Persephone Fund
Persephone Fund is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Minneapolis, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $490K. Net investment income was $354K.
Key facts about Persephone Fund
In short: Persephone Fund gave $490K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $245K), mostly in Minnesota. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 82-1121883
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $490,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- Average grant
- $245,000
- Median grant
- $245,000
- Total assets
- $2,395,388
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Quick answers about Persephone Fund
How much does Persephone Fund give each year?
Persephone Fund gave $490K across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $175K across 1 grant.
How Persephone Fund gives
- Giving grew 145% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 289% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Next steps with Persephone Fund
- How to evaluate Persephone Fund as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.4M
-6.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$490K
+180.0% YoY
Grant Count
2
+100.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$245K
+40.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Persephone Fund reported a distributable amount of $171K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About Persephone Fund
Based on IRS filings
Persephone Fund is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Minneapolis, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $490K. Net investment income was $354K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 2 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,395,388 | $2,567,926 | $2,786,485 |
| Revenue | $332,289 | $-27,413 | $64,288 |
| Expenses | $504,848 | $189,596 | $192,807 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $494,025 | $178,655 | $178,225 |
| Net Investment Income | $353,582 | $55,291 | $50,858 |
| Distributable Amount | $171,227 | $155,589 | $161,851 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
6 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MINNEAPOLIS FOUNDATION Minneapolis, MN | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION | $290,000 |
| THE BASILICA LANDMARK Minneapolis, MN | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION | $200,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Persephone Fund is led by Mary Farnham Whitney, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Mary Farnham Whitney
President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Benson K. Whitney
Treasurer, Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Persephone Fund?
Persephone Fund is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Minneapolis, MN. It holds $2.4M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Persephone Fund?
As of 2024, Persephone Fund holds $2.4M in total assets with $332K in annual revenue. It awarded 2 grants totaling $490K in 2024.
Where does Persephone Fund operate?
Persephone Fund has awarded grants in Minnesota.
How much is Persephone Fund required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Persephone Fund reported a distributable amount of $171K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Persephone Fund's EIN?
Persephone Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-1121883. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.