Julian I & Hope R Edison Foundation Inc
The Julian I & Hope R Edison Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Saint Louis, Missouri. The foundation was established in 1959 and operates as a family foundation dedicated to philanthropic giving across multiple sectors including the arts, education, Jewish organizations, and health and human services.
Key facts about Julian I & Hope R Edison Foundation Inc
- EIN
- 43-6027034
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,185,478
- Grants made (2024)
- 41
- Average grant
- $53,304
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Primary geography
- Missouri (88% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026.
Who Julian I & Hope R Edison Foundation Inc funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Julian I & Hope R Edison Foundation Inc's 41 itemized 2024 grants were Missouri (88%) and New York (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were St Louis, MO (29 grants) and New York, NY (3 grants). 90% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$2.2M
+245.2% YoY
Grant Count
41
+13.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$53K
+203.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's giving priorities include:
- Arts: Particularly support for art museums
- Education: General educational initiatives and support
- Jewish Organizations: Jewish education, Jewish film festivals, and Jewish community organizations
- Health and Human Services: Community health, health and wellness, and support for needy families
- Literacy and After-School Programs: Educational support for youth
- Fine Arts: Support for arts and cultural institutions
Grantmaking
The foundation provides various types of support including general operating support, program support, and capital support to its grantees.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Missouri
- New York
- Massachusetts
With a particular emphasis on the Saint Louis area.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 41 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $17,680,117
- Total giving: $2,185,478
- Total revenues: $905,586
- Total expenses: $2,451,875
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
188 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Washington University St Louis ($1,020,000), Temple Israel ($250,000), Jewish Federation of St Louis ($187,014).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ST LOUIS ST LOUIS, MO | SUPPORT OF UNIVERSITY LIBRARY | $1,020,000 |
| TEMPLE ISRAEL ST LOUIS, MO | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $250,000 |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF ST LOUIS ST LOUIS, MO | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $187,014 |
| BARNES JEWISH HOSPITAL ST LOUIS, MO | SUPPORT NEEDY FAMILIES | $100,000 |
| HILLEL AT BINGHAMPTON BINGHAMPTON, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $75,000 |
| JEWISH ASSOCIATION SERVING THE AGING BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $75,000 |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD ST LOUIS, MO | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $60,000 |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION KANSAS CITY, MO | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| VNS HEALTH OF NEW YORK NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| ST LOUIS PSYCHOANALYTIC INSTITUTE ST LOUIS, MO | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $40,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Julian I. Edison (1929–2017) was the founder and driving force behind the foundation. He was the former chairman of Edison Brothers Stores Inc., one of the largest apparel and footwear companies in the United States. Edison was widely recognized for his business leadership and generous support of nonprofit organizations in both the Jewish and general communities. He graduated from John Burroughs School in 1947 and earned degrees from Harvard University (1951) and the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration (1953).
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOPE R EDISON | PRESIDENT, TREASURER, AND SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| CHARLES A LOWENHAUPT | DEPUTY DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CAROLYN M OHLSEN | DEPUTY DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: 1401 S Brentwood Blvd Ste 200, St Louis, MO 63144-1440
- Telephone: 314-514-8881
- EIN: 43-6027034
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Julian I & Hope R Edison Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's giving priorities include: • **Arts**: Particularly support for art museums • **Education**: General educational initiatives and support • **Jewish Organizations**: Jewish education, Jewish film festivals, and Jewish community organizations • **Health and Human Services**: Community health, health and wellness, and support for needy families • **Literacy and After-School Programs**: Educational support for youth • **Fine Arts**: Support for arts and cultural institutions
How do I apply for a grant from Julian I & Hope R Edison Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2024: $2,185,478 • Number of grants made: 45 grants in the most recent year • Typical award range: $100–$1,020,000 **Recent Notable Grants (2024):** • Washington University in St. Louis: $1,020,000 (Support of University Library) • Congregation Temple Israel: $250,000 (General Operating Support) • Jewish Federation of St. Louis: $187,014 (General Operating Support) The foundation provides various types of support including general operating support, program…
Where does Julian I & Hope R Edison Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Missouri • New York • Massachusetts With a particular emphasis on the Saint Louis area.
What size grants does Julian I & Hope R Edison Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Julian I & Hope R Edison Foundation Inc awarded 41 grants totaling $2.2M — an average of about $53K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Julian I & Hope R Edison Foundation Inc's EIN?
Julian I & Hope R Edison Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-6027034. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.