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Thomas F And Anita J Veldman Family Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$4.9M
Grant Range
$25K - $4.8M

Thomas F And Anita J Veldman Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3.4M - $6.3M
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $4,750,000
  • Geographic Focus: Indiana (especially South Bend area) and Minnesota

Contact Details

  • Website: None
  • Phone: Not publicly available
  • Email: Not publicly available
  • Address: 1103 North Notre Dame Avenue, South Bend, IN 46617

Overview

Founded in 2014 by Thomas F. and Anita J. Veldman, this private family foundation has rapidly grown to hold over $87 million in assets as of 2024. The foundation focuses primarily on education and mental health initiatives in the South Bend, Indiana community. The Veldman family, co-owners of Tire Rack (the largest online tire distributor in the United States), have deep roots in South Bend, with Tom's parents Peter and Wilma arriving as Dutch immigrants in the 1950s and building successful automotive businesses. The foundation operates alongside other family member foundations, creating a coordinated philanthropic approach to addressing community needs. In January 2024, the foundation made headlines with a major multi-million dollar gift to establish the Wilma and Peter Veldman Family Psychology Clinic at the University of Notre Dame.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Education Grants: $25,000 - $4,750,000+ (nursing scholarships, psychology programs, educational infrastructure)
  • Mental Health Initiatives: Major multi-million dollar investments (clinic establishment, research programs, community services)
  • Community Services: Variable amounts (focus on South Bend area needs)

Priority Areas

  • Education - Primary focus including nursing education at IU, psychology and mental health education at Notre Dame
  • Mental Health & Healthcare - Establishing clinics, suicide prevention programs, substance use initiatives, expanding access to affordable counseling
  • Community Development - South Bend community needs and services

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited applications
  • Organizations outside their established relationships
  • Projects outside their geographic focus areas

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

  • Thomas F. Veldman - President & Director (Kelley School of Business, IU - B.S. 1976, M.B.A. 1978; Chairman and Co-CEO of Tire Rack)
  • Anita J. Veldman - Secretary & Director (IU School of Nursing, B.S.N. 1979)
  • Julia Veldman Harris - Treasurer & Executive Director (IU School of Social Work, B.S.W. 2008)
  • Peter B. Veldman - Director

Tom Veldman on their mission: "Our family sees the great need in our community for better access to mental health care, and the tremendous opportunity to make a difference."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on established relationships and alignment with family philanthropic priorities. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and has no public contact information for grant inquiries.

Getting on Their Radar

The Veldman family has established giving patterns focused on institutions where they have personal connections:

  • Indiana University (where Tom earned his B.S. and M.B.A., Anita earned her B.S.N., and Julie earned her B.S.W.)
  • University of Notre Dame (located in South Bend, where the family business is headquartered)
  • Organizations addressing mental health and education needs in the South Bend community
  • The family operates through multiple foundations and coordinates their giving, suggesting they identify opportunities through their business and community networks

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available - decisions made at trustee discretion

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only funding

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process

Application Success Factors

Based on their documented giving patterns:

  • Established institutional relationships - All major grants have gone to institutions with strong family connections
  • Geographic alignment - Strong preference for South Bend area and Indiana organizations
  • Mission alignment - Clear focus on education (especially nursing and psychology) and mental health services
  • Demonstrated impact potential - Large grants support initiatives with broad community reach (e.g., clinic serving 1,500+ annually)
  • Honor family legacy - Several initiatives honor Tom's parents Peter and Wilma Veldman
  • Collaborative potential - Family coordinates giving across multiple foundations for larger impact

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is an invitation-only funder with no public application process
  • Strong family connections to Indiana University and University of Notre Dame drive much of their giving
  • Mental health services and education are primary funding priorities
  • The family takes a coordinated approach to philanthropy across multiple foundations
  • Major gifts often honor family legacy and values of faith, family, and community
  • Geographic focus is primarily South Bend, Indiana area with some Minnesota giving
  • Partnership opportunities may exist through institutions already receiving support

References

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