The IPS Foundation raises private funding exclusively for Indianapolis Public Schools to ensure students and educators have the resources and support they need to succeed, partnering with district leadership, community leaders, and philanthropic champions to accelerate progress.
Indianapolis Public Schools Education Foundation Inc directs private funding exclusively to Indianapolis Public Schools, with recent awards at district scale rather than small program checks. The largest grants on file are all to Indianapolis Public Schools itself, including $4,390,751 in 2024, $4,104,297 in 2025, and $3,863,188 in 2023 for educational assistance. That pattern shows a funder built around supporting the district’s core needs while also backing targeted school and student services. Beyond district-level support, the foundation’s grantmaking reaches into scholarship and student-access programs within IPS. Its active scholarship program includes more than 13 scholarship funds for IPS high school seniors, with school-specific funds tied to Arsenal Tech, Crispus Attucks, George Washington, and Shortridge, plus a general scholarship fund for all IPS seniors. The foundation also operates school- and classroom-level grant programs, including micro grants and accelerator grants, alongside strategic initiatives tied to district priorities. In practice, the organization combines large institutional support with smaller awards designed for classrooms, educators, and student groups across the IPS district.
A central theme in the foundation’s work is direct support for district operations and student assistance. The biggest recent grant on file went to Indianapolis Public Schools for educational assistance, showing how much of its private funding flows to the district itself. Scholarships are another clear focus. The IPS Foundation Scholarship Program includes more than 13 scholarship funds for IPS high school seniors, with school-specific options for Arsenal Tech, Crispus Attucks, George Washington, and Shortridge, plus a general scholarship fund. The foundation also supports classroom and school projects. Its active grant request process is designed for school projects and program needs, while Micro Grants are described as small awards for classroom- or school-level projects. Accelerator Grants funded by the Education Equity Fund support enrichment opportunities, student supports, classroom resources, and social and emotional wellness across IPS schools and student groups.
$4.1M
$14M
$9.4M
$5.3M
Most grants fall between $2M and $4.1M, with a median of $3.9M.
25th Percentile
$2M
Median
$3.9M
75th Percentile
$4.1M
STEPHANNIE BAILEY
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Typical grant size is substantial: the 25th percentile is $2,017,100, the median is $3,863,188, and the 75th percentile is $4,126,970. That distribution points to large institutional grants as the norm, not only small project awards. The recent grants list shows repeated support for Indianapolis Public Schools across multiple years, indicating an ongoing relationship rather than one-off funding. The foundation is structured as a public-school education foundation and does not fund individuals. It also reports active programs that accept unsolicited requests for general school and program support and for scholarships, while some other initiatives are invitation-based or tied to district strategy.
Giving is tightly concentrated in Indianapolis and elsewhere in Indiana. All recorded grants in the recent sample go to recipients in Indiana, and 100% of grants are in the headquarters state. The recipient list includes Indianapolis Public Schools and Indianpolis Private Industry Council dba EmployIndy, both in Indianapolis. Program descriptions also place activity within the Indianapolis Public Schools district and, for strategic initiatives, Marion County. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
The foundation funds district educational assistance, scholarships for IPS high school seniors, classroom and school projects, educator support, and strategic initiatives tied to district priorities such as academic achievement, social and emotional wellness, teacher professional development, and family and community engagement.
Yes for some programs. The IPS Foundation Grant Request program accepts general requests for school and program support, and the IPS Foundation Scholarship Program also accepts applications for its scholarship funds. Other programs listed, such as IUH Fellowship and Strategic Initiatives grantmaking, are not open as unsolicited programs.
The grant-size distribution is large. The 25th percentile is $2,017,100, the median grant is $3,863,188, and the 75th percentile is $4,126,970.
The scholarship program is for IPS high school seniors. It includes school-specific funds for Arsenal Tech, Crispus Attucks, George Washington, and Shortridge, plus a General Scholarship Fund for all IPS seniors.
Its giving is local and concentrated in Indiana. All grants in the provided sample go to recipients in Indianapolis, and 100% of grants are in the headquarters state of Indiana.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Indianapolis Public Schools Education Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Grant applications are reviewed by the IPS Foundation Board; the page does not specify additional eligibility requirements.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $4,104,297 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE |
| INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $4,390,751 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE |
| INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $3,863,188 | 2023 | EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE |
| INDIANPOLIS PRIVATE INDUSTRY COUNCIL DBA EMPLOYINDY | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $171,012 | 2023 | EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE |
INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$4,104,297EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$4,390,751EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$3,863,188EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
