About Clara Fairbanks Foundation
The Clara Fairbanks Foundation concentrates small, local grants in Terre Haute/Vigo County that support youth development and K–12 education. Most awards are unrestricted operations support to frontline organizations serving children and families, indicating a preference for sustaining ongoing programs rather than project-based or national work. The foundation appears community-focused and pragmatic, prioritizing organizations that deliver after‑school, enrichment, and basic‑needs services to local youth.
Focus Areas
After‑school youth development and Boys & Girls Club programming in Terre HauteVigo County K–12 school support and district education initiativesBasic‑needs and wellbeing services for children (e.g., care packages, family supports)
Who They Fund
youth and adolescentspreschool-aged childrenstudents and campersadult learners/participants in workforce programs (men and women)residents of Vigo County / Wabash Valley community
About Clara Fairbanks Foundation
A defining pattern of Clara Fairbanks Foundation Inc is its steady support for Terre Haute youth services through operating grants and small project awards. The largest recent grant in the data, $22,582 to Happiness Bag Inc for operations, points to a preference for keeping local frontline organizations running rather than funding broad, national initiatives. Another major award, $18,394 to Terre Haute Boys and Girls Club for the Inspire and Empower Youth Campaign, shows that youth programming is a recurring priority. The foundation also backs education infrastructure close to home, including $15,000 to Vigo County Education Foundation for mini grant programs and $15,000 to Terre Haute Childrens Museum for operations. Its recent grants are concentrated in nearby community organizations serving children, families, and students, with awards often at levels that fit practical program support. That mix of operations support, campaign funding, and school-linked grants suggests a funder focused on sustaining local services in Vigo County rather than episodic, distant philanthropy.
What Clara Fairbanks Foundation Funds
Youth development is central to the foundation’s giving. In 2026 it awarded $12,500 to Vigo County YMCA for the Livestrong Program, and in 2024 it gave $15,000 to Terre Haute Boys and Girls Club for operations. Education-related support also appears in school and learning settings: $15,000 went to Vigo County Education Foundation for mini grant programs, while $5,000 supported Terre Haute Childrens Museum’s before and after school program. The foundation also funds basic-needs and family support work. Examples include $5,000 to Catholic Charities for Kids Cafe and $5,000 to Shine Foster Family Resources Inc for operations. These grants show attention to services that combine enrichment, access, and practical support for children and families in Vigo County.
How Clara Fairbanks Foundation Gives
Typical awards are modest: the grant-size distribution runs from a 25th percentile of $2,500 to a median of $5,000 and a 75th percentile of $6,500. The recent record shows repeated support for some of the same organizations across multiple years, including Terre Haute Boys and Girls Club, Vigo County Education Foundation, Terre Haute Childrens Museum, and YMCA of the Wabash Valley. Most awards are operating support or simple project funding, with a few named campaigns or equipment purchases. The foundation gives locally and does not appear to use an open, public application channel in the scraped pages.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$120K
Total Assets
$2.8M
Total Revenue
$61K
Total Expenses
$134K
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $3K and $7K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$7K
Geographic Reach
Local3 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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