Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc
The Grayce B. Kerr Fund, Inc. is a private foundation based in Easton, Maryland. It describes itself as an independent philanthropy supporting educational achievement and cultural growth.
Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc at a glance
In short: Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc gave $1.3M across 44 grants in 2024 (avg $29K), mostly in Massachusetts. 14% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,287,104
- +11.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 44
- +2.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $29,252
- +8.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $500
- Total assets
- $30,500,282
- +2.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 14% first-time grantees (6 of 44, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (63% 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 Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc
- How to Apply
-
The filing directs applicants to contact John Valliant and call the organization to obtain information about the application process and requested materials. The Fund does not restrict its giving to preselected organizations. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, and preference is given to educational endeavors.
- Review Cycle
- Applications are reviewed as received.
- Deadline
- Applications are reviewed as received.
- Contact
Application contact: John Valliant
Mailing address: 117 Bay Street, Easton, MD 21601
Phone: (410) 822-6652
Website: https://www.gbkf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Chesapeake Conservancy ($328K). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
210 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 176 grants of 210 (84%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Massachusetts recipients received 63% of grant dollars, Maryland recipients 35%, and Rhode Island recipients 2%. Delaware accounted for 0% as reported in the filing.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 44 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc open to new grantees?
14%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 44 grantees (14%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $33K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $500 repeat.
- 75% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+8%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 105% 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 $1.1M (2020) to $1.6M (2022). In 2024 it made 44 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake Conservancy Annapolis, MD | Conservation Using Artificial Intelligence | $327,500 |
| Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods Hole, MA | Implementation of Water Plan | $320,000 |
| Cultural Alliance of Medfied DBA Bellforge Arts Center Medfied, MA | Bellforge Arts Center | $250,517 |
| Trustees Boston, MA | Matching Gift | $127,500 |
| The Share Trust Dover, MA | General Support | $75,525 |
| Martin's House & Barn Ridgely, MD | General Support | $60,237 |
| Newport Festivals Foundation Newport, RI | Building Repairs | $29,517 |
| Rawkstars Inc East Taunton, MA | Beats, Bars & Beyond | $29,000 |
| Friends of Easton Volunteer Fire Department Easton, MD | Emergency Services Regional Training Campus | $25,000 |
| Academy Art Museum Easton, MD | Bugatti Exhibit | $7,500 |
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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 | $30,500,282 | $2,715,294 | $2,073,292 | $1,287,104 | 44 | $1,771,370 | $2,558,069 | $1,692,221 |
| 2023 | $29,840,599 | $734,567 | $1,841,681 | $1,156,509 | 43 | $1,627,547 | $610,245 | $1,727,171 |
| 2022 | $30,927,311 | $-455,433 | $2,165,238 | $1,556,382 | 45 | $2,001,146 | — | $1,924,098 |
| 2021 | $33,550,283 | $4,569,363 | $1,879,959 | $1,191,407 | 38 | $1,608,325 | $4,411,595 | $1,950,813 |
| 2020 | $30,858,578 | $3,033,896 | $1,801,473 | $1,147,220 | 40 | — | $2,877,412 | $1,669,266 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Fund’s mission is to invest strategically in organizations and innovative programs in its areas of interest. Its stated priorities include nurturing educational achievement and excellence, fostering life skills critical to self-sufficiency, encouraging cultural growth, and supporting research and other activities that improve the public information base. It also identifies leadership that effects positive change as a goal.
The 2024 filing says the Fund provides grants and contributions to 501(c)(3) organizations. Its grantees illustrate a range of work: Chesapeake Conservancy describes its mission as conserving and restoring the Chesapeake Bay watershed’s natural and cultural resources; The Share Trust says it strengthens the self-help group ecosystem; and Friends of Easton Volunteer says it raises funds for the charitable and public-safety activities and infrastructure of the Easton Volunteer Fire Department. Other 2024 recipients include community, educational, arts, cultural, and environmental organizations.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Fund reported 44 grants totaling $1,287,104. Awards ranged from $100 to $327,500, with a median grant of $500. The largest awards included $327,500 to Chesapeake Conservancy for conservation using artificial intelligence; $320,000 to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for implementation of a water plan; $250,517 to Cultural Alliance of Medfield DBA Bellforge Arts Center for Bellforge Arts Center; and $127,500 to the Trustees as a matching gift. Other grants included $75,525 to The Share Trust for general support and $60,237 to Martin’s House & Barn for general support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists John R. Valliant as president and CEO, Marcy Kerr Yuknat as chair, and David A. Yuknat as secretary/treasurer.
Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc is led by John R. Valliant, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
John R. Valliant
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$214K (2020) → $242K (2024)
Marcy Kerr Yuknat
Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David A. Yuknat
Secretary & Treasurer
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 $242K, to John R Valliant (President & CEO).
Frequently asked questions about Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc
How much does Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc give each year?
Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc gave $1.3M across 44 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.2M across 43 grants.
What is Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc's typical grant size?
Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc's median grant in 2024 was $500, and its average grant was $29,252, across 44 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc that year got $7K on average.
Where does Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc give grants?
Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc gives mostly in Massachusetts: 63% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Maryland (35%). The most frequent recipient cities were Easton, MD (19 grants), St Michaels, MD (3 grants), Annapolis, MD (2 grants) and Dover, MA (2 grants).
Does Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 16% of Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 44) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Matching Gift" (24 grants).
Who are Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc's largest grantees?
Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Chesapeake Conservancy ($327,500), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution ($320,000) and Cultural Alliance of Medfied DBA Bellforge Arts Center ($250,517), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 70% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc?
Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc reported $30.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc fund?
The Fund’s mission is to invest strategically in organizations and innovative programs in its areas of interest. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc?
The filing directs applicants to contact John Valliant and call the organization to obtain information about the application process and requested materials. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc's EIN?
Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 73-1256124. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 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). Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/grayce-b-kerr-fund-inc-morg_e0116b1cec0f4d90ac587d5ba0a88037
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_731256124_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Grayce B Kerr Fund Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/grayce-b-kerr-fund-inc-morg_e0116b1cec0f4d90ac587d5ba0a88037},
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 Grayce B Kerr Fund 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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