Gerson Family Foundation
The Gerson Family Foundation is a private foundation established in 1968 and based in Olathe, Kansas. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with the primary purpose of supporting nonprofit organizations through grantmaking activities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$154K
+3.9% YoY
Grant Count
31
+6.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
-2.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's giving priorities include:
- Jewish organizations
- Human services
- Health
- Education
- Children and youth
- Arts and culture
- Fine and performing arts
The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in the Kansas City, Missouri region, including communities in Kansas and Missouri.
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary funding areas include:
- Kansas City, Missouri region
- Kansas
- Missouri
- California
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total assets: $2,645,095
- Total revenues: $93,882
- Total expenses: $167,449
- Investment income and dividends: $82,178
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $11,704
Staff:
- 0 employees
| 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
141 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Jewish Federation of Kansas City ($61,000), Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kc ($30,000), Chabad of Ku ($9,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $5,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER KANSAS CITY KANSAS CITY, MO | GENERAL CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $1,500 |
| BRIDGE THE GAP COLLEGE PREP KANSAS CITY, MO | GENERAL CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $250 |
| CANAL ALLIANCE SAN RAFAEL, CA | GENERAL CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $250 |
| CHABAD OF KU LAWRENCE, KS | GENERAL CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $9,000 |
| CONGREGATION RODEF SHALOM DENVER, CO | GENERAL CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $2,240 |
| GREAT JOBS KANSAS CITY KANSAS CITY, MO | GENERAL CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $2,500 |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $300 |
| HALLECK CREEK NICASIO, CA | GENERAL CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $250 |
| HARVESTERS KANSAS CITY, MO | GENERAL CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELIZABETH HJALMARSON | PRESIDENT / DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JIM GERSON | VICE PRESIDENT / DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SARA HJALMARSON BALAWAJDER | CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER / DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: 1450 S Lone Elm Rd, Olathe, KS 66061
- Telephone: 913-262-7400
- EIN: 43-6100486
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Gerson Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's giving priorities include: • Jewish organizations • Human services • Health • Education • Children and youth • Arts and culture • Fine and performing arts The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in the Kansas City, Missouri region, including communities in Kansas and Missouri.
How do I apply for a grant from Gerson Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 30 grants in 2023 • Total giving in 2023: $153,721 • Typical award range: $250–$61,000 **Recent Grants (2023):** • Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City: $50,062 (General Charitable Contribution) • Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City: $25,256 (Israeli Emergency Fund) • The Nelson Gallery Foundation: $5,000 (General Charitable Contribution) **Types of Support:** • Project support • General operating support
Where does Gerson Family Foundation make grants?
Primary funding areas include: • Kansas City, Missouri region • Kansas • Missouri • California
What size grants does Gerson Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Gerson Family Foundation awarded 31 grants totaling $154K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Gerson Family Foundation's EIN?
Gerson Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-6100486. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gerson Family 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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