The Elba L and Gene Portteus Branigin Foundation concentrates its giving on local educational institutions and community learning resources in Franklin and Johnson County, IN. Grants support college-level teaching and professional development, K–12/STEM programming and tutoring, student scholarships, and enhancements to public library children’s services. The foundation favors place-based investments that strengthen education pipelines and access to learning for youth and residents.
Two Franklin College grants of $50,000 each, one in 2023 and one in 2024, show the Elba L and Gene Portteus Branigin Foundation’s steady support for college-level teaching and professional development. That same pattern appears across its grant list: the foundation backs education from early learning through higher education, while also supporting community institutions that shape daily life in Franklin and Johnson County. It gave Johnson Co Public Library Foundation $40,000 to expand and enhance children’s departments at three branches, and it funded Franklin Education Connection for equipment, tutoring, student scholarships, and STEM education. Other awards support youth organizations, public music, arts events, food assistance, and animal welfare. The foundation’s approach is place-based and locally focused, with most grants going to organizations in Franklin and nearby Johnson County communities. Scholarships and direct student support also appear in the record, including awards to Butler University for scholarship funds and to local education intermediaries that serve county students. Across the recent grants, education is the throughline, but the foundation’s giving extends into the civic and cultural spaces that support that pipeline.
Education is the foundation’s clearest theme, and it appears at multiple levels. Franklin Education Connection received $35,000 in 2024 and $26,695 in 2023 for equipment, tutoring, student scholarships, and STEM education. At the K–12 level, Boys and Girls Club of Johnson Co was awarded $12,000 in 2023 for STEM programming, playroom equipment, a sensory room, supplies, treats, and a snack program. For college and faculty development, Franklin College of Indiana received $50,000 in both 2023 and 2024 for the Branigin EngagedLearning Program research and professional development. The foundation also supports early literacy: Johnson Co Community Foundation received $9,000 in both 2023 and 2024 for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library books for 300 children. Outside education, it has funded food distribution through Interchurch Food Pantry, community arts and murals through Johnson Co Community Foundation, and public music through Franklin Symphonic Council.
$398K
$4M
$691K
$458K
Most grants fall between $5K and $12K, with a median of $9K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$9K
75th Percentile
$12K
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Highly concentrated, local-focused giving: few but relatively large grants, including repeat funding to Franklin College and targeted institutional investments rather than many small or national grants.
Notable grantees: Franklin College of Indiana, Johnson County Public Library Foundation, Franklin Education Connection
Typical grants are modest in size, with a p25 of $5,000, median of $9,252, and p75 of $12,000. The recent record shows repeated support for the same organizations across multiple years, including Franklin College of Indiana, Franklin Education Connection, Girls Inc of Franklin, Franklin Symphonic Council, Interchurch Food Pantry, Johnson Co Community Foundation, and Butler University. That recurring pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-off awards. The foundation is a grantmaking foundation, not an individual giving vehicle, and it does not make program-related investments. The grant list also shows a mix of operating support, project support, sponsorships, and scholarship funds.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local: 96% of grants go to recipients in Indiana, and the top giving city is Franklin. Most recent awards land in Franklin, with additional grants in Whiteland and Indianapolis. Johnson County organizations appear repeatedly, including community foundations, public library partners, schools, youth groups, and service providers. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 49 grants recorded to U.S. recipients.
Its recent grants support the full education pipeline: college-level teaching and professional development at Franklin College, K–12 STEM programming and tutoring through Franklin Education Connection and Boys and Girls Club of Johnson Co, scholarship funds for Butler University, and early literacy through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Johnson County.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Franklin College of Indiana, Franklin Education Connection, Girls Inc of Franklin, Franklin Symphonic Council, Interchurch Food Pantry, Johnson Co Community Foundation, and Butler University. Some of these received the same purpose funding in consecutive years.
The distribution centers on relatively small awards: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $9,252, and the 75th percentile is $12,000. Recent grants include both smaller project awards and larger commitments, such as two $50,000 grants to Franklin College of Indiana.
Its giving is highly concentrated in Indiana, which accounts for 96% of grants. Franklin is the main city in the recent record, with additional grants in Whiteland and Indianapolis.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRANKLIN COLLEGE OF INDIANA | Franklin, IN | $56,000 | 2026 | Branigin Engaged Learning program research and dev |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF JOHNSON CO | Franklin, IN | $50,000 | 2026 | Low Cost SpayNeuter Clinic project support |
| FRANKLIN EDUCATION CONNECTION | Franklin, IN | $39,000 | 2026 | Student Success support part-time teachers and sch |
| GIRLS INC OF FRANKLIN | Franklin, IN | $25,000 | 2026 | Operational support and strategic goals and plans |
| CLARK PLEASANT EDUCATION FOUNDATION | Whiteland, IN | $20,000 | 2026 | Support of CPEFs annual Fall teacher grant cycle |
| JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | Franklin, IN | $20,000 | 2026 | Support Early Care Education Initiatives in JoCo |
| TARA TREATMENT CENTER | Franklin, IN | $20,000 | 2026 | Support purchase of vehicles for treatment program |
| FRANKLIN PARKS RECREATION DEPT | Franklin, IN | $15,500 | 2026 | Sponsorship of Vendor PlazaPublic Art AdvisoryAr |
| FRANKLIN SYMPHONIC COUNCIL | Franklin, IN | $12,500 | 2026 | Public music presentation and support of mission |
| LEADERSHIP JOHNSON COUNTY | Franklin, IN | $10,704 | 2026 | Support purchase of custom utility trailer w shel |
| JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | Franklin, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | 2026 Color the County Mural Program |
| BUTLER UNIVERSITY | Indianapolis, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | Scholarship Funds |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF JOHNSON CO | Franklin, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | Support STEM lab implementation supplies treats |
| IMAGINATION LIBRARY OF JOHNSON CO I | Franklin, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | Support of literary program in Johnson County |
| INTERCHURCH FOOD PANTRY | Franklin, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | Purchase food for food insecure in Johnson Co |
| FRANKLIN HERITAGE | Franklin, IN | $9,917 | 2026 | Funds for film library - acquisition preservation |
| AUTISM COMMUNITY CONNECTION | Greenwood, IN | $9,025 | 2026 | Support Young Adult Connection programs |
| ST ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC SCHOOL | Franklin, IN | $7,500 | 2026 | Financial aid provided to students in need |
| DISCOVER DOWNTOWN FRANKLIN INC | Franklin, IN | $7,500 | 2026 | Support of the Holiday Lighting Endowment Fund |
| UPSTREAM PREVENTION INC | Greenwood, IN | $7,000 | 2026 | Renovation of new space for accessibility needs |
| BRIDGES ALLIANCE OF JOHNSON COUNTY | Franklin, IN | $6,400 | 2026 | Recruitretain volunteers conduct forums etc |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | Franklin, IN | $6,000 | 2026 | Support for youth and community activities region |
| JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | Franklin, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | Dollars for Scholars program |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | Franklin, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | Support mission and ministryoperating |
| NHJ EDUCATION FOUNDATION | Trafalgar, IN | $4,253 | 2026 | Support purchase of educational equipment |
| UNITED WAY OF JOHNSON COUNTY | Franklin, IN | $4,000 | 2026 | 2026 FastTrack program |
| INDIANA REPERTORY THEATER | Indianapolis, IN | $3,000 | 2026 | Education programming Student Matinee Program |
| IMAGINATION LIBRARY OF BARTHOLOMEW | Columbus, IN | $2,700 | 2026 | Support of literary program in Bartholomew County |
| INDIANPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | Indianapolis, IN | $2,500 | 2026 | Support of Teddy Bear concert series in Johnson Co |
| Franklin College of Indiana | Franklin, IN | $52,500 | 2025 | Branigin EngagedLearning Programresearch and prof development |
| Franklin Education Connection | Franklin, IN | $37,500 | 2025 | Student Success supportpart-time teacher salariesand scholarships |
| Humane Society of Johnson Co | Franklin, IN | $36,712 | 2025 | Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinicproject support |
| Girls Inc of Franklin | Franklin, IN | $25,000 | 2025 | Operational supportand strategic goalsand plans |
| Leadership Johnson County | Franklin, IN | $25,000 | 2025 | Matching grant,support transitionto independent entity |
| Clark Pleasant Education Foundation | Whiteland, IN | $17,500 | 2025 | Warrior Way behavioralincentive program,fall grant |
| Johnson Co Public Library Foundation | Franklin, IN | $17,500 | 2025 | Support 2025 summer programwith additional funds for Explore Summer endowment |
| Franklin Parks & Recreation Dept | Franklin, IN | $15,500 | 2025 | Sponsoship of Vendor Plaza,Public Art Advisory,Arts at the Amp |
| Franklin Heritage | Franklin, IN | $13,038 | 2025 | Funds for filmlibrary-acquisitionpreservation and storage |
| Franklin Symphonic Council | Franklin, IN | $12,500 | 2025 | Public musicpresentations,support of mission |
| Butler University | Indianapolis, IN | $10,000 | 2025 | ScholarshipFunds |
| Johnson Co Community Foundation | Franklin, IN | $10,000 | 2025 | 2025 Color the CountyMural Program |
| Interchurch Food Pantry | Franklin, IN | $10,000 | 2025 | Purchase foodfor food insecurein Johnson Co. |
| Johnson Co Community Cats | Franklin, IN | $10,000 | 2025 | Equipment for newvet clinic for lowincome cat owners |
| Johnson Co Community Foundation | Franklin, IN | $9,000 | 2025 | Dolly PartonsImagination Library |
| St Rose of Lima Catholic School | Franklin, IN | $7,500 | 2025 | Financial assistancefor students fromneedy families |
| Upstream Prevention Inc | Greenwood, IN | $6,500 | 2025 | Renovation of newspace for accessibilityneeds |
| First Presbyterian Church | Franklin, IN | $6,000 | 2025 | Youth activities,community musicministry |
| Habitat for Humanity | Franklin, IN | $5,000 | 2025 | Support missionand ministry/operating |
| Discover Downtown Franklin Inc | Franklin, IN | $5,000 | 2025 | Support varioussoftware subscriptions |
| Johnson Co Community Foundation | Franklin, IN | $5,000 | 2025 | Dollars forScholars program |
FRANKLIN COLLEGE OF INDIANA
$56,000Branigin Engaged Learning program research and dev
HUMANE SOCIETY OF JOHNSON CO
$50,000Low Cost SpayNeuter Clinic project support
FRANKLIN EDUCATION CONNECTION
$39,000Student Success support part-time teachers and sch
GIRLS INC OF FRANKLIN
$25,000Operational support and strategic goals and plans
CLARK PLEASANT EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$20,000Support of CPEFs annual Fall teacher grant cycle
JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$20,000Support Early Care Education Initiatives in JoCo
TARA TREATMENT CENTER
$20,000Support purchase of vehicles for treatment program
FRANKLIN PARKS RECREATION DEPT
$15,500Sponsorship of Vendor PlazaPublic Art AdvisoryAr
FRANKLIN SYMPHONIC COUNCIL
$12,500Public music presentation and support of mission
LEADERSHIP JOHNSON COUNTY
$10,704Support purchase of custom utility trailer w shel
JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$10,0002026 Color the County Mural Program
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF JOHNSON CO
$10,000Support STEM lab implementation supplies treats
IMAGINATION LIBRARY OF JOHNSON CO I
$10,000Support of literary program in Johnson County
FRANKLIN HERITAGE
$9,917Funds for film library - acquisition preservation
AUTISM COMMUNITY CONNECTION
$9,025Support Young Adult Connection programs
ST ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC SCHOOL
$7,500Financial aid provided to students in need
DISCOVER DOWNTOWN FRANKLIN INC
$7,500Support of the Holiday Lighting Endowment Fund
UPSTREAM PREVENTION INC
$7,000Renovation of new space for accessibility needs
BRIDGES ALLIANCE OF JOHNSON COUNTY
$6,400Recruitretain volunteers conduct forums etc
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$6,000Support for youth and community activities region
JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$5,000Dollars for Scholars program
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$5,000Support mission and ministryoperating
NHJ EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$4,253Support purchase of educational equipment
UNITED WAY OF JOHNSON COUNTY
$4,0002026 FastTrack program
INDIANA REPERTORY THEATER
$3,000Education programming Student Matinee Program
IMAGINATION LIBRARY OF BARTHOLOMEW
$2,700Support of literary program in Bartholomew County
INDIANPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$2,500Support of Teddy Bear concert series in Johnson Co
Franklin College of Indiana
$52,500Branigin EngagedLearning Programresearch and prof development
Franklin Education Connection
$37,500Student Success supportpart-time teacher salariesand scholarships
Humane Society of Johnson Co
$36,712Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinicproject support
Girls Inc of Franklin
$25,000Operational supportand strategic goalsand plans
Leadership Johnson County
$25,000Matching grant,support transitionto independent entity
Clark Pleasant Education Foundation
$17,500Warrior Way behavioralincentive program,fall grant
Johnson Co Public Library Foundation
$17,500Support 2025 summer programwith additional funds for Explore Summer endowment
Franklin Parks & Recreation Dept
$15,500Sponsoship of Vendor Plaza,Public Art Advisory,Arts at the Amp
Franklin Heritage
$13,038Funds for filmlibrary-acquisitionpreservation and storage
Franklin Symphonic Council
$12,500Public musicpresentations,support of mission
Johnson Co Community Foundation
$10,0002025 Color the CountyMural Program
Interchurch Food Pantry
$10,000Purchase foodfor food insecurein Johnson Co.
Johnson Co Community Cats
$10,000Equipment for newvet clinic for lowincome cat owners
Johnson Co Community Foundation
$9,000Dolly PartonsImagination Library
St Rose of Lima Catholic School
$7,500Financial assistancefor students fromneedy families
Upstream Prevention Inc
$6,500Renovation of newspace for accessibilityneeds
First Presbyterian Church
$6,000Youth activities,community musicministry
Habitat for Humanity
$5,000Support missionand ministry/operating
Discover Downtown Franklin Inc
$5,000Support varioussoftware subscriptions
Johnson Co Community Foundation
$5,000Dollars forScholars program