Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc
The Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Indianapolis, Indiana, dedicated to funding the arts in the greater Indianapolis area. Established in 1990 and fully funded by the estate of its founder in 2002, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with tax-exempt status since December 1990.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$172.6M
+12.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$16.5M
-3.8% YoY
Grant Count
160
+15900.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$103K
-99.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary mission is to support charitable organizations that promote or preserve the Arts and Humanities. Priority is given to organizations located in central Indiana, with particular emphasis on those supported by Allen Whitehill Clowes during his lifetime or similar to those he supported.
The foundation supports organizations across a wide range of artistic disciplines and cultural practices, with grantee partners playing a vital role in creating support systems that empower artists and creative leaders to practice, produce, and lead within the arts sector in and around Indianapolis.
Grantmaking
The Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation operates two main grant cycles annually:
Review Cycle
annually:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation prioritizes funding organizations located in central Indiana and the greater Indianapolis area, though the Board has discretion to make decisions regarding proposals on a case-by-case basis.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $153 million
- Annual Revenue: $36.2 million
- Annual Expenses: $18.3 million
- Total Liabilities: $2,760
Historical Impact: Over the last 25 years (as of 2025), the foundation has provided $171,543,144 in grants to 305 organizations.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $172,619,172 | $152,882,236 | $134,995,277 |
| Revenue | $38,902,880 | $36,222,544 | $16,905,954 |
| Expenses | $18,673,582 | $18,331,711 | $13,012,818 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $17,308,591 | $17,920,390 | $12,793,435 |
| Net Investment Income | $38,651,678 | $35,980,618 | $16,544,060 |
| Distributable Amount | $27,793,663 | $18,395,832 | $15,115,099 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
54 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc
Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Capital & Special Project Grants
Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc
Amount
US $1,000 - US $1,000,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation: Operations Grants
Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc
Amount
US $1,000 - US $75,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Allen Whitehill Clowes (February 18, 1917 – November 3, 2000) was the founder and philanthropist. Born in Buffalo, New York, he moved to Indianapolis at age two and remained a loyal Indianapolis resident throughout his life. He was the son of Dr. George H. A. Clowes, an eminent chemist and research director of the Eli Lilly pharmaceutical company, and Mrs. Edith Clowes, an Indianapolis leader in education, arts, and society.
Clowes was a graduate of Harvard University (B.A. 1939, M.B.A. 1942) and a Naval officer during World War II. Butler University, Marian University, and Franklin College awarded him honorary doctorates. He served as President and Treasurer of the Clowes Fund, the family charitable foundation, and had an office at the Indianapolis Museum of Art where he functioned as an administrator and curator of the Clowes Collection of Old Masters' paintings.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra received a $1.2 million grant to support expanded ballet collaborations
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra receives $1.2 million grant from Allen WhitehillThe Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation provided a gift to fund renovations at Butler University's Clowes Memorial Hall
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra receives $1.2 million grant from Allen WhitehillThe Carmel Symphony Orchestra received a $20,000 grant
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra receives $1.2 million grant from Allen WhitehillIn 2025, marking the 25th anniversary of Allen Whitehill Clowes' death, the foundation initiated a video archival resource with interviews with long-time friends and associates of Mr. Clowes, with results to be made more generally available in 2026.
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra receives $1.2 million grant from Allen WhitehillData last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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