The Ceres Trust
The Ceres Trust is a private foundation, 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.
The Ceres Trust at a glance
In short: The Ceres Trust gave $7.6M across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $7.6M), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $7,610,669
- -51.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $7,610,669
- -51.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $7,610,669
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Ceres Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was $5M or more: 5 grants of 5 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $7.3M (2020) to $15.7M (2023). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $7.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| See Attached Spreadsheet Milwaukee, WI | See Statement | $7,610,669 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | — | $5,096,530 | $8,192,171 | $7,610,669 | 1 | $8,160,215 | $52,195 | $82,034 |
| 2023 | $3,080,775 | $1,828,277 | $16,682,848 | $15,715,640 | 1 | $16,647,802 | $1,758,772 | $476,645 |
| 2022 | $18,266,629 | $23,738,718 | $14,412,756 | $13,734,640 | 1 | $14,337,518 | $1,557,707 | $1,807,394 |
| 2021 | $8,473,497 | $7,541,315 | $8,762,107 | $8,173,875 | 1 | $8,890,742 | $2,805,910 | $414,269 |
| 2020 | $9,826,750 | $5,509,896 | $7,946,461 | $7,299,906 | 1 | — | $3,014,327 | $607,313 |
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.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Ceres Trust is led by Judith A. Kern, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Judith A. Kern
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Ceres Trust
How much does The Ceres Trust give each year?
The Ceres Trust gave $7.6M across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $15.7M across 1 grant.
Where does The Ceres Trust operate?
The Ceres Trust has awarded grants in Wisconsin.
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.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Ceres Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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