Elmer & Gladys Ferguson
Elmer & Gladys Ferguson is a private foundation based in DeWitt, Arkansas. It supports charitable organizations through grants; its 2025 recipients included organizations working in areas such as conservation, youth activities, health, care for older people, and services for people experiencing homelessness or poverty.
Elmer & Gladys Ferguson at a glance
In short: Elmer & Gladys Ferguson gave $150K across 41 grants in 2025 (avg $4K), mostly in Mississippi. 11% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $150,000
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 41
- -12.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $3,659
- +14.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,690
- Total assets
- $3,413,868
- +7.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 11% first-time grantees (4 of 38, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Mississippi (57% 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 Elmer & Gladys Ferguson
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: P O Box 71, Dewitt, AR 72042
Phone: (870) 946-3531
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Elmer & Gladys Ferguson funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Magee Foundation ($20K). Together the top 10 received $88K.
Grant Size Distribution
225 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 225 grants of 225 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, recipients in Mississippi received 57% of grant dollars, those in Tennessee received 26%, and those in Arkansas received 11%. Recipients in Ohio received 3% and those in Maryland received 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 41 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Elmer & Gladys Ferguson open to new grantees?
11%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 38 grantees (11%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 79% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−4%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 $147K (2020) to $194K (2021). In 2025 it made 41 grants totaling $150K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Magee Foundation University, MS | General Fund | $20,000 |
| Arkansas Zoological Foundation Little Rock, AR | General Fund | $10,000 |
| Oxford University UMC Oxford, MS | General Fund | $9,810 |
| Youth Programs Inc Memphis, TN | General Fund | $8,400 |
| Northminister Baptist Church Jackson, MS | General Fund | $7,000 |
| Ave Maria Home Barlett, TN | General Fund | $5,000 |
| Christian Brothers High School Memphis, TN | Lacrosse Program | $5,000 |
| Friends of Children's Hospital Flowood, MS | General Fund | $5,000 |
| Jackson Friends of the Animal Shelt Jackson, MS | General Fund | $5,000 |
| New Life of Jackson Jackson, TN | Prissy Wallace | $5,000 |
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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 | $3,413,868 | $352,163 | $185,097 | $150,000 | 41 | $156,476 | $323,542 | $154,972 |
| 2024 | $3,180,030 | $203,736 | $190,486 | $150,000 | 47 | $158,969 | $172,219 | $151,508 |
| 2023 | $3,160,797 | $40,386 | $183,080 | $152,000 | 41 | $157,916 | $39,855 | $140,696 |
| 2022 | $3,303,491 | $277,306 | $198,604 | $156,500 | 46 | $164,022 | $242,724 | $143,105 |
| 2021 | $3,224,789 | $413,371 | $234,625 | $193,998 | 50 | $201,774 | $380,520 | $160,620 |
| 2020 | $3,046,043 | $186,838 | $181,336 | $146,500 | 28 | — | $159,480 | $140,069 |
| 2019 | $3,040,541 | $184,351 | $179,482 | $152,000 | 33 | — | $161,356 | $141,066 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Elmer & Gladys Ferguson reported a distributable amount of $155K 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
No foundation mission statement is provided. The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the kinds of organizations supported. The Arkansas Zoological Foundation says it works to develop the Little Rock Zoo and inspire people to value and conserve the natural world. Stewpot Community Services says it provides meals, shelter, and other services to people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Ave Maria Home says it assists aged, sick, and destitute people through long-term and rehabilitative care. These are descriptions of the grantees’ work, not stated priorities of the foundation.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 41 grants totaling $150,000. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $20,000, with a median of $2,690. Its largest listed grants included $20,000 to The Magee Foundation for its general fund; $10,000 to the Arkansas Zoological Foundation for its general fund; and $9,810 to Oxford University UMC for its general fund. Other listed awards included $8,400 to Youth Programs Inc for its general fund, $7,000 to Northminister Baptist Church for its general fund, and $5,000 each to Ave Maria Home, Christian Brothers High School for its lacrosse program, Friends of Children’s Hospital, Jackson Friends of the Animal Shelter, New Life of Jackson for Prissy Wallace, and the University of Memphis Foundation.
Additional 2025 recipients included Dana’s House, which received $3,000 and says it provides care for needy children and young adults; Stewpot Community Services, which received $3,000; and Jackson Heart Foundation, which received $2,500 and says it works against heart disease through education, prevention, and early detection.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists David Jessup, Lyn Crawford, Kent R. Magee, and Rebecca Ehrlicher as trustees.
Elmer & Gladys Ferguson's 2025 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
David Jessup
Trustee
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Kent R. Magee
Trustee
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Lyn Crawford
Trustee
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Rebecca Ehrlicher
Trustee
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Elmer & Gladys Ferguson
How much does Elmer & Gladys Ferguson give each year?
Elmer & Gladys Ferguson gave $150K across 41 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $150K across 47 grants.
What is Elmer & Gladys Ferguson's typical grant size?
Elmer & Gladys Ferguson's median grant in 2025 was $2,690, and its average grant was $3,659, across 41 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Elmer & Gladys Ferguson that year got $8K on average.
Where does Elmer & Gladys Ferguson give grants?
Elmer & Gladys Ferguson gives mostly in Mississippi: 57% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Tennessee (26%) and Arkansas (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Memphis, TN (9 grants), Jackson, MS (9 grants), Oxford, MS (5 grants) and Dewitt, AR (2 grants).
Does Elmer & Gladys Ferguson give general operating support?
Yes: 83% of Elmer & Gladys Ferguson's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (34 of 41) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Elmer & Gladys Ferguson's largest grantees?
Elmer & Gladys Ferguson's largest 2025 grantees include The Magee Foundation ($20,000), University of MS Foundation ($10,500 across 3 grants) and Arkansas Zoological Foundation ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Elmer & Gladys Ferguson?
Elmer & Gladys Ferguson reported $3.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $156K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $155K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Elmer & Gladys Ferguson fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the kinds of organizations supported. The Arkansas Zoological Foundation says it works to develop the Little Rock Zoo and inspire people to value and conserve the natural world. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Elmer & Gladys Ferguson?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Elmer & Gladys Ferguson's EIN?
Elmer & Gladys Ferguson's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-1674674. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Elmer & Gladys Ferguson accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 4, 2026)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 15, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 6, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 29, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 29, 2024)
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Elmer & Gladys Ferguson funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/elmer-and-gladys-ferguson-morg_530087daecdf4a379cfa5fe61c959e95
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_581674674_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Elmer \& Gladys Ferguson funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/elmer-and-gladys-ferguson-morg_530087daecdf4a379cfa5fe61c959e95},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 Elmer & Gladys Ferguson'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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