The Chester and Ruth Baylor Family Foundation, established by the descendants of Chester and Ruth Baylor, supports philanthropic efforts in the Milan, Indiana community. Chester and Ruth Baylor, originally entrepreneurs who founded Baylor Trucking, Inc., were deeply committed to their southeastern Indiana roots and strived to give back to their community throughout their lives and beyond. This family foundation embodies their legacy by empowering future generations to invest in local organizations that advance opportunity and service in their hometown.
The foundation offers annual charitable donations to eligible organizations that support the Milan community. While it does not use the formal structure of government-issued grants, the foundation operates a defined donation request window each year. For 2026, the application period is open from February 1 through February 21. Requests submitted outside of this timeframe are not eligible for consideration, and only complete submissions will be reviewed. Applicants must use the official electronic donation request form provided on the foundation’s website to apply.
Eligibility is limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. All applicants are required to submit proof of their nonprofit status, specifically the IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter, along with any additional supporting documentation relevant to the funding request. These materials must be emailed to the foundation at [email protected] for an application to be considered complete. No matching funds are required.
Although the foundation does not specify exact funding amounts or limits, the tone and structure of the application process suggest a community-oriented giving model with a potentially modest award size. There is no indication of multi-year funding, and award amounts are not detailed on the public site. Submissions are evaluated internally by the foundation’s board, which consists of the children and grandchildren of the founders. Evaluation timelines and notification dates are not publicly specified.
Given its annual cycle and clearly stated deadline, this program is recurring on a yearly basis. Interested applicants are advised to prepare early in the year to align with the brief submission window in February. As the foundation prioritizes local impact, organizations serving or located within Milan, Indiana, are the intended recipients of this philanthropic support.
