Sterner Foundation Inc
Sterner Foundation Inc is a private foundation, based in Abilene, KS. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $6.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 2 grants totaling $305K. Net investment income was $179K.
Sterner Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Sterner Foundation Inc gave $305K across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $153K), mostly in Kansas. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $305,000
- +10.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $152,500
- +10.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $152,500
- Total assets
- $6,207,325
- +9.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Kansas (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Sterner Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Central Kansas Free Fair ($285K). Together the top 2 received $305K.
Grant Size Distribution
6 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 3 grants of 6 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Sterner Foundation Inc gives
- In 2025 it paid out 104% 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 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $215K (2023) to $305K (2025). In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $305K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Central Kansas Free Fair Abilene, KS | CKFF Beef Barns, Tables and Chairs | $285,000 |
| Historic Abilene Inc Abilene, KS | Pavilion ENHANCEMENTS,EDUCATION Cent | $20,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,207,325 | $217,120 | $393,696 | $305,000 | 2 | $305,000 | $179,318 | $294,294 |
| 2024 | $5,695,380 | $549,935 | $357,254 | $277,000 | 2 | $277,000 | $144,954 | $278,377 |
| 2023 | $5,313,926 | $1,832,722 | $275,755 | $215,000 | 2 | $223,000 | $148,005 | $224,441 |
| 2022 | $3,449,187 | $3,449,187 | — | — | — | — | $1,165 | $6,990 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sterner Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $294K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Sterner Foundation Inc is led by James J. Krueger, President since 2022 (on filings since 2020); none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
James J. Krueger
President
Assistant Secretary → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$13K (2023) → $0 (2025)
Peter L. Peterson
Secretary
Treasurer → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$13K (2023) → $0 (2025)
Randy J. Gassman
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$13K (2023) → $0 (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Irene Sterner (2020–2021) — President & Secretary
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 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $13K, to Peter L Peterson (Secretary). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Sterner Foundation Inc
How much does Sterner Foundation Inc give each year?
Sterner Foundation Inc gave $305K across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $277K across 2 grants.
How large is Sterner Foundation Inc?
Sterner Foundation Inc reported $6.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $305K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $294K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does Sterner Foundation Inc operate?
Sterner Foundation Inc has awarded grants in Kansas.
What is Sterner Foundation Inc's EIN?
Sterner Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 48-0847407. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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