Gesner Johnson Foundation
The Gesner Johnson Foundation is a private foundation based in Pennington, New Jersey. Its 2025 filing states that grants are to be used for religious, charitable, scientific, and educational purposes.
Gesner Johnson Foundation at a glance
In short: Gesner Johnson Foundation gave $710K across 19 grants in 2025 (avg $37K), mostly in California. 58% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $710,094
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 19
- +18.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $37,373
- -15.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $40,000
- Total assets
- $11,912,146
- +0.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 58% first-time grantees (11 of 19, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (52% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Gesner Johnson Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The filing says to contact GESNER-JOHNSON FDN with a letter of request stating the needs and purpose of the grant funds. The foundation’s filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Awards are restricted to religious, charitable, scientific, and educational purposes.
- Contact
Application contact: Gesner-Johnson Fdn
Mailing address: 2 Pickwick Plaza 4Th Fl, Greenwich, CT 06830
Phone: (203) 863-7639
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Gesner Johnson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Outdoor Outreach ($56K). Together the top 10 received $481K.
Grant Size Distribution
95 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 54 grants of 95 (57%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, grant dollars went to recipients in California (52%), Washington (34%), Virginia (7%), and Minnesota (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Gesner Johnson Foundation open to new grantees?
58%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 11 of 19 grantees (58%) were first-time recipients. With only 19 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $39K; repeat grants $35K. How we count
Medians: $40K first-time, $36K repeat.
- 5% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 25% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 86% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $654K (2020) to $945K (2022). In 2025 it made 19 grants totaling $710K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Outreach San Diego, CA | Unrestricted General | $56,275 |
| World Relief Western Washington Kent, WA | Unrestricted General | $50,400 |
| Volunteers of America Inc Alexandria, VA | Unrestricted General | $50,000 |
| Hope Refuge Inc Goleta, CA | Unrestricted General | $50,000 |
| Your Neighbor to Love Coalition Nisswa, MN | Unrestricted General | $50,000 |
| Seattle School of Theology & Psychology Seattle, WA | Unrestricted General | $50,000 |
| Urban Impact Seattle, WA | Unrestricted General | $49,550 |
| Solutions for Change Vista, CA | Unrestricted General | $45,000 |
| Testimony Gospel Brand Ministries Inc RCH Palos VRD, CA | Unrestricted General | $40,000 |
| Journey House Pasadena, CA | Unrestricted General | $40,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Gesner Johnson Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $11,912,146 | $880,041 | $799,571 | $710,094 | 19 | $744,905 | $836,237 | $865,586 |
| 2024 | $11,829,935 | $688,129 | $841,048 | $709,785 | 16 | $793,407 | $650,257 | $809,185 |
| 2023 | $11,984,003 | $483,728 | $738,602 | $671,200 | 18 | $704,712 | $448,136 | $729,058 |
| 2022 | $12,198,138 | $26,447 | $1,016,386 | $944,847 | 24 | $971,787 | $198,384 | $756,802 |
| 2021 | $13,235,459 | $549,526 | $772,997 | $713,608 | 18 | $738,000 | $515,218 | $909,548 |
| 2020 | $13,410,784 | $83,645 | $708,551 | $654,094 | 25 | — | $189,390 | $739,012 |
| 2019 | $14,041,752 | $425,452 | $850,861 | $774,023 | 24 | — | $290,543 | $734,233 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gesner Johnson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $866K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission statement is provided. The 2025 grants were reported as unrestricted general support. Grantees describe work that includes connecting youth with outdoor experiences (Outdoor Outreach), providing refuge to sex trafficking survivors (Hope Refuge), and addressing family homelessness (Solutions for Change). These are grantee missions, not stated foundation focus areas.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 19 grants totaling $710,094. Grants ranged from $13,350 to $56,275, with a median of $40,000. Larger awards included $56,275 to Outdoor Outreach, $50,400 to World Relief West Washington, $50,000 each to Volunteers of America Inc. and Hope Refuge, and $50,000 to Your Neighbor to Love Coalition.
Other notable grants included $50,000 to Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, $49,550 to Urban Impact, $45,000 to Solutions for Change, and $40,000 each to Testimony Gospel Brand Ministries and Journey House. Urban Impact describes its work as cultivating thriving communities through access, opportunity, and lasting change; Journey House describes services for emancipated foster youth, including support with housing, education, and employment.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Russell Johnson as president, Marcia Campbell as treasurer, and Paul Johnson as secretary.
Gesner Johnson Foundation is led by Russell Johnson, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Russell Johnson
President
On filings since 2019
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marcia Campbell
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Johnson
Secretary
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Gesner Johnson Foundation
How much does Gesner Johnson Foundation give each year?
Gesner Johnson Foundation gave $710K across 19 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $710K across 16 grants.
What is Gesner Johnson Foundation's typical grant size?
Gesner Johnson Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $40,000, and its average grant was $37,373, across 19 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Gesner Johnson Foundation that year got $39K on average.
Where does Gesner Johnson Foundation give grants?
Gesner Johnson Foundation gives mostly in California: 52% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Washington (34%) and Virginia (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Diego, CA (4 grants), Seattle, WA (4 grants) and Pasadena, CA (2 grants).
Does Gesner Johnson Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 95% of Gesner Johnson Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (18 of 19) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Gesner Johnson Foundation's largest grantees?
Gesner Johnson Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Outdoor Outreach ($56,275), World Relief Western Washington ($50,400) and Volunteers of America Inc ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Gesner Johnson Foundation?
Gesner Johnson Foundation reported $11.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $745K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $866K (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 Gesner Johnson Foundation fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. The 2025 grants were reported as unrestricted general support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Gesner Johnson Foundation?
The filing says to contact GESNER-JOHNSON FDN with a letter of request stating the needs and purpose of the grant funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Gesner Johnson Foundation's EIN?
Gesner Johnson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1890875. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 8, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 5, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 28, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gesner Johnson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
French Fund Samuel Katherine Tua
Saint Louis, MO
The French Fund Samuel Katherine Tua supports programs benefiting older adults, people who are sight-impaired, and young people, with a stated focus on the San Diego region. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $30,000, with a median of $14,500. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$10.4M
Grants
54
Total Given
$777K
Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation
San Diego, CA
The foundation supports youth, underserved people, military personnel, health and science research, and sports, primarily through organizations in San Diego County. Recent grants averaged about $20,000, with a 2025 median of $25,000 and awards ranging from $10,000 to $3.1 million. It accepts unsolicited requests year-round through its online application process from 501(c)(3) organizations, with listed deadlines of February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.
Assets
$93.2M
Grants
76
Total Given
$5.7M
Henry L Guenther Foundation
Seal Beach, CA
The Henry L. Guenther Foundation funds charitable services that improve human welfare, including medical care, youth opportunities, education, housing, and humanitarian projects. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $500,000, with a median of $25,000, and primarily benefit California residents, especially in Southern California. It accepts online applications from qualified charitable organizations serving Californians; individuals cannot apply.
Assets
$115.9M
Grants
58
Total Given
$4.2M
S Mark Taper Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The S. Mark Taper Foundation funds arts, civic affairs, education, environment, health, and social services through operating, program, and capital grants, with priority for organizations serving Los Angeles County. Recent grants ranged from $3,000 to $500,000, with a median of $75,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through an annual online letter-of-inquiry process from eligible nonprofits serving Los Angeles, Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino, or Ventura counties.
Assets
$186.2M
Grants
71
Total Given
$6.6M
The Rose Hills Foundation
Pasadena, CA
The Rose Hills Foundation funds qualified nonprofits working in education, arts and culture, support for at-risk youth and families, and human services, primarily benefiting Los Angeles County and Southern California. Its 2024 grants ranged from $6,000 to $1 million, with a median of $50,000. It accepts applications year-round from eligible organizations, but does not accept unsolicited requests from certain large medical and educational institutions.
Assets
$561.2M
Grants
297
Total Given
$27.9M
More similar funders
More Funders in New Jersey
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Gesner Johnson Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/gesner-johnson-foundation-morg_228d5a54cecb4de98680c5876daa8ce6
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_411890875_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Gesner Johnson Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/gesner-johnson-foundation-morg_228d5a54cecb4de98680c5876daa8ce6},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Gesner Johnson Foundation'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.
Gesner Johnson Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?