Clarence W. Efroymson

(Nov. 1, 1897 – Mar. 5, 1988). Clarence W. Efroymson, a professor of economics at Butler University for 35 years before retiring in 1968, was a son of Gustave Efroymson and a respected philanthropist in Indianapolis. He received a BA from Harvard and PhD in history and economics from the University of Vienna. He also obtained a BA in Hebrew Literature from Hebrew Union College in 1959.

Clarence and his brother Robert Efroymson established the Moriah Fund in 1985 to continue their family’s longstanding philanthropic commitment. The fund initially supported the well-being of the Jewish people, quality of life in Indianapolis, stabilizing population growth and supporting reproductive rights, conserving natural resources, and fighting poverty. Robert’s daughter Mary Ann Stein served as president of the Moriah Fund until 2019 when she stepped aside to allow the next generation to continue the family’s philanthropy.

Clarence was responsible for bringing The Nature Conservancy to Indianapolis and served as a trustee and life trustee. He gave part of his Carmel, Indiana, farm to The Nature Conservancy to use as a state nature preserve. Clarence helped to bring the Urban League along with other civic leaders.

An active but quiet philanthropist, Clarence supported the United Negro College Fund and the Mental Health Association along with The Nature Conservancy. He was a board member of the Indianapolis Council on Foreign Relations, the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, and the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (In 2020 the Union for Reform Judaism). He served as president of Occidental Realty Co. and as vice president of Real Silk Hosiery Mills.

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