The Circle Fund
The Circle Fund is a private foundation, based in Webster Groves, MO. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $406K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $47K. Net investment income was $36K.
The Circle Fund at a glance
In short: The Circle Fund gave $47K across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in Missouri. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $47,000
- +36.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- +14.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $5,875
- +19.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,750
- Total assets
- $405,688
- -2.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Missouri (95% 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 The Circle Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Mary Queen of Peace ($20K). Together the top 8 received $47K.
Grant Size Distribution
19 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 19 grants of 19 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Circle Fund gives
- In 2025 it paid out 135% 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 $35K (2024) to $47K (2025). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $47K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mary Queen of Peace Webster Groves, MO | General | $20,000 |
| Nerinx Hall Webster Groves, MO | General | $10,000 |
| St Francis Cabrini St. Louis, MO | General | $5,000 |
| The Scholarship Foundation of St Louis St. Louis, MO | General | $5,000 |
| Catholic Charities St. Louis, MO | General | $2,500 |
| Sisters of Loretto Nerinx, KY | General | $2,500 |
| Mary Culver Home Kirkwood, MO | General | $1,500 |
| Guardian Angel Settlement St. Louis, MO | General | $500 |
Ready to take the next step with The Circle Fund?
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 | $405,688 | $37,212 | $48,079 | $47,000 | 8 | $47,000 | $36,419 | $34,705 |
| 2024 | $416,232 | $20,846 | $35,160 | $34,500 | 7 | $34,500 | $20,573 | $32,875 |
| 2023 | $440,499 | $28,282 | $50,107 | $45,300 | 4 | $45,300 | $27,866 | $30,675 |
| 2022 | $452,594 | $17,059 | $1,209 | — | — | — | $16,584 | $29,402 |
| 2021 | $436,744 | $52,925 | $461 | — | — | — | $52,591 | $29,468 |
| 2020 | $384,280 | $7,762 | $583 | — | — | — | $9,129 | $26,288 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Circle Fund reported a distributable amount of $35K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Circle Fund's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Janet M. Frane
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter S. Frane
Trustee
On filings since 2020
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Circle Fund
How much does The Circle Fund give each year?
The Circle Fund gave $47K across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $35K across 7 grants.
What is The Circle Fund's typical grant size?
The Circle Fund's median grant in 2025 was $3,750, and its average grant was $5,875, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Circle Fund give grants?
The Circle Fund gives mostly in Missouri: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Kentucky (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were St. Louis, MO (4 grants) and Webster Groves, MO (2 grants).
Does The Circle Fund give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Circle Fund's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Circle Fund's largest grantees?
The Circle Fund's largest 2025 grantees include Mary Queen of Peace ($20,000), Nerinx Hall ($10,000) and St Francis Cabrini ($5,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 74% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Circle Fund?
The Circle Fund reported $406K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $47K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $35K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Circle Fund's EIN?
The Circle Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-6400976. 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 2, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Circle Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
International Charitable Foundation
Fenton, MO
International Charitable Foundation’s 2024 grants supported organizations working in areas including children’s education, health care, community resources, and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Grants ranged from $250 to $30,000, with a median of $2,000; nearly all funding went to Missouri organizations. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$2.3M
Grants
17
Total Given
$128K
Mark a and Deborah a Wilhelm Foundation
Naples, FL
The Mark A and Deborah A Wilhelm Foundation made grants to preselected charitable organizations, primarily in Florida, with smaller amounts going to recipients in Missouri, Virginia, and Michigan. Its 2024 grants totaled $302,209, but amounts varied widely; it did not accept unsolicited requests and its final filing reports that it liquidated and terminated.
Assets
—
Grants
24
Total Given
$302K
Ravarino Family Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Ravarino Family Foundation supports educational, faith-based, social-service, and health-related organizations, primarily in Missouri and Indiana, with some funding in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. In 2025, grants ranged from $100 to $236,000, with a median of $2,000. It funds only preselected charities and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$6.4M
Grants
53
Total Given
$592K
Wipfli Foundation Inc
Wausau, WI
Wipfli Foundation supports universities and scholarships, associate charitable matching, and nonprofit programs that benefit communities where Wipfli associates live and work, with grants awarded across multiple states. Recent grants ranged from $1,000 to $25,000, with a median of $3,000; the foundation’s filing describes application information to provide, but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$2.2M
Grants
75
Total Given
$477K
Pecha Family Foundation
St. Louis, MO
Assets
$969K
Grants
64
Total Given
$51K
EQT Foundation
Canonsburg, PA
The EQT Foundation funds community enrichment, education and workforce development, and environmental and arts-related work, prioritizing communities within EQT Corporation’s operating footprint, especially in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Its 2024 median grant was $10,000, though awards ranged from $100 to $800,000; it invites eligible nonprofits and institutions to apply through its website.
Assets
$26.2M
Grants
367
Total Given
$6.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in Missouri
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Circle Fund'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.
The Circle Fund down — hundreds of funders to go?