The Edward St. John Foundation is a private independent foundation based in Baltimore, Maryland, established in 1998. The foundation provides financial assistance to formal education programs and is classified as a 501(c)(3) organization. Over its history, the foundation and its founder have contributed, pledged, and gifted more than $56 million to not-for-profit organizations in communities where the founder's business has a presence.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$105K
+6.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$326K
-25.4% YoY
Grant Count
74
-16.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$4K
-10.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Edward St John Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $6K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is grounded in the belief that "education has the power to transform lives and strengthen communities." The foundation focuses on supporting formal education programs through the high school level, with particular emphasis on transformational educational initiatives.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education
- Science and STEM education
- Philanthropy and grantmaking
Grantmaking
Recent grants range from $50,000 to $100,000. In 2023, the foundation made grants totaling approximately $348,222 across 58 grants.
Grant Range
s and Activity:**
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations in communities where it has a business presence, with primary activity in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Notable funded institutions include organizations in Baltimore and across the University of Maryland system.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $104,647
- Total Revenue: $400,000
- Total Expenses: $393,452
- Net Income: $6,548
2023 Data:
- Total Assets: $98,099
- Total Revenue: $475,000
- Total Expenses: $502,447
- Number of Employees: 1
Historical Giving: The foundation has contributed, pledged, and gifted more than $56 million cumulatively to over 1,200 benefiting organizations since its establishment.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $104,647 | $98,099 | $125,546 |
| Revenue | $400,000 | $475,000 | $675,000 |
| Expenses | $393,452 | $502,447 | $580,967 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $324,892 | $437,108 | $518,811 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $5,968 | $5,507 | $3,868 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Edward St John Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Loyola Blakefield ($25,000), Baltimore Washington Medical Center Foundation ($24,285), Mcdonogh School ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION DALLAS, TX | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $50 |
| ASSOCIATED JEWISH FEDERATION OF BALTIMORE BALTIMORE, MD | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $250 |
| BALTIMORE LEADERSHIP SCHOOL FOR YOUNG WOMEN BALTIMORE, MD | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $2,000 |
| BALTIMORE WASHINGTON MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION GLEN BURNIE, MD | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $24,285 |
| BARKELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HANCOCK, MI | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $55 |
| BEAUTY FOR ASHES BUXTON, NC | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $750 |
| BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION BELTSVILLE, MD | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $500 |
| BIG SPRING HIGH SCHOOL NEWVILLE, PA | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $150 |
| BISHOP MCDEVITT HIGH SCHOOL HARRISBURG, PA | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $500 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF WESTMINSTER WESTMINSTER, MD | TO FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $100 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Edward St. John - Founder and Chairman Edward St. John founded St. John Properties in 1971, a real estate development company headquartered in Baltimore that owns and manages over 24 million square feet of commercial space across 12 states. He is a University of Maryland alumnus (Class of 1961, B.S. Electrical Engineering) and has received recognition including a Doctor of Public Service from UMD and Maryland's "Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year."
Board Members (as of 2020):
- Lawrence Maykrantz - Chairman/Trustee
- Sharon Akers - President/Trustee
- Kellay St. John - Vice President/Trustee
- Lori Rice - Treasurer/Trustee
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWRENCE MAYKRANTZ | CHAIRMAN/TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| SHARON AKERS | PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | 25 | $60,000 |
| KELLAY ST JOHN | VICE PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| LORI RICE | TREASURER/TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**January 2025 - $10 Million Joint Gift:**
Edward and Jennifer St. John and the Edward St. John Foundation announced a $10 million joint gift to the University of Maryland, Baltimore and the University of Maryland, College Park. This landmark investment launched the Edward & Jennifer St. John Center for Translational Engineering and Medicine (CTEM), a collaboration between the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the A. James Clark School of Engineering. The center, located on the fourth floor of 4MLK at the University of Maryland BioPark in Baltimore, brings together clinicians and engineers to develop next-generation medical solutions and breakthrough technologies.
Edward St. John Foundation Awards $50K Grant to Maryland Blended Reality**Named Facilities:**
The foundation's support has resulted in several named spaces and centers:
Edward St. John Hall at Maryland Science Center
Edward St. John Foundation Awards $50K Grant to Maryland Blended RealityEdward St. John Learning and Teaching Center at Living Classrooms Foundation's The Crossroads School
Edward St. John Student Center at McDonogh School
Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center at University of Maryland
Edward St. John Foundation Awards $50K Grant to Maryland Blended RealityContact Information
Address: 2560 Lord Baltimore Drive, Baltimore, MD 21244-2677
Phone: 410-788-0100
Website: www.esjfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Edward St John Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is grounded in the belief that "education has the power to transform lives and strengthen communities." The foundation focuses on supporting formal education programs through the high school level, with particular emphasis on transformational educational initiatives. Primary funding areas include: • Education • Science and STEM education • Philanthropy and grantmaking
How do I apply for a grant from Edward St John Foundation Inc?
**Grant Sizes and Activity:** Recent grants range from $50,000 to $100,000. In 2023, the foundation made grants totaling approximately $348,222 across 58 grants. **Recent Notable Grants (2023):** • Maryland Academy of Sciences: $100,000 • Utah Valley University Foundation: $62,500 • Boys' Latin School of Maryland: $50,000 **Application Process:** Applicants must complete an application form available on the foundation's website and submit the following: • Current IRS determination letter of tax…
Where does Edward St John Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation funds organizations in communities where it has a business presence, with primary activity in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Notable funded institutions include organizations in Baltimore and across the University of Maryland system.
What size grants does Edward St John Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Edward St John Foundation Inc awarded 74 grants totaling $326K — an average of about $4K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Edward St John Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Edward St John Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $6K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Edward St John Foundation Inc's EIN?
Edward St John Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1397204. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Edward St John Foundation Inc'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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