Robert & Elizabeth Fergus Foundation
The Robert & Elizabeth Fergus Foundation is a private foundation based in Aspen, Colorado. Established in 1989 in Ohio, the foundation has since relocated to Colorado and operates as an independent foundation focused on philanthropic giving across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.8M
-2.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$133K
-1.2% YoY
Grant Count
62
+10.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$2K
-10.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert & Elizabeth Fergus Foundation reported a distributable amount of $145K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding interests include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Science education and teacher support
- Renewable energy
- Community and school gardens
- Environmental education
- Arts grants for nonprofits
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports organizations in California, Ohio, and Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: $2,754,684
Total Annual Giving: $132,875 (most recent filing, 2024)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,754,684 | $2,824,888 | $2,949,258 |
| Revenue | $91,590 | $50,378 | $-166,448 |
| Expenses | $166,151 | $172,191 | $260,626 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $132,897 | $135,747 | $220,182 |
| Net Investment Income | $58,336 | $38,621 | $24,820 |
| Distributable Amount | $144,507 | $136,314 | $146,472 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Alfred Braun Hut System ($10,000), Conservation Northwest ($8,000), Rios to Rivers ($6,125).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADA PALO ALTO, CA | UNRESTRICTED | $1,500 |
| ALFRED BRAUN HUT SYSTEM ASPEN, CO | UNRESTRICTED | $10,000 |
| ALZHEIMER ASSOCIATION NEW YORK, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $400 |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $1,000 |
| ASPEN CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES ASPEN, CO | UNRESTRICTED | $1,500 |
| ASPEN VALLEY HOSPITAL ASPEN, CO | UNRESTRICTED | $1,500 |
| BALLETMET COLUMBUS, OH | UNRESTRICTED | $3,000 |
| BEYOND FISTULA LOS ALTOS, CA | UNRESTRICTED | $5,000 |
| CAF AMERICA (CAMERAS WITHOUT BORDERS) ALEXANDRIA, VI | UNRESTRICTED | $3,000 |
| CAL MATTERS SACRAMENTO, CA | UNRESTRICTED | $500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is listed under the contact of Catharine Fergus Garber.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELIZABETH FERGUS | CO-TRUSTEE | 4 | — |
| CATHARINE FERGUS GARBER | CO-TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| SYLVIA FERGUS | CO-TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| CORWIN FERGUS | CO-TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
Contact Information
Address: PO Box 1515, Aspen, CO 81612-1515
Telephone: 650-245-9680
EIN: 31-6087932
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Robert & Elizabeth Fergus Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary funding interests include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Science education and teacher support • Renewable energy • Community and school gardens • Environmental education • Arts grants for nonprofits
How do I apply for a grant from Robert & Elizabeth Fergus Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $250 to $20,000. **Annual Giving:** The foundation distributed $132,875 in grants based on its most recent IRS Form 990 filing (2024). **Grant Activity:** The foundation does not currently maintain live grant opportunities.
Where does Robert & Elizabeth Fergus Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily supports organizations in California, Ohio, and Washington.
What size grants does Robert & Elizabeth Fergus Foundation award?
In 2024, Robert & Elizabeth Fergus Foundation awarded 62 grants totaling $133K — an average of about $2K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Robert & Elizabeth Fergus Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Robert & Elizabeth Fergus Foundation reported a distributable amount of $145K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Robert & Elizabeth Fergus Foundation's EIN?
Robert & Elizabeth Fergus Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-6087932. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Robert & Elizabeth Fergus Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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