Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation
| Abbreviation | AWCCF |
|---|---|
| Named after | Allen W. Clowes |
| Formation | 1990 |
| Headquarters | 320 North Meridian Street, Suite 900, Indianapolis, IN, 46204 |
President | James Lemler |
Vice President | Elizabeth Kaznak-Hall |
Manager | Heidi Nikou |
Associate | Catherine Luce |
| Website | https://www.awclowescf.org/ |
The Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation (AWCCF) was established by Allen Whitehill Clowes (February 18, 1917 – November 3, 2000), who was an Indianapolis-based philanthropist who supported the arts and humanities. It was one of two funds named after and established by Clowes, the other being the Clowes Fund.[1][2]
History
Created in 1990, Clowes was the founder and first president up until his death in 2000. It started being funded by his estate afterward, beginning in 2002. Clowes was an officer of and commonly donated to museums and art organizations such as the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, the Eiteljorg Museum, The Children's Museum and the Indianapolis Museum of Art. As well, donations and grants are made to Indianapolis Public Libraries and schools such as the Orchard School, and the Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University.[1][3][4]
Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University was first built in 1963 with the help and funding of Allen Clowes and his wife. It was used by both the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra until 1984, when the Orchestra moved to Hilbert Circle Theater.[3][5][6]
Charity
The AWCCF has several grant and funding programs for artists, organizations, and schools. Its total assets in 2024 was $173 million. Total expenses added up to about $18 million, with 93% of expenses being categorized as charity costs disbursed among 220 grants and groups. Expense history begins in 2001, due to Clowes having passed in 2000 and the full funding being available the year after.[7]
In 2021, Butler University was given $1 million by the foundation to "modernize" the Clowes Memorial Hall, the base of Butler's Arts & Events Center. In 2024, the foundation donated another $9 million to the Memorial Hall for renovations.[3][6]
The Orchard School, an early childhood education school, received $500k in 2025 for refining and creating outdoor learning centers. The Indiana Blind Children's Foundation (IBCF) have received previous grants and a $95,000 grant in 2025 for art and education. The Aurora Photocenter received a grant in 2025 for operating support as well.[4][8][9]
"Music for All", a not-for-profit based on music, works with the AWCCF and advertises their grants. It collaborates with other organizations as well, such as the Indy Arts Council, Indiana Arts Commission and the Lilly Endowment.[10]
References
- ^ a b Indianapolis, Encyclopedia of (2021-02-05). "Allen Whitehill Clowes". Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Retrieved 2025-11-17.
- ^ Indianapolis, Encyclopedia of (2021-02-05). "Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation". Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Retrieved 2025-11-17.
- ^ a b c "Butler Receives $1M Grant from Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation for Modernization of Clowes Memorial Hall – Stories". Retrieved 2025-11-17.
- ^ a b "ORCHARD RECEIVES $500,000 GRANT FOR ADDITIONAL OUTDOOR LEARNING SPACES". The Orchard School. 2025-11-06. Retrieved 2025-11-17.
- ^ Indianapolis, Encyclopedia of (2021-02-05). "Clowes Memorial Hall". Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ a b "Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Gift to Fund Renovations at Butler University's Clowes Memorial Hall – Stories". Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ Suozzo, Andrea; Glassford, Alec; Ngu, Ash; Roberts, Brandon (2013-05-09). "Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Inc - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ "IBCF Receives Grant from Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation in Support of No Limits Arts Series". indianabcf.org. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ Conduct, About Mission Board Donors and Partners Code of; Proposal, Exhibitions Family Pictures Nowhere in Particular Upcoming Exhibitions Past Exhibitions Submit a; Residence, Residencies 2025 Shawn Bush 2025 Hillerbrand+Magsamen 2025 Cali M. Banks 2025 Jamila Martin 2025 Residency Selection Panelists Past Artists in; Cards, Members Memberships Workspaces Reserve Gift; Internship, Support Donate Volunteer Subscribe Spring 2026; Events; Media; Groups, Workshops Finding Your Vision with Alex Webb and Rebecca Norris Webb Alternative & Historic Processes Developing Black & White Film Developing Color Film Making a Black & White Print Scanning Basics Digital Printing Basics Corporate Events and; Prints. "Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Grant". Aurora PhotoCenter. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Funding Support". Music for All, Inc. Retrieved 2025-11-24.