The Elizabeth Ferry Speer Foundation is a private foundation based in Avon, Connecticut. Established in 2009, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization designated for philanthropic and grantmaking purposes. The foundation is also known as Christopher S Drew Ttee.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.2M
+30.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$565K
+34.5% YoY
Grant Count
23
+15.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$25K
+17.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Elizabeth Ferry Speer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $563K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Grantmaking
The foundation actively distributes grants to nonprofit organizations across various sectors. Recent grant activity demonstrates a diverse funding portfolio:
Grant Range
s typically range from $15,000 (median) to $100,000 (maximum).
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation maintains a Connecticut base in Avon and supports organizations both locally and nationally, as evidenced by grants to institutions such as The Frick Collection (New York-based).
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $7,165,361
- Total Revenues: $2,373,708
- Total Expenses: $715,969
- Number of Employees: 1
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $5.51 Million
- Total Revenues: $962,000
- Total Expenses: $548,000
Revenue Composition (2024):
- Investment income and dividends: $249,284
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $2,124,424
The foundation's asset base and revenue have grown significantly year-over-year, with investment gains representing a substantial portion of annual revenues.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,165,361 | $5,507,316 | $5,091,538 |
| Revenue | $2,373,708 | $961,588 | $1,116,117 |
| Expenses | $715,969 | $548,321 | $528,414 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $610,150 | $448,905 | $429,210 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,277,967 | $880,408 | $1,035,677 |
| Distributable Amount | $563,138 | $446,119 | $411,194 |
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
111 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Avon Old Farms School ($100,000), Our Companions Animal Rescue ($50,000), The Frick Collection ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ANIMALS FOR LIFE NAUGATUCK, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| ATLANTIC CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA FORT PIERCE, FL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $35,000 |
| AVON OLD FARMS SCHOOL AVON, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| CHESHIRE ANIMAL SHELTER VOLUNTEERS INC MIDDLEBURY, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| FORGOTTEN FELINES CLINTON, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| HEALING MEALS COMMUNITY PROJECT BLOOMFIELD, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $40,000 |
| HIBISCUS CHILDREN'S CENTER JENSEN BEACH, FL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| HOUSE OF BREAD HARTFORD, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| INTERVAL HOUSE HARTFORD, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| JOURNEY HOME HARTFORD, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $30,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Christopher S Drew - Trustee (1 hour per week, $9,000 compensation)
- John E Drew - Trustee (5 hours per week, $99,000 compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTOPHER S DREW | TRUSTEE | 1 | $22,570 |
| JOHN E DREW | TRUSTEE | 5 | $112,900 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in recent grant distributions, with 20 grants distributed in the 2023 tax year totaling approximately $449,000 in distributions.
Speer Dream Foundation awards more than $2.3 million in grants during inauguralSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a grant from Elizabeth Ferry Speer Foundation?
The foundation actively distributes grants to nonprofit organizations across various sectors. Recent grant activity demonstrates a diverse funding portfolio: **Recent Grants (2024):** • Avon Old Farms School: $100,000 (General Support) • The Frick Collection: $50,000 (General Support) • Our Companions Animal Rescue: $50,000 (General Support) The foundation made 21 grants in its most recent reporting period. Grant sizes typically range from $15,000 (median) to $100,000 (maximum). **Grant Focus:**
Where does Elizabeth Ferry Speer Foundation make grants?
The foundation maintains a Connecticut base in Avon and supports organizations both locally and nationally, as evidenced by grants to institutions such as The Frick Collection (New York-based).
What size grants does Elizabeth Ferry Speer Foundation award?
In 2024, Elizabeth Ferry Speer Foundation awarded 23 grants totaling $565K — an average of about $25K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Elizabeth Ferry Speer Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Elizabeth Ferry Speer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $563K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Elizabeth Ferry Speer Foundation's EIN?
Elizabeth Ferry Speer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-6183605. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Elizabeth Ferry Speer 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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