Robert W and Caroline Fernstrum Scholar Fdn
Robert W and Caroline Fernstrum Scholar Fdn is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Marinette, WI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $511K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $25K. Net investment income was $13K.
Robert W and Caroline Fernstrum Scholar Fdn at a glance
In short: Robert W and Caroline Fernstrum Scholar Fdn gave $25K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $25K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $25,475
- +2.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $25,475
- +2.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,475
- Total assets
- $511,322
- -3.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
Who Robert W and Caroline Fernstrum Scholar Fdn funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Menominee Mi Area Public Schools ($25K).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 5 grants of 5 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
How Robert W and Caroline Fernstrum Scholar Fdn gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−19%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 97% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF 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 $25K (2024) to $31K (2022). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $25K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Menominee Mi Area Public Schools Menominee, MI | Scholarships | $25,475 |
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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 | $511,322 | $18,558 | $34,728 | $25,475 | 1 | $27,370 | $12,789 | $28,193 |
| 2024 | $527,292 | $138,231 | $32,597 | $24,927 | 1 | $26,730 | $132,686 | $25,475 |
| 2023 | $421,577 | $23,378 | $33,786 | $26,947 | 1 | $28,635 | $17,747 | $24,927 |
| 2022 | $432,416 | $-5,911 | $39,825 | $31,289 | 1 | $33,115 | $3,975 | $26,947 |
| 2021 | $475,691 | $59,550 | $36,413 | $27,593 | 1 | $29,648 | $53,135 | $31,289 |
| 2020 | $451,815 | $27,147 | $35,776 | $27,951 | 1 | — | $21,571 | $27,593 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert W and Caroline Fernstrum Scholar Fdn reported a distributable amount of $28K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Robert W and Caroline Fernstrum Scholar Fdn's only listed officer is Stephenson National Bank & Trust, Trustee since 2022 (on filings since 2020) (compensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
Stephenson National Bank & Trust
Trustee
Trustee → Trusttee, 2021
Trusttee → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$1K (2020) → $1K (2025)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $1K, to Stephenson National Bank & Trust (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Robert W and Caroline Fernstrum Scholar Fdn
How much does Robert W and Caroline Fernstrum Scholar Fdn give each year?
Robert W and Caroline Fernstrum Scholar Fdn gave $25K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $25K across 1 grant.
How large is Robert W and Caroline Fernstrum Scholar Fdn?
Robert W and Caroline Fernstrum Scholar Fdn reported $511K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $27K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $28K (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 is Robert W and Caroline Fernstrum Scholar Fdn?
Robert W and Caroline Fernstrum Scholar Fdn is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Marinette, WI. It holds $511K in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Robert W and Caroline Fernstrum Scholar Fdn operate?
Robert W and Caroline Fernstrum Scholar Fdn has awarded grants in Michigan, Wisconsin.
What is Robert W and Caroline Fernstrum Scholar Fdn's EIN?
Robert W and Caroline Fernstrum Scholar Fdn's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6625465. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 5, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 17, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 22, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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