Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr
Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr is a private foundation based in Independence, Missouri. Its 2026 filing reports 50 grants totaling $126,000, primarily to organizations in Missouri and Kansas.
Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr at a glance
In short: Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr gave $126K across 50 grants in 2026 (avg $3K), mostly in Missouri. 18% of 2026 grantees were new. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $126,000
- +27.3% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 50
- +22.0% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $2,520
- +4.4% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $1,941,624
- +3.5% vs 2025
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (9 of 50, 2026)
- Primary geography
- Missouri (75% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr
- How to Apply
-
Submit the requested letter and supporting materials to the Elaine Feld Stern Charitable Trust. The filing states there are no deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Elaine Feld Stern Charitable Trust
Mailing address: 4200 Little Blue Parkway, Independence, MO 64057
Phone: (816) 358-5000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was American Red Cross ($17K). Together the top 10 received $56K.
Grant Size Distribution
213 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 213 grants of 213 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2026, 75% of grant dollars went to recipients in Missouri and 19% to recipients in Kansas. California, the District of Columbia, and Washington each accounted for 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 50 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2026
In 2026, 9 of 50 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 74% of 2026 grantees were also funded in 2025. Method
- Giving fell 21% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out 90% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2026). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $99K (2025) to $183K (2020). In 2026 it made 50 grants totaling $126K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Red Cross Kansas City, MO | Unrestricted Gift | $17,000 |
| Harvesters the Community Food Network Kansas City, MO | Unrestricted Gift | $7,000 |
| KC Pet Project Kansas City, MO | Unrestricted Gift | $6,000 |
| Mocsa Kansas City, MO | Unrestricted Gift | $4,000 |
| Jackson County CASA Kansas City, MO | Unrestricted Gift | $4,000 |
| Women's Employment Network Kansas City, KS | Unrestricted Gift | $4,000 |
| Bach Aria Soloists Kansas City, MO | Unrestricted Gift | $4,000 |
| Starlight Theatre Assoc of Kansas City Kansas City, MO | Unrestricted Gift | $4,000 |
| New Horizon Ranch Inc Rantoul, KS | Unrestricted Gift | $3,000 |
| Kansas City Community Gardens Kansas City, MO | Unrestricted Gift | $3,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $1,941,624 | $231,643 | $167,134 | $126,000 | 50 | $128,943 | $189,195 | $142,982 |
| 2025 | $1,876,462 | $189,687 | $136,779 | $99,000 | 41 | $103,193 | $146,650 | $139,589 |
| 2024 | $1,823,450 | $47,277 | $170,164 | $132,000 | 42 | $151,169 | $69,521 | $130,332 |
| 2023 | $1,946,337 | $138,246 | $182,792 | $158,500 | 45 | $175,799 | $117,654 | $134,211 |
| 2022 | $1,990,883 | $128,361 | $189,204 | $140,500 | 35 | $165,558 | $106,849 | $153,383 |
| 2021 | $2,051,726 | $63,582 | $208,673 | $168,000 | 38 | — | $49,166 | $139,768 |
| 2020 | $2,196,817 | $121,096 | $227,355 | $183,000 | 33 | — | $84,075 | $146,806 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr reported a distributable amount of $143K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2026 grants went to organizations working in varied areas. For example, Harvesters says it works to increase equitable access to nutritious food and address hunger; Bach Aria Soloists says it introduces audiences to Bach, Baroque, and related contemporary composers through concerts and education; and Jackson County CASA says it helps abused and neglected children in the county family court system receive representation.
Other recipients describe work in community gardening, therapy-animal services, domestic-violence support, equine-assisted programs, and parent-focused job and life-skills training. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not stated priorities of the foundation.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2026, the foundation reported 50 grants totaling $126,000. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $17,000, with a median of $2,000. The largest listed awards included $17,000 to the American Red Cross in Kansas City, $7,000 to Harvesters – The Community Food Network, and $6,000 to KC Pet Project. Other listed grants included $4,000 each to MOCSA, Jackson County CASA, Bach Aria Soloists, Starlight Theatre Association of Kansas City, and Women’s Employment Network.
The foundation’s 2025 filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It asks applicants to submit a letter describing the need, purpose, and program, proof of the organization’s eligibility for tax-exempt contributions, the amount sought, and when the contribution is needed. The filing says contributions are limited to 501(c)(3) organizations, that it does not make contributions to individuals, and that educational institutions select recipients when scholarships are awarded through them.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2026 filing lists Susan Feld Strauss and Abra House as trustees.
Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr's 2026 filing lists 2 officers; all 2 officers listed in 2026 are compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Susan Feld Strauss
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2026)
Abra House
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$2K (2023) → $5K (2026)
Former officers (4)
- Former: Blue Ridge Bank Trust (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Robert J. Margolin (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Don Kahan (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Leslie Ann Strauss (2020–2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $5K, to Susan Feld Strauss (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr
How much does Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr give each year?
Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr gave $126K across 50 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $99K across 41 grants.
What is Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr's typical grant size?
Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr's median grant in 2026 was $2,000, and its average grant was $2,520, across 50 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr that year got $1K on average.
Where does Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr give grants?
Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr gives mostly in Missouri: 75% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Kansas (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were Kansas City, MO (28 grants), Overland Park, KS (4 grants) and Kansas City, KS (3 grants).
Does Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr give general operating support?
Yes: 98% of Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr's 2026 grants with a stated purpose (49 of 50) were for general or operating support, per its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr's largest grantees?
Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr's largest 2026 grantees include American Red Cross ($17,000), Harvesters the Community Food Network ($7,000) and KC Pet Project ($6,000), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr?
Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr reported $1.9M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $129K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $143K (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 does Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2026 grants went to organizations working in varied areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr?
Submit the requested letter and supporting materials to the Elaine Feld Stern Charitable Trust. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr's EIN?
Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-6354470. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2026.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 30, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 21, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 26, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS July 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Other open foundation grants in Missouri
Missouri Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Oppenstein Brothers Foundation
Kansas City, MO
The Oppenstein Brothers Foundation supports religious, charitable, scientific, and educational work, with recent grants covering food access, health care, youth services, housing, and mental health. Its 2026 grants ranged from $3,000 to $100,000, with a median of $15,000, and went to organizations in Missouri and Kansas, mainly around Kansas City. The profile says to contact the program officer; it does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$35.1M
Grants
125
Total Given
$1.9M
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Kansas City, MO
The foundation funds college access and completion, workforce and career development, entrepreneurship, and related efforts to improve economic mobility, with a primary focus on Kansas City and support for regional and national work. Its 2024 grants had a median of $75,000; it accepts requests through its online portal and says it does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$2.5B
Grants
364
Total Given
$95.0M
The Francis Family Foundation
Kansas City, MO
The Francis Family Foundation funds pulmonary, critical care, and sleep-medicine research fellowships at institutions in the U.S. and Canada, as well as arts and culture organizations in the greater Kansas City area. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $300,000, with a median of $7,750; fellowships can provide up to $225,000 over three years.
Assets
$93.1M
Grants
174
Total Given
$4.8M
Health Forward Foundation
Kansas City, MO
Health Forward Foundation funds health equity and community-led work in health care, housing, digital access, civic engagement, and racial and economic inclusion in the Kansas City region. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $800,000, with a median of $100,000; it offers open application opportunities, while some funding is invitation-based, and welcomes conversations about aligned ideas for possible responsive funding.
Assets
$944.7M
Grants
169
Total Given
$26.4M
R a Long Foundation
Kansas City, MO
The R A Long Foundation supports educational, community, cultural, and human-services organizations, primarily in Missouri and Kansas, with a small share of its giving in Oklahoma. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,500 to $35,000, with a median of $4,000. It accepts written applications under its guidelines, due March 15 or September 15.
Assets
$7.2M
Grants
104
Total Given
$467K
The Sunderland Foundation
Overland Park, KS
The Sunderland Foundation supports organizations serving Greater Kansas City, focusing on affordable housing, economic stability, health and behavioral health, youth development, and select legacy institutions. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,750 to $25 million, with a median of $375,000; it is invitation-only and is not currently accepting applications or proposals.
Assets
$927.0M
Grants
25
Total Given
$102.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Missouri
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/stern-elaine-feld-char-tr-morg_2ab1ff911dad47e7886ad7fa37dca70a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_436354470_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/stern-elaine-feld-char-tr-morg_2ab1ff911dad47e7886ad7fa37dca70a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Stern Elaine Feld Char Tr down — hundreds of funders to go?