Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold
Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold is a private foundation based in Columbia, South Carolina. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations in several states, including South Carolina, New York, California, and Massachusetts.
Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold at a glance
In short: Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold gave $380K across 23 grants in 2025 (avg $17K), mostly in South Carolina. 22% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $380,000
- -6.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 23
- -11.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $16,522
- +5.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $6,082,207
- +4.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (5 of 23, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (75% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1501 Main Street Suite 600, Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 771-8943
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Cutler Jewish Day School ($50K). Together the top 10 received $278K.
Grant Size Distribution
120 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 110 grants of 120 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 75% of grant dollars went to recipients in South Carolina, 20% to New York, 4% to California, and 1% to Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 23 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 23 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. With only 23 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $16K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $11K repeat.
- 74% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+0%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 93% 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 (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $340K (2020) to $406K (2024). In 2025 it made 23 grants totaling $380K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cutler Jewish Day School Columbia, SC | Support and further the exempt purpose of the recipient organization. | $50,000 |
| Magen David Adom New York, NY | Support and further the exempt purpose of the recipient organization. | $50,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of the Crescent Region Columbia, SC | Support and further the exempt purpose of the recipient organization. | $50,000 |
| Colel Chabad Brooklyn, NY | Support and further the exempt purpose of the recipient organization. | $25,000 |
| Jewish Studies Center Inc Charleston, SC | Support and further the exempt purpose of the recipient organization. | $25,000 |
| Beth Shalom Congregation Columbia, SC | 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 |
| Academic Magnet High School North Charleston, SC | Support and further the exempt purpose of the recipient organization. | $12,500 |
| Jewish Family Services of Greater Charleston Charleston, SC | Support and further the exempt purpose of the recipient organization. | $12,500 |
| Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Charleston, SC | Support and further the exempt purpose of the recipient organization. | $12,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,082,207 | $741,873 | $498,624 | $380,000 | 23 | $380,000 | $654,956 | $408,599 |
| 2024 | $5,838,958 | $402,603 | $559,205 | $405,500 | 26 | $405,500 | $280,573 | $392,039 |
| 2023 | $5,997,424 | $458,874 | $489,221 | $375,000 | 22 | $375,000 | $371,342 | $357,495 |
| 2022 | $6,025,907 | $403,746 | $510,779 | $380,000 | 27 | $380,000 | $241,400 | $374,834 |
| 2021 | $6,132,940 | $658,669 | $548,367 | $400,000 | 22 | $400,000 | $475,458 | $407,981 |
| 2020 | $6,022,638 | $336,370 | $474,864 | $340,000 | 20 | — | $212,420 | $356,004 |
| 2019 | $6,166,132 | $351,943 | $509,257 | $370,950 | 17 | — | $243,680 | $350,476 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold reported a distributable amount of $409K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available filing describes grant purposes as supporting and furthering recipient organizations’ exempt purposes; it does not state a separate foundation mission. Its 2025 grants include Jewish organizations, schools, a youth-serving organization, and an animal rescue organization.
Among its grantees, the Jewish Studies Center Inc. says its mission is to develop and maintain a Jewish studies program at the College of Charleston, support Jewish students, and offer academic and social programs to the community. Final Victory Animal Rescue Inc. says it provides care and adoption placement for abandoned dogs and cats and supports the local animal rescue community through rescue, transportation, and boarding services.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 23 grants totaling $380,000. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $50,000, with a median of $10,000.
Notable 2025 grants included $50,000 each to Cutler Jewish Day School, Magen David Adom, and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Crescent Region; $25,000 each to Colel Chabad, Jewish Studies Center Inc., and Beth Shalom Congregation; and $15,000 to Columbia Jewish Federation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jesse M. Swearingen III as Chairman/Treasurer, Aaron Perlmutter as Vice Chairman, and Mike Arnold as Secretary.
Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jesse M. Swearingen III
Chariman & Treasurer
Treasurer → Chariman & Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$10K (2019) → $10K (2025)
Mike Arnold
Secretary
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$10K (2023) → $10K (2025)
Aaron Perlmutter
Vice Chairman
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$5K (2023) → $10K (2025)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Martin Perlmutter (2019–2022) — Vice Chairman
- Former: Gerry Sue Arnold (2019–2021) — Former Chairman
- Former: Richard T. Migliore (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $10K, to Jesse M Swearingen III (Chariman/Treasurer). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold
How much does Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold give each year?
Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold gave $380K across 23 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $406K across 26 grants.
What is Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold's typical grant size?
Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $16,522, across 23 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold that year got $18K on average.
Where does Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold give grants?
Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold gives mostly in South Carolina: 75% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (20%). The most frequent recipient cities were Columbia, SC (9 grants) and Charleston, SC (4 grants).
Does Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 23 grants with a stated purpose on Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold's largest grantees?
Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold's largest 2025 grantees include Cutler Jewish Day School ($50,000), Magen David Adom ($50,000) and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Crescent Region ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold?
Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold reported $6.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $380K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $409K (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 Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold fund?
The available filing describes grant purposes as supporting and furthering recipient organizations’ exempt purposes; it does not state a separate foundation mission. Its 2025 grants include Jewish organizations, schools, a youth-serving organization, and an animal rescue organization. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2019–2025.
Does Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 23, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/norman-j-and-gerry-sue-arnold-morg_4992cd6e6ab1460b874981efc6d9e8d6
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_576029371_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/norman-j-and-gerry-sue-arnold-morg_4992cd6e6ab1460b874981efc6d9e8d6},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Norman J and Gerry Sue Arnold'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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