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
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold reported a distributable amount of $392K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cutler Jewish Day School ($65,000), Magen David Adom ($50,000), Colel Chabad ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACADEMIC MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL NORTH CHARLESTON, SC | SUPPORT AND FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION. | $10,000 |
| CAMP COLE COLUMBIA, SC | SUPPORT AND FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION. | $10,000 |
| CHABAD LUBAVITCH OF SC COLUMBIA, SC | SUPPORT AND FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION. | $15,000 |
| CHABAD OF THE LOWCOUNTRY MT PLEASANT, SC | SUPPORT AND FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION. | $15,000 |
| COLEL CHABAD BROOKLYN, NY | SUPPORT AND FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION. | $25,000 |
| COLUMBIA JEWISH FEDERATION COLUMBIA, SC | SUPPORT AND FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION. | $15,000 |
| CUTLER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL COLUMBIA, SC | SUPPORT AND FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION. | $65,000 |
| FHSD SOCIETY WOBURN, MA | SUPPORT AND FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION. | $5,000 |
| FRIENDS OF ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES NEW YORK, NY | SUPPORT AND FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION. | $20,000 |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER COLUMBIA, SC | SUPPORT AND FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION. | $500 |
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold fund?
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
How do I apply for a grant from Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold?
**Grant Activity:** • The foundation made 22-27 grants annually in recent years • Typical grant range: $5,000–$65,000 • Median grant size: $10,000 • Average grant amount varies by year **Recent Grant Recipients (2023):** • Cutler Jewish Day School: $55,000 • Stand With Us: $50,000 • American Friends of Magen David Adom: $35,000 • Colel Chabad: $30,000 • Jewish Studies Center Inc: $25,000 • SC State Museum Foundation: (amount listed) **Application Process:** The foundation does not accept unsoli…
Where does Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold make 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.
What size grants does Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold award?
In 2024, Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold awarded 26 grants totaling $406K — an average of about $16K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold reported a distributable amount of $392K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold's EIN?
Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 57-6029371. 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.
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