Pacers Basketball Corp Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ~$400,000 in grants
• Total Impact Since 1993: Over $22 million invested
• Decision Time: Initial review within days of quarterly deadline; State of Play program responds within 60 days
• Grant Range: Up to $25,000 (majority receive $10,000 or less)
• Geographic Focus: Indiana (statewide)
• Application Cycle: Quarterly deadlines
• EIN: 35-1908365

Contact Details

Address: 125 S. Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Phone: 317-917-2500

Email: foundation@pacers.com

Website: https://pacersfoundation.org

Executive Director: Erin Bess

Program Coordinator: Rachel Gomez

Overview

Founded in 1993 by Pacers Sports & Entertainment, the Pacers Foundation has invested over $22 million in cash and in-kind donations to improve the lives of Indiana's young people over its 32-year history. The Foundation's mission focuses on empowering young people and investing in community partnerships addressing equity and justice in education, health, and safety. Unlike many sports foundations, the Pacers Foundation is primarily a grant-making entity and does not operate its own youth-serving programs, instead partnering strategically with Indiana-based nonprofits. The Foundation has reached over 5,000 neighborhoods across the state and receives a Three-Star rating (80%) from Charity Navigator. Recent strategic initiatives include State of Play (basketball court renovations), Drive & Dish (food insecurity), NBA Math Hoops (STEM education), and the Fever Fund (supporting women and girls).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Youth Grant Program: Up to $25,000 (majority of grantees receive $10,000 or less)

• Focus: Education, health, and safety for young people
• Application: Two-step process with quarterly deadlines
• Quarterly deadlines: September 29, December 31, March 31, June 30

State of Play: Up to $100,000 for basketball court refurbishment and renovation

• Focus: Capital improvements for community basketball courts
• Goal: Renovate 20 courts statewide over 10 years
• Application: Monthly rolling basis
• Decision timeline: Response within 60 days

Fever Fund: Up to $25,000 (majority receive $10,000 or less)

• Focus: Programs serving women and girls in Indiana
• Three priority areas: Leadership & Career Readiness, Confidence Through Sports & Wellness, Safety & Belonging
• Application: Same quarterly process as general grants

Discretionary Grants: $50,000 total available annually

• Smaller grants awarded outside the main grant cycles

Priority Areas

The Foundation strongly prefers organizations with:

• Proven collaboration: Track record of working with other nonprofits, government agencies, and community stakeholders
• Youth focus: Programs creating brighter futures for young people
• Equity and justice: Initiatives addressing systemic issues in education, health, and safety
• Measurable impact: Demonstrated outcomes in serving communities
• Indiana-based: Must be Indiana 501(c)(3) organizations

Strategic initiative areas:

• Food insecurity (Drive & Dish program)
• Basketball court renovations (State of Play)
• STEM education (NBA Math Hoops in partnership with Eli Lilly Foundation)
• Women and girls empowerment (Fever Fund)

What They Don't Fund

• General operating expenses
• Administrative support
• Capital campaigns
• Annual giving campaigns
• Endowments
• Infrastructure improvements (except basketball courts through State of Play)
• Event sponsorships
• Equipment donations

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

• Chair: Rachel Simon
• Vice Chair: Mel Raines (President and COO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment)
• Treasurer: Matt Albrecht
• Secretary: Corey Wilson
• Additional Board Members: Ebony Armstrong, Quinn Buckner, Juan Gonzalez, Julie Roe Lach, Michael Lake, Cindy Simon Skjodt, Tracy Ellis-Ward

Staff:

• Executive Director: Erin Bess
• Program Coordinator: Rachel Gomez

Board Chair Rachel Simon on the Foundation's approach: "Our community has always come together in times of need, and now is one of those moments. Our support reflects our shared belief that everyone deserves access to nutritious food. When you have the ability to step up, there is really no question. We are talking about basic human rights."

On State of Play: "We're going to be revitalizing 20 courts over the next 10 years, really prioritizing physical and mental health which is incredibly important to us. We want to change how kids play, the way they play, and where they play."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Interest Form

• Submit online via the Pacers Foundation website
• Deadlines: September 15, December 15, March 17, June 16
• Foundation encourages early submission
• Review follows each deadline with communication "in the days that follow"
• Submission does not guarantee invitation to apply

Step 2: Full Application (by invitation only)

• Organizations selected from Interest Forms are invited to submit full applications
• Full application deadlines: September 29, December 31, March 31, June 30
• Board of Directors reviews all invited applications and determines grant amounts

State of Play Program: Monthly rolling applications via pacersfoundation.org/stateofplay

Questions: Contact foundation@pacers.com before starting your Interest Form if you have questions about eligibility or the process

Decision Timeline

• General Grants: Initial Interest Form review occurs "in the days that follow" each quarterly deadline; full timeline from submission to final decision not publicly specified but occurs within the quarter
• State of Play: Applicants can expect response within 60 days of applying
• Notification: The Board reviews invited applications at quarterly meetings and communicates decisions following those meetings

Success Rates

Based on available data:

• 18 awards made in 2024
• 7 awards made in 2023
• Specific success rate percentages not publicly disclosed
• Majority of funded organizations receive grants of $10,000 or less, even when requesting up to $25,000

Reapplication Policy

• Organizations denied funding are encouraged to reapply the following year
• Organizations that receive a grant may be considered for another grant in their next fiscal year (no waiting period required)
• No limit on number of reapplications

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's explicit guidance and preferences:

1. Demonstrate Strong Collaboration The Foundation gives preference to organizations with "a proven record of collaborating with other nonprofits, government agencies, and community stakeholders to sustain their mission." This is explicitly stated as a priority criterion. In your application, provide specific examples of partnerships and collaborative initiatives.

2. Align with Equity and Justice Focus The mission specifically mentions "addressing equity and justice in education, health and safety" - not just these topics generally, but with an equity lens. Applications should clearly articulate how the proposed work addresses systemic inequities affecting Indiana youth.

3. Show Community Impact The Foundation has reached 5,000 neighborhoods over 32 years. They value organizations that can demonstrate meaningful community reach and engagement. Include specific geographic areas served and number of youth impacted.

4. Keep It Youth-Focused All funded work must create "brighter futures for young people." Be specific about youth outcomes and how your program directly benefits young people in Indiana.

5. Submit Early The Foundation explicitly "encourages you to submit your form as early as possible" for each deadline. This suggests earlier submissions may have an advantage in the review process.

6. Contact Them First The Foundation encourages organizations to email foundation@pacers.com with questions about eligibility or the process before applying. This pre-application communication can help ensure alignment and potentially increase success rates.

7. Focus on Sustainability The preference for organizations with collaborative track records suggests they value sustainable approaches over isolated programs. Demonstrate how partnerships will sustain the work beyond the grant period.

Recent Grant Recipients (Historical): Past funded organizations include Indianapolis Public Library Foundation (Summer Reading Program), Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian and Western Art (IPS children field trips), Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities, Eskenazi Health Foundation (Girls On the Run), Christel House Academy (Jump Start summer school), Shepherd Community Center (Summer EXCEL Program), Dyslexia Institute of Indiana (Camp Delafield), and Assistance League of Indianapolis.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The collaboration criterion is critical - this is explicitly stated as a preference factor. Dedicate significant space in your application to describing partnerships with other nonprofits, government agencies, and community stakeholders.

• Think equity, not just service delivery - the Foundation's mission specifically emphasizes "equity and justice" rather than just addressing education, health, and safety generally. Frame your work through an equity lens.

• The two-step process is a filter - only organizations invited after the Interest Form submit full applications. Make your Interest Form compelling and clearly aligned with the Foundation's priorities to secure an invitation.

• Most grants are smaller than the maximum - while you can request up to $25,000, the majority of grantees receive $10,000 or less. Consider requesting a realistic amount that matches typical funding patterns.

• Multiple pathways to funding exist - explore whether your work fits the general grant program, State of Play (basketball courts), or Fever Fund (women and girls). State of Play offers significantly larger grants (up to $100,000) for the right projects.

• Relationship-building matters - the Foundation encourages pre-application contact and emphasizes partnerships. Consider reaching out before applying to discuss fit and build a relationship with foundation staff.

• Geographic reach is valued - with impact in 5,000 neighborhoods, the Foundation values organizations that serve communities throughout Indiana, not just Indianapolis. Rural and smaller community projects may be particularly appealing.

References

1. Pacers Foundation Official Website - https://pacersfoundation.org (Accessed February 6, 2026)
2. Pacers Foundation Grants Page - https://pacersfoundation.org/grants/ (Accessed February 6, 2026)
3. Pacers Foundation Who We Are Page - https://pacersfoundation.org/who-we-are/ (Accessed February 6, 2026)
4. Pacers Foundation Fever Fund Page - https://pacersfoundation.org/fever-fund/ (Accessed February 6, 2026)
5. GuideStar Profile - Pacers Basketball Corp. Foundation, Inc. - https://www.guidestar.org/profile/35-1908365 (Accessed February 6, 2026)
6. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Pacers Basketball Corp Foundation Inc - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/351908365 (Accessed February 6, 2026)
7. Cause IQ - Pacers Foundation - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/pacers-foundation,351908365/ (Accessed February 6, 2026)
8. "Pacers Foundation Awards $74,500 in Grants to 20 Youth-Serving Organizations" - Pacers Foundation News (Referenced in search results)
9. "State of Play: Pacers Foundation awards $100K for Terre Haute's Herz-Rose Park basketball court renovation" - Pacers Foundation News, April 2025
10. "Pacers Foundation, Herbert Simon Family Foundation donate $250,000 to Central Indiana Food Relief Fund" - United Way of Central Indiana, 2025
11. Instrumentl 990 Report - Pacers Foundation Inc - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/pacers-basketball-corp-foundation-inc (Accessed February 6, 2026)
12. Charity Navigator Rating - Pacers Basketball Corp Foundation Inc. - https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/351908365 (Accessed February 6, 2026)