The Ceres Trust
The Ceres Trust is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Milwaukee, WI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $7.6M. Net investment income was $52K.
Key facts about The Ceres Trust
- EIN
- 20-5768077
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $7,610,669
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- Average grant
- $7,610,669
- Median grant
- $7,610,669
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated April 2026.
How The Ceres Trust gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−7%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Next steps with The Ceres Trust
- How to evaluate The Ceres Trust as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
-100.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.6M
-51.6% YoY
Grant Count
1
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7.6M
-51.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ceres Trust reported a distributable amount of $82K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About The Ceres Trust
Based on IRS filings
The Ceres Trust is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Milwaukee, WI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $7.6M. Net investment income was $52K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 1 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $3,080,775 | $18,266,629 |
| Revenue | $5,096,530 | $1,828,277 | $23,738,718 |
| Expenses | $8,192,171 | $16,682,848 | $14,412,756 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $8,160,215 | $16,647,802 | $14,337,518 |
| Net Investment Income | $52,195 | $1,758,772 | $1,557,707 |
| Distributable Amount | $82,034 | $476,645 | $1,807,394 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 1 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include See Attached Spreadsheet ($7,610,669).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SEE ATTACHED SPREADSHEET Milwaukee, WI | SEE STATEMENT | $7,610,669 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judith a Kern | Trustee | — | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Ceres Trust?
The Ceres Trust is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Milwaukee, WI. It holds — in total assets as of 2024.
Where does The Ceres Trust operate?
The Ceres Trust has awarded grants in Wisconsin.
What size grants does The Ceres Trust award?
In 2024, The Ceres Trust awarded 1 grant totaling $7.6M — an average of about $7.6M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Ceres Trust required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Ceres Trust reported a distributable amount of $82K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Ceres Trust's EIN?
The Ceres Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-5768077. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.