Asher Student Foundation (ASF) is a private foundation established in 1952 and based in San Francisco, California. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting Christian Science students through residential housing and related services. ASF maintains seven active Asher Houses located near colleges and universities across the United States, providing affordable housing in spiritually supportive environments.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$57.9M
+7.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$537K
+81.4% YoY
Grant Count
67
+24.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
+46.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To serve the cause of Christian Science by providing housing and services to students who are Christian Scientists enrolled in accredited colleges, universities, and certificate programs across the United States, or who are recent graduates.
Primary Activities:
- Providing residential housing at Asher Houses for Christian Science students of all ages, including undergraduate and graduate students, Christian Science nurse trainees, and individuals taking Christian Science class instruction
- Offering housing for recent college graduates transitioning to career paths through the School-to-Career Transition Initiative (CTI), with residency available for up to two years
- Hosting and sponsoring Christian Science organizations, speakers, and activities, including overnight accommodations for Christian Science participants
- Providing financial support to offset housing costs for participation in other Christian Science youth-serving programs, including DiscoveryBound programs, Christian Science Camps, and educational trips
- Operating the Asher in Action community service initiative, which engages residents, House Managers, Local Advisory Council members, alumni, and community members in local service projects
Grantmaking
ASF functions primarily as a housing provider and service organization rather than a traditional grantmaking foundation. The organization provides financial support to offset housing costs for Christian Science youth-serving programs and organizations.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
ASF operates Asher Houses in multiple locations across the United States, with documented presence in major cities including Los Angeles, Miami, Washington D.C., Boston, New York City, and St. Louis. The foundation funds initiatives across numerous states nationwide.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Year (2024):
- Total Assets: $57,947,318
- Total Revenues: $4,221,655
- Total Expenses: $2,930,363
- Number of Employees: 4
Previous Year Data (2023):
- Total Assets: $53.8 million
- Annual Expenses: approximately $2.6 million
- Annual Revenue: approximately $2.3 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $57,947,318 | $53,796,873 | $48,835,725 |
| Revenue | $4,221,655 | $2,346,129 | $5,587,443 |
| Expenses | $2,930,363 | $2,579,416 | $2,459,322 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,309,748 | $2,060,432 | $2,103,627 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,364,215 | $802,872 | $5,180,627 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
168 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cherishability (formerly Rainbow Valley Resource Network Inc) ($48,000), Friends of Camp Bow-isle ($41,000), Crystal Lake Camps ($36,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON, DC | HOUSING SCHOLARSHIP | $10,000 |
| ARIA APARTMENTS CHESTERFIELD, MO | HOUSING SCHOLARSHIP | $10,000 |
| AU DB FOUNDATION GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO | CAMPERSHIP | $11,000 |
| BOULDER PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CORPORATION BOULDER, CO | HOUSING SCHOLARSHIP | $5,000 |
| CAMPS LEELANAU & KOHAHNA MAPLE CITY, MI | CAMPERSHIP | $11,000 |
| CAMPS NEWFOUND & OWATONNA HARRISON, ME | CAMPERSHIP | $11,000 |
| CASAS DEL RIO ALBUQUERQUE, NM | HOUSING SCHOLARSHIP | $5,000 |
| CEDARS CAMPS BALLWIN, MO | CAMPERSHIP | $11,000 |
| CENTRAL HOUSE COLUMBIA COLUMBIA, MO | HOUSING SCHOLARSHIP | $5,000 |
| CHERISHABILITY (FORMERLY RAINBOW VALLEY RESOURCE NETWORK INC) PORTLAND, OR | WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM | $48,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Executive Director: Sherry Mitchell (full-time, compensation of $177,665)
- President: Bobbi McAdoo Gahlon (serves in voluntary capacity)
- Contact: S. Squire (email: ssquire@asherstudentfoundation.org)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHERRY MITCHELL | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $201,958 |
| BOBBI MCADOO GAHLON | PRESIDENT | 1.5 | — |
| LES FISHMAN | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| TODD GOLDMAN | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| MARIE JUREIT-BEAMISH | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| ROD ESSEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LAURA LONG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ELIZABETH MASSEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SUE ELLEN COUGHTRY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JONATHAN BORJA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 345 West Portal Avenue, Suite 120, San Francisco, CA 94127
Phone: (415) 242-1500
Fax: (415) 242-1510
Email: ssquire@asherstudentfoundation.org
Website: asherstudentfoundation.org
EIN: 38-1690200
IRS Ruling Year: 1954
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Asher Student Foundation fund?
**Mission:** To serve the cause of Christian Science by providing housing and services to students who are Christian Scientists enrolled in accredited colleges, universities, and certificate programs across the United States, or who are recent graduates. **Primary Activities:** • Providing residential housing at Asher Houses for Christian Science students of all ages, including undergraduate and graduate students, Christian Science nurse trainees, and individuals taking Christian Science class …
How do I apply for a grant from Asher Student Foundation?
ASF functions primarily as a housing provider and service organization rather than a traditional grantmaking foundation. The organization provides financial support to offset housing costs for Christian Science youth-serving programs and organizations.
Where does Asher Student Foundation make grants?
ASF operates Asher Houses in multiple locations across the United States, with documented presence in major cities including Los Angeles, Miami, Washington D.C., Boston, New York City, and St. Louis. The foundation funds initiatives across numerous states nationwide.
What size grants does Asher Student Foundation award?
In 2024, Asher Student Foundation awarded 67 grants totaling $537K — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Asher Student Foundation's EIN?
Asher Student Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-1690200. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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