Harper Family Foundation
Harper Family Foundation is a private foundation based in New Orleans, Louisiana. In its 2024 filing, it reported $141,029 in grants to 10 organizations, all in Louisiana, including organizations working in areas such as books for young people, theatre, and youth camp programming.
Harper Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Harper Family Foundation gave $141K across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), mostly in Louisiana. 0% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $141,029
- -4.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- -16.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $14,103
- +14.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $14,000
- Total assets
- $2,099,899
- -3.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 10, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (100% 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 Harper Family Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The filing provides an application process and says giving is not restricted to preselected organizations. Applicants should submit the materials described above.
- Review Cycle
- No deadlines.
- Deadline
- No deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Katherine V Mattesky
Mailing address: 5258 Marcia Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70124
Phone: (504) 488-5460
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Harper Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Opening Doors Baton Rouge ($30K). Together the top 10 received $141K.
Grant Size Distribution
60 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 59 grants of 60 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All 10 grants reported for 2024 went to recipients in Louisiana. The listed recipients were in Baton Rouge, Crowville, New Orleans, St. Joseph, and Grand Coteau.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Harper Family Foundation open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 10 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. How we count
- 80% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+2%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 90% 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 (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 $137K (2020) to $161K (2022). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $141K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Doors Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, LA | General Donation | $30,027 |
| Friends of Crowville Crowville, LA | General Donation | $20,000 |
| Streetside Library New Orleans, LA | General Purpose | $20,000 |
| Tensas Academy St Joseph, LA | General Donation | $15,000 |
| St Michael Special School New Orleans, LA | General Purpose | $15,000 |
| Goat in the Road Productions New Orleans, LA | General Donation | $13,000 |
| Live Oak Wilderness Camp New Orleans, LA | General Donation | $9,002 |
| New Orleans Women & Children's Shel New Orleans, LA | General Donation | $7,500 |
| La Center for Children's Rights New Orleans, LA | General Donation | $7,500 |
| The Thensted Center Grand Coteau, LA | General Donation | $4,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Harper Family 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,099,899 | $120,515 | $194,967 | $141,029 | 10 | $141,029 | $69,076 | $157,473 |
| 2023 | $2,180,545 | $152,304 | $197,362 | $147,707 | 12 | $147,707 | $102,649 | $141,029 |
| 2022 | $2,225,478 | $71,297 | $218,640 | $161,259 | 15 | $161,259 | $25,617 | $147,707 |
| 2021 | $2,372,659 | $258,021 | $183,052 | $138,883 | 11 | $138,883 | $214,563 | $161,259 |
| 2020 | $2,297,559 | $124,366 | $177,057 | $136,730 | 12 | — | $86,375 | $138,883 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Harper Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $157K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grantees describe a range of activities: Streetside Library says it provides diverse, relevant books to engage young minds and support young people’s social, emotional, and educational development. Goat in the Road Productions describes itself as a nonprofit theatre company dedicated to new works and educational programming. Live Oak Wilderness Camp says it provides year-round camp experiences centered on fun, friendship, and leadership development for New Orleans children.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave $141,029 across 10 grants. Grants ranged from $4,000 to $30,027, with a median of $14,000. Larger awards included $30,027 to Opening Doors Baton Rouge, $20,000 to Friends of Crowville, $20,000 to Streetside Library, $15,000 to Tensas Academy, and $15,000 to St Michael Special School.
The foundation’s filing says applicants should provide a brief organizational background, objectives, amount requested, charitable purpose, and expected results from the contribution. It lists no restrictions on awards.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists these directors: Katherine V Mattesky, Mary Clauss, Annie Clauss, Audrey Voelker, Emma Mattesky, Frank Voelker, George Voelker, Ginny Clauss, Ginny Crigler Anderson, and Jim Crigler.
Harper Family Foundation is led by Madeleine Mattesky, President on every filing since 2021; 2 of 16 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Madeleine Mattesky
President
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Katherine V. Mattesky
Director
Secretary → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
$11K (2020) → $11K (2024)
Mary Clauss
Director
On filings since 2021
$2K (2021) → $11K (2024)
Annie Clauss
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Audrey Voelker
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Emma Mattesky
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Frank Voelker
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
George Voelker
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Ginny Clauss
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Ginny Crigler Anderson
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Jim Crigler
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
John Guenard
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Kate Besselman
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Molly Sanders
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Rick Clauss
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Thomas Besselman
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Mary K. Crigler Besselman (2020) — Vice President
- Former: Mary Mattesky Sanders (2020) — President & D
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 $11K, to Katherine V Mattesky (Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Harper Family Foundation
How much does Harper Family Foundation give each year?
Harper Family Foundation gave $141K across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $148K across 12 grants.
What is Harper Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Harper Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $14,000, and its average grant was $14,103, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Harper Family Foundation give grants?
Harper Family Foundation gives mostly in Louisiana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New Orleans, LA (6 grants).
Does Harper Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Harper Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (10 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Harper Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Harper Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Opening Doors Baton Rouge ($30,027), Friends of Crowville ($20,000) and Streetside Library ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Harper Family Foundation?
Harper Family Foundation reported $2.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $141K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $157K (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 Harper Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grantees describe a range of activities: Streetside Library says it provides diverse, relevant books to engage young minds and support young people’s social, emotional, and educational development. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Harper Family Foundation?
The filing provides an application process and says giving is not restricted to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Harper Family Foundation's EIN?
Harper Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-1921771. 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 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). Harper Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/harper-family-foundation-morg_529e9976dd454cd0a4f2065e31b48682
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_581921771_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Harper Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/harper-family-foundation-morg_529e9976dd454cd0a4f2065e31b48682},
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 Harper Family 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.
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