Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation
Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation is a private foundation, based in Rio Verde, AZ. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $72K. Net investment income was $2K.
Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation at a glance
In short: Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation gave $72K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $10K), mostly in Minnesota. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $72,000
- +860.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- +250.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $10,286
- +174.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $1,006,828
- -6.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (69% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was MPLS Park & Rec ($22K). Together the top 7 received $72K.
Grant Size Distribution
21 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 21 grants of 21 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation gives
- Giving grew 220% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 142% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $8K (2023) to $72K (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $72K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MPLS Park & Rec Minneapolis, MN | General Support | $22,000 |
| MN Orchestra Minneapolis, MN | General Support | $17,500 |
| Central Lutheran Church Minneapolis, MN | General Support | $10,000 |
| Edina Young Life Colorado Springs, CO | General Support | $10,000 |
| Pegasus Bozeman, MT | General Support | $5,000 |
| Verdes Church Rio Verde, AZ | General Support | $5,000 |
| Pepperdine University Malibu, CA | General Support | $2,500 |
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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 | $1,006,828 | $19,215 | $83,404 | $72,000 | 7 | $74,642 | $1,689 | $52,749 |
| 2023 | $1,071,965 | $13,686 | $12,750 | $7,500 | 2 | $10,125 | $11,061 | $52,312 |
| 2022 | $1,071,029 | $4,379 | $8,190 | $8,140 | 3 | $8,165 | $4,187 | $52,777 |
| 2021 | $1,074,840 | $74,867 | $22,501 | $22,485 | 5 | $22,485 | $293 | $50,789 |
| 2020 | $1,022,474 | $1,537 | $12,000 | $12,000 | 4 | — | $1,537 | $50,675 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $53K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Caryl K. Pierson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ernest C. Pierson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation
How much does Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation give each year?
Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation gave $72K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $8K across 2 grants.
What is Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation's typical grant size?
Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $10,286, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation give grants?
Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 69% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Colorado (14%) and Montana (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Minneapolis, MN (3 grants).
Does Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation's largest grantees?
Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include MPLS Park & Rec ($22,000), MN Orchestra ($17,500) and Central Lutheran Church ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation?
Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation reported $1.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $75K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $53K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation's EIN?
Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-5753399. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
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Browse active grant opportunities in Ernest C & Caryl K Pierson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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