Tenacre Foundation is a Christian Science nursing ministry operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Princeton, New Jersey. Established in 1921 and tax-exempt since December 1937, the foundation operates on approximately 100 acres and serves as both an operating foundation and grantmaker. The organization's primary focus is providing interrelated Christian Science ministries, with Christian Science nursing services as its principal ministry.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$379.5M
+1.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$50.9M
-46.8% YoY
Grant Count
108
-29.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$472K
-24.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: "Tenacre Foundation is a Christian Science nursing ministry expressing God, Love — our mission is to heal."
The foundation's primary exempt purpose is providing interrelated Christian Science ministries. Core program areas include:
- Christian Science Nursing Services — providing religious ministry of Christian Science nursing for individuals choosing to rely on God for healing, with benevolence provided regardless of ability to pay
- School of Christian Science Nursing — educating members of The Mother Church to serve as Christian Science nurses
- Residential Programs — Christian Scientists-in-Residence (independent cottages for community living)
- Visitor Accommodations — spiritual renewal stays and family accommodations for nursing guests
- Spiritual Resource Library — Bible-focused research and study resources
- Haven for Healing — additional healing ministry services
- Unrelated Business Income — solar renewable energy credits
Grantmaking
Tenacre Foundation operates as a pre-selected grantmaker that does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation makes strategic investments in organizations aligned with its mission.
Grant Range
$1,000 to $14.6 million
How to Apply
** The foundation does not have formal grant programs with public application processes. All grants are made to pre-selected organizations. No public contact information is available for grant inquiries.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses nationally across the United States, with particular activity in New Jersey, California, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $379.5 million to $380 million
- Total Revenue: $91.4 million
- Total Expenses: $56.4 million
- Total Liabilities: $40.4 million
- Total Giving: $50.9 million
Staffing: The foundation employs 156 staff members.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $379,508,875 | $375,650,707 | $470,013,101 |
| Revenue | $91,377,308 | $94,567,488 | $169,308,668 |
| Expenses | $56,379,404 | $93,849,411 | $153,933,240 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $96,322,214 | $127,710,279 | $137,260,399 |
| Net Investment Income | $67,022,226 | $23,333,728 | $51,306,860 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
200 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Adventure Unlimited ($2,451,037), Cedars Camps ($2,034,893), E3 Elevating Education Everywhere ($1,151,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADVENTURE UNLIMITED GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO | CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CAMPS | $2,451,037 |
| AFRICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NEW JERSEY TRENTON, NJ | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| AFRICAN LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION NEW YORK CITY, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,080,500 |
| AMALA EDUCATION | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| ANTHILL CREATIONS | GENERAL SUPPORT | $51,000 |
| ARDEN WOOD SAN FRANCISCO, CA | CHRISTIAN SCIENCE NURSING FACILITIES | $344,483 |
| ARM IN ARM PRINCETON, NJ | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| BEACON HAVEN NEW BRIGHTON, MN | CHRISTIAN SCIENCE NURSING FACILITIES | $170,916 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF MERCER COUNTY TRENTON, NJ | GENERAL SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| BOOKSMILES PENNSAUKEN, NJ | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Based on the most recent available information:
- Emily Smith — Chair (as of June 2022)
- Christine I. Williams — Chair (through June 2022)
- Cynthia R. Love — Vice Chair
- Michael A. Fisher — Trustee, President, and CEO
- Catheryn E. Murdoch — Trustee, Treasurer, and CFO
- Brian Stock — Trustee (through June 2022); Vice President of Christian Science Nursing (as of June 2022)
- Gail Chaddock — Trustee
- Charles Lindahl — Trustee
- Janet Horton — Trustee
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| EMILY SMITH | CHAIR | 10 | — |
| CYNTHIA R LOVE | VICE CHAIR | 5 | — |
| GAIL CHADDOCK | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| CHARLES LINDAHL | TRUSTEE THRU 4/24 | 5 | — |
| CYNTHIA TYLER | TRUSTEE BEG 9/23 | 5 | — |
| DAVID COOK | TRUSTEE BEG 3/24 | 5 | — |
| THOMAS FULLER | TRUSTEE BEG 3/24 | 5 | — |
| BRIAN STOCK | VP-CSN THRU 2/24; PRES/CEO BEG 3/24 | 55 | $216,308 |
| MICHAEL A FISHER | TRUSTEE THRU 2/24; PRES/CEO THRU 2/24 | 55 | $257,269 |
| CATHERYN E MURDOCH | TRUSTEE/TREASURER/CFO | 55 | $196,958 |
| WILLIAM H BELL | VP-PHILANTHROPY & CPO THRU 3/24 | 55 | $209,046 |
| MARINA N BONSI | SNR DIRECTOR; ASST SECRETARY | 50 | $163,806 |
| GARY L WRIGHT | ASST TREASURER/CONTROLLER | 50 | $128,935 |
| REBECCA HOLMES | EXEC ASST; SECRETARY THRU 9/23 | 45 | $117,420 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Tenacre Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** "Tenacre Foundation is a Christian Science nursing ministry expressing God, Love — our mission is to heal." The foundation's primary exempt purpose is providing interrelated Christian Science ministries. Core program areas include: • **Christian Science Nursing Services** — providing religious ministry of Christian Science nursing for individuals choosing to rely on God for healing, with benevolence provided regardless of ability to pay • **School of Christian Science Nur…
How do I apply for a grant from Tenacre Foundation?
Tenacre Foundation operates as a pre-selected grantmaker that does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation makes strategic investments in organizations aligned with its mission. **Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $50.9 million to $95.7 million annually (varies by fiscal year) • Grant range: $1,000 to $14.6 million • Median grant: $70,632 to $105,000 • Recent annual awards: 108 to 153 grants distributed **Application Process:** The foundation does not have formal grant programs with…
Where does Tenacre Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses nationally across the United States, with particular activity in New Jersey, California, and New York.
What size grants does Tenacre Foundation award?
In 2024, Tenacre Foundation awarded 108 grants totaling $50.9M — an average of about $472K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Tenacre Foundation's EIN?
Tenacre Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 21-0577480. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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