Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation
The Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation is a private foundation based in Pennington, New Jersey. It supports music and performing arts, with a stated focus on enriching the cultural life of the Lenawee County region in Michigan.
Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation at a glance
In short: Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation gave $173K across 19 grants in 2025 (avg $9K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $173,081
- -1.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 19
- +11.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $9,110
- -11.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,475
- Total assets
- $4,284,017
- +1.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The 2025 filing directs applicants to the foundation’s website for scholarship and grant applications and guidelines. It lists Sheri Powers, President, as the contact and says award restrictions are described on the website. The foundation’s grant-program information says eligible applicants must have 501(c)(3) status and align with its mission; it also says the foundation does not fund endowments, salaries, or projects that discriminate based on ethnicity, gender, or other factors.
- Review Cycle
- The 2025 filing lists deadlines as various and directs applicants to the website.
- Deadline
- The 2025 filing lists deadlines as various and directs applicants to the website.
- Contact
Application contact: Sheri Powers President
Mailing address: PO Box 254, Adrian, MI 49221
Phone: (517) 902-5442
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation
Who Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Lenawee County Education Foundation ($42K). Together the top 10 received $159K.
Grant Size Distribution
55 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 53 grants of 55 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated focus is the Lenawee County region of Michigan. Its 2025 filing reports that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation gives
- 74% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−13%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 100% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $167K (2019) to $198K (2022). In 2025 it made 19 grants totaling $173K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lenawee County Education Foundation Adrian, MI | Unrestricted General | $42,035 |
| Tecumseh Center for the Arts Tecumseh, MI | Unrestricted General | $31,000 |
| Adrian Symphony Orchestra Adrian, MI | Unrestricted General | $24,000 |
| Blissfield Community Schools Blissfield, MI | Unrestricted General | $20,000 |
| Croswell Opera House Adrian, MI | Unrestricted General | $15,000 |
| Tecumseh Pops Orchestra Tecumseh, MI | Unrestricted General | $8,000 |
| Madison Community Schools Adrian, MI | Unrestricted General | $5,373 |
| City of Tecumseh Tecumseh, MI | Unrestricted General | $5,000 |
| Tecumseh Parks & Recreation Tecumseh, MI | Unrestricted General | $5,000 |
| Adrian School Educational Foundation Adrian, MI | Unrestricted General | $3,475 |
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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 | $4,284,017 | $338,792 | $277,779 | $173,081 | 19 | $228,208 | $299,289 | $227,676 |
| 2024 | $4,227,791 | $437,729 | $264,093 | $175,566 | 17 | $228,329 | $400,479 | $231,393 |
| 2023 | $4,054,460 | $99,985 | $253,744 | $168,458 | 17 | $220,847 | $66,701 | $217,487 |
| 2022 | $4,203,290 | $227,956 | $290,500 | $198,187 | 1 | $247,782 | $192,620 | $220,814 |
| 2021 | $4,248,323 | $443,285 | $253,498 | $170,512 | 1 | $215,205 | $407,772 | $240,380 |
| 2020 | $4,061,404 | $291,020 | $243,021 | $169,245 | 1 | — | $257,730 | $211,637 |
| 2019 | $4,026,545 | $421,637 | $246,730 | $166,554 | 1 | — | $388,880 | $211,056 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $228K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that it seeks to enrich the Lenawee County region’s cultural life through support for education in, performance of, and appreciation for the performing arts. Its primary focus is music and performing arts programs benefiting the Lenawee County community and/or students in the County’s primary and secondary education programs, including post-secondary scholarships in music and performing arts.
The grantees’ stated missions illustrate the kinds of organizations supported. The Lenawee County Education Foundation says it receives and disburses funds for the benefit of the Lenawee Intermediate School District and its educational system. River Raisin Ragtime Revue describes its work as education and entertainment through ragtime music. Adrian College describes itself as a liberal arts college offering bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 19 grants totaling $173,081. Grant amounts ranged from $410 to $42,035, with a median grant of $3,475.
The largest reported grants included $42,035 to Lenawee County Education Foundation, $31,000 to Tecumseh Center for the Arts, $24,000 to Adrian Symphony Orchestra, $20,000 to Blissfield Community Schools, and $15,000 to Croswell Opera House. The filing lists these grants as unrestricted general support. Other recipients included Tecumseh Pops Orchestra ($8,000), Madison Community Schools ($5,373), City of Tecumseh ($5,000), and Tecumseh Parks & Recreation ($5,000).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Theresa Powers as trustee, Sheri Powers as president and treasurer, Jeanette Meyer as vice president, Mandy Kruse as trustee, and Coralia Zevli as secretary.
Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation is led by Sheri Powers, President & Treasurer since 2024 (on filings since 2019); 4 of 5 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sheri Powers
President & Treasurer
Secretary → President & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2019
12 hrs/week
$1K (2019) → $0 (2025)
Theresa Powers
Trustee
President & Treasurer → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$17K (2019) → $1K (2025)
Mandy Kruse
Trustee
Board Member → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$300 (2023) → $1K (2025)
Jeanette Meyer
Vice President
Trustee → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$1K (2019) → $900 (2025)
Coralia Zevli
Secretary
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
$600 (2024) → $1K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: John Waltham (2023) — Board Member
- Former: John Waltman (2019–2022) — Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $1K, to Theresa Powers (Trustee). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation
How much does Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation give each year?
Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation gave $173K across 19 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $176K across 17 grants.
What is Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation's typical grant size?
Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $3,475, and its average grant was $9,110, across 19 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation give grants?
Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Tecumseh, MI (9 grants) and Adrian, MI (7 grants).
Does Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 95% of Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (18 of 19) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation's largest grantees?
Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Lenawee County Education Foundation ($42,035), Tecumseh Center for the Arts ($31,000) and Adrian Symphony Orchestra ($24,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 56% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation?
Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation reported $4.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $228K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $228K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation fund?
The foundation states that it seeks to enrich the Lenawee County region’s cultural life through support for education in, performance of, and appreciation for the performing arts. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation?
The 2025 filing directs applicants to the foundation’s website for scholarship and grant applications and guidelines. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation's EIN?
Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3372941. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 1, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 28, 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 April 16, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 18, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/elizabeth-ruthruff-wilson-foundation-morg_8ded11b993a549eda7f2a4a9f6f2a71f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_383372941_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/elizabeth-ruthruff-wilson-foundation-morg_8ded11b993a549eda7f2a4a9f6f2a71f},
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 Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson 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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