Pacers Foundation

Name

Pacers Foundation

Legal name

Pacers Foundation Inc.

Website

https://pacersfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC), Cause, Community & CSR-Linked Sports Partnerships (Foundations, Youth Programs) (MPAKALAJ), Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK), Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

Keywords

• Community grants funding
• Youth education programs
• Food insecurity relief
• Nonprofit charitable giving
• Youth development initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The foundation accepts individual donations at various levels ($50, $100, $200, $500, or custom amounts) through its website. Donors can direct contributions to specific funds including the General Fund, Fever Fund, or specific scholarship funds.
2. Event Fundraising: Annual events including The Golden Gala (tickets $1,000-$2,500, corporate packages $8,000), Golf Outing, and Fever Fore Change generate significant fundraising revenue.
3. Corporate Grants: The foundation receives corporate grants from partners and distributes them to qualifying Indiana nonprofits. Organizations can apply for up to $25,000 in funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Pacers Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that raises funds through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, signature events, and grants, then redistributes those funds to Indiana-based nonprofits and operates direct community programs. Its flagship initiatives include Drive & Dish (food insecurity), State of Play (basketball court refurbishment), and NBA Math Hoops (STEM education), complemented by scholarship funds and event-based fundraising.

Product overview

The Pacers Foundation is a charitable organization founded in 1993 by Pacers Sports & Entertainment, offering a portfolio of community-focused programs and events. Its core initiatives include Drive & Dish (food insecurity), State of Play (basketball court renovation), and NBA Math Hoops (STEM education), complemented by scholarship programs (David Benner Memorial, Linda Craig Memorial), grant programs (General Grants, Fever Fund), and signature fundraising events (Golden Gala, Golf Outing, Fever Fore Change). The foundation has invested over $22 million in Indiana communities since its founding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fever Fund: An initiative of the Pacers Foundation that champions programs helping women and girls rise on the court, in the classroom, and in their communities. Supports leadership and career readiness, confidence through sports and wellness, and safety and belonging.

Products and services

• Drive & Dish A food insecurity initiative led by the Pacers Foundation and Head Coach Rick Carlisle, providing nourishing food with dignity to families in need across Indiana through the Gleaners2Go ordering platform. The program has delivered over 1.2 million pounds of food to more than 10,000 households and expanded to Terre Haute in partnership with Catholic Charities.
• State of Play A basketball court refurbishment and renovation grant program providing up to $100,000 per project for capital improvements across Indiana, with a 10-year plan to refurbish 20 basketball courts as community hubs.
• NBA Math Hoops A basketball-themed STEM education program leveraging NBA/WNBA brands to build fundamental math skills for 4th-8th grade students through a physical and digital board game, curriculum, and community competition. Supported by an $800,000 Lilly Foundation grant and implemented across 100+ Indiana schools.
• Pacers Foundation Grants A grant program investing up to $25,000 per award in Indiana-based 501(c)(3) organizations working to create brighter futures for young people in education, health, and safety. Over $22 million awarded since the foundation's founding in 1993.
• Fever Fund An initiative of the Pacers Foundation championing programs that help women and girls rise on the court, in the classroom, and in their communities. Grants up to $25,000 available for leadership and career readiness, confidence through sports and wellness, and safety and belonging programs.
• David Benner Memorial Scholarship An annual $2,500 scholarship for undergraduate students at Indiana colleges pursuing journalism, radio, TV, digital broadcasting, or related fields, honoring the legacy of former Pacers Media Relations Director David Benner.
• Linda Craig Memorial Scholarship A scholarship for undergraduate students at Indiana colleges pursuing degrees in medicine, sports medicine, physical therapy, athletic training, or related fields, established in memory of Linda Lorraine Sharvelle Craig.
• The Golden Gala An annual fundraising event featuring Pacers and Fever stars, casino table games, entertainment, and world-class food. VIP tickets are $2,500, general tickets $1,000, and corporate packages $8,000 for ten tickets.
• Pacers Foundation Golf Outing An annual fall fundraiser at Brickyard Crossing Golf Course bringing together Pacers players, coaches, corporate partners, and season-ticket holders, featuring an 18-hole scramble, putting contest, and post-round refreshments.
• Fever Fore Change An annual summer fundraiser hosted by Indiana Fever benefiting the Fever Fund, featuring golf action with Fever players, coaches, staff, corporate partners, fans, and media personalities at Back 9 Golf and Entertainment.
• Team Up for Literacy A literacy initiative in partnership with Indiana Sports Corp and Indianapolis Indians Charities that uses sports-driven engagement to support families and address systemic literacy issues, featuring '9 Innings of Reading' and 'Four Quarters of Reading' seasonal challenges delivered through the Beanstack platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• $22 million+ invested in Indiana communities since 1993
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Commission RowminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2026Venue host for The Golden Gala at 110 S. Delaware St. Mel's speakeasy lower level used for VIP experience.
• Indiana Sports CorpcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2026$50,000 literacy grant for Team Up for Literacy initiative. Three major sports organizations collaborating on statewide literacy challenges through sports-driven engagement.
• Indianapolis Indians CharitiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2026$50,000 donation over two years to support Team Up for Literacy. Partner in 9 Innings of Reading summer challenge using Beanstack platform.
• City of Terre HautecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026$100,000 State of Play grant for Herz-Rose Park basketball court renovation. Mayor Brandon Sakbun participated in ribbon cutting ceremony. Partnership for park redesign.
• Indiana State Police AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026$250,000 investment over 5 years to support State of Play basketball court renovations statewide. Executive Director Cory Martin leads partnership.
• Terre Haute Parks and RecreationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Partner for youth programming at renovated Herz-Rose Park basketball court.
• KrogercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2026For every Pacers 3-pointer at home games, Kroger donates eggs through the Drive & Dish initiative. Division President Colleen Juergensen leads partnership. Expanding hunger relief in central Indiana.
• MPS Egg FarmscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2026Indiana-based egg supplier donating eggs for Drive & Dish. Sixth-generation family-owned company and top 10 egg producer. Donating three cases of eggs (540 eggs each) per Pacers 3-pointer.
• HATCH for HungercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2026Nutrition-focused nonprofit managing logistics for egg distribution to food banks and families. CEO Daniel Leckie leads partnership. Works to close the protein gap.
• Catholic Charities Terre HautecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 September 2024Partner for Drive & Dish food distribution in Terre Haute region. Distributes approximately 1,700 boxes of fresh produce monthly.
• Gleaners Food Bank of IndianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary food bank partner for Drive & Dish food insecurity initiative. Gleaners operates the Gleaners2Go platform for food distribution and serves as the main logistics partner for food delivery to families across Indiana.
• Lilly FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided $800,000 grant for NBA Math Hoops educational program. Partner for presenting the Math Hoops program and supporting through Global Day of Service employee volunteers.
• Learn FreshcoreTechnology or IntegrationDeveloper of NBA Math Hoops curriculum and board game. Learn Fresh provides the program content, digital app, and curriculum materials used in Indiana schools.
• KeyBankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor appearing on website as partner logo. KeyBank presents The Golden Gala event.
• Indy ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner site for Drive & Dish food distribution pickup locations. Provides venues for food distribution to families in Indianapolis.
• City of IndianapolisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner appearing on website as partner logo. Collaborates on community initiatives.
• Tom WoodminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business partner appearing on website as partner logo.
• United Way of Central IndianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages Central Indiana Food Relief Fund supporting Gleaners Food Bank, Midwest Food Bank, and Second Helpings. President and CEO Fred Payne collaborated on $250,000 donation.
• US FoodsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Tyrese Haliburton's Come to Our House Season of Giving Dinner at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
• Back 9 Golf and EntertainmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue host for Fever Fore Change annual fundraiser golf event in Indianapolis.
• CareSourceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresents VIP Event for The Golden Gala.
• Brickyard Crossing Golf CourseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue for Pacers Foundation Golf Outing fundraiser.
• Ivy Tech Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Lafayette and Bloomington roundtables on food insecurity.

Scale indicators27 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• United Way of Central Indiana: Regional grantmaker and convener in central Indiana managing the Central Indiana Food Relief Fund. Directly comparable as an Indiana-based private grantmaking organization distributing funds to Indiana nonprofits for community benefit programs.
• The Indianapolis Foundation: Central Indiana community foundation serving Indianapolis and surrounding counties since 1916. Directly comparable as a long-tenured Indiana community grantmaker distributing funds to local nonprofits in education, health, and community development.
• Herbert Simon Family Foundation: Private foundation closely affiliated with the same Simon family that controls the Pacers Foundation. Highly comparable as a family-led Indiana grantmaking entity that co-funds initiatives with the Pacers Foundation (e.g., Central Indiana Food Relief Fund $250K).
• Indianapolis Colts Foundation: NFL team-affiliated foundation operating in the same Indianapolis market. Directly comparable model: pro sports franchise charitable arm running youth-focused grants, community programs, and statewide Indiana impact initiatives.
• Indiana Sports Corp: Indiana-based nonprofit focused on sports-driven community impact and youth development statewide. Directly comparable as a regional sports nonprofit that the Pacers Foundation actively partners with on Team Up for Literacy and serves overlapping beneficiary populations.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis: Youth development nonprofit serving Indianapolis-area youth. Directly comparable as an Indiana 501(c)(3) serving similar youth populations through sports, education, and leadership programs that the Pacers Foundation supports through grants and partnerships.
• Indianapolis Indians Charities: Charitable arm of the Indianapolis Indians minor league baseball team operating in the same Indianapolis market. Directly comparable as a professional sports team foundation running community grant programs, literacy initiatives (Team Up for Literacy), and youth-focused events in Indiana.

Broad incumbents

• NBA Foundation: League-wide $300M foundation created in 2021 focused on economic empowerment in Black communities. Comparable as a higher-level NBA-affiliated grantmaking entity with overlapping NBA team foundation partners and youth economic mobility mission.
• Lilly Endowment Inc. One of the largest private foundations in the U.S. and a significant funder of Indiana nonprofits. Highly comparable as a major Indiana-focused grantmaking foundation that directly funds Pacers Foundation programs (NBA Math Hoops $800K).

Others

• Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana: Indiana's largest food bank and primary logistics partner for the Pacers Foundation's Drive & Dish initiative. Comparable as an Indiana-based hunger-relief nonprofit that delivers measurable food-insecurity outcomes across overlapping geographies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/PacersFdn
• Facebookfacebook.com/PacersSportsEnt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pacers-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/pacerssportsent

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Pacers Foundation