The Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold Foundation is a private foundation established in 1966 and based in Columbia, South Carolina. The foundation operates as an independent grantmaking organization with a focus on supporting charitable causes across multiple states and communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.8M
-2.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$406K
+8.1% YoY
Grant Count
26
+18.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$16K
-8.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary mission is to support and further the exempt purposes of recipient organizations. Based on recent grantmaking patterns, the foundation demonstrates particular interest in:
- Education (including K-12 schools and charter schools)
- Jewish causes and organizations
- Philanthropy and grantmaking
- Human services
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.
Grant Range
$5,000–$65,000
Average Grant
amount varies by year
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across multiple states and cities, including:
- South Carolina: Blythewood, Charleston, Clinton, Columbia, Irmo, Mt Pleasant, North Charleston, St George
- New York: Brooklyn, New York
- California: Los Angeles, Pasadena
- Massachusetts: Woburn
Primary focus areas include South Carolina, New York, and California.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $5,838,958–$6.0 million
- Total Giving: $375,000–$405,500
- Total Revenue: $403,000–$458,874
- Total Expenses: $489,221–$559,000
- Total Liabilities: $0
Historical Assets (2023):
- Total Assets: $5,997,424
- Total Revenue: $458,874
- Total Expenses: $489,221
The foundation maintains stable assets and consistent annual giving levels.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,838,958 | $5,997,424 | $6,025,907 |
| Revenue | $402,603 | $458,874 | $403,746 |
| Expenses | $559,205 | $489,221 | $510,779 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $405,500 | $375,000 | $380,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $280,573 | $371,342 | $241,400 |
| Distributable Amount | $392,039 | $357,495 | $374,834 |
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
117 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Jesse M. Swearingen III – Chairman/Treasurer
- Aaron Perlmutter – Vice Chairman
- Mike Arnold – Secretary
Leadership works approximately 2 hours per week with compensations ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JESSE M SWEARINGEN III | CHARIMAN/TREASURER | 2 | $10,000 |
| AARON PERLMUTTER | VICE CHAIRMAN | 2 | $10,000 |
| MIKE ARNOLD | SECRETARY | 2 | $10,000 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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