Deer Creek Foundation
Deer Creek Foundation is a private foundation established in 1964 and headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) private nonoperating foundation focused on grantmaking to advance democratic systems, government accountability, and constitutional protections.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$2.4M
+1.3% YoY
Grant Count
15
-25.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$161K
+35.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary mission is to support programs that:
- Preserve and advance democratic systems and government accountability
- Protect civil liberties and civil rights as provided by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights
- Promote education about democracy
- Fund "action programs" with promise of making significant national or regional impact
The foundation prioritizes funding for litigation against abuses in the American justice system, environmental law enforcement, and constitutional education and research.
Grantmaking
The foundation accepts applications.
Grant Range
$125,300
Average Grant
$125,300
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
While the foundation does not limit its giving geographically, it maintains a special focus on issues in and around Saint Louis, Missouri, where it is headquartered. Recent grantmaking shows activity in California, Missouri, and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- $40,955,355 (2024)
- $41,700,000 (2023)
Annual Giving:
- $2,422,000 (2024)
- $2,392,000 (2023)
- $2,600,000 (2022)
Revenue:
- $2,704,226 (2024)
- $2,500,000 (approximate, recent year)
Expenses:
- $3,403,260 (2024)
Giving Rate: Approximately 5.7% of assets annually
Staffing: 1 employee
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| 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
107 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Arch City Defenders ($1,000,000), Constitutional Accountability Center ($200,000), Earthjustice ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE WASHINGTON, DC | SUPPORT EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND LITIGATION AGAINST RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION | $100,000 |
| ARCH CITY DEFENDERS ST LOUIS, MO | SUPPORT LITIGATION AGAINST ABUSES IN THE AMERICAN JUSTICE SYSTEM | $1,000,000 |
| BEYOND NUCLEAR TAKOMA PARK, MD | FORCE MORE RESPONSBILE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OVERSIGHT | $110,000 |
| CENTER FOR PROGRESSIVE REFORM WASHINGTON, DC | SUPPORT RESEARCH AND EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN EVIRONMENTAL REGULATION | $75,000 |
| COMMITTEE TO BRIDGE THE GAP BEN LOMOND, CA | SUPPORT ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION ENSURING SAFE OPERATION AND CLEANUP OF U.S. NUCLEAR FACILITIES | $60,000 |
| CONSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY CENTER WASHINGTON, DC | SUPPORT LITIGATION AND EDUCATION EXPOSING COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE U.S. CONSTITUTION | $200,000 |
| CRAG LAW CENTER PORTLAND, OR | PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES,GUIDANCE, AND EDUCATION TO PROTECT THE CASCADIA BIOREGION | $115,000 |
| EARTHJUSTICE SAN FRANCISCO, CA | SUPPORT LITIGATION AND ADVOCACY FOR ENFORCEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS | $200,000 |
| FREE AND FAIR LITIGATION GROUP NEW YORK, NY | TO SUPPORT LITIGATION TO PROTECT OUR COUNTRY'S DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM AND INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS FROM THE THREAT POSED BY RECENT SUPREME COURT DECISIONS, AND CURRENT AND FORMER POLITICIANS. | $45,000 |
| NORTHWEST ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE CENTER PORTLAND, OR | TO MONITOR, UNDERTAKE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY ADVOCACY, AND LITIGATE TO ENSURE THAT THE STATE AND FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE ENFORCED WITH RESPECT TO STORMWATER POLLUTION FROM INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES IN OREGON | $30,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Martha C Fischer - Trustee
- Matthew A Fischer - Trustee
- Michael P Fischer - Trustee/Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARTHA C FISCHER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MATTHEW A FISCHER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL P FISCHER | TRUSTEE/DIRECTOR | 40 | $132,500 |
Contact Information
Address: 800 Market St Ste 1650 Saint Louis, MO 63101-2517
Phone: 314-241-3228
Website: dcsfoundation.org
EIN: 43-6052774
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Deer Creek Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary mission is to support programs that: • Preserve and advance democratic systems and government accountability • Protect civil liberties and civil rights as provided by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights • Promote education about democracy • Fund "action programs" with promise of making significant national or regional impact The foundation prioritizes funding for litigation against abuses in the American justice system, environmental law enforcement, and constitutio…
How do I apply for a grant from Deer Creek Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 21 grants in 2024 • Total giving: $2,422,000 (2024) • Average grant size: $125,300 • Median grant size: $100,000 • Grant range: $2,000 - $1,000,000 **Recent Grantees (2024):** • Earthjustice: $200,000 (Support Litigation and Advocacy for Enforcement of Environmental Regulations) • Constitutional Accountability Center: $200,000 (Support Litigation and Education Exposing Common Misconceptions About the U.S. Constitution) • Crag Law Center: $115,000 (Provide Legal Servic…
Where does Deer Creek Foundation make grants?
While the foundation does not limit its giving geographically, it maintains a special focus on issues in and around Saint Louis, Missouri, where it is headquartered. Recent grantmaking shows activity in California, Missouri, and the District of Columbia.
What size grants does Deer Creek Foundation award?
In 2024, Deer Creek Foundation awarded 15 grants totaling $2.4M — an average of about $161K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Deer Creek Foundation's EIN?
Deer Creek Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-6052774. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Deer Creek Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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