The Ackerman Foundation
The Ackerman Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in central Indiana (EIN 35-6567579) supporting education, health, community development and cultural institutions. The official site publishes grant guidelines, a 2025 grants page and a downloadable grant application PDF.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A nonprofit based in Indiana (or serving Indiana communities) seeking general operating support in education, community development, health, or cultural programming, with capacity to manage mid-size grants ($5k–$100k+).
Good Fit
- • Located in Indiana or primarily serving Indiana residents
- • Requesting general operating support rather than a narrowly restricted project
- • Work in education, cultural institutions, community services, food security, or youth development
- • Organizational track record and local reputation (repeat grantees are common)
- • Ability to follow the foundation's application format and mailing/email instructions
Geography
Giving is heavily concentrated in Indiana, with about 94% of dollars and grant count staying in-state; only a few out-of-state grants appeared across three states in the latest year.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded 35 distinct recipients in the latest year across education, cultural, health and community sectors, with a mix of returning (24) and new (11) grantees despite some dollar concentration among the top five.
New Applicants
A public application PDF, clear submission instructions (mail preferred; email allowed with a six-page limit), a phone contact, and 11 new grantees in the latest year indicate that unfamiliar applicants can plausibly enter the portfolio.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
