The Fern and Samuel Primack
The Fern and Samuel Primack is a private foundation, based in Aurora, CO. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $329K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $9K. Net investment income was $19K.
The Fern and Samuel Primack at a glance
In short: The Fern and Samuel Primack gave $9K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $9K), mostly in Colorado. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $9,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- Average grant
- $9,000
- Median grant
- $9,000
- Total assets
- $328,873
- +1.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Colorado (100% 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 Fern and Samuel Primack funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Denver Dumb Friends League ($9K).
Grant Size Distribution
8 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 8 grants of 8 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
How The Fern and Samuel Primack gives
- Giving fell 50% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 51% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $9K (2025) to $23K (2020). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $9K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Dumb Friends League Denver, CO | To Support Work of Dumb Friends League | $9,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $328,873 | $18,617 | $17,324 | $9,000 | 1 | $9,000 | $18,637 | $17,755 |
| 2024 | $323,221 | $17,993 | $6,320 | — | — | — | $13,753 | $13,848 |
| 2023 | $311,548 | $15,805 | $28,059 | $18,000 | 2 | $18,000 | $9,274 | $16,594 |
| 2022 | $341,802 | $4,369 | $24,162 | $18,000 | 2 | $18,000 | $8,688 | $16,727 |
| 2021 | $343,595 | $-17,248 | $23,544 | $19,000 | 3 | $19,000 | $2,040 | $17,980 |
| 2020 | $384,386 | $8,613 | $27,481 | $23,000 | 4 | — | $5,479 | $12,735 |
| 2019 | $403,260 | $76,657 | $26,338 | $21,000 | 4 | — | $19,261 | $22,201 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Fern and Samuel Primack reported a distributable amount of $18K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Fern and Samuel Primack is led by Joseph P. May, President & Vice President since 2025 (on filings since 2019); none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Joseph P. May
President & Vice President
Treasurer → President, 2023
President → President & Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Ian D. Gardenswartz
Secretary & Treasurer
Secretary → Secretary & Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Fern and Samuel Primack
How much does The Fern and Samuel Primack give each year?
The Fern and Samuel Primack gave $9K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is The Fern and Samuel Primack?
The Fern and Samuel Primack reported $329K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $9K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $18K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
Where does The Fern and Samuel Primack operate?
The Fern and Samuel Primack has awarded grants in California, Colorado, Florida, Montana.
What is The Fern and Samuel Primack's EIN?
The Fern and Samuel Primack's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-0778479. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 8, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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