The Debs Foundation
The Debs Foundation is a private foundation based in Fort Lee, New Jersey, established in 1992. It operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and functions as a grantmaking foundation supporting charitable causes across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$446K
-41.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$590K
+59.9% YoY
Grant Count
30
-18.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
+97.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Debs Foundation reported a distributable amount of $44K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports initiatives in the following areas:
- Arts and culture
- Performing arts
- Museums and art museums
- Historical activities and historic preservation
- Education and higher education
- Human services
Grantmaking
The foundation made 19 additional grants in 2024 beyond those listed above.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations across multiple U.S. states and cities, including:
States: Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island
Cities: Abilene, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, New York, and Washington, among others
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total assets: $445,619
- Total revenues: $154,238
- Total expenses: $628,033
- Total liabilities: $0
- Investment income and dividends: $25,038
- Number of employees: 0
Financial Trend (2023-2024):
- Investment income declined 17.3% from $30,275 (2023) to $25,038 (2024)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $445,619 | $754,793 | $1,214,982 |
| Revenue | $154,238 | $-62,530 | $751,660 |
| Expenses | $628,033 | $397,659 | $720,168 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $600,688 | $369,794 | $690,426 |
| Net Investment Income | $146,533 | $35,477 | $157,695 |
| Distributable Amount | $44,245 | $49,988 | $52,206 |
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
217 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include New York Historical Society ($135,000), American University of Beirut ($100,000), Aumbc Emergency ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACLU NEW YORK, NY | FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE USE | $1,000 |
| ALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION CHICAGO, IL | FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE USE | $1,000 |
| AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT NEW YORK, NY | FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE USE | $100,000 |
| APCC (ASSOCIATION TO PRESERVE CAPE COD) BARNSTABLE, MA | FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE USE | $500 |
| ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION ATLANTA, GA | FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE USE | $500 |
| AUMBC EMERGENCY NEW YORK, NY | FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE USE | $100,000 |
| BUTLER HOSPITAL PROVIDENCE, RI | FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE USE | $1,000 |
| CAPE COD HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION HYANNIS, MA | FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE USE | $5,000 |
| CARNEGIE HALL NEW YORK, NY | FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE USE | $30,000 |
| COLGATE UNIVERSITY HAMILTON, NY | FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE USE | $2,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation's leadership team operates on a voluntary basis with no compensation:
- Chairman: Mr. Richard A. Debs (deceased)
- Vice Chairman: Mrs. Barbara K. Debs
- President: Ms. Elizabeth A. Debs
- Director: Mr. Nicholas A. Debs
- Treasurer: Ms. Isabel Turner Debs
- Secretary: Ms. Zoe Turner Debs
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRS BARBARA K DEBS | CHAIRMAN | 1 | — |
| MSELIZABETH A DEBS | PRESIDENT, VICE CHAIRMAN | 1 | — |
| MR NICHOLAS A DEBS | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| MS ISABEL TURNER DEBS | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| MS ZOE TURNER DEBS | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Debs Foundation fund?
The foundation supports initiatives in the following areas: • Arts and culture • Performing arts • Museums and art museums • Historical activities and historic preservation • Education and higher education • Human services
How do I apply for a grant from The Debs Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2024)** • Total giving: $590,000 • Number of grants: 66 grants made • Typical award range: $250–$135,000 **Recent Notable Grants (2024)** • New York Historical Society: $135,000 • American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC): $100,000 • Providence Public Library: $65,000 The foundation made 19 additional grants in 2024 beyond those listed above.
Where does The Debs Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds organizations across multiple U.S. states and cities, including: **States:** Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island **Cities:** Abilene, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, New York, and Washington, among others
What size grants does The Debs Foundation award?
In 2024, The Debs Foundation awarded 30 grants totaling $590K — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Debs Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Debs Foundation reported a distributable amount of $44K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Debs Foundation's EIN?
The Debs Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3639449. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Debs Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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