The mission of the Fairbanks Foundation is to advance the vitality of Indianapolis and the well-being of its people. We strive to achieve this mission by addressing some of the city’s most significant challenges and opportunities.
Establishing a Legacy
In 1986, Richard M. “Dick” Fairbanks, the founder and owner of Fairbanks Communications, Inc., established an independent, private foundation bearing his name. He created the Foundation to strengthen the city of Indianapolis and perpetuate the Fairbanks legacy in the city where the family prospered for over a century. Dick was the president of the Foundation until his death in August 2000.
Today, the Fairbanks Foundation’s nine-member board of directors continues to focus our grantmaking and other strategic initiatives on the City of Indianapolis. To date, we have awarded more than $300 million in grants to tax-exempt organizations serving greater Indianapolis.
Guiding Our Work
The Fairbanks Foundation is guided by three core values:
Addressing Unmet Needs
Every five years, the Fairbanks Foundation’s board of directors reflects on the challenges and opportunities facing Indianapolis to guide our work moving forward. In 2025, our board reaffirmed its commitment to our three focus areas: تعلیم, صحت, ، اور انڈیاناپولس کی زندگی, setting goals and strategies for each area.