Ellsworth and Carla Peterson
Ellsworth and Carla Peterson is a private foundation based in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Its stated purposes include supporting cultural activities, schools, colleges and museums, health services, scientific research, ecological activities, and religious activities.
Ellsworth and Carla Peterson at a glance
In short: Ellsworth and Carla Peterson gave $116K across 41 grants in 2025 (avg $3K), mostly in Wisconsin. 24% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $115,540
- -40.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 41
- +13.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $2,818
- -48.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $469,797
- +4.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (10 of 41, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (89% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Ellsworth and Carla Peterson
- How to Apply
-
Applicants should submit an outline of the reasons for the grant request to Carla J. Peterson, Trustee. The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Its stated areas of support include cultural activities, schools, colleges and museums, health services and scientific research, ecological activities, and religious activities.
- Review Cycle
- Applications are accepted at any time.
- Deadline
- Applications are accepted at any time.
- Contact
Application contact: Carla J Peterson Trustee
Mailing address: 3797 Bay Shore Drive, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone: (920) 743-4501
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Ellsworth and Carla Peterson funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Door County YMCA ($27K). Together the top 10 received $86K.
Grant Size Distribution
186 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 184 grants of 186 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 89% of grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin. The reported shares for other recipient states were Hawaii 3%, New York 3%, Maryland 2%, and Illinois 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 41 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Ellsworth and Carla Peterson open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 10 of 41 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $1K repeat.
- 56% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+11%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 152% 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 $58K (2023) to $440K (2021). In 2025 it made 41 grants totaling $116K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Door County YMCA Sturgeon Bay, WI | General Operations | $27,000 |
| Northern Sky Theater Fish Creek, WI | General Operations | $20,000 |
| Third Avenue Playworks Sturgeon Bay, WI | General Operations | $11,260 |
| Children First Development Center Sturgeon Bay, WI | General Operations | $7,500 |
| Door County Habitat for Humanity Sturgeon Bay, WI | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Door County Housing Partnership Baileys Harbor, WI | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Door County Medical Center Foundati Sturgeon Bay, WI | General Operations | $3,000 |
| Usmma Alumni Assoc & Foundation Kings Point, NY | General Operations | $3,000 |
| Door Community Auditorium Fish Creek, WI | General Operations | $2,500 |
| Door County Historical Society Sturgeon Bay, WI | General Operations | $2,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Ellsworth and Carla Peterson?
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 | $469,797 | $141,659 | $121,955 | $115,540 | 41 | $118,760 | $138,464 | $78,229 |
| 2024 | $450,093 | $202,123 | $200,038 | $195,400 | 36 | $197,318 | $133,560 | $72,849 |
| 2023 | $448,008 | $21,360 | $60,071 | $57,661 | 31 | $58,941 | $20,230 | $56,911 |
| 2022 | $486,719 | $10,635 | $106,888 | $103,825 | 42 | $105,261 | $21,837 | $61,817 |
| 2021 | $582,972 | $255,325 | $445,412 | $439,645 | 36 | — | $105,638 | $60,505 |
| 2020 | $773,059 | $120,467 | $91,001 | $87,775 | 27 | — | $120,467 | $46,172 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ellsworth and Carla Peterson reported a distributable amount of $78K 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’s stated purposes are broad: cultural activities; schools, colleges, and museums; health services and scientific research; and ecological and religious activities.
Its 2025 recipients illustrate some of the kinds of organizations it supports. Door County YMCA describes its mission as building healthy spirit, mind, and body and supporting community well-being. Northern Sky Theater says it creates and presents professional musical and dramatic productions focused on U.S. culture and heritage. Door County Housing Partnership works to create permanently affordable housing for year-round residents, while Door County Habitat for Humanity describes its work as helping people acquire and own decent, affordable housing. Door Community Auditorium says it serves as a center for performing, visual, and literary arts and for social, educational, and cultural growth. Door County Historical Society focuses on collecting, preserving, and sharing local history and heritage.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 41 grants totaling $115,540. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $27,000, with a median of $1,000. Its largest grants included $27,000 to Door County YMCA, $20,000 to Northern Sky Theater, $11,260 to Third Avenue PlayWorks, and $7,500 to Children First Development Center. The listed grants were for general operations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Carla J. Peterson is listed as Trustee on the 2025 filing.
Ellsworth and Carla Peterson is led by Carla J. Peterson, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Carla J. Peterson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Ellsworth and Carla Peterson
How much does Ellsworth and Carla Peterson give each year?
Ellsworth and Carla Peterson gave $116K across 41 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $195K across 36 grants.
What is Ellsworth and Carla Peterson's typical grant size?
Ellsworth and Carla Peterson's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $2,818, across 41 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ellsworth and Carla Peterson that year got $1K on average.
Where does Ellsworth and Carla Peterson give grants?
Ellsworth and Carla Peterson gives mostly in Wisconsin: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Sturgeon Bay, WI (19 grants), Fish Creek, WI (3 grants), Sister Bay, WI (2 grants) and Egg Harbor, WI (2 grants).
Does Ellsworth and Carla Peterson give general operating support?
Yes: 98% of Ellsworth and Carla Peterson's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (40 of 41) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Ellsworth and Carla Peterson's largest grantees?
Ellsworth and Carla Peterson's largest 2025 grantees include Door County YMCA ($27,000), Northern Sky Theater ($20,000) and Third Avenue Playworks ($11,260), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Ellsworth and Carla Peterson?
Ellsworth and Carla Peterson reported $470K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $119K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $78K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Ellsworth and Carla Peterson fund?
The foundation’s stated purposes are broad: cultural activities; schools, colleges, and museums; health services and scientific research; and ecological and religious activities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ellsworth and Carla Peterson?
Applicants should submit an outline of the reasons for the grant request to Carla J. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ellsworth and Carla Peterson's EIN?
Ellsworth and Carla Peterson's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6566719. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 28, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 24, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 19, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Other open foundation grants in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Wausau Marathon County Impact Grants (Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin) $1,000 to $100,000 depending on the scope of the project · Due October 27, 2026
- Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation - Phase III Grants (New Haven County) Due October 31, 2026
- Clark County Community Foundation Grants Due November 15, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ellsworth and Carla Peterson's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Door County Community Foundation Inc
Sturgeon Bay, WI
The foundation funds charitable, educational, social, scientific, religious, and other community work, as well as scholarships, primarily serving Door County, Wisconsin. Its 2025 grants had a median of $15,000, though awards ranged widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$63.6M
Grants
148
Total Given
$8.2M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Robert a and Lynn I Doneff Foundation
Egg Harbor, WI
Assets
$413K
Grants
46
Total Given
$59K
Hislop Family Foundation
Pennington, NJ
The foundation’s recent grants supported arts and music, land and water conservation, and community organizations, with all 2025 funding going to recipients in Door County, Wisconsin. It made 11 grants totaling $20,852 in 2025, typically around $2,000 each. It accepts no unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected charitable organizations.
Assets
$444K
Grants
11
Total Given
$21K
MMG Foundation Inc
Kimberly, WI
MMG Foundation Inc supports scholarships, arts and culture, child care, housing, and community services, with most of its giving in Wisconsin. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $161,000, with a median of $3,000; it gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.1M
Grants
39
Total Given
$793K
Lutsey Family Foundation
Egg Harbor, WI
The Lutsey Family Foundation supports community organizations in areas such as domestic abuse services, youth programs, education and child care, food assistance, housing, and community well-being, primarily in Wisconsin. Its 2024 grants ranged from $200 to $50,000, with a median of $2,000. No standard application process is required, and the foundation reports no restrictions on awards.
Assets
$7.9M
Grants
31
Total Given
$242K
More similar funders
More Funders in Wisconsin
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ellsworth and Carla Peterson funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ellsworth-and-carla-peterson-morg_becae3db512545a6b1201e11edde024f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_396566719_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ellsworth and Carla Peterson funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ellsworth-and-carla-peterson-morg_becae3db512545a6b1201e11edde024f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Ellsworth and Carla Peterson'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.
Ellsworth and Carla Peterson down — hundreds of funders to go?