Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust
Annual Giving
$22.7M+1% YoY
Grants
328
Median Grant
$35K
Organizations Funded
285
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Foundation Overview
Mission
The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust seeks to help people in need, especially women, children, and families; to protect animals and nature; and to enrich community life in the metropolitan areas of Indianapolis and Phoenix.
Focus Areas
Grant Types
Funded Initiatives
A three-year, $2.25 million grant to Keys to Change for homelessness prevention and general operating needs (January 2024). Grants ranging from $20,000 to $300,000 to 21 Arizona charities. Support for the Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars program, which pays full tuition, fees, and book/supply costs, and provides a stipend for living expenses to qualifying students. $19.5 million dedicated to protecting the flow, improving water quality, preserving wildlife habitats, developing water policy, and creating economic and conservation collaborations for the Verde and White rivers.
How to Apply
All Trust grants are invitation-only. The first step in the grant submission process is a conversation with a Trust program officer. Once a program officer has invited you to apply, you can do so online. The Trust only accepts applications submitted electronically through its website - no hard copy applications are accepted. Organizations need a 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS. The Trust only accepts requests from charitable organizations located in and serving Marion County, Indiana, and Maricopa County, Arizona, with the exception of environmental requests.
Does Not Fund
The Trust will not consider grants for international activities, academic research, sectarian purposes, programs that promote religious doctrine or political campaigns, or health programs (except those related to the visually impaired). The Trust will not consider requests for programs that target those currently incarcerated, exiting the criminal justice system or recently released. The Trust does not fund individual schools, school buildings, school equipment or general operating support. Only by rare exception will the Trust consider an application from K-12 public schools or government agencies.
Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.
Giving History
$22.7M
Grants
328
Median
$35K
States
6
$22.4M
Grants
304
Median
$40K
States
6
$18.2M
Grants
239
Median
$50K
States
5
Grant Size Distribution
$50K
Typical Grant (Median)
$1K
Smallest
$13K
25th Pctile
$75K
75th Pctile
$1.5M
Largest
Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $13K and $75K.
Largest Recent Grants
$1.5M
2024
UMOM New Day Centers
AZ · Capital and programmatic support to renovate 16 emergency shelter units for large families at risk of experiencing homelessness and to provide essential services to such families.
$1.0M
2024
American Journalism Project
DC · Support to build a new model for local news in Central Indiana that utilizes a community reporting model and acts as a trusted source of information resulting in a more informed and engaged public.
$1.0M
2024
Friends of Indy Animals
IN · Capital support to construct a modern facility for Indianapolis Animal Care Services to provide safe and humane shelter for approximately 15,000 animals per year.
$726K
2024
Arizona State University Foundation for New American University
AZ · Support for the Nina Scholars program.
$600K
2024
Alliance for Companion Animals
AZ · Provide no-cost spay/neuter and wellness services to approximately 6,800 animals through veterinary clinics, including mobile veterinary units, across Maricopa County.
Geographic Focus
Top states by total grant dollars. Based on IRS filing data.
Financial Overview
Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets
Data sourced from IRS 990 and 990-PF filings and publicly available foundation websites. Grant data, financial figures, and organizational details reflect historical filings and may not represent current operations or funding priorities. Verify directly with the foundation before applying. See an issue? Let us know.