IPA brings together a diverse community who work to grow the impact of philanthropy.
IPA represents organizations whose generosity touches all 92 counties in Indiana. Collectively, IPA members award more than $5 billion in grants each year. IPA itself does not make grants.
Community Foundations
Indiana is home to 94 community foundations (legal entities, affiliates, and area funds), with at least one community foundation based in every county. Indiana’s community foundations are tax-exempt charitable organizations created by and for the people of our state's diverse communities. Community foundations are publicly supported philanthropic organizations created for the broad-based public benefit of the residents in their geographic areas.
Corporate Foundations & Giving Programs
A corporate foundation is a philanthropic organization created and financially supported by a corporation. The company-sponsored foundation is usually set up as a private foundation that maintains close ties with the donor company, but it is a separate, legal organization, sometimes with its own endowment.
A corporate giving program is a grantmaking program established and administered within a profit-making company. Gifts or grants go directly to charitable organizations from the corporation.
Family Foundations
A family foundation is a fund or endowment whose funds are derived from members of a single family. It is designated as a private foundation by the Internal Revenue Service under law, with a primary function of grantmaking. Family members usually serve as trustees on a voluntary basis; in many cases, second- and third-generation descendants of the original donors manage the foundation.
Independent Private Foundations
Independent foundations are usually founded by one individual, often by bequest. The members from the founding family, if any, represent a minority of the board and do not control the board. Many large independent foundations are no longer governed by members of the original donor’s family but are run by boards made up of community, business, and academic leaders. Independent foundations are occasionally termed "non-operating" because they do not run their own programs.
Public Foundations
Public foundations are nongovernmental public charities that operate grant programs benefiting unrelated organizations or individuals as one of its primary purposes. There is no legal or IRS definition of a public foundation. Increasingly, public foundations have been established to receive funds and make grants for populations with special needs, for specific subject areas, or around other non-geographic communities of interest.
Other Member Types
Students: Current students majoring in philanthropic studies.
Regranting Organizations: Those organizations like a United Way or statewide intermediary organization operating on a state or local level.
Giving Circles: Groups of individuals donating their own money and/or time to a pooled fund and decide together where to give the money, and learn together about their community and philanthropy.
Professional Advisors: Companies offering expert guidance that contribute to the success of the philanthropic sector.
Out-of-State: An out-of-state member is an endowed foundation or organization whose headquarters are located in a state other than Indiana.