Rutherford Foundation
Rutherford Foundation is a private foundation based in Springfield, Colorado. Its 2024 filing describes educational assistance awards for high school graduating seniors from high schools in Baca County, Colorado.
Rutherford Foundation at a glance
In short: Rutherford Foundation gave $45K across 29 grants in 2024 (avg $2K), mostly in Colorado. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $45,000
- +14.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 29
- +11.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,552
- +2.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,500
- Total assets
- $572,342
- -4.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Colorado (96% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Rutherford Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Contact Shannon Gerber. Submit an application indicating the college to be attended and the selected major, or when a major will be selected.
- Review Cycle
- There is no deadline.
- Deadline
- There is no deadline.
- Contact
Application contact: Shannon Gerber
Mailing address: 257 E 5Th Ave, Springfield, CO 81073
Phone: (719) 361-0672
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Rutherford Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
146 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 146 grants of 146 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado and 4% to recipients in Texas. The filing specifies that educational assistance awards are for graduating seniors from high schools in Baca County, Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 29 itemized grants.
Cities
How Rutherford Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+19%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 169% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $29K (2020) to $45K (2024). In 2024 it made 29 grants totaling $45K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 29 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $45,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $572,342 | $48,917 | $72,623 | $45,000 | 29 | $53,471 | $23,340 | $31,680 |
| 2023 | $596,048 | $43,691 | $69,616 | $39,402 | 26 | $47,032 | $27,689 | $31,616 |
| 2022 | $621,973 | $34,456 | $64,703 | $42,500 | 28 | $49,699 | $17,431 | $34,619 |
| 2021 | $652,220 | $42,043 | $59,978 | $37,900 | 35 | $44,017 | $26,082 | $35,901 |
| 2020 | $670,155 | $959 | $46,064 | $28,700 | 28 | — | $11,935 | $35,617 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Rutherford Foundation reported a distributable amount of $32K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 29 grants totaling $45,000. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $3,000, with a median of $1,500. The largest award was $3,000 to an individual recipient in Colorado for an education award. Other awards included $2,500 and $2,000 education awards to individual recipients; one $2,000 award went to an individual recipient in Texas.
The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. There is no specific application form. Applicants must indicate the college they plan to attend and their selected major, or provide a date by which they will select a major. Awards are for high school graduating seniors from high schools located in Baca County, Colorado, and the maximum annual award per individual is $3,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Shannon Gerber, Suzette Hall, and John Lefferdink as trustees.
Rutherford Foundation's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Shannon Gerber
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $17K (2024)
John Lefferdink
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Suzette Hall
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Jan Hall (2020–2022) — Trustee
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $17K, to Shannon Gerber (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Rutherford Foundation
How much does Rutherford Foundation give each year?
Rutherford Foundation gave $45K across 29 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $39K across 26 grants.
What is Rutherford Foundation's typical grant size?
Rutherford Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,500, and its average grant was $1,552, across 29 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Rutherford Foundation give grants?
Rutherford Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does Rutherford Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 29 grants with a stated purpose on Rutherford Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education Award" (28 grants).
How large is Rutherford Foundation?
Rutherford Foundation reported $572K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $53K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $32K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
How do I apply for a grant from Rutherford Foundation?
Contact Shannon Gerber. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Rutherford Foundation's EIN?
Rutherford Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-0751642. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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