The Patricia Schaefer Foundation Trust
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation accepts no unsolicited requests and gives only to organisations it has preselected, so a cold application is unlikely to be considered; organisations without an existing invitation should not send one, and should instead look for a route in through people who know the foundation.
- Its typical grant band is $1,000 to $100,000, with about 8 in 10 of its 98 grants falling in that range and a median of $30,000, so a request of around that size sits in the middle of its usual giving, though the band is not a ceiling because its largest grant was $1,000,000.
- Repeat funding is the main pattern: 77% of its grant dollars in the latest filing went to organisations it had also funded in earlier filings, so existing relationships are likely to matter a great deal.
- The filing states no geographic focus, although its grants are mainly in Indiana, so an organisation elsewhere should not assume it is excluded.
- Most of its listed grants are described as operating support across performing arts, animal welfare, human services, libraries and education, so a request framed around general running costs fits its recorded pattern.
Overview
The Patricia Schaefer Foundation Trust is a US private foundation based in Fort Wayne, IN.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The filings record grants to a varied group of organisations, with most of the listed grants described as operating support. Recipients include performing arts organisations, such as theatres, orchestras and choirs; animal welfare organisations; and human services organisations working in food provision, shelter, refugee support and youth services. Grants also went to libraries, educational institutions and other community organisations. Alongside operating support, the recorded purposes include capital and building support, library restoration, grantmaking and specific projects. The grants are concentrated in Indiana, although a smaller number of organisations in other states also received support.
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Indiana.
How to apply
The filing says the foundation contributes only to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests; it gives no further application instructions.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 77% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 98 grants to organisations were $30,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
2 other states: <1%
- The largest single recipient received 18% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 77% of grant dollars went to organisations The Patricia Schaefer Foundation Trust had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 10% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 34 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $50,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Ball State University Foundation · Performing arts center$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Indiana Public Radio Ball State University · Radio transmitter replacement$150,0002024 tax year
- Animal Rescue Fund · Building expenses$125,0002024 tax year
- Second Helpings · Operating support$100,0002024 tax year
- Wheeler Mission Ministries · Operating support$100,0002024 tax year
- Community Foundation of Muncie · Grantmaking$100,0002024 tax year
- Kidsave · Operating support$100,0002024 tax year
- Muncie Civic Theater · Operating support$100,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Patricia Schaefer — Trustee
- Louise Marsh — Trustee
- Michael Flood — Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $428,791 | $224,750 | $67,699,972 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $4,357,292 | $2,463,000 | $92,666,728 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $4,289,241 | $2,915,000 | $106,764,353 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to The Patricia Schaefer Foundation Trust?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Fort Wayne, IN
Applying to The Patricia Schaefer Foundation Trust?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Fort Wayne, IN