Golden Ladder Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Wilmington, DE EIN: 85-1700260

Golden Ladder Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Wilmington, DE. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $5.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $47K. Net investment income was $2.4M.

Key facts about Golden Ladder Foundation

EIN: 85-1700260
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $47,000
Grants made (2024): 5
Average grant: $9,400
Median grant: $3,000
Total assets: $5,281,359
Primary geography: California (43% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Who Golden Ladder Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Golden Ladder Foundation's 5 itemized 2024 grants were California (43%), Maryland (43%) and New York (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (2 grants). 60% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

How Golden Ladder Foundation gives

Giving grew 71% from 2021 to 2024. Method
In 2024 it paid out 27% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Next steps with Golden Ladder Foundation

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Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$5.3M

+82.2% YoY

Annual Giving

$47K

+10.6% YoY

Grant Count

-28.6% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$9K

+54.8% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Golden Ladder Foundation reported a distributable amount of $221K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About Golden Ladder Foundation

Based on IRS filings

Focus Areas

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

California $20K (43%)

Maryland $20K (43%)

New York $5K (11%)

Massachusetts $2K (4%)

Share of all 5 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

California Massachusetts Maryland New York Tennessee

Cities

New YorkRockvilleSan FranciscoBostonNashvilleSacramento

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$5,281,359	$2,898,702	$958,805
Revenue	$2,490,142	$2,000,782	$460,026
Expenses	$107,485	$60,885	$27,438
Qualifying Distributions	$58,747	$52,056	$24,922
Net Investment Income	$2,355,242	$1,876,266	$380,486
Distributable Amount	$220,529	$67,986	$39,523

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

March 3, 2026 IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 5 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

19 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Sentient Media ($20,000), The Humane League ($20,000), Temple Shaaray Tefila Aka Congregation Shaaray Tef ($3,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
SENTIENT MEDIA San Francisco, CA	General & Unrestricted	$20,000
THE HUMANE LEAGUE Rockville, MD	General & Unrestricted	$20,000
TEMPLE SHAARAY TEFILA AKA CONGREGATION SHAARAY TEF New York, NY	Rainbow Appeal Fundraiser	$3,000
FACING HISTORY & OURSELVES INC Boston, MA	General & Unrestricted	$2,000
ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI New York, NY	East Harlem Health Outreach Program	$2,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Golden Ladder Foundation is led by Aaron Gelband, Director, Treasurer & Co- President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

Aaron Gelband

Director, Treasurer & Co- President

On filings since 2020

1 hr/week

No compensation reported
Amanda Leiter

Co- President, Director & Secretary

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.

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Golden Ladder Foundation?

Golden Ladder Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Wilmington, DE. It holds $5.3M in total assets as of 2024.

How large is Golden Ladder Foundation?

As of 2024, Golden Ladder Foundation holds $5.3M in total assets with $2.5M in annual revenue. It awarded 5 grants totaling $47K in 2024.

Where does Golden Ladder Foundation operate?

Golden Ladder Foundation has awarded grants in California, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, Tennessee.

What size grants does Golden Ladder Foundation award?

In 2024, Golden Ladder Foundation awarded 5 grants totaling $47K — an average of about $9K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Golden Ladder Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Golden Ladder Foundation reported a distributable amount of $221K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.