Germeshausen Foundation Inc
Germeshausen Foundation Inc is a private, family foundation based in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Established in 1967 by Kenneth and Pauline (“Polly”) Germeshausen, it supports organizations led by emerging leaders with innovative ideas for addressing societal challenges.
Germeshausen Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Germeshausen Foundation Inc gave $1.6M across 32 grants in 2024 (avg $49K), top state Massachusetts. 13% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,555,430
- +29.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 32
- -8.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $48,607
- +42.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,500
- Total assets
- $24,379,201
- +0.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (4 of 32, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (46% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Germeshausen Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests in the form of letters of inquiry about new ideas in its fields of interest. Its 2024 filing refers applicants to an attached statement for contact, application materials, deadlines, and award restrictions; those details are not specified here.
- Contact
Application contact: See Attached Statement
Mailing address: 606 W Wayne Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087
Phone: (617) 717-6383
Website: http://germeshausen.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Germeshausen Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was WGBH ($185K). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
173 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 124 grants of 173 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website describes its early focus as major arts and cultural institutions in and around Boston, Massachusetts. In 2024, Massachusetts recipients received 46% of grant dollars, followed by Pennsylvania (12%), Washington (10%), Connecticut (10%), and Oregon (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 32 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Germeshausen Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 32 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $70K; repeat grants $46K. How we count
Medians: $55K first-time, $13K repeat.
- 84% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 23% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 112% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.2M (2020) to $1.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 32 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| WGBH Boston, MA | Support Educational Programs | $185,000 |
| Peace First Boston, MA | General Support | $180,000 |
| Harvard University Cambridge, MA | Support Educational Programs | $165,000 |
| Grist Seattle, WA | General Support | $160,000 |
| Thomas Berry Foundation Woodbridge, CT | General Support | $150,000 |
| Food Corps Inc Portland, OR | General Support | $100,000 |
| Upstander Project Inc Boston, MA | General Support | $100,000 |
| Gateway Horseworks Malvern, PA | General Support | $91,000 |
| Full Frame Initiative Greenfield, MA | General Support | $85,000 |
| Rebuild Congress Washington, DC | General Support | $75,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Germeshausen Foundation Inc?
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 | $24,379,201 | $2,265,120 | $2,143,505 | $1,555,430 | 32 | $1,721,123 | $1,846,032 | $1,543,159 |
| 2023 | $24,257,586 | $1,309,056 | $1,769,810 | $1,198,430 | 35 | $1,348,804 | $902,708 | $1,349,545 |
| 2022 | $24,718,340 | $2,042,567 | $2,205,264 | $1,552,130 | 36 | $1,689,711 | $1,611,283 | $1,404,422 |
| 2021 | $24,875,788 | $4,107,174 | $1,876,043 | $1,263,425 | 36 | $1,401,464 | $3,722,981 | $1,914,907 |
| 2020 | $22,638,945 | $2,109,661 | $1,742,807 | $1,168,875 | 34 | — | $1,782,856 | $1,540,923 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Germeshausen Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation describes its aim as providing strategic funding for innovative programs that cultivate mutual respect and understanding for all people and species, through collaborative efforts that recognize interdependence and interconnectedness. Its stated fields of interest include innovative approaches to positive change in youth culture, leadership development for young adults, environmental and ecological values, and imaginative media projects on current issues. It also identifies spirituality and ethics among its grant interests and has supported the development of fields such as religion and ecology.
Examples of grantees illustrate the range of work supported. Peace First says it supports young changemakers through training, mentorship, and guidance as they develop solutions and lead community movements. FoodCorps describes its work as connecting children to healthy food in schools. Upstander Project says it uses storytelling, films, learning resources, and workshops to amplify silenced narratives and foster compassion and understanding. Gateway HorseWorks says it incorporates horses into mental health treatment. The Charlie Cart Project describes a hands-on food education program for children, while Resource Renewal Institute says it develops practical strategies to address environmental problems comprehensively.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 32 grants totaling $1,555,430. Grants ranged from $200 to $185,000, with a median of $15,500. Among its largest awards were $185,000 to WGBH and $165,000 to Harvard University for educational programs; $180,000 to Peace First, $160,000 to Grist, and $150,000 to the Thomas Berry Foundation for general support; and $100,000 each to FoodCorps and Upstander Project for general support.
The foundation says it views grants as opportunities to build relationships with grantees and hopes its awards can signal to other funders to support and help grow innovative programs.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Nancy G Klavans as president and trustee, and Sarah Keely, Alyssa Paine, and Richard Klavans as adjunct trustees. The foundation’s website says Nancy Klavans has led the foundation since 2001.
Germeshausen Foundation Inc is led by Nancy G. Klavans, President & Trustee on every filing since 2020; 3 of 4 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nancy G. Klavans
President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
14 hrs/week
$50K (2020) → $50K (2024)
Alyssa Paine
Adjunct Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$13K (2020) → $15K (2024)
Sarah Keely
Adjunct Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$13K (2020) → $15K (2024)
Richard Klavans
Adjunct 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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $50K, to Nancy G Klavans (President and Trustee). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Germeshausen Foundation Inc
How much does Germeshausen Foundation Inc give each year?
Germeshausen Foundation Inc gave $1.6M across 32 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.2M across 35 grants.
What is Germeshausen Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Germeshausen Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $15,500, and its average grant was $48,607, across 32 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Germeshausen Foundation Inc that year got $70K on average.
Where does Germeshausen Foundation Inc give grants?
Germeshausen Foundation Inc's top state is Massachusetts, with 46% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (12%) and Washington (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (8 grants), Boston, MA (4 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does Germeshausen Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 88% of Germeshausen Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (28 of 32) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Germeshausen Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Germeshausen Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include WGBH ($185,000), Peace First ($180,000) and Harvard University ($165,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Germeshausen Foundation Inc?
Germeshausen Foundation Inc reported $24.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Germeshausen Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation describes its aim as providing strategic funding for innovative programs that cultivate mutual respect and understanding for all people and species, through collaborative efforts that recognize interdependence and interconnectedness. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Germeshausen Foundation Inc?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests in the form of letters of inquiry about new ideas in its fields of interest. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Germeshausen Foundation Inc's EIN?
Germeshausen Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3485516. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Germeshausen Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Germeshausen Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/germeshausen-foundation-inc-morg_242df1f4633249e4bda58411857ec38f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_043485516_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Germeshausen Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/germeshausen-foundation-inc-morg_242df1f4633249e4bda58411857ec38f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Germeshausen Foundation Inc'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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