Elizabeth Ruddick Nugent Foundation
The Elizabeth Ruddick Nugent Foundation is a private foundation based in Columbus, Indiana, established in 1965. It operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with no employees and functions as a non-operating private foundation. The foundation was created by Walter Nugent, a successful businessman who owned real estate in Columbus and operated a brass stamping business, and Elizabeth Ruddick Nugent, who studied voice at conservatories of music in Boston, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis and was skilled in painting and other art forms.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.5M
+1.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$388K
-25.1% YoY
Grant Count
32
-20.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
-6.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Elizabeth Ruddick Nugent Foundation reported a distributable amount of $474K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports a diverse range of charitable causes, including:
- Arts & Culture
- Health and end-of-life/hospice care
- Historical Preservation
- Social & Human Services
- Animal Welfare
- Community and Economic Development
- Religion (particularly Christianity and Protestantism)
- Education
- Family Services
- Philanthropy and Voluntarism
Grantmaking
The foundation made 42 grants in 2024, with total giving of $388,000. Grant amounts typically range from $500 to $76,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Indiana, with particular emphasis on Columbus and Bartholomew County.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $8,498,461
- Total Revenues: $606,470
- Total Expenses: $463,010
- Investment Income and Dividends: $279,080
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $327,390
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $8,360,000
- Total Revenues: $397,021
- Total Expenses: $587,539
The foundation's revenue is primarily derived from investment income and capital gains rather than contributions.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,498,461 | $8,356,588 | $8,546,784 |
| Revenue | $606,470 | $397,021 | $-112,793 |
| Expenses | $463,010 | $587,539 | $561,697 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $390,274 | $522,779 | $489,684 |
| Net Investment Income | $537,048 | $332,261 | $166,603 |
| Distributable Amount | $474,154 | $451,640 | $481,571 |
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
197 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Iu Foundation ($60,000), Columbus Park Foundation ($30,000), Hospice of South Central Indiana ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CASA COLUMBUS, IN | UNRESTRICTED | $20,000 |
| IVY TECH FOUNDATION COLUMBUS, IN | UNRESTRICTED | $23,000 |
| JUST FRIENDS INC COLUMBUS, IN | UNRESTRICTED | $15,000 |
| IMAGINATION LIBRARY COLUMBUS, IN | UNRESTRICTED | $2,000 |
| FOUNDATION FOR YOUTH COLUMBUS, IN | BIG BROTHER, BIG SISTER | $17,000 |
| FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH COLUMBUS, IN | UNRESTRICTED | $3,000 |
| HAPPY HOLLOW CHILDREN'S CAMP INDIANAPOLIS, IN | UNRESTRICTED | $5,000 |
| IU FOUNDATION COLUMBUS, IN | UNRESTRICTED | $60,000 |
| HOSPICE OF SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA COLUMBUS, IN | UNRESTRICTED | $25,000 |
| FAMILY SERVICES COLUMBUS, IN | UNRESTRICTED | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board trustees include:
- William A Helmbrecht
- Richard H Weaver
- A Samuel Pentzer
The foundation's registered agent is Sharpnack Bigley Stroh & Washburn LLP.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RICHARD H WEAVER | DIRECTOR | 2 | $550 |
| A SAMUEL PENTZER | VICE PRESIDENT | 2 | $550 |
| DIANE BRADLEY | DIRECTOR | 2 | $550 |
| STEVE CAROTHERS | DIRECTOR | 2 | $550 |
| JAMES W HOLLAND | SECRETARY | 2 | $550 |
| SETH KEELE | DIRECTOR | 2 | $550 |
Contact Information
Address: 125 3rd Street, Columbus, IN 47202 (also listed as 321 Washington Street, Columbus, IN 47201)
Phone: (812) 376-1981
EIN: 35-6049600
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Elizabeth Ruddick Nugent Foundation fund?
The foundation supports a diverse range of charitable causes, including: • Arts & Culture • Health and end-of-life/hospice care • Historical Preservation • Social & Human Services • Animal Welfare • Community and Economic Development • Religion (particularly Christianity and Protestantism) • Education • Family Services • Philanthropy and Voluntarism
How do I apply for a grant from Elizabeth Ruddick Nugent Foundation?
The foundation made 42 grants in 2024, with total giving of $388,000. Grant amounts typically range from $500 to $76,000. Recent grants include: • Our Hospice of South Central Indiana: $25,000 (unrestricted) • Ivy Tech Foundation: $23,000 (unrestricted) • Lincoln Central Neighborhood Family Center: $20,000 (unrestricted) The foundation contributed $300,000 annually to organizations in Columbus and Bartholomew County, and in 2012 donated more than $50,000 in scholarships to nursing programs at I…
Where does Elizabeth Ruddick Nugent Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Indiana, with particular emphasis on Columbus and Bartholomew County.
What size grants does Elizabeth Ruddick Nugent Foundation award?
In 2024, Elizabeth Ruddick Nugent Foundation awarded 32 grants totaling $388K — an average of about $12K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Elizabeth Ruddick Nugent Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Elizabeth Ruddick Nugent Foundation reported a distributable amount of $474K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Elizabeth Ruddick Nugent Foundation's EIN?
Elizabeth Ruddick Nugent Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-6049600. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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