Avis Foundation Inc
Avis Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Upland, Indiana. Founded in 2006 by Leland and LaRita Boren, it continues their philanthropic legacy by making grants to organizations working to improve quality of life in communities.
Avis Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Avis Foundation Inc gave $3.0M across 22 grants in 2025 (avg $136K), mostly in Indiana. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,002,529
- +11.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 22
- +120.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $136,479
- -49.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $52,593,549
- +1.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Indiana (88% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Avis Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Its stated process asks applicants to submit a letter of inquiry (LOI) before March 1. The LOI must be no more than three pages, on the organization’s letterhead, and signed by its chief executive officer; it may be submitted by mail, email, or online. If an LOI is approved, a full proposal is due by July 31. The foundation says proposals should align with its priorities and the applicant’s strategic plan, present a compelling case, seek to engage other donors through a match or challenge, and identify measurable outcomes achievable within one to three years. Its stated restriction is that grants support organizations committed to improving quality of life through the arts, education, entrepreneurship, and autism.
- Review Cycle
- LOIs are due March 1; approved full proposals are due July 31. The foundation says applicants are notified in October and successful applicants receive funds in December.
- Deadline
- LOIs are due March 1; approved full proposals are due July 31.
- Contact
Application contact: Loralee Songer
Mailing address: 1909 S Main Street, Upland, IN 46989
Phone: (765) 998-8100
Website: https://avisfoundationinc.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Avis Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Taylor University ($475K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
68 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 26 grants of 68 (38%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 88% of grant dollars went to recipients in Indiana, 8% to Arkansas, 3% to Illinois, and 1% to Texas. The largest listed recipient-state share was Indiana.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
Cities
How Avis Foundation Inc gives
- 33% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 67% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 99% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $824K (2020) to $3.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 22 grants totaling $3.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Taylor University Upland, IN | Mitchell Theatre Infrastructure Enhancements | $425,000 |
| Ball State University Muncie, IN | Camp Achieve (Summer Social Skills Autism Day Camp) | $250,000 |
| NearSpace Education Upland, IN | Pipelines of Impact | $250,000 |
| Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, AR | Graduate Program in Counseling | $250,000 |
| Huntington University Huntington, IN | Veterinary Medicine, Leadership Coaching, Occupational Therapy Assistant Training | $250,000 |
| Eiteljorg Museum Indianapolis, IN | Quest for the West Event and Four Art Exhibitions | $200,000 |
| Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, IN | Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Engineering Nexus | $174,000 |
| Conner Prairie Fishers, IN | Sensory Room and Inclusive Signage in the Museum Experience Center | $166,666 |
| Muncie Civic Theatre Muncie, IN | Boyce Block Remodel | $150,000 |
| Indianapolis Public Library Foundation Indianapolis, IN | Children's Literacy Program and Autism Certification | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Avis Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $52,593,549 | $4,215,195 | $3,441,158 | $3,002,529 | 22 | $3,135,183 | $3,907,160 | $3,178,248 |
| 2024 | $51,820,169 | $5,766,773 | $3,142,135 | $2,700,667 | 10 | $2,839,151 | $1,909,550 | $2,968,646 |
| 2023 | $49,195,531 | $1,400,832 | $3,051,018 | $2,700,317 | 16 | $2,830,888 | $1,512,043 | $2,690,438 |
| 2022 | $50,699,973 | $34,233,871 | $2,094,073 | $1,800,000 | 12 | $1,896,601 | $839,954 | $1,940,249 |
| 2021 | $18,560,175 | $1,722,538 | $1,226,829 | $997,000 | 8 | $1,098,463 | $1,594,172 | $1,101,456 |
| 2020 | $18,064,466 | $-202,020 | $1,066,194 | $823,560 | 7 | — | $363,627 | $958,159 |
| 2019 | $19,332,680 | $4,460,974 | $945,393 | $825,000 | 5 | — | $342,875 | $984,192 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Avis Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.2M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to empower organizations through impactful gifts in the arts, education, entrepreneurship, and autism, while stewarding the Boren legacy. Its arts interests include fine arts, art therapy, and programs using art for education and community enrichment. Its education support can include programs, capacity-building, and specialized courses.
Its grantees include organizations with varied missions. Taylor University describes its mission as developing servant-leaders; NearSpace Education says it inspires and equips STEM students through educational programs; and Muncie Civic Theatre says it promotes appreciation of theatre through productions and workshops.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation awarded 22 grants totaling $3,002,529. Awards ranged from $30,000 to $425,000, with a median of $100,000. Recent totals were $2,700,667 across 10 grants in 2024 and $2,700,317 across 16 grants in 2023.
Notable 2025 grants included $425,000 to Taylor University for Mitchell Theatre infrastructure enhancements; $250,000 each to Ball State University for Camp Achieve, NearSpace Education for Pipelines of Impact, Ouachita Baptist University for a graduate program in counseling, and Huntington University for veterinary medicine, leadership coaching, and occupational therapy assistant training. Other awards included $200,000 to Eiteljorg Museum for Quest for the West and four art exhibitions, and $174,000 to Purdue University Fort Wayne for its Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Engineering Nexus.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Angela Darlington as president, Marylou Habecker as vice president, Norma Korporal as secretary, Dr Susan Wilczynski as director, and Loralee Songer as executive director.
Avis Foundation Inc is led by Angela Darlington, President since 2023 (on filings since 2019); all 5 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Angela Darlington
President
President & Director → President, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$2K (2019) → $3K (2025)
Loralee Songer
Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
30 hrs/week
$78K (2025)
Susan Wilczynski
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$2K (2019) → $3K (2025)
Marylou Habecker
Vice President
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$2K (2019) → $3K (2025)
Norma Korporal
Secretary
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$500 (2019) → $2K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Martha Songer (2019–2024) — Executive Director
- Former: Sally Briner (2019–2020) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $78K, to Loralee Songer (Executive Director). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Avis Foundation Inc
How much does Avis Foundation Inc give each year?
Avis Foundation Inc gave $3.0M across 22 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.7M across 10 grants.
What is Avis Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Avis Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $100,000, and its average grant was $136,479, across 22 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Avis Foundation Inc give grants?
Avis Foundation Inc gives mostly in Indiana: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Arkansas (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Indianapolis, IN (5 grants), Upland, IN (4 grants) and Muncie, IN (3 grants).
Does Avis Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 22 grants with a stated purpose on Avis Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Avis Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Avis Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Taylor University ($475,000 across 2 grants), Ball State University ($250,000) and NearSpace Education ($250,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Avis Foundation Inc?
Avis Foundation Inc reported $52.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Avis Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to empower organizations through impactful gifts in the arts, education, entrepreneurship, and autism, while stewarding the Boren legacy. Its arts interests include fine arts, art therapy, and programs using art for education and community enrichment. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Avis Foundation Inc?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Avis Foundation Inc's EIN?
Avis Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-5063209. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Avis Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 24, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 29, 2026)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 15, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 29, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 8, 2024)
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Avis Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 8, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/avis-foundation-inc-morg_8dfb76238f8d45428c934ff5c65cce80
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_205063209_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Avis Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/avis-foundation-inc-morg_8dfb76238f8d45428c934ff5c65cce80},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-08. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Avis Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Avis Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?