Jerry L And Barbara J Burris Foundation
The organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting educational initiatives, community service, and youth development. Its mission is reflected in its funding for scholarships, program development, and general support for various charitable organizations, including educational institutions and health charities. The foundation primarily serves a diverse range of causes, including affordable housing, youth programs, and cultural institutions. While it has a notable focus on organizations based in Indiana, it also supports initiatives across several other states.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A small-to-midsize charity with an Indianapolis/Indiana connection that runs education, youth development, scholarships, or community services programs and can submit a written request by mail.
Good Fit
- • Located in Indiana or able to demonstrate a strong local connection to Indianapolis.
- • Programs for youth, scholarships, school support, or local cultural/educational institutions.
- • Requests that match typical award sizes (mostly under $10K, occasionally a larger scholarship/capital request).
- • Ability to submit a concise written application and to provide local references or prior working relationships.
Geography
Grants reached eight states in the latest year, but about 70% of dollars stayed in the foundation's home state, indicating multi-state reach with strong in-state concentration.
Recipient Variety
The foundation consistently funds roughly 14–16 distinct independent charities each year across education, youth, health and community causes, so the recipient set is sizable despite dollar concentration in a single large award.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of new entrants exists (several new grantees in recent years) and written application instructions plus a mailing address are provided, but the portfolio shows many repeat grantees and a relationship-driven pattern, so open access is plausible but not clearly broad.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
