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
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
No grants recorded for .
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 | — |
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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