The Sarkes and Mary Tarzian Foundation concentrates its giving on conservative religious and pro‑life causes in Indiana, with significant support for anti‑abortion advocacy groups and faith‑based evangelism and education. Grants are few but substantial and often repeat awards to the same organizations, indicating a targeted, relationship-based approach rather than broad philanthropic diversification.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small number of repeat grantees—majority of funding directed to a single issue area (pro‑life advocacy) and to organizations based in Indiana.
Notable grantees: Indiana Right to Life Educational Trust Fund, Indiana Right to Life Educational Foundation, ST PAUL STREET EVANGELISM, Institute for Catholic Liberal Education
A large share of the Sarkes and Mary Tarzian Foundation Inc’s recent giving goes to Indiana Right to Life Educational Trust Fund, including grants of $285,000 in 2024 and $276,200 in 2025, along with an additional $125,000 in 2025. That pattern matches a broader portfolio centered on conservative religious and pro-life work, with several repeat awards to the same organizations over multiple years. The foundation’s recent grants also show sustained support for faith-based outreach and education, including St Paul Street Evangelism, the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education, and St Paul Catholic Center-Focus. Across the latest grants list, awards are generally unrestricted or labeled general support, which suggests a preference for strengthening organizations’ core operations rather than funding narrow projects. The foundation gives at a meaningful scale: recent awards range from smaller $17,500 grants to six-figure commitments, with multiple organizations receiving follow-on support in consecutive years. Its profile is defined less by breadth than by repeated relationships with a limited set of recipients working in anti-abortion advocacy, Catholic education, evangelism, and related civic and moral formation efforts.
In state-level pro-life advocacy, the foundation backed Indiana Right to Life Educational Foundation with $120,680 in 2023, then continued support for Indiana Right to Life Educational Trust Fund in later years. That continuity shows a long-running relationship with anti-abortion organizing in Indiana. Faith-based outreach is another clear line of giving. St Paul Street Evangelism received $80,000 in 2025, $75,000 in 2024, and $50,000 in 2023 for general support, indicating repeated operating support for evangelistic street ministry. The foundation also supports Catholic education and moral-intellectual formation. The Institute for Catholic Liberal Education received $80,000 in 2025 and $50,000 in 2024, while the National Catholic Bioethics Center received $17,500 in 2025 and 2024. Family-related research appears as well, with the Institute for Family Studies receiving $20,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Typical grant size is $3,125 at the 25th percentile, $12,500 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile, though the recent grants list also includes larger commitments into the six figures. The pattern is relationship-based: several recipients appear in multiple years, often with repeated general-support awards rather than one-time project grants. The foundation is an independent private foundation, not a donor-advised fund, and it does not make program-related investments or grants to individuals. Funding appears to be direct and largely unrestricted, with grant purposes commonly labeled general support.
$444K
$1.1M
$0
$448K
Most grants fall between $3K and $25K, with a median of $13K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$13K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Grant recipients are entirely in the United States, and Indiana accounts for 56% of grants. Bloomington and Indianapolis appear repeatedly among recipient locations, including organizations based in both cities. Outside Indiana, the foundation’s recent grants reach Ventura, Alexandria, Charlottesville, and Philadelphia. The recipient-country distribution shows a U.S.-only pattern, with no international grants in the latest data.
Recent grants show a focus on conservative religious and pro-life work. Recipients include Indiana Right to Life Educational Trust Fund, St Paul Street Evangelism, the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education, and the National Catholic Bioethics Center, with many awards designated for general support.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Indiana Right to Life Educational Trust Fund, St Paul Street Evangelism, the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education, the Institute for Family Studies, and the National Catholic Bioethics Center. The repeated awards point to ongoing relationships rather than one-off grants.
The grant-size distribution is $3,125 at the 25th percentile, $12,500 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes larger awards, including six-figure grants to Indiana Right to Life Educational Trust Fund.
The foundation gives nationally, but Indiana is its most frequent recipient state, with 56% of grants going to recipients in Indiana. Recent recipient cities include Bloomington and Indianapolis, alongside grants to organizations in Ventura, Alexandria, Charlottesville, and Philadelphia.
The recent grants are mostly labeled general support, including awards to Indiana Right to Life Educational Trust Fund, St Paul Street Evangelism, the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education, and the National Catholic Bioethics Center. That suggests a preference for flexible support of organizational operations.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INDIANA RIGHT TO LIFE EDUCATIONAL TRUST FUND | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $125,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE FOR CATHOLIC LIBERAL EDUCATION | VENTURA, CA | $80,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST PAUL STREET EVANGELISM | BLOOMINGTON, IN | $80,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST PAUL CATHOLIC CENTERFOCUS | BLOOMINGTON, IN | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JAMES WILSON INSTITUTE FOR NATURAL RIGHTS | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE FOR FAMILY STUDIES | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BLOOMINGTON SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DEPAUL | BLOOMINGTON, IN | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL CATHOLIC BIOETHICS CENTER | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $17,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE ON RELIGION AND PUBLIC LIFE | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRANCISCAN CENTER OF FORT WAYNE | FORT WAYNE, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FORT WAYNE SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DEPAUL | FORT WAYNE, IN | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHOICES PREGNANCY CENTER CHATTNOOGA | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $6,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HANNAH CENTER | BLOOMINGTON, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FORT WAYNE RESCUE MISSION | FORT WAYNE, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SYCAMORE LAND TRUST | BLOOMINGTON, IN | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SALVATION ARMY | BLOOMINGTON, IN | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF BLOOMINGTON | BLOOMINGTON, IN | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NAZARETH HOUSE | TAYLORSVILLE, KY | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| Indiana Right to Life Educational Trust Fund | Indianapolis, IN | $276,200 | 2025 | General Support |
| St Paul Street Evangelism | Bloomington, IN | $80,000 | 2025 | General Support |
| Institute for Catholic Liberal Education | Ventura, CA | $80,000 | 2025 | General Support |
| James Wilson Institute for Natural Rights | Alexandria, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | General Support |
| St Paul Catholic Center-FOCUS | Bloomington, IN | $25,000 | 2025 | General Support |
| Bloomington Society of St Vincent dePaul | Bloomington, IN | $20,000 | 2025 | General Support |
| Institute for Family Studies | Charlottesville, VA | $20,000 | 2025 | General Support |
| National Catholic Bioethics Center | Philadelphia, PA | $17,500 | 2025 | General Support |
| Institute on Religion and Public Life | New York, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | General Support |
| Franciscan Center of Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, IN | $10,000 | 2025 | General Support |
| Fort Wayne Society of St Vincent dePaul | Fort Wayne, IN | $7,500 | 2025 | General Support |
| Choices Pregnancy Center Chattnooga | Chattanooga, TN | $6,000 | 2025 | General Support |
| Hannah Center | Bloomington, IN | $5,000 | 2025 | General Support |
| Fort Wayne Rescue Mission | Fort Wayne, IN | $5,000 | 2025 | General Support |
| Salvation Army | Bloomington, IN | $1,000 | 2025 | General Support |
| Sycamore Land Trust | Bloomington, IN | $1,000 | 2025 | General Support |
| Nazareth House | Taylorsville, KY | $500 | 2025 | General Support |
| Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington | Bloomington, IN | $500 | 2025 | General Support |
| INDIANA RIGHT TO LIFE EDUCATIONAL TRUST FUND | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $285,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST PAUL STREET EVANGELISM | BLOOMINGTON, IN | $75,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE FOR CATHOLIC LIBERAL EDUCATION | Ventura, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JAMES WILSON INSTITUTE FOR NATURAL RIGHTS | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST PAUL CATHOLIC CENTER - FOCUS | BLOOMINGTON, IN | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BLOOMINGTON SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DEPAUL | BLOOMINGTON, IN | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE FOR FAMILY STUDIES | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL CATHOLIC BIOETHICS CENTER | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $17,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE ON RELIGION AND PUBLIC LIFE | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRANCISCAN CENTER OF FORT WAYNE | FORT WAYNE, IN | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE AMERICAN SPECTATOR FOUNDATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHOICES PREGNANCY CENTER CHATTANOOGA | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $6,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SALVATION ARMY | BLOOMINGTON, IN | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SYCAMORE LAND TRUST | BLOOMINGTON, IN | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
INDIANA RIGHT TO LIFE EDUCATIONAL TRUST FUND
$125,000GENERAL SUPPORT
INSTITUTE FOR CATHOLIC LIBERAL EDUCATION
$80,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST PAUL STREET EVANGELISM
$80,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST PAUL CATHOLIC CENTERFOCUS
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GENERAL SUPPORT
BLOOMINGTON SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DEPAUL
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL CATHOLIC BIOETHICS CENTER
$17,500GENERAL SUPPORT
INSTITUTE ON RELIGION AND PUBLIC LIFE
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FRANCISCAN CENTER OF FORT WAYNE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHOICES PREGNANCY CENTER CHATTNOOGA
$6,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HANNAH CENTER
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FORT WAYNE RESCUE MISSION
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SALVATION ARMY
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NAZARETH HOUSE
$500GENERAL SUPPORT
Indiana Right to Life Educational Trust Fund
$276,200General Support
St Paul Street Evangelism
$80,000General Support
Institute for Catholic Liberal Education
$80,000General Support
St Paul Catholic Center-FOCUS
$25,000General Support
Bloomington Society of St Vincent dePaul
$20,000General Support
National Catholic Bioethics Center
$17,500General Support
Institute on Religion and Public Life
$15,000General Support
Franciscan Center of Fort Wayne
$10,000General Support
Choices Pregnancy Center Chattnooga
$6,000General Support
Hannah Center
$5,000General Support
Fort Wayne Rescue Mission
$5,000General Support
Salvation Army
$1,000General Support
Nazareth House
$500General Support
INDIANA RIGHT TO LIFE EDUCATIONAL TRUST FUND
$285,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST PAUL STREET EVANGELISM
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT
INSTITUTE FOR CATHOLIC LIBERAL EDUCATION
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST PAUL CATHOLIC CENTER - FOCUS
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BLOOMINGTON SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DEPAUL
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL CATHOLIC BIOETHICS CENTER
$17,500GENERAL SUPPORT
INSTITUTE ON RELIGION AND PUBLIC LIFE
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FRANCISCAN CENTER OF FORT WAYNE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE AMERICAN SPECTATOR FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHOICES PREGNANCY CENTER CHATTANOOGA
$6,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SALVATION ARMY
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT