Ellsworth and Carla Peterson
The Ellsworth and Carla Peterson Charitable Foundation is a private family foundation based in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Established in 1992, the foundation carries the names of Ellsworth L. Peterson, a lifelong Sturgeon Bay industrialist and philanthropist, and his wife Carla Peterson.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$195K
+238.9% YoY
Grant Count
36
+16.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
+191.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grant-making priorities include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
The foundation demonstrates particular commitment to supporting organizations in its home community and surrounding regions.
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports organizations in Wisconsin, with particular emphasis on Door County and the Sturgeon Bay area. The foundation also has demonstrated giving in Hawaii and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Current Financial Position (2024):
- Total Assets: $450,093
- Total Giving: $195,400
- Revenue: $202,000
- Expenses: $200,000
- Total Liabilities: $0
Historical Assets:
- 2022: $583,000
- 2020: $773,000
- 2019: $744,000
- 2018: $848,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
136 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Door County Ymca Endowment Fd ($100,000), Door County Ymca ($26,000), Sail Training Foundation ($12,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BIRCH CREEK MUSIC PERFORMANCE CTR EGG HARBOR, WI | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $2,000 |
| CHILDREN FIRST DEVELOPMENT CENTER STURGEON BAY, WI | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,500 |
| COLLEGE READY GREEN BAY, WI | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $100 |
| CROSSROADS AT BIG CREEK STURGEON BAY, WI | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $2,500 |
| DOOR CANCER INC STURGEON BAY, WI | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $100 |
| DOOR COMMUNITY AUDITORIUM FISH CREEK, WI | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $1,000 |
| DOOR COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY STURGEON BAY, WI | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $1,000 |
| DOOR COUNTY LAND TRUST STURGEON BAY, WI | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $2,000 |
| DOOR COUNTY MARITIME MUSEUM STURGEON BAY, WI | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $500 |
| DOOR COUNTY YMCA STURGEON BAY, WI | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $26,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Carla J. Peterson - Trustee
Carla Peterson is the surviving spouse of Ellsworth L. Peterson and continues to direct the foundation's philanthropic activities.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARLA J PETERSON | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ellsworth and Carla Peterson fund?
The foundation's grant-making priorities include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services The foundation demonstrates particular commitment to supporting organizations in its home community and surrounding regions.
How do I apply for a grant from Ellsworth and Carla Peterson?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $25,000–$100,000 • Recent grant activity shows awards ranging from $1,000 to $12,500 • The foundation does not accept applications **Recent Grant Recipients (2023-2024):** • United Way of Door County: $11,000 • Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club Sail Training Foundation: $12,500 • Northern Door Child Care Center: $6,000 • Third Avenue Playworks: $5,000 • Egg Harbor Historical Society: $5,000 • Northern Sky Theater: $5,000 • Razom for Ukraine: $3,000 • Door…
Where does Ellsworth and Carla Peterson make grants?
The foundation primarily supports organizations in Wisconsin, with particular emphasis on Door County and the Sturgeon Bay area. The foundation also has demonstrated giving in Hawaii and New York.
What size grants does Ellsworth and Carla Peterson award?
In 2024, Ellsworth and Carla Peterson awarded 36 grants totaling $195K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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 2020–2024.
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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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