Firefly Scientists Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in St. Louis, Missouri, established in 2015. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation is designated for educational, charitable, and scientific purposes. The foundation maintains a substantial asset base and actively distributes grants to nonprofit organizations across multiple states.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$3.6M
-2.9% YoY
Grant Count
49
+6.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$74K
-8.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation has not publicly provided a formal mission statement. However, based on recent grantmaking activity, the foundation supports education, philanthropy and voluntarism, human services, arts, creative writing, historic buildings, and journalism.
Grantmaking
Applications are accepted through the foundation's online portal at https://apply.fsfdn.org
Grant Range
$3,000–$1,151,800
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Minnesota, New York, and Missouri.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $74,893,305
- Total Revenue: $7,795,292
- Total Expenses: $4,632,914
- Net Income: $3,162,378
- Total Liabilities: $0
The foundation operates with minimal staffing, employing one full-time employee as of 2024.
| 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
214 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Minnesota Opera ($450,000), Jewish National Fund ($300,000), Dodge Nature Center ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACCESS ABILITY WI INC VERONA, WI | OUTDOORS ACCESS 4 ALL BUILDING AWARENESS, PARTICIPANTS, LEADERS PROJ | $121,000 |
| ADAPTIVE OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTER CARRABASSETT VALLEY, ME | ADAPTIVE MOBILITY INITIATIVE | $20,000 |
| ALIVE & KICKIN MINNEAPOLIS, MN | MATCHING OPPORTUNITY GRANT | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN DANCE WHEELS FOUNDATION BALACYNWYD, PA | BETTER TOGETHER PROJECT | $38,000 |
| ARTISTS BREAKING LIMITS & EXPECTATIONS CHICAGO, IL | ENSEMBLE PROGRAM & PRODUCING | $85,000 |
| ARTS FOR ALL KENTUCKY MURRAY, KY | ART PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS | $33,000 |
| ARTS IN MOTION STUDIO BRENTWOOD, MO | ARTS IN MOTION STUDIO PROJECT | $35,000 |
| BERNHEIM ARBORETUM & RESEARCH FOREST CLERMONT, KY | OUTDOOR PLAY EQUIPMENT PLAYCOSYSTEM PLAY RESEARCH EXPANSION | $50,000 |
| BEST PREP BROOKLYN PARK, MN | 2024 EDUCATIONAL FORUM, MBV ASSESSMENT THRU WILDER RESEARCH | $56,000 |
| CARRUSEL EN LA SEBASTIANA CORP GUAYNABO, PR | EMPLOYMENT READINESS TRAINING | $65,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Melanie Broida Werl – President and Director
- Miriam G. Wilhelm – Director
- Scott Mortensen – Director
- Karen Lunde – Research Analyst
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIRIAM G WILHELM | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| SCOTT MORTENSEN | DIRECTOR & ADMIN OFFICER | 4 | — |
| MELANIE BROIDA WERL | PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR | 40 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: Co Wilhelm, 7777 Bonhomme Avenue, Unit 2001, St. Louis, MO 63105
- Phone: 314-727-1155
- Website: https://apply.fsfdn.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Firefly Scientists Foundation fund?
The foundation has not publicly provided a formal mission statement. However, based on recent grantmaking activity, the foundation supports education, philanthropy and voluntarism, human services, arts, creative writing, historic buildings, and journalism.
How do I apply for a grant from Firefly Scientists Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2024: $3,645,400 • Number of grants made in 2024: 35 grants • Typical grant range: $3,000–$1,151,800 **Recent Grants (2024):** • The Minnesota Opera (Lab Theater Renovation): $450,000 • Thomas Irvine Dodge Nature Center (Pledge Payment): $250,000 • Stanford University (Pledge Payment): $200,000 **Application Process:** Applications are accepted through the foundation's online portal at https://apply.fsfdn.org
Where does Firefly Scientists Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Minnesota, New York, and Missouri.
What size grants does Firefly Scientists Foundation award?
In 2024, Firefly Scientists Foundation awarded 49 grants totaling $3.6M — an average of about $74K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Firefly Scientists Foundation's EIN?
Firefly Scientists Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-2340029. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Firefly Scientists Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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