Herbert Simon Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $12,882,546 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: Indianapolis and Central Indiana

Contact Details

Address: 600 E 96th St, Suite 510, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3842
EIN: 38-3905454
Phone: 317.634.2423
Email: HerbertSimonFamilyFoundation@cicf.org
Website: https://www.cicf.org/hsff/

Overview

The Herbert Simon Family Foundation is a private non-operating foundation established in 1999 by Herbert Simon, owner of the Indiana Pacers and chairman emeritus of Simon Property Group. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, the foundation provides support for organisations working to create more equitable, sustainable and vibrant communities with an emphasis on Indianapolis and the state of Indiana. With total assets of approximately $22.99 million and annual charitable disbursements of $12.88 million as of 2023, the foundation represents a significant philanthropic presence in Central Indiana. In 2011, the foundation expanded its board to include the second generation of the Simon family and deepened its partnership with the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) to include strategic philanthropic advising and grantmaking support.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The foundation provides funding to Central Indiana not-for-profit organisations in four key areas:

• Arts and Culture - Supporting, funding, and building the Indianapolis cultural economy by centring individual artists, artist collectives, and arts organisations that have historically been outside of the mainstream local arts scene
• Basic Needs - Supporting organisations addressing fundamental community needs
• Environment and Climate Change - Supporting environmental sustainability initiatives
• Social Justice - Supporting organisations working on equity and justice issues

Grant Programmes

Indianapolis Creative Risk Fund - Provides funding to individual artists, artist collectives, and collaborations of individual artists to take creative risks and pursue experimental projects. Recent awards have ranged from $4,450 to $15,000.

Roots to Read - Working in partnership with Indianapolis Public Schools, this programme provides funding for selected IPS-system schools to renovate their libraries, increase their staff focused on literacy skills development, and expand book collections.

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly specified.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by the Simon family members:

• Herbert Simon - Chair
• Rachel M. Simon - President
• Stephen H. Simon - Board Member
• Jennifer K. Simon - Board Member
• Sarah M. Simon - Board Member
• Asher M. Simon - Board Member

All board members currently serve without compensation. The foundation is supported by an expanded team at the Central Indiana Community Foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Herbert Simon Family Foundation is an invite-only funder and does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Organisations interested in applying for funding should contact the foundation at HerbertSimonFamilyFoundation@cicf.org to express their interest.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available.

Application Success Factors

Given the invite-only nature of this foundation, organisations seeking support would likely need:

• Alignment with one or more of the foundation's four priority areas (arts and culture, basic needs, environment and climate change, or social justice)
• Strong presence in Indianapolis or Central Indiana
• Demonstrated commitment to creating equitable, sustainable, and vibrant communities
• Demonstrated impact and organisational stability
• For arts funding: focus on historically underrepresented artists, artist collectives, or arts organisations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a private family foundation that operates on an invite-only basis
• With over $12.8 million in annual giving (2023), they are a significant funder in Central Indiana
• The foundation has clearly defined priority areas: arts and culture, basic needs, environment and climate change, and social justice
• Building relationships with the foundation team at CICF would be essential for consideration
• Geographic focus is firmly on Indianapolis and Central Indiana
• The foundation particularly values supporting historically marginalised communities and organisations
• Contact the foundation directly to express interest in future funding opportunities

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Herbert Simon Family Foundation (EIN: 38-3905454), Form 990-PF for tax year 2023
• Central Indiana Community Foundation - Herbert Simon Family Foundation page (https://www.cicf.org/hsff/)
• Encyclopedia of Indianapolis - Herbert Simon Family Foundation entry
• Foundation Directory/Candid - Herbert Simon Family Foundation profile