Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation
The Irving & Aaronel deRoy Gruber Foundation is a private foundation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Established in 2000, it supports and promotes the artwork of Aaronel deRoy Gruber and engages Pittsburgh-based and regional artists and initiatives connected to sculpture, photography, printmaking, and painting.
Key facts about Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation
In short: Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation gave $63K across 43 grants in 2024 (avg $1K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 19% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 25-6720097
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $62,800
- Grants made (2024)
- 43
- Average grant
- $1,460
- Median grant
- $1,200
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (8 of 43, 2024)
- Total assets
- $3,990,562
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (97% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.0M
+6.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$63K
-3.7% YoY
Grant Count
43
+10.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1K
-12.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation reported a distributable amount of $216K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 43 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $1K repeat.
- 79% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−18%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 76% 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated purpose is to support and promote Aaronel deRoy Gruber’s artwork and engage regional artists and initiatives connected to sculpture, photography, printmaking, and painting. Its 2024 grants included arts and cultural organizations, Jewish community organizations, and a conservatory and botanical garden.
Among its 2024 grantees, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council describes its work as strengthening the region’s creative community and arts sector. The Westmoreland Museum of American Art says it offers cultural experiences that open the door to new ideas and perspectives. Silver Eye Center for Photography describes its mission as communicating the value of photographic images as creative expression and as influences on communities and histories. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens says it works to inspire and educate people about plants, advance sustainability, and promote human and environmental well-being.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 43 grants totaling $62,800. Grants ranged from $300 to $4,000, with a median of $1,200. The largest listed awards included $4,000 to the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council; $3,500 to the Westmoreland Museum of American Art; and $3,000 each to the Frick Art & Historical Center and the United Jewish Federation - Israel Emergency Fund. Other notable grants included $2,500 each to the Jewish Anti-Defamation League, Senator John Heinz History Center, and Rodef Shalom Synagogue.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania. The reported recipient-state shares also included New York (1%) and Massachusetts, Louisiana, and Connecticut (0% each).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $31K (2020) to $77K (2021). In 2024 it made 43 grants totaling $63K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council ($4K). Together the top 10 received $28K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($1,400), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
188 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 188 grants of 188 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council Pittsburgh, PA | General Purposes | $4,000 |
| Westmoreland Museum of American Art Greensburg, PA | General Purposes | $3,500 |
| Frick Art & Historical Center Pittsburgh, PA | General Purposes | $3,000 |
| United Jewish Federation - Israel Emergency Fund Pittsburgh, PA | General Purposes | $3,000 |
| Jewish Anti-Defamation League Philadelphia, PA | General Purposes | $2,500 |
| Senator John Heinz History Center Pittsburgh, PA | General Purposes | $2,500 |
| Rodef Shalom Synagogue Pittsburgh, PA | General Purposes | $2,500 |
| University of Pittsburgh Art Gallery Pittsburgh, PA | General Purposes | $2,400 |
| Silver Eye Center for Photography Pittsburgh, PA | General Purposes | $2,200 |
| Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | General Purposes | $2,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grant total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,990,562 | $410,351 | $177,756 | $62,800 |
| 2023 | $3,756,911 | $456,086 | $197,338 | $65,200 |
| 2022 | $3,485,326 | -$20,998 | $181,969 | $70,800 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,990,562 | $3,756,911 | $3,485,326 |
| Revenue | $410,351 | $456,086 | $-20,998 |
| Expenses | $177,756 | $197,338 | $181,969 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $164,236 | $181,474 | $161,743 |
| Net Investment Income | $356,882 | $324,130 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $216,295 | $120,828 | $157,192 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Terry D. Gruber and David R. Berk, Esq., as co-trustees. The foundation also lists Brittany Reilly as executive director.
Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; 1 of 2 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Terry D. Gruber
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$17K (2020) → $21K (2024)
David R. Berk Esq.
Co-Trustee
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 $21K, to Terry D Gruber (Co-Trustee).
Contact
Mailing address: Co David Berk One Ppg Pl 3010, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: (412) 209-2511
Website: https://www.aaronel.com/foundation
Frequently asked questions about Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation
How much does Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation give each year?
Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation gave $63K across 43 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $65K across 39 grants.
What is Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation's typical grant size?
Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,200, and its average grant was $1,460, across 43 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation that year got $1K on average.
Where does Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation give grants?
Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Pittsburgh, PA (35 grants).
Does Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (43 of 43) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation's largest grantees?
Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council ($4,000), Westmoreland Museum of American Art ($3,500) and Frick Art & Historical Center ($3,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($1,400), which are not listed by name. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation?
Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation reported $4.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $164K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $216K (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 Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to support and promote Aaronel deRoy Gruber’s artwork and engage regional artists and initiatives connected to sculpture, photography, printmaking, and painting. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation's EIN?
Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-6720097. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Irving & Aaronel Deroy Gruber Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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