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Nina and James Meyer Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.3M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.1M

Nina and James Meyer Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $260,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (by invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (preselected organizations)
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $100,000
  • Geographic Focus: Multi-state (Indiana, New York, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Utah, Virginia)

Contact Details

Address: Indianapolis, IN 46220

EIN: 82-6753307

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. They only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Overview

The Nina and James Meyer Family Foundation was established in 2019 as a private family foundation based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded by James E. Meyer, former CEO of Sirius XM Holdings Inc., and his wife Nina Meyer, the foundation has grown from modest beginnings to hold over $10.2 million in assets as of 2024. With annual giving of approximately $260,000, the foundation supports organizations across multiple states, primarily focusing on education, health services, human services, and voluntarism. The foundation operates on a preselected grantmaking model, meaning they identify and select charitable organizations internally rather than accepting unsolicited applications. James Meyer has deep roots in Indianapolis, having moved there in 1979 to work at Thomson Consumer Electronics (parent of RCA), where he later led the team that brought DirecTV to market in the 1990s. Both James and Nina are graduates of St. Bonaventure University, where they remain active philanthropists and James served as a trustee for 10 years.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs or cycles. All grantmaking is discretionary and based on trustee-identified organizations. Recent data shows:

  • Grant Range: $2,500 to $100,000
  • Median Grant: Approximately $18,000
  • Annual Awards: Ranges from 7-23 grants per year (declining trend from 23 awards in 2020 to 7 awards in 2024)

Priority Areas

Based on IRS Form 990-PF classifications and reported giving patterns:

  • Education: Support for educational institutions and programs
  • Health Services: Including major medical institutions like NYU Langone Health
  • Human Services: Community-based organizations supporting vulnerable populations
  • Philanthropy and Voluntarism: Supporting grantmaking and volunteer initiatives

Geographic Focus

The foundation demonstrates a multi-state giving pattern, with primary focus on:

  • Indiana: Primary state, reflecting founders' Indianapolis residence
  • New York: Significant giving, including support for NYU Langone Health
  • Nevada: Secondary focus area
  • Other states: Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Utah, Virginia (selective giving)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's policy statement indicates:

  • Unsolicited grant applications are not accepted
  • Organizations outside their preselected portfolio
  • General operating support (inferred from grant pattern)

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The foundation is governed by six family members serving as trustees:

  • James E. Meyer - Founder and Trustee

    • Former CEO and Vice Chairman of Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (2012-2020)
    • Over 25 years of senior management experience at General Electric, RCA, and Thomson Consumer Electronics
    • Led development and launch of RCA Digital Satellite System (DirecTV) in the 1990s
    • Graduate of St. Bonaventure University (B.S. Economics 1976, MBA 1979)
    • Former 10-year trustee of St. Bonaventure University
    • Resides in Meridian-Kessler neighborhood of Indianapolis with wife Nina; raised three children in Indianapolis

  • Nina M. Meyer - Co-Founder and Trustee

    • Graduate of St. Bonaventure University (1979)
    • Active in Indianapolis community

  • Timothy J. Meyer - Trustee (Adult child)

  • Allison M. Meyer - Trustee (Adult child)

  • Dana M. Meyer Schmidt - Trustee (Adult child)

  • Rachel E. Meyer - Trustee (Adult child)

Compensation: No compensation is paid to any trustees according to IRS filings.

Other Philanthropic Activities

James and Nina Meyer have demonstrated significant philanthropic commitment beyond their family foundation:

  • St. Bonaventure University: Co-donated $8 million with the Quick family to support the School of Health Professions, which was named after late President Dennis R. DePerro
  • Young Alumni Challenge: James contributed matching funds up to $75,000 for St. Bonaventure's annual giving program

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Nina and James Meyer Family Foundation does not have a public application process. According to their official policy, the foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

This is a common model for small family foundations where trustees identify and select grant recipients through their personal networks, community connections, and direct knowledge of organizations.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept applications, organizations that might align with the family's interests should note:

  • Indianapolis Connection: The Meyer family has been rooted in Indianapolis since 1979 and raised their family there. Local Indianapolis organizations, particularly in the Meridian-Kessler area, may have natural connection points.

  • St. Bonaventure University Network: Both James and Nina are deeply connected to their alma mater. Organizations with St. Bonaventure connections or that serve the university's network may be known to the family.

  • Media and Technology Sector: James Meyer's 16-year career at Sirius XM and earlier work with RCA/Thomson suggests potential interest in organizations at the intersection of technology, media, and social good.

  • Board Service: James has served on multiple corporate and nonprofit boards (including St. Bonaventure University, Charter Spectrum, and TiVo Corporation), which may provide introduction points.

  • Health and Education Focus: Given their support for NYU Langone Health and St. Bonaventure University's health professions school, organizations in healthcare and education appear to be of particular interest.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation operates on trustee discretion with no formal application cycles or deadlines.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates by trustee selection rather than open application, traditional "success factors" do not apply. However, organizations that have received support tend to share these characteristics:

Established Institutional Relationships: Grant recipients appear to include major, established institutions (such as NYU Langone Health) rather than grassroots organizations, suggesting the trustees prefer organizations with proven track records and institutional stability.

Geographic Alignment: Strong connection to Indianapolis/Indiana or New York, the two states where the family has primary ties.

Education and Health Focus: Organizations in these sectors appear prominently in the foundation's giving pattern.

Multi-Year Engagement: With grants ranging significantly in size ($2,500 to $100,000), the foundation appears to maintain relationships with organizations at different levels of support.

Values Alignment: James Meyer is described as an executive who values employee engagement, responsiveness to feedback, and community service - organizations that demonstrate these values may resonate with the foundation's mission.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Organizations should not submit proposals or inquiries.

  2. Preselected Model: All grants are made to organizations identified by the trustees through their personal and professional networks.

  3. Indianapolis Focus: Despite James Meyer's national profile as Sirius XM CEO, the family maintains strong Indianapolis roots since 1979, suggesting local organizations may be preferred.

  4. Education and Health Priority: The foundation's public giving (including the $8 million gift to St. Bonaventure) demonstrates strong commitment to education and health sectors.

  5. Family Foundation Evolution: The foundation is relatively young (founded 2019) and assets have grown substantially from $2.7 million (2020) to $10.2 million (2024), suggesting potential for increased grantmaking in future years.

  6. Declining Grant Numbers: The number of annual grants has declined from 23 (2020) to 7 (2024), suggesting a shift toward larger, more strategic grants rather than numerous small gifts.

  7. Multi-State Reach: While based in Indianapolis, the foundation gives across multiple states, reflecting the family's national connections through James's corporate career.

References

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