Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc
Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Greensboro, North Carolina. It is committed to improving quality of life for residents of Guilford County and supports charitable projects and programs that benefit people in the county.
Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc gave $872K across 66 grants in 2025 (avg $13K), mostly in North Carolina. 46% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $871,936
- +24.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 66
- +6.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $13,211
- +16.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $20,284,934
- -1.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 46% first-time grantees (30 of 65, 2025)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts requests through its online grant application. Applicants should complete the official form with information about the organization and the project’s purpose and cost, and upload requested attachments such as financial information. Applicants may discuss proposals with foundation staff before submitting. Grants are normally limited to projects and activities serving Guilford County residents. The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
- Review Cycle
- Grant applications are considered three times a year. The website lists an application period of August 1 through October 26, 2026, for the December 2026 board meeting.
- Deadline
- Grant applications are considered three times a year.
- Contact
Application contact: Robert O Klepfer Jr Tannenbaum-Ster
Mailing address: 324 West Wendover Ave Suite 118 Po, Box 41199, Greensboro, NC 27408
Phone: (336) 274-5761
Website: https://tsfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc
Who Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was YWCA of Greensboro ($50K). Together the top 10 received $336K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($11,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
317 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 305 grants of 317 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation limits its grantmaking to projects that benefit residents of Guilford County, North Carolina. Applicants must be based in Guilford County or request funding for a project there. In filing year 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina, 1% to South Carolina, and less than 1% to Tennessee.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 66 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
46%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 30 of 65 grantees (46%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $14K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 43% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−3%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 103% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $602K (2020) to $935K (2021). In 2025 it made 66 grants totaling $872K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| YWCA of Greensboro Greensboro, NC | GRANTS | $50,000 |
| Kellin Foundation Greensboro, NC | GRANT | $50,000 |
| Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship Greensboro, NC | GRANT | $50,000 |
| The Forge Greensboro, NC | GRANT | $36,000 |
| Greensboro Urban Ministry Greensboro, NC | GRANTS | $30,000 |
| Community Foundation of Western NC Asheville, NC | GRANTS | $25,000 |
| Downtown Greensboro Foundation Greensboro, NC | GRANTS | $25,000 |
| Family Service of the Piedmont Jamestown, NC | GRANTS | $25,000 |
| YMCA of Greensboro Greensboro, NC | GRANT | $25,000 |
| Children and Families First Greensboro, NC | GRANTS | $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 | $20,284,934 | $1,418,002 | $1,178,040 | $871,936 | 66 | $1,039,080 | $1,240,607 | $1,009,296 |
| 2024 | $20,556,145 | $916,536 | $1,097,774 | $700,900 | 62 | $878,827 | $766,175 | $908,547 |
| 2023 | $18,064,739 | $531,133 | $997,043 | $666,300 | 63 | $828,616 | $380,705 | $877,463 |
| 2022 | $20,585,751 | $1,959,706 | $904,593 | $902,474 | 49 | $1,047,205 | $1,802,500 | $1,045,099 |
| 2021 | $20,561,973 | $1,112,222 | $879,253 | $935,333 | 77 | — | $960,591 | $911,108 |
| 2020 | $15,640,330 | $681,332 | $892,621 | $602,333 | 61 | — | $541,267 | $860,481 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.0M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for residents of Guilford County. Its website lists education, cultural arts, human relations, health, human services, economic development, historic preservation, and other charitable purposes among its areas of support.
It considers grant applications from qualified 501(c)(3) organizations and public governmental units. The foundation’s 2025 grants included support for organizations whose own missions span varied services: for example, the Kellin Foundation describes its work as supporting children, families, and communities to achieve safety and wellness; Greensboro Urban Ministry describes offering food, shelter, and solutions to neighbors in need; and Reading Connections describes improving literacy and promoting educational equity.
The foundation also supports scholarship programs. Its website describes Sigmund Sternberger Scholarships for eligible Guilford County residents attending specified colleges and universities, Revolution Lodge Scholarships for eligible children and grandchildren of lodge members, and endowed scholarships at several colleges and universities. Sigmund Sternberger Scholarship applications and recipient selections are handled through the schools’ financial aid offices.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 66 grants totaling $871,936. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $50,000, with a median of $10,000. Among the largest awards were $50,000 each to the YWCA of Greensboro, Kellin Foundation, and Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship; $36,000 to The Forge; and $30,000 to Greensboro Urban Ministry. Other notable awards included $25,000 each to Community Foundation of Western NC, Downtown Greensboro Foundation, Family Service of the Piedmont, and YMCA of Greensboro.
The foundation says grants are generally awarded for one year, though it will consider multi-year grants. Eligible requests may support new initiatives, program expansions, capital improvements, special projects, and other operating needs. It normally does not support campaigns to build or increase endowments or annual fund solicitations. Grant recipients are expected to submit annual project reports until the funds are fully spent, including comparisons of actual and budgeted revenue and expenses and information on additional revenue sources.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Robert O Klepfer Jr as executive director. Listed directors are Sigmund I Tannenbaum MD, Jeanne L Tannenbaum, Nancy B Tannenbaum, Susan M Tannenbaum, Edward C Winslow III, Michael L Diamond, Lauren Becton, Jacob E Osterhout, and James W Whitley Jr. Nancy B Tannenbaum is listed as chair; Sigmund I Tannenbaum MD, Jeanne L Tannenbaum, and Susan M Tannenbaum as vice presidents; Michael L Diamond as secretary; and James W Whitley Jr as treasurer.
Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc is led by Robert O. Klepfer Jr., Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 4 of 12 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Robert O. Klepfer Jr.
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$100K (2020) → $122K (2025)
Nancy B. Tannenbaum
Director & Chair
Director & Vice President → Director & Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edward C. Winslow III
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2020) → $4K (2025)
James W. Whitley Jr.
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2020) → $3K (2025)
Michael L. Diamond
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$3K (2020) → $5K (2025)
Jacob E. Osterhout
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeanne L. Tannenbaum
Director & Vice President
Director & Vice President → Director & Chairman, 2021
Director & Chairman → Director & Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeannette Osterhout
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Becton
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sigmund I. Tannenbaum MD
Director & Vice President
Director & Chairman → Director & Vice President, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan M. Tannenbaum
Director & Vice President
Director & Vice President → Director & Chair, 2022
Director & Chair → Director & Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Becton
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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 $122K, to Robert O Klepfer Jr (Executive Director). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc
How much does Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc give each year?
Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc gave $872K across 66 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $701K across 62 grants.
What is Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $13,211, across 66 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc that year got $14K on average.
Where does Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc give grants?
Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc gives mostly in North Carolina: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Greensboro, NC (39 grants), Raleigh, NC (4 grants), High Point, NC (4 grants) and Winston-Salem, NC (3 grants).
Does Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 66 grants with a stated purpose on Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Grants" (35 grants), "Grant" (14 grants) and "Scholarships" (13 grants).
Who are Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include YWCA of Greensboro ($50,000), Kellin Foundation ($50,000) and Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($11,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc?
Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc reported $20.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for residents of Guilford County. Its website lists education, cultural arts, human relations, health, human services, economic development, historic preservation, and other charitable purposes among its areas of support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc?
The foundation accepts requests through its online grant application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc's EIN?
Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-6045483. 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. 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 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/tannenbaum-sternberger-foundation-inc-morg_6b46537fdd6145a19a63a925d3e1c4c0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_566045483_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/tannenbaum-sternberger-foundation-inc-morg_6b46537fdd6145a19a63a925d3e1c4c0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Inc'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.
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