Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc
To provide educational and charitable activities in the united states and around the world to enhance and improve the quality of life of those in need. To provide scholarships, organize community service projects and build schools and housing for victims of natural disasters.
Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc at a glance
In short: Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc gave $185K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $46K), mostly in Kentucky. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $185,322
- +10.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- +33.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $46,331
- -17.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $37,661
- Total assets
- $116,034
- -44.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was GREENHOUSE17 ($100K). Together the top 4 received $185K.
Grant Size Distribution
21 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 16 grants of 21 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+16%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $46K (2020) to $185K (2025). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $185K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| GREENHOUSE17 Lexington, KY | Support Domestic Abuse Survivors | $100,000 |
| University of Kentucky Lexington, KY | Vocal Student Scholarships | $52,748 |
| Fraternal Order of Police #73 Nicholasville, KY | Cops N Kids Christmas | $22,574 |
| Gods Pantry Food Bank Lexington, KY | Program Support | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $116,034 | $309,786 | $404,408 | $185,322 | 4 | $5,853 |
| 2024 | $210,656 | $231,977 | $297,361 | $167,810 | 3 | $9,051 |
| 2023 | $276,040 | $236,745 | $204,825 | $149,383 | 3 | — |
| 2022 | $244,120 | $238,466 | $266,033 | $160,201 | 7 | — |
| 2021 | $271,687 | $257,236 | $89,686 | $58,624 | 4 | — |
| 2020 | $104,137 | $159,281 | $94,483 | $46,000 | 1 | — |
About Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc
Based on IRS filings
Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc is a public charity focused on Education, based in Nicholasville, KY. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $116K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $185K. Net investment income was $6K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc is led by Mark Pearse Lyons, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mark Pearse Lyons
President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dan Noll
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Nicholson
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Larry Hehman
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deirdre Mary Lyons
Vice President, Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc
How much does Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc give each year?
Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc gave $185K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $168K across 3 grants.
What is Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc's typical grant size?
Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc's median grant in 2025 was $37,661, and its average grant was $46,331, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc give grants?
Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc gives mostly in Kentucky: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lexington, KY (3 grants).
Does Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
How large is Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc?
Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc reported $116K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $310K.
What is Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc?
Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc is a public charity focused on Education, based in Nicholasville, KY. It holds $116K in total assets as of 2025.
What is Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc's EIN?
Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation Inc FKA the Margin of Excellence Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 30-0521487. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 23, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 24, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 26, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 23, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
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