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Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$17.2M
Grant Range
$1K - $1.0M

Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $17,176,978 (2023)
  • Total Assets: ~$135 million (2022)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Varies by cycle
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $1,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Indianapolis and Central Indiana (60-mile radius)

Contact Details

Address: 320 North Meridian Street, Suite 900, Indianapolis, IN 46204-1722
Phone: 317.955.0138
Website: www.awclowescf.org
Grant Portal: Available through website

Pre-Application Support: Staff is happy to answer questions via phone or email to help organizations better understand AWCCF funding priorities.

Overview

The Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc (AWCCF) was founded in 1990 during founder Allen Whitehill Clowes' lifetime and fully funded by his estate in 2002. With assets of approximately $135 million, the foundation distributed over $17.1 million in grants in 2023. AWCCF's mission is to support charitable organizations that promote or preserve the Arts and Humanities, particularly those that were supported by Mr. Clowes during his life or are similar in nature. Geographic priority is given to Indianapolis and Central Indiana (within a 60-mile radius). By its 20th year of operations following Clowes' death, the foundation had served over 230 organizations and distributed over $85 million in charitable grants. In 2024, the foundation expanded its vision and work through the growing imagination of the board and staff, responding to the needs of arts and humanities organizations with increased resources for grantmaking. At the end of 2024, AWCCF made the second highest grant in its history to Butler University's Clowes Hall.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Operations Grants

  • Supports ongoing organizational operations
  • Primarily serves small and medium-sized organizations
  • Organizations with previous operations funding do not need to submit Letters of Intent
  • Rolling applications for previously funded organizations
  • Application deadline: January 31 for returning organizations

Capital Grants: $1,000 - $1,000,000

  • Funds one-time, specific projects not expected to recur annually
  • Examples: renovations, new construction, capacity building, special exhibits, unique program offerings
  • Schools and universities may only apply in the Capital Cycle
  • Letter of Intent deadline: April 30
  • Full application deadline: June 30
  • Board exercises discretion on case-by-case basis

Legacy Grants

  • Awarded at Board discretion (not through proposal process)
  • Reflect the enduring vision of Mr. Clowes
  • Support organizations with strong partnerships and commitment to impactful, future-focused outcomes

Emergency Relief Grants

  • Awarded at Board discretion
  • Respond to urgent disaster situations locally, nationally, and internationally

Priority Areas

AWCCF focuses funding toward arts organizations including:

  • Museums
  • Performing arts ensembles
  • Symphonic and choral groups
  • Visual arts centers
  • Theaters
  • Organizations promoting competitions and excellence (e.g., American Pianist Awards, Hoosier Salon, International Violin Competition of Indianapolis)
  • Creative economy initiatives (Pattern, GangGang)

Special considerations: Organizations that were supported by Allen Whitehill Clowes during his lifetime or are similar in mission to those organizations receive priority consideration.

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations outside 501(c)(3) status
  • Organizations not qualifying as public charities under IRC Sections 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3)
  • Multi-year grant commitments (AWCCF typically does not award multi-year grants)
  • Organizations outside the 60-mile radius from Indianapolis (with limited exceptions)
  • Operating support for educational institutions (schools and universities may only apply for capital projects)

Governance and Leadership

President: Dr. James B. Lemler assumed the presidency in 2019 after serving as a Board officer and director for sixteen years. Dr. Lemler is a consultant, teacher, and author of articles and books on leadership education and organizational development.

Founding History: Allen Whitehill Clowes (1917-2000) was the son of Edith Whitehill Hinkel Clowes, an Indianapolis leader in education, arts, and society, and George Henry Alexander Clowes, research director of Eli Lilly and Company. Allen served as the first president of the foundation for its initial decade. Throughout his life, he held leadership positions with numerous Indianapolis arts and cultural organizations including the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Eiteljorg Museum, The Children's Museum, Indianapolis Museum of Art, and Indiana Landmarks. He also led the construction of Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University.

Board of Directors: The foundation is governed by a Board of Directors that exercises discretion over Legacy Grants, Emergency Relief Grants, and determines capital grant awards on a case-by-case basis.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

New Applicants - Operations Cycle:

  1. Submit Letter of Intent (LOI) through online grant portal between October 1 - November 30
  2. LOI review with decision communicated by December 15
  3. If invited, submit full application

Returning Applicants - Operations Cycle:

  1. Organizations that have previously received operations funding skip the LOI requirement
  2. Submit full application directly by January 31

All Applicants - Capital Grants Cycle:

  1. Submit Letter of Intent (LOI) through online grant portal by April 30 at 11:45 p.m.
  2. Submit full application by June 30 at 11:45 p.m.

Important Application Requirements:

  • All applications must be submitted through the foundation's online grant portal
  • AWCCF will not accept any new organizations' grant proposals without receiving a Letter of Intent first
  • Organizations must be 501(c)(3) public charities
  • Geographic focus on organizations within 60-mile radius of Indianapolis

Decision Timeline

Operations Cycle: LOI decisions communicated by December 15. Full application review timeline not publicly specified.

Capital Grants Cycle: Applications reviewed after June 30 deadline. Specific decision timeline not publicly disclosed.

Notification Method: Email notification of all decisions.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The foundation has served over 230 organizations since 2002 and awarded over $154 million in charitable grants. Eighteen organizations have received funding in excess of $1 million, with some receiving substantially more, though the bulk of awards are smaller grants.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy is not explicitly stated on the foundation's website. Organizations are encouraged to contact staff for guidance on reapplication after a declined proposal.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Founder's Legacy: The foundation prioritizes organizations that were supported by Allen Whitehill Clowes during his lifetime or are similar to those organizations. Understanding Mr. Clowes' commitment to Indianapolis arts and cultural institutions is valuable.

Geographic Focus: Priority given to Indianapolis and Central Indiana organizations within a 60-mile radius. Organizations should clearly demonstrate their connection to this geographic area.

Organizational Size (for Operations Grants): Operations grants are "normally restricted to small organizations" and "the majority of organizations supported by operating grants are small and medium in size and budget." Smaller organizations may have an advantage in the operations cycle.

Project Specificity (for Capital Grants): Capital grants support "one-time, specific projects and undertakings that are not expected to recur on an annual basis." Applications should clearly demonstrate the project is a discrete, non-recurring initiative.

Contact Staff Before Applying: The foundation explicitly states that "staff is happy to answer any questions via phone or email" to help organizations better understand funding priorities. Taking advantage of this pre-application support demonstrates initiative and can help ensure alignment.

Recent Funding Examples:

  • Butler University/Clowes Hall: Second-highest grant in foundation history for renovation and expansion (2024)
  • Indianapolis Marion County Public Library: $11 million for Central Library restoration and addition
  • American Pianist Awards, Hoosier Salon, and International Violin Competition of Indianapolis: Support for excellence and recognition via competitions (2024)
  • Pattern and GangGang: Support for creative economy research and gatherings (2024)

Strong Partnerships and Future Focus: For Legacy Grants, the foundation values "organizations that embody strong partnerships and a commitment to impactful, future-focused outcomes."

Arts and Humanities Excellence: With founder Allen Whitehill Clowes' deep love of art, music, horticulture, and community life, applications that demonstrate excellence and commitment to preserving or promoting arts and humanities align with the foundation's core mission.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Engage staff early: The foundation welcomes questions to help organizations understand funding priorities—use this resource to refine your approach before submitting.
  • Know your cycle: Schools and universities can only apply in the Capital Cycle; small organizations seeking operations support should pursue the Operations Cycle.
  • Emphasize Indianapolis connections: Geographic priority is clear—demonstrate strong ties to Indianapolis and Central Indiana.
  • Align with the founder's vision: Research Allen Whitehill Clowes' philanthropic interests (museums, performing arts, symphonic/choral groups, visual arts, theaters) and show how your organization fits this legacy.
  • Be specific about capital projects: For capital grants, clearly articulate that your project is one-time and non-recurring with specific deliverables.
  • Leverage the LOI process: For first-time applicants, the Letter of Intent is your opportunity to make a strong first impression and demonstrate alignment before investing in a full application.
  • Don't expect multi-year commitments: AWCCF typically does not award multi-year grants, so frame your request accordingly.

References

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