Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation
The Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation is a Reno, Nevada-based private foundation established in 2003 by Betty Ash. It supports small public charities providing basic services—including food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and education—to children and military veterans.
Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation at a glance
In short: Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation gave $156K across 16 grants in 2025 (avg $10K), mostly in Nevada. 13% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $155,500
- +2.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 16
- +6.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $9,719
- -4.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $8,750
- Total assets
- $2,521,365
- -5.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (2 of 16, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Nevada (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through a letter of inquiry, which it reviews on a continuous basis. Letters should be no more than three pages and describe the issues, the organization’s history and goals, the proposed activities and anticipated outcomes, the project’s approximate start date and duration, total funding needed and the amount requested, and other sources of support. The foundation evaluates eligible inquiries based on alignment with its goals, potential impact, and available funds. It does not consider requests for deficit financing, debt reduction, loans, grants to individuals, scholarships or fellowships, research projects, or conferences, seminars, media events, or workshops unless integral to a broader program. It does not support the production or development of television or radio programming.
- Review Cycle
- None stated; letters of inquiry may be submitted at any time during the year.
- Deadline
- None stated; letters of inquiry may be submitted at any time during the year.
- Contact
Application contact: Scott Gunderson
Mailing address: 18124 Wedge Parkway 542, Reno, NV 89521
Phone: (999) 999-9999
Email: scott@ashfdn.org
Website: https://www.ashfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Adopt a Vet Dental Program ($25K). Together the top 10 received $133K.
Grant Size Distribution
79 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 79 grants of 79 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it supports charities located in Northern Nevada serving a Northern Nevada population. In 2025, 98% of its grant dollars went to recipients in Nevada and 2% to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 16 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $7K first-time, $9K repeat.
- 88% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−15%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 102% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $148K (2023) to $217K (2020). In 2025 it made 16 grants totaling $156K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Adopt a Vet Dental Program Reno, NV | General Purpose | $25,000 |
| Veterans Guesthouse Reno, NV | General Purpose | $20,000 |
| Coral Academy of Science Reno, NV | General Purpose | $15,000 |
| Reno Rodeo Foundation Reno, NV | General Purpose | $15,000 |
| Nevada Youth Empowerment Project Reno, NV | General Purpose | $12,500 |
| Northern Nevada Childrens Cancer Foundation Reno, NV | General Purpose | $12,500 |
| PBS Reno - KNPB Reno, NV | General Purpose | $10,000 |
| Nevada Diabetes Association Reno, NV | General Purpose | $10,000 |
| The Eddy House Reno, NV | General Purpose | $7,500 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada Reno, NV | General Purpose | $5,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,521,365 | $240,909 | $380,464 | $155,500 | 16 | $155,500 | $222,359 | $152,838 |
| 2024 | $2,660,920 | $174,247 | $355,859 | $152,500 | 15 | $152,500 | $157,268 | $151,896 |
| 2023 | $2,842,532 | $-8,882 | $351,817 | $147,500 | 15 | $147,500 | $114,460 | $149,943 |
| 2022 | $3,218,624 | $781,739 | $418,896 | $182,500 | 15 | $182,500 | $766,378 | $164,370 |
| 2021 | $2,858,816 | $215,560 | $447,852 | $208,000 | 18 | $208,000 | $198,202 | $203,335 |
| 2020 | $3,091,108 | $190,544 | $460,675 | $216,500 | 17 | — | $176,947 | $200,566 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation reported a distributable amount of $153K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation describes its grantmaking as support for basic services to children and military veterans. Its 2025 filing describes direct charitable activities that include supporting tuition-free K–12 education with a college-preparatory STEM curriculum, temporary accommodations for veterans and their families receiving medical treatment in the Reno-Sparks area, and dental care for low-income veterans.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of its grants. Adopt A Vet Dental Program says its mission is to recruit dental professionals to provide pro bono dental care to low-income veterans and raise funds for related costs. The Reno Rodeo Foundation says it aids children with extraordinary needs, supports community projects, and provides scholarships. Nevada Youth Empowerment Project says it provides housing, services, and support for vulnerable people. Arts for the Schools says it works to build rural communities through equitable access to arts and arts education.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 16 grants totaling $155,500. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $25,000, with a median grant of $8,750. Among the largest were Adopt A Vet Dental Program ($25,000), Veterans Guesthouse ($20,000), Coral Academy of Science ($15,000), and Reno Rodeo Foundation ($15,000). Other recipients included Nevada Youth Empowerment Project and Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation ($12,500 each), PBS Reno–KNPB and Nevada Diabetes Association ($10,000 each), and The Eddy House ($7,500). The filing lists grant purposes as general purpose. Arts for the Schools received $2,500 in 2025.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Scott Gunderson as president and director, and Karen M. Gunderson as secretary and director. The foundation’s website identifies both as co-executive directors.
Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation is led by Scott Gunderson, President & Director on every filing since 2020; all 2 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Scott Gunderson
President & Director
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$81K (2020) → $75K (2025)
Karen M. Gunderson
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$81K (2020) → $75K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $75K, to Scott Gunderson (President/Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation
How much does Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation give each year?
Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation gave $156K across 16 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $153K across 15 grants.
What is Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation's typical grant size?
Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $8,750, and its average grant was $9,719, across 16 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation that year got $7K on average.
Where does Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation give grants?
Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation gives mostly in Nevada: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Reno, NV (14 grants).
Does Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (16 of 16) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation's largest grantees?
Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Adopt a Vet Dental Program ($25,000), Veterans Guesthouse ($20,000) and Coral Academy of Science ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation?
Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation reported $2.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $156K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $153K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation fund?
The foundation describes its grantmaking as support for basic services to children and military veterans. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through a letter of inquiry, which it reviews on a continuous basis. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation's EIN?
Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-0644765. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 22, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 1, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 1, 2026)
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/earl-and-elizabeth-ash-foundation-morg_5ef34a38c1d544eb95c46d8a2ceaa2e5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_820644765_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/earl-and-elizabeth-ash-foundation-morg_5ef34a38c1d544eb95c46d8a2ceaa2e5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Earl and Elizabeth Ash Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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