026 | Children's Literacy Program and Autism Certification |
| JobSource Inc | Anderson, IN | $100,000 | 2026 | Heartland Scholar House |
| Indiana Repertory Theatre | Indianapolis, IN | $100,000 | 2026 | Come From Away Musical Production |
| Indiana University Foundation | Bloomington, IN | $88,530 | 2026 | Jacobs Virtual Academy |
| Loyola University Chicago School of Education | Chicago, IL | $83,333 | 2026 | Online Undergraduate Program in Applied Behavior Studies |
| Harrison Center for the Arts | Indianapolis, IN | $75,000 | 2026 | Polklore Museum Launch |
| Minnetrista Museum and Gardens | Muncie, IN | $75,000 | 2026 | Development and Installation of Wonderscape |
| Taylor University | Upland, IN | $50,000 | 2026 | Online Master of Education in Special Education |
| Friends of Upland Public Library | Upland, IN | $50,000 | 2026 | New Chapter for Upland Public Library |
| DePauw University | Greencastle, IN | $50,000 | 2026 | Comprehensive Support for Autistic Students |
| Youth Global Perspectives | Indianapolis, IN | $45,000 | 2026 | College and Career Readiness |
| LeTourneau University | Longview, TX | $40,000 | 2026 | Bridges Program |
| Carey Services | Marion, IN | $30,000 | 2026 | Autism Training Initiative |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | $500,000 | 2025 | Graduate Program in Counseling |
| Huntington University | Huntington, IN | $350,000 | 2025 | Veterinary Medicine, Leadership Coaching, and Occupational Therapy Assistant Training |
| Ball State University | Muncie, IN | $339,000 | 2025 | Inclusive Excellence Scholarship |
| Indianapolis Children's Museum | Indianapolis, IN | $305,000 | 2025 | Visual and Performing Arts Atelier |
| Agape Therapeutic | Cicero, IN | $300,000 | 2025 | Therapeutic Horse-Riding Facilities |
| Taylor University | Upland, IN | $250,000 | 2025 | Film and Media Equipment for Student Learning |
| NearSpace Education | Upland, IN | $210,000 | 2025 | Phase I of Dream Big Program (Satellite Construction and College Modular Curriculum Development) |
| Eiteljorg Museum | Indianapolis, IN | $200,000 | 2025 | Quest for the West fundraising event |
| Conner Prairie | Fishers, IN | $166,667 | 2025 | Sensory Room and Inclusive Signage in the Museum Experience Center |
| Core Inc | Fort Wayne, IN | $80,000 | 2025 | Welding Program for Individuals with Disabilities and At-Risk Students |
| YMCA of Muncie | Muncie, IN | $600,000 | 2024 | Furniture, fixtures and equipment in the youth development area |
| NearSpace Education | Upland, IN | $271,650 | 2024 | Completion of a STEM Center |
| Taylor University | Upland, IN | $250,000 | 2024 | Film and media equipment for student learning |
| PhyXT Gears East Central Indiana Robotics | Matthews, IN | $250,000 | 2024 | Purchase and renovation of current facilities |
| Anderson University | Anderson, IN | $250,000 | 2024 | Dance Program and Studio Enhancement |
| Ball State University | Muncie, IN | $219,500 | 2024 | School Nurses Enhancing Healthcare Services for K-12 Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder project |
| Eiteljorg Museum | Indianapolis, IN | $175,000 | 2024 | Exhibits and Programming |
| Ball State University | Muncie, IN | $168,000 | 2024 | Project Special Education, Arts, and Counseling |
| Conner Prairie | Fishers, IN | $166,667 | 2024 | Sensory Room and Inclusive Signage in the new Museum Experience Center |
| Eiteljorg Museum | Indianapolis, IN | $100,000 | 2024 | Jon Vanausdall Capital Fund |
| Alucin Study Center | Muncie, IN | $50,000 | 2024 | Operational and Program Support |
| Harrison Center for the Arts | Indianapolis, IN | $50,000 | 2024 | Art as a Visioning Tool program |
| Eiteljorg Museum | Indianapolis, IN | $50,000 | 2024 | Quest for the West fundraising event |
| LeTourneau University | Longview, TX | $40,000 | 2024 | Support for the Bridges Program for college students on the autism spectrum |
| Carey Services | Marion, IN | $39,500 | 2024 | Enhancing Career-Readiness for Individuals with Disabilities program |
| The Oaks Academy | Indianapolis, IN | $20,000 | 2024 | Diversifying books in the library |
| TAYLOR UNIVERSITY | UPLAND, IN | $500,000 | 2023 | BOREN WESTERN ART GALLERY |
| BALL STATE UNIVERSITY | MUNCIE, IN | $250,000 | 2023 | CAMP ACHIEVE |
Huntington University
$250,000Veterinary Medicine, Leadership Coaching, Occupational Therapy Assistant Training
NearSpace Education
$250,000Pipelines of Impact
Ball State University
$250,000Camp Achieve (Summer Social Skills Autism Day Camp)
Quest for the West Event and Four Art Exhibitions
Purdue University Fort Wayne
$174,000Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Engineering Nexus
Conner Prairie
$166,666Sensory Room and Inclusive Signage in the Museum Experience Center
Muncie Civic Theatre
$150,000Boyce Block Remodel
Indianapolis Public Library Foundation
$100,000Children's Literacy Program and Autism Certification
JobSource Inc
$100,000Heartland Scholar House
Online Undergraduate Program in Applied Behavior Studies
Minnetrista Museum and Gardens
$75,000Development and Installation of Wonderscape
Friends of Upland Public Library
$50,000New Chapter for Upland Public Library
DePauw University
$50,000Comprehensive Support for Autistic Students
Youth Global Perspectives
$45,000College and Career Readiness
Huntington University
$350,000Veterinary Medicine, Leadership Coaching, and Occupational Therapy Assistant Training
Ball State University
$339,000Inclusive Excellence Scholarship
Indianapolis Children's Museum
$305,000Visual and Performing Arts Atelier
Agape Therapeutic
$300,000Therapeutic Horse-Riding Facilities
NearSpace Education
$210,000Phase I of Dream Big Program (Satellite Construction and College Modular Curriculum Development)
Conner Prairie
$166,667Sensory Room and Inclusive Signage in the Museum Experience Center
Core Inc
$80,000Welding Program for Individuals with Disabilities and At-Risk Students
YMCA of Muncie
$600,000Furniture, fixtures and equipment in the youth development area
NearSpace Education
$271,650Completion of a STEM Center
PhyXT Gears East Central Indiana Robotics
$250,000Purchase and renovation of current facilities
Ball State University
$219,500School Nurses Enhancing Healthcare Services for K-12 Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder project
Eiteljorg Museum
$175,000Exhibits and Programming
Ball State University
$168,000Project Special Education, Arts, and Counseling
Conner Prairie
$166,667Sensory Room and Inclusive Signage in the new Museum Experience Center
Eiteljorg Museum
$100,000Jon Vanausdall Capital Fund
Alucin Study Center
$50,000Operational and Program Support
Eiteljorg Museum
$50,000Quest for the West fundraising event
Support for the Bridges Program for college students on the autism spectrum
Enhancing Career-Readiness for Individuals with Disabilities program
The Oaks Academy
$20,000Diversifying books in the library
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY
$250,000CAMP ACHIEVE
