Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust
The Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust is a private foundation based in Saint Louis, Missouri. Established in 1984, it supports organizations that advance aviation science and technology through research and development of new and improved aircraft.
Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust at a glance
In short: Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust gave $2.5M across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $494K), top state Florida. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,470,000
- -10.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- -64.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $494,000
- +150.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $400,000
- Total assets
- $64,621,836
- +16.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Florida (40% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust
- How to Apply
-
The 2023 filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. An application is available upon request and online. Awards are restricted to qualified organizations that carry out research and development of improved aircraft and promote aviation science and technology.
- Review Cycle
- The filing lists June 1 for a September meeting and December 1 for an April meeting.
- Deadline
- The filing lists June 1 for a September meeting and December 1 for an April meeting.
- Contact
Application contact: Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust
Mailing address: C/O Philanthropic Svcs 100 N Main, Winston Salem, NC 27101
Phone: (888) 730-4933
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust
Who Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Florida Institute of Technology Inc ($1.0M). Together the top 5 received $2.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
36 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 14 grants of 36 (39%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The trust’s 2024 grants went to recipients in Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey, and Texas. By grant dollars, Florida received 40%, Hawaii 20%, Maryland 16%, New Jersey 12%, and Texas 11%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust gives
- In 2024 it paid out 92% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.9M (2020) to $2.8M (2023). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $2.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Institute of Technology Inc Melbourne, FL | General Operating | $1,000,000 |
| Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum Honolulu, HI | General Operating | $500,000 |
| The Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | General Operating | $400,000 |
| Buehler Challenger Science Center Fdn Paramus, NJ | General Operating | $300,000 |
| National United States Armed Forces Houston, TX | General Operating | $270,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $64,621,836 | $3,468,196 | $3,127,556 | $2,470,000 | 5 | $2,735,705 | $3,041,892 | $2,986,762 |
| 2023 | $55,463,465 | $1,722,667 | $3,327,418 | $2,765,000 | 14 | $2,963,986 | $1,388,794 | $2,686,786 |
| 2022 | $53,282,415 | $1,671,101 | $3,350,242 | $2,700,000 | 8 | $3,016,526 | $1,259,661 | $2,805,285 |
| 2020 | $58,795,810 | $1,813,480 | $2,431,494 | $1,850,000 | 9 | — | $1,565,111 | $2,710,517 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust reported a distributable amount of $3.0M for 2024 — 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 trust funds institutions, organizations, and foundations that carry forward research and development of new and improved aircraft and promote aviation science and technology.
Its 2024 grantees included an educational and research institution, Florida Institute of Technology, whose stated mission includes preparing students for the workforce and expanding knowledge through basic and applied research. The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum describes its mission as preserving and sharing the history of America’s first aviation battlefield of World War II and educating and inspiring future generations.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the trust reported $2,470,000 in grants across five awards. Grants ranged from $270,000 to $1,000,000, with a median award of $400,000. Recipients were Florida Institute of Technology ($1,000,000), Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum ($500,000), The Johns Hopkins University ($400,000), Buehler Challenger Science Center Foundation ($300,000), and National United States Armed Forces ($270,000). All five awards were for general operating support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists George W. Weaver as co-trustee and Wells Fargo Bank N.A. as trustee.
Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; all 2 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
George W. Weaver
Co-Trustee
Trustee → Co-Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$87K (2020) → $155K (2024)
Wells Fargo Bank N A
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$183K (2023) → $210K (2024)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Robert D. Boyle (2020–2022) — Co-Trustee
- Former: Wells Fargo Bank NA (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Wells Fargo Bank Private Bank (2020) — Trustee & Grant Administrator
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $210K, to Wells Fargo Bank N a (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust
How much does Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust give each year?
Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust gave $2.5M across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.8M across 14 grants.
What is Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust's typical grant size?
Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust's median grant in 2024 was $400,000, and its average grant was $494,000, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust give grants?
Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust's top state is Florida, with 40% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Hawaii (20%) and Maryland (16%).
Does Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust's largest grantees?
Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust's largest 2024 grantees include Florida Institute of Technology Inc ($1,000,000), Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum ($500,000) and The Johns Hopkins University ($400,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 77% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust?
Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust reported $64.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust fund?
The trust funds institutions, organizations, and foundations that carry forward research and development of new and improved aircraft and promote aviation science and technology. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust?
The 2023 filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust's EIN?
Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-6395303. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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