Hazel & Walter Bales Foundation
This organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting various charitable initiatives, primarily focusing on community development, education, health, and recovery services. Its mission is inferred from its funding patterns, which include grants to organizations that address homelessness, addiction recovery, and educational programs, indicating a commitment to enhancing community welfare and individual empowerment. The foundation serves a diverse range of populations, including vulnerable groups such as the homeless, individuals in recovery, and children. It predominantly operates within the Southern Indiana region, reflecting a strong local focus in its philanthropic efforts.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A small-to-midsize charitable or educational nonprofit based in Clark or Floyd counties (or elsewhere in Indiana) with clear community-oriented programming and an ability to handle mid-range grants ($5K–$50K) or occasional larger project gifts.
Good Fit
- • Organization is located in Jeffersonville/New Albany or elsewhere in Indiana (priority for Clark and Floyd counties).
- • Programs align with community, human services, education, homelessness, or recovery work.
- • Ability to receive and manage grants in the $10K–$50K range, or readiness to steward an occasional large capital gift.
- • Willingness to apply via mailed/rolling submission and to follow up by phone with a named contact.
Geography
Giving is heavily concentrated in Indiana (about 81% of dollars in 2024), with many grants to organizations in Jeffersonville and New Albany; only small amounts went to a few other states.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 41 distinct recipients and a majority of grants were to different organizations (27 new recipients in 2024), indicating a broad recipient mix rather than a tiny closed set.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of applicant access is strong: the foundation recorded many new grantees in the latest year (27 new recipients) and provides application guidance with a rolling submission route and named contact, so unfamiliar organizations have demonstrable entry points.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
