The Comer Foundation
The Comer Foundation is a private foundation, based in Waukesha, WI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $10.7M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $198K. Net investment income was $431K.
The Comer Foundation at a glance
In short: The Comer Foundation gave $198K across 3 grants in 2024 (avg $66K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $198,189
- +31.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $66,063
- +31.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $10,715,132
- +76.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (75% 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 Comer Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Comer Science and Education Foundation ($148K). Together the top 3 received $198K.
Grant Size Distribution
16 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 12 grants of 16 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Comer Foundation gives
- Giving grew 443% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 120% 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $35K (2020) to $198K (2024). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $198K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Comer Science and Education Foundation Waukesha, WI | General Support | $147,879 |
| University of Washington Foundation Seattle, WA | General Support | $50,000 |
| Legal Action of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI | General Support | $310 |
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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 | $10,715,132 | $4,672,966 | $406,800 | $198,189 | 3 | $378,112 | $431,354 | $315,966 |
| 2023 | $6,057,612 | $426,444 | $716,685 | $150,750 | 3 | $394,423 | $381,053 | $288,267 |
| 2022 | $5,830,854 | $-12,926 | $660,108 | $172,000 | 4 | $406,567 | $70,258 | $307,873 |
| 2021 | $7,363,598 | $1,240,206 | $369,438 | $36,499 | 2 | $339,815 | $1,230,711 | $336,905 |
| 2020 | $6,801,618 | $352,783 | $314,607 | $35,300 | 4 | — | $342,861 | $296,271 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Comer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $316K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Comer Foundation is led by Stephanie Comer, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stephanie Comer
President
On filings since 2020
12 hrs/week
$45K (2020) → $47K (2024)
Mary Pounder
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$137K (2021) → $0 (2024)
Guy Comer
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vicki Kalnins
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William T Schleicher
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Frances Comer (2020) — Vice President
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $47K, to Stephanie Comer (President).
Frequently asked questions about The Comer Foundation
How much does The Comer Foundation give each year?
The Comer Foundation gave $198K across 3 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $151K across 3 grants.
What is The Comer Foundation's typical grant size?
The Comer Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $66,063, across 3 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Comer Foundation give grants?
The Comer Foundation gives mostly in Wisconsin: 75% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Washington (25%).
Does The Comer Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Comer Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 3) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is The Comer Foundation?
The Comer Foundation reported $10.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $378K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $316K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Comer Foundation's EIN?
The Comer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3522486. 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 Comer Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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