Richard M Fairbanks Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $15,004,268 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Within 1 business day of quarterly board meetings
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $1,500,000 (average: $90,842)
• Geographic Focus: Greater Indianapolis, Indiana (Marion County)

Contact Details

Address: 820 Massachusetts Ave., Suite 1365, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Website: https://rmff.org

Inquiry Contact: Hale Crumley, Program Officer
Email: Grants@RMFF.org

Current Application Status: Only accepting inquiries in the Education focus area. Health inquiries expected to resume in late 2026. Vitality of Indianapolis inquiries on hold.

Overview

The Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation was established in 1986 by Richard M. Fairbanks, founder and owner of Fairbanks Communications, Inc. and a leader in radio broadcasting. Following his death in 2000, an additional $132 million moved into the Foundation from his estate. With assets totaling approximately $375.5 million, the Foundation has distributed over $150 million in grants to organizations across Central Indiana since its inception. The Foundation's mission is advancing the vitality of Indianapolis and the well-being of its people by addressing the city's most significant challenges and opportunities. Led by President & CEO Claire Fiddian-Green since 2015, the Foundation operates with entrepreneurialism, a focus on results, and a willingness to take risks while remaining nimble and opportunistic. The Foundation reaffirms its strategic focus every five years and awarded 166 grants in 2023.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Education Focus Area (Currently Accepting Inquiries)

• College Matters: $14 million initiative to increase college enrollment rates for Marion County high school seniors
  • Meeting the Moment: Nearly $5 million in short-term grants to 37 schools and community organizations
  • Reversing the Trend: $7.5 million to 5 school corporations (up to $1.5 million each)
• Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway (INCAP): Nearly $25 million invested since 2016 in youth apprenticeship and career pathway development
  • Recent $13 million award (2025) to 8 Indiana organizations
  • Focus on banking, healthcare, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing sectors

Health Focus Area (Not Currently Accepting Inquiries - Expected Late 2026)

• Public and preventive health with emphasis on safety net system
• Health as an economic driver with emphasis on life sciences sector
• Prevention Matters: $13.5 million five-year initiative (2018-2023) for substance use prevention in Marion County schools

Vitality of Indianapolis Focus Area (Not Currently Accepting Inquiries)

• Job ecosystem improvements for workers and employers
• STEM and life sciences education and digital literacy as economic drivers
• Talent development, attraction, and retention

Charitable Grants Program

• Annual themed grants of $25,000 to Indianapolis nonprofits
• Recent themes: Food insecurity (2025), Homelessness (2023)
• Selected by board of directors based on pressing city needs
• Seven organizations funded per cycle

Grant Types

• General operating support
• Capital projects
• Capacity building
• Start-up funding
• Matching grants
• Single-year and multi-year grants

Priority Areas

• Organizations led by highly effective boards and executive leadership
• Goal-oriented initiatives with strong outcomes
• Projects addressing unmet needs
• Initiatives designed to bring about transformative change
• Alignment with current strategic focus areas

What They Don't Fund

• Grants, loans, or scholarships for individuals
• Most for-profit organizations
• Initiatives that do not impact Indianapolis, Indiana
• International grants

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Nine-member board including:

• Daniel C. Appel - Chair
• Amandula N. Anderson
• Christopher M. Callahan, MD, FACP
• Jonathan B. Fairbanks
• Jeffrey A. Harrison
• Bryan A. Mills

Executive Team

• Claire Fiddian-Green - President & CEO (joined 2015; BA from Brown University, MBA from Columbia University)
• Ellen Quigley - Senior leadership role
• Sarah Sullivan - Program Officer (joined 2015)
• Rico Francis - Program Officer (joined 2025)
• Hale Crumley - Program Officer (joined 2025)
• Shannon Elward - Director of Communications (joined 2023)

Operational Philosophy

The Foundation adheres to founder Richard M. Fairbanks' original intent, operates with entrepreneurialism and a focus on results, and respects the perspectives and experiences of all stakeholders.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Submit an Inquiry (2-3 pages)

• Accepted at any time throughout the year
• Submit via email, phone, or brief letter to Grants@RMFF.org
• Include:
  • Issues being addressed
  • Organization description
  • Project objectives and anticipated outcomes
  • Funding needs
  • Contact information

Step 2: Staff Review

• Foundation staff reviews inquiry for potential alignment
• May conduct due diligence (site visits, follow-up meetings, program/financial assessment)
• Organization notified of outcome

Step 3: Invitation to Submit Proposal (Invitation Only)

• Do NOT submit unsolicited proposals - the Foundation will not review them
• If invited, submit detailed proposal with required attachments:
  • Cover letter
  • Organizational overview
  • Budget documents
  • IRS determination letter
  • Financial statements

Step 4: Board Review & Decision

• Proposals reviewed at quarterly board meetings
• Grantees notified within one business day of board meeting

Decision Timeline

• Inquiry Review: Continuous, rolling basis
• Board Meetings: Quarterly (4 times per year)
• Final Notification: Within 1 business day of board meeting
• Total Timeline: Varies depending on when inquiry is submitted relative to board meeting cycle

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publicly disclose success rates or the number of inquiries received versus grants awarded. However, the invitation-only proposal process suggests a selective approach, with 166 grants awarded in 2023 from total giving of $15 million.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may reapply at any time after a declination. However, the Foundation requests that applicants:

• Carefully consider the reasons for prior declinations
• Review current focus areas and strategies to ensure alignment
• Note that only Education inquiries are currently being accepted

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities

The Foundation explicitly seeks organizations and initiatives that:

• Are led by highly effective boards and executive leadership
• Are goal-oriented and consistently deliver strong outcomes
• Address unmet needs in Indianapolis
• Bring about transformative change within focus areas
• Align with current strategic priorities (currently Education only)

Current Strategic Focus: Education

Given that Education is the only focus area currently accepting inquiries, successful applicants should demonstrate:

• Direct impact on Marion County/Indianapolis students
• Alignment with college enrollment or career pathway development
• Evidence-based approaches with measurable outcomes
• Potential for systemic change and sustainability
• Capacity for strong financial and programmatic management

Recent Funding Examples

College Matters Initiative (2023-2024):

• 37 Marion County public high schools received grants for FAFSA completion support
• Franklin Township Community School Corporation: $1.5 million for college enrollment strategies
• Community organizations like INvestEd, Indianapolis Urban League, and Indiana Latino Institute supported

INCAP/Apprenticeship Initiative (2024-2025):

• Ascend Indiana: $9.6 million to implement INCAP priorities
• Eight Indiana organizations funded to develop apprenticeship pathways
• Focus on in-demand careers in banking, healthcare, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing

Charitable Grants (2025):

• St. Vincent de Paul-Indianapolis: $25,000 for food insecurity
• Gleaners: $25,000 (plus additional funding) for food distribution

Language and Terminology

The Foundation uses specific language that applicants should mirror:

• "Advancing the vitality of Indianapolis"
• "Transformative change"
• "Goal-oriented with strong outcomes"
• "Evidence-based" approaches
• "Systemic change" and "sustainability"
• "Unmet needs"

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Based on their funded initiatives:

• Data-driven approaches: The Foundation provides over 300 free community data charts and values data-informed decision-making
• Collaborative models: Multi-organization partnerships (e.g., College Matters involved schools, community organizations, and state agencies)
• Scale and impact: Large-scale initiatives that can affect significant numbers of Indianapolis residents
• Measurable outcomes: Clear metrics for success (e.g., college enrollment rates, FAFSA completion)
• Strategic alignment: Direct connection to Foundation's current five-year strategic focus

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is absolute: Only Indianapolis/Marion County organizations are eligible; this is non-negotiable
• Focus area timing is critical: Currently only Education inquiries accepted; Health expected late 2026, Vitality timing unknown
• Invitation-only proposals: Never submit a full proposal unless specifically requested by Foundation staff
• Start with inquiry relationship-building: The 2-3 page inquiry is your only entry point; make it compelling and data-driven
• Think big and transformative: Recent grants range from $25,000 (Charitable Grants) to multi-million dollar initiatives; the Foundation favors systemic change over incremental improvements
• Demonstrate leadership capacity: Strong boards and executive leadership are explicitly valued; highlight your governance and management strength
• Align with current strategy: Review their recent grants and initiatives to understand what "Education focus" means right now (college enrollment, career pathways, apprenticeships)
• Reapplication is possible: If previously declined, you can reapply, but address the reasons for declination and ensure stronger alignment

References

1. Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation official website - https://rmff.org (Accessed January 2026)
2. Grant Application Process - https://www.rmff.org/grantmaking/grant-application-process/ (Accessed January 2026)
3. The Grants Process - https://rmff.org/grants/process/ (Accessed January 2026)
4. Grant FAQs - https://rmff.org/grants/faqs/ (Accessed January 2026)
5. Our Mission - https://rmff.org/about/mission/ (Accessed January 2026)
6. Staff Page - https://www.rmff.org/who-we-are/staff/ (Accessed January 2026)
7. Governance - https://www.rmff.org/who-we-are/governance/ (Accessed January 2026)
8. College Matters Initiative - https://www.rmff.org/our-work/college-matters/ (Accessed January 2026)
9. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/311189885 (Accessed January 2026)
10. "Nearly $13 million awarded for statewide career apprenticeship initiative" - https://rmff.org/2025/07/nearly-13-million-awarded-for-statewide-career-apprenticeship-initiative/ (Accessed January 2026)
11. "Over $1 million in grants to start building new apprenticeship pathway" - https://www.rmff.org/2024/11/over-1-million-in-grants-to-start-building-new-apprenticeship-pathway/ (Accessed January 2026)
12. "Fairbanks Foundation Awards Grants to Support Food Insecurity Efforts" - https://www.rmff.org/2025/11/fairbanks-foundation-awards-grants-to-support-food-insecurity-efforts/ (Accessed January 2026)
13. "Charitable Grants Program Awards Funds to Indianapolis Nonprofits Addressing Homelessness" - https://www.rmff.org/2023/12/charitable-grants-program-awards-funds-to-six-indianapolis-nonprofits-addressing-homelessness/ (Accessed January 2026)
14. Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation - Encyclopedia of Indianapolis - https://indyencyclopedia.org/fairbanks-foundation/ (Accessed January 2026)
15. Inside Philanthropy Profile - https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/indiana-grants/richard-m-fairbanks-foundation (Accessed January 2026)