HCCF Congratulates Frank Levinson, Recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Philanthropist Award

Hamilton County Community Foundation (HCCF) congratulates Frank Levinson, who received the 2025 Outstanding Philanthropist Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals—Indiana Chapter at the Indiana Philanthropy  Awards presentation on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

HCCF is proud to work alongside Levinson to help him fulfill his philanthropy goals. The Levinson Family Lifetime Philanthropy Award is administered by HCCF and was established to honor young people who embody the values of peace, equality, and civic engagement. Each recipient is entrusted with a lifetime donor-advised fund to support the causes they care about most, and receives mentorship to help them learn, lead, and give effectively over time. 

“Frank’s philanthropy is both generous and innovative,” said Danielle Stiles-Polk, president of Hamilton County Community Foundation. “By empowering young residents with lifelong tools for strategic giving, he’s strengthening the Hamilton County community today and building a pipeline of civic leaders for tomorrow. We’re honored to work alongside Frank to help him fulfill his goals, and we’re so pleased to see his impact recognized statewide.” 

Ashley Read is a recipient of the Levinson Family Lifetime Philanthropy Award. She received a $10,000 endowed fund as a senior at Noblesville High School in 2021. She said: “Thanks to Frank’s generosity, I’ve been able to give to causes I deeply care about, focused on bettering the lives of others. These organizations include Indy Honor Flight, Grace Care Center Foundation, The Love Pet Project, and organizations that help Indiana families raising children with physical and intellectual disabilities. These opportunities to give have not only changed the lives of those served by these organizations but have instilled a lifetime commitment to giving in me. By giving students the knowledge, resources, and freedom to lead, Mr. Levinson sets a powerful standard for what meaningful philanthropic leadership looks like. Personally, I now view philanthropy not as  just a single act, but as a lifelong calling. Through Frank’s generosity, I’ve found a deeper sense of purpose and direction, along with the confidence to contribute to my community in meaningful and lasting ways. His thoughtful approach to philanthropy focuses on the importance of building a culture of stewardship and encouraging others to take ownership of their impact.” 

Salil J. Gupta is also a recipient of the Levinson Family Lifetime Philanthropy Award. He received a $10,000 endowed fund as a senior at Noblesville High School in 2018. He said: “Over the past seven years, this fund has followed me through each chapter of my life, providing me with the means to give back. As a former attendee of the Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville, I was able to support the organization that helped raise me. In college, I volunteered at a free clinic in Bloomington as a Spanish interpreter, and I directed funds to sustain its mission. Now, as a medical student managing a free eye clinic on the east side of Indianapolis, I recently applied for a grant to support a dry eye initiative. I knew that even if the grant didn’t come through, I had the capacity to fund the project myself. Dr. Levinson’s model of giving is catalytic. It encourages recipients not just to donate, but to think deeply about the communities they belong to, the people they serve, and the impact they can leave. In a time when many nonprofits are calling for greater private support, his foresight and generosity stand as a beacon of what progressive, future-oriented philanthropy can look like. Giving young people the power to donate is a vote for the future.” 

By pairing intentional mentorship with flexible charitable tools, Levinson’s giving has supported dozens of organizations while shaping how young people understand their role in community life. HCCF is grateful to steward this work and to support donors, families, and partners who want to make a lasting difference in Hamilton County and beyond.