The Bill Simpson Foundation concentrates its giving on motorsports heritage and adaptive sports. Most of its recent dollars support the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s legacy programs (including the Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers Club) and organizations that expand access to recreational sports for people with disabilities. The foundation gives relatively few, but sizable, grants focused on community culture and inclusive athletics rather than broad philanthropic diversification.
Bill Simpson Foundation Inc’s largest recent award went to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation Inc for the Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers Club and general support, underscoring a clear emphasis on motorsports heritage. That legacy work sits alongside a second defining thread: grants to organizations that expand access to recreation for people with disabilities, such as Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating Inc for Special Olympics and general support. The foundation’s recent giving also reaches into related culture and community institutions through support for film, environmental stewardship, and nonprofit recreation programs. The foundation appears to favor focused, purpose-specific grants rather than broad diversification. Its recent awards include support for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s legacy programming, adaptive boating and sports access, independent cinema, conservation, and selected community organizations. Recipients range from Indiana institutions to nonprofits in North Carolina, Colorado, California, Maryland, and Wyoming, but the pattern remains centered on a relatively small set of mission themes. Within that pattern, motorsports and inclusive recreation are the most visible throughlines, with other grants fitting around them as supporting interests rather than separate major programs.
In motorsports heritage, Bill Simpson Foundation Inc gave $85,000 to Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation Inc for general support in 2025, following a larger $170,000 grant in 2024 for the Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers Club and general support. That pairing shows sustained attention to legacy programming tied to the Speedway. Adaptive sports and recreation are another core theme. The foundation awarded $80,000 to Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating Inc for Special Olympics and general support, and $15,000 to Jackson Hole Therapeutic Riding Association for general support. It also supported gaming access for hospital or recreational settings with $45,000 to Gamers Outreach Foundation Inc for general support and a separate $24,500 grant for seven consoles. The foundation also funded cultural and environmental work, including $50,000 to Charlotte Film Society for the Independent Picture House and $20,000 to American Friends of the Ocean Cleanup Foundation for general support.
$613K
$18M
$2.1M
$2.4M
Most grants fall between $10K and $20K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$20K
About 12% of grants go to recipients in NC.
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated giving: a very small number of relatively large grants, with repeat funding to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation and targeted one-off support to adaptive sports providers.
Notable grantees: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation Inc (Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers Club), Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating Inc, Special Olympics / adaptive sports programs (as programmatic beneficiaries)
Bill Simpson Foundation Inc’s recent grants cluster around a typical size of $10,000, with a median of $10,000 and a 75th percentile of $20,000. The distribution still allows for larger commitments, including six-figure support for a motorsports legacy group and multiple $50,000 awards. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF and does not fund individuals or program-related investments. The recent record shows repeat recipients across years, including one motorsports institution, an accessible boating organization, an environmental conservancy, and a racing-history museum, which points to ongoing relationships rather than one-off gifts. Its active grant programs are annual and accept unsolicited applications during a limited window.
Grantmaking is national in scope, with all recent listed grants going to U.S. recipients. Indiana is not the top giving state by count, but it does receive a share of grants, including support for Indianapolis organizations. The most frequent recipient state is Colorado, with awards to Englewood and other Colorado communities. Other repeated locations include Charlotte, North Carolina; Bald Head Island, North Carolina; and Jackson, Wyoming. Recent grants also reached Annapolis, Maryland; Whitewater and Palm Springs, California; and Key West, Florida, showing a spread across multiple regions rather than a single corridor.
Recent grants show a strong mix of motorsports heritage, adaptive sports and recreation, and selected cultural or environmental nonprofits. Examples include support for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation Inc, Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating Inc, Charlotte Film Society, and American Friends of the Ocean Cleanup Foundation.
The typical grant size is $10,000, with a median of $10,000 and a 75th percentile of $20,000. Recent awards range from that level up to larger commitments such as $85,000 and $170,000.
Yes. The active grant programs are annual cycles that accept unsolicited applications during a limited window. The program descriptions say the foundation accepts full grant applications once per year.
No. The grant program geography is the United States, and the recent grant list includes recipients in Indiana, North Carolina, Colorado, California, Maryland, Wyoming, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, and New York.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation Inc, Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating Inc, Guide Dogs of the Desert, Garden Inc, Bald Head Island Conservancy Inc, and Carving the Future.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Bill Simpson Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations whose programs align with the foundation's mission and focus areas. Separate application pathways exist for new grantees and returning grantees.
Deadline: Applications accepted annually from January 1 through March 6 (applications outside this window are not accepted).
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations aligned with the foundation’s mission and focus areas. (Specific eligibility details not listed on site.)
Deadline: Applications accepted annually between January and April. Specific yearly deadlines not listed on site.
Who can apply: The foundation funds nonprofits working in targeted communities and supporting its mission areas. Specific eligibility requirements are not provided in the available content. Separate application links are provided for new and returning grantees.
Deadline: Applications are accepted annually from January through March 6. Applications submitted outside this window cannot be considered.
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guide Dogs of the Desert | Palm Springs, CA | $120,000 | 2026 | General support |
| Gamers Outreach Foundation | Ann Arbor, MI | $75,000 | 2026 | General support |
| Carving the Future | Jackson, WY | $40,000 | 2026 | General support |
| Independent Picture House | Charlotte, NC | $40,000 | 2026 | Grant for Inflatable Screen |
| Reef Relief Inc | Key West, FL | $30,000 | 2026 | General support |
| Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) | Annapolis, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | General support |
| Humane Society of Charlotte Inc | Charlotte, NC | $25,000 | 2026 | General support |
| Vida Verde Nature Education | San Gregorio, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | General support |
| Jackson Hole Therapeutic Riding | Teton Village, WY | $20,000 | 2026 | General support |
| The Traveling Gnomes | Denver, CO | $20,000 | 2026 | General support |
| Project ANGEL of Hendricks County | Brownsburg, IN | $15,000 | 2026 | General support |
| Rock Steady Boxing of Brownsburg Inc | Brownsburg, IN | $15,000 | 2026 | General support |
| Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing Inc | Ocala, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | General support |
| Bullies 2 the Rescue | Monroe, NC | $15,000 | 2026 | General support |
| FIDO Inc aka Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside | Indianapolis, IN | $15,000 | 2026 | General support |
| Canal Dock Boathouse Inc | New Haven, CT | $14,000 | 2026 | General support |
| United Cavalry Carolinas | Statesville, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | General support |
| Charlotte Rescue Mission | Charlotte, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | General support |
| International Associations of Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers Inc | Speedway, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | General support |
| Florida Keys SPCA | Key West, FL | $7,500 | 2026 | General support |
| Pilots to the Rescue | Brooklyn, NY | $7,500 | 2026 | General support |
| International OCD Foundation | Boston, MA | $7,500 | 2026 | General support |
| K9's For Warriors | Ponte Vedra, FL | $7,500 | 2026 | General support |
| Halfway There Rescue | Rock Hill, SC | $7,500 | 2026 | General support |
| Behavioral Health Leadership Institute | Baltimore, MD | $7,500 | 2026 | General support |
| The Oscar Mike Foundation | Marengo, IL | $7,500 | 2026 | General support |
| Charm City Care Connection Inc | Baltimore, MD | $7,500 | 2026 | General support |
| Challenge Aspen | Snowmass Village, CO | $7,500 | 2026 | General support |
| Sail Beyond Cancer Annapolis | Annapolis, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | General support |
| USA Snowboard and Freeski Assocation | Park City, UT | $5,000 | 2026 | General support |
| Friends of PAC (Pinedale Aquatic Center) | Pinedale, WY | $1,000 | 2026 | General support |
| Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $85,000 | 2025 | General support |
| Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating Inc | Annapolis, MD | $80,000 | 2025 | Special Olympics and general support |
| Guide Dogs of the Desert | Whitewater, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | General support |
| Charlotte Film Society | Charlotte, NC | $50,000 | 2025 | Independent Picture House |
| Bald Head Island Conservancy Inc | Bald Head Island, NC | $50,000 | 2025 | General support |
| Gamers Outreach Foundation Inc | Ann Arbor, MI | $45,000 | 2025 | General support |
| Garden Inc | Englewood, CO | $40,000 | 2025 | General support |
| Carving the Future | Jackson, WY | $30,000 | 2025 | General support |
| Wings of Eagles Ranch | Concord, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | General support |
| The Paula Takacs Foundation for Sarcoma Research | Charlotte, NC | $15,000 | 2025 | Heather's Heros |
| Manna Food Bank Inc | Mills River, NC | $15,000 | 2025 | General support |
| Reef Relief Inc | Key West, FL | $15,000 | 2025 | General support |
| Samaritan's Purse | Boone, NC | $15,000 | 2025 | General support |
| Jackson Hole Therapeutic Riding Association | Teton Village, WY | $15,000 | 2025 | General support |
| United Tennis Organization | Dallas, NC | $12,500 | 2025 | General support |
| Do Greater Foundation Inc | Charlotte, NC | $12,500 | 2025 | General support |
| FIDO Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $12,500 | 2025 | General support |
| Crohns and Colitis Foundation Inc | New York, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | General support |
| Cajun Army Inc | Prairieville, LA | $10,000 | 2025 | North Carolina Hurricane Relief |
Carving the Future
$40,000General support
Independent Picture House
$40,000Grant for Inflatable Screen
Reef Relief Inc
$30,000General support
Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB)
$25,000General support
The Traveling Gnomes
$20,000General support
Project ANGEL of Hendricks County
$15,000General support
Rock Steady Boxing of Brownsburg Inc
$15,000General support
Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing Inc
$15,000General support
Bullies 2 the Rescue
$15,000General support
Canal Dock Boathouse Inc
$14,000General support
United Cavalry Carolinas
$10,000General support
International Associations of Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers Inc
$10,000General support
Florida Keys SPCA
$7,500General support
Pilots to the Rescue
$7,500General support
Halfway There Rescue
$7,500General support
Behavioral Health Leadership Institute
$7,500General support
The Oscar Mike Foundation
$7,500General support
Sail Beyond Cancer Annapolis
$5,000General support
USA Snowboard and Freeski Assocation
$5,000General support
Friends of PAC (Pinedale Aquatic Center)
$1,000General support
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation Inc
$85,000General support
Special Olympics and general support
Charlotte Film Society
$50,000Independent Picture House
Garden Inc
$40,000General support
Carving the Future
$30,000General support
Wings of Eagles Ranch
$25,000General support
The Paula Takacs Foundation for Sarcoma Research
$15,000Heather's Heros
Reef Relief Inc
$15,000General support
United Tennis Organization
$12,500General support
Cajun Army Inc
$10,000North Carolina Hurricane Relief
