Patricia Schaefer Foundation Trust

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $2,915,000 (2024)
Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
Decision Time: Not applicable (trustee discretion)
Grant Range: Varies (known grants include $100,000)
Geographic Focus: Primarily Indiana, particularly Muncie and Delaware County area
Total Assets: $90.75 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: C/O Michael Flood, 6418 Lima Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46818

EIN: 88-6221748

Note: This foundation does not appear to have a public website or published contact information for grant applications.

Overview

The Patricia Schaefer Foundation Trust was established by Patricia Schaefer (1930-2025), who served as Director of the Muncie Public Library from 1959 until 1986. The foundation became tax-exempt in March 2022 and is classified as a private foundation filing Form 990-PF. With total assets of $90.75 million as of 2024, the foundation distributed approximately $2.915 million in charitable grants in its most recent fiscal year, making 39 awards in 2023. Patricia Schaefer's legacy reflects her deep commitment to music, arts, and libraries—she earned degrees in piano and musicology from Northwestern University, a Master of Arts in Music from the University of Illinois, and a Master's in Library Science from the University of Michigan. The foundation continues her philanthropic vision in supporting cultural and educational institutions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Based on available records:

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees
Grant amounts vary; documented grants include $100,000 to Muncie Public Library
The foundation made 39 awards in 2023 totaling $2,463,000
In 2024, charitable disbursements totaled $2,915,000

Priority Areas

Based on Patricia Schaefer's legacy and known grant recipients, the foundation appears to prioritize:

Music and Performing Arts: Support for symphony orchestras, chorale groups, and music education
Libraries and Literacy: Public library support and educational programs
Arts and Culture: Delaware County Council for the Arts and related cultural institutions
Higher Education: Ball State University programs, particularly the School of Music and Sursa Performance Hall
Community Organizations: Muncie and Delaware County area nonprofits

What They Don't Fund

Information about specific exclusions is not publicly available.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is managed by three trustees:

Michael Flood (Trustee) - Compensation: $277,239 (2024)
Louise Marsh (Trustee) - Compensation: $277,240 (2024)
Patricia Schaefer (Trustee until her passing in 2025) - No compensation

Patricia Schaefer received the "Sagamore of the Wabash" from Governor Evan Bayh in 1995 for her extensive community work and was recognized as a Woman of the Arts. She served on the boards of Ball State University Foundation, Indiana Tech, and Franklin Electric Company after her retirement.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Patricia Schaefer Foundation Trust is a private foundation that makes grants through trustee discretion. There is no published application portal, guidelines, or deadline information available.

Based on the foundation's structure and available information, grants appear to be awarded through:

Trustee identification of eligible organizations
Pre-existing relationships with beneficiary organizations
Alignment with Patricia Schaefer's legacy interests in music, arts, libraries, and education

Application Success Factors

Since this is a private foundation without a public application process, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on the foundation's giving patterns:

Organizations most likely to receive support:

Have a connection to Muncie or Delaware County, Indiana
Focus on music, performing arts, libraries, or cultural programs
Demonstrate alignment with Patricia Schaefer's legacy interests
Known grant recipient: Muncie Public Library received a $100,000 grant in 2023 for Carnegie Library restoration, reflecting Patricia's 27-year tenure as library director

Historical context:

Patricia Schaefer was described as "an excellent crafter of grants" during her library career
Her philanthropy focused on Delaware County Council for the Arts, Masterworks Chorale, Muncie Symphony Orchestra, and Ball State's School of Music
She wrote program notes for Muncie Symphony for 40 years and Masterworks Chorale for 22 years

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

The Patricia Schaefer Foundation Trust operates as a private foundation without a public application process—organizations cannot submit unsolicited proposals
With $90.75 million in assets and $2.9 million in annual giving, this is a substantial foundation focused primarily on Indiana communities
The foundation's giving reflects Patricia Schaefer's lifetime commitment to music, arts, libraries, and education, particularly in the Muncie/Delaware County area
Organizations aligned with these interests and with connections to the communities Patricia served may be considered by trustees
Two trustees, Michael Flood and Louise Marsh, manage the foundation and make all grant decisions
The foundation made 39 awards in 2023, indicating an active and diversified grant-making portfolio
Known support includes significant grants to libraries (Muncie Public Library, $100,000), symphony orchestras, and educational institutions

References

Information accessed December 2025