The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner

Private foundation · Grantmaker Lakewood Ranch, FL EIN: 31-1338344

The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner is a private foundation based in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations in several states, including organizations working in housing, education, arts and culture, food access, and human services.

The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner at a glance

In short: The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner gave $225K across 25 grants in 2024 (avg $9K), top state Florida. 42% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2024)
$225,000
+50.0% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
25
+25.0% vs 2023
Average grant
$9,000
+20.0% vs 2023
Median grant
$8,000
Total assets
$1,862,217
+18.2% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
42% first-time grantees (10 of 24, 2024; small sample)
Primary geography
Florida (23% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner

Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to Apply

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.

Contact

Mailing address: PO Box 110136, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211
Phone: (304) 549-3828

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Habitat for Humanity of Georgetown SC: $26KHabitat for Humanity ofGeorgetown SC$26KHeritage University Child Care Scholarships to Needy Students: $25KHeritage University Child CareScholarships to Needy Students$25KAsolo Repertory Theatre: $15KAsolo Repertory Theatre$15KThe Rubin Museum of Art for Himalayan Art: $15KThe Rubin Museum of Art forHimalayan Art$15KMeals on Wheels Plus of Manatee: $12KMeals on Wheels Plus ofManatee$12KTurning Points: $12KTurning Points$12KCooper Union Scholarship Fund: $10KCooper Union Scholarship Fund$10KRingling College of Art & Design: $10KRingling College of Art &Design$10KYWCA Seattle (King) Snohomish: $10KYWCA Seattle (King) Snohomish$10KPlanned Parenthood Federation of America Inc: $10KPlanned Parenthood Federationof America Inc$10K

The largest 2024 recipient was Habitat for Humanity of Georgetown SC ($26K). Together the top 10 received $145K.

Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($16,000), which are not listed by name.

Grant Size Distribution

99 grants across all recorded years

99<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 99 grants of 99 (100%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in Florida (23%), Washington (20%), New York (20%), South Carolina (15%), and New Jersey (9%). Listed recipients also included organizations in Oregon, Ohio, and Washington, DC.

Grant Distribution by State

12states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.

Cities

New YorkSarasotaSeattleBradentonGeorgetownWashingtonBurlingtonClevelandEugenePrincetonToppenishTrentonChicagoElmhurstHagerstownMiddletownMyrtle BeachNew BrunswickOberlinTampa

Is The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner open to new grantees?

42%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 10 of 24 grantees (42%) were first-time recipients. With only 24 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $9K. How we count

Medians: $8K first-time, $9K repeat.

  • 54% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 50% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 156% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$100K$200K$300K17 grants2020 16 grants2021 21 grants2022 20 grants2023 25 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $135K (2022) to $225K (2024). In 2024 it made 25 grants totaling $225K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Habitat for Humanity of Georgetown SC Georgetown, SCTo Further Recipients' Expressed Charit Purp.$25,895
Heritage University Child Care Scholarships to Needy Students Toppenish, WATo Further Recipients' Expressed Charit Purp.$25,105
Asolo Repertory Theatre Sarasota, FLTo Further Recipients' Expressed Charit Purp.$15,000
The Rubin Museum of Art for Himalayan Art New York, NYTo Further Recipients' Expressed Charit Purp.$15,000
Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee Bradenton, FLTo Further Recipients' Expressed Charit Purp.$12,000
Turning Points Bradenton, FLTo Further Recipients' Expressed Charit Purp.$12,000
Cooper Union Scholarship Fund New York, NYTo Further Recipients' Expressed Charit Purp.$10,000
Ringling College of Art & Design Sarasota, FLTo Further Recipients' Expressed Charit Purp$10,000
YWCA Seattle (King) Snohomish Seattle, WATo Further Recipients' Expressed Charit Purp.$10,000
2 grants to individuals Recipients not named —$16,000
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2024$1,862,217$540,467$253,681$225,00025$225,211$513,664$144,313
2023$1,575,431$51,319$171,155$150,00020$150,200$30,364$126,637
2022$1,695,267$40,486$154,278$135,00021$135,200$23,442$130,427
2021$1,809,059$52,384$171,168$150,00016$150,200$32,416$137,965
2020$1,927,843$481,761$224,247$210,00017—$117,714$114,004

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner reported a distributable amount of $144K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants include support for organizations with varied charitable purposes. For example, Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee says its mission is to help individuals live independently through nutrition and supportive services. Planned Parenthood Federation of America describes its mission as providing leadership in comprehensive reproductive and complementary health care and advocating public policies. The grantees’ stated missions also include supporting education and research, performing choral music, and improving access to food.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the foundation reported 25 grants totaling $225,000. Grant amounts ranged from $2,000 to $25,895, with a median of $8,000. Its largest listed grants were $25,895 to Habitat for Humanity of Georgetown, South Carolina, and $25,105 to Heritage University Child Care Scholarships to Needy Students in Washington.

Other notable 2024 grants included $15,000 each to Asolo Repertory Theatre and the Rubin Museum of Art for Himalayan Art; $12,000 each to Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee and Turning Points; and $10,000 each to Cooper Union Scholarship Fund, Ringling College of Art & Design, YWCA Seattle King Snohomish, UW Foundation, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Additional reported grants included $8,000 to Holt International Children’s Services, $8,000 to Rutgers University Foundation, $5,000 to Oberlin College, $5,000 to Princeton Pro Musica, and $4,000 each to West Side Center for Community Life and Machik Corp.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Edward T. Gardner III as president and trustee; Janet Gardner as vice president and trustee; Mimi Gardner Gates as treasurer and trustee; and David Wickham as secretary.

The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner is led by Edward T. Gardner Iii Co Dinsmore, President & Trustee on every filing since 2020; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Edward T. Gardner Iii Co Dinsmore

    President & Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    $10K (2020) → $16K (2024)

  • Janet Gardner Co Dinsmore Shohl

    Vice President & Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Mimi Gardner Gates Co Dinsmore

    Treasurer & Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • David Wickham Co Dinsmore Shohl

    Secretary

    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.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Edward T Gardner III Co Dinsmore — President, Trustee: $16KEdward T Gardner III Co…President, Trustee$16K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $16K, to Edward T Gardner III Co Dinsmore (President, Trustee).

Frequently asked questions about The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner

How much does The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner give each year?

The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner gave $225K across 25 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $150K across 20 grants.

What is The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner's typical grant size?

The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner's median grant in 2024 was $8,000, and its average grant was $9,000, across 25 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner that year got $9K on average.

Where does The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner give grants?

The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner's top state is Florida, with 23% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Washington (20%) and New York (20%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (5 grants), Sarasota, FL (2 grants), Bradenton, FL (2 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).

Does The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Further Recipients' Expressed Charit Purp." (25 grants).

Who are The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner's largest grantees?

The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner's largest 2024 grantees include Habitat for Humanity of Georgetown SC ($25,895), Heritage University Child Care Scholarships to Needy Students ($25,105) and Asolo Repertory Theatre ($15,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($16,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner?

The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner reported $1.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $225K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $144K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants include support for organizations with varied charitable purposes. For example, Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee says its mission is to help individuals live independently through nutrition and supportive services. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner?

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner's EIN?

The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1338344. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Does The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner accept unsolicited proposals?

No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(1)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-edward-and-elizabeth-gardner-morg_7c3edc2c158a432483e7ec3c343f22a9

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_311338344_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{The Edward \& Elizabeth Gardner funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-edward-and-elizabeth-gardner-morg_7c3edc2c158a432483e7ec3c343f22a9},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}

The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.

Figures come from The Edward & Elizabeth Gardner'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.

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