The Ferry Family Foundation
The Ferry Family Foundation is a private foundation, based in Westlake, OH. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $6.3M. Net investment income was $407K.
The Ferry Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Ferry Family Foundation gave $6.3M across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $905K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,332,896
- +953.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- -30.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $904,699
- +1405.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $591,700
- Primary geography
- Ohio (94% 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 Ferry Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was City Mission of Cleveland ($2.3M). Together the top 7 received $6.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
44 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 25 grants of 44 (57%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Ferry Family Foundation gives
- Giving grew 945% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $226K (2021) to $6.3M (2025). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $6.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| City Mission of Cleveland Cleveland, OH | Homeless Projects for Women and Children | $2,257,046 |
| Cleveland Foodbank Inc Cleveland, OH | Food for Needy | $2,014,150 |
| Case Western Reserve Univ School of Law Cleveland, OH | Capital Campaign | $780,000 |
| Salvation Army of Cleveland Cleveland, OH | Homeless Projects | $591,700 |
| Beer City Dog Biscuits Grand Rapids, MI | Annual Fund | $350,000 |
| Ohio Wesleyan University Delaware, OH | Endowment for Student Enrichment | $240,000 |
| Judson Retirement Community Cleveland, OH | Capital Campaign | $100,000 |
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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 | — | $499,905 | $6,464,979 | $6,332,896 | 7 | $6,365,849 | $407,330 | $242,244 |
| 2024 | $4,979,171 | $362,608 | $711,314 | $601,000 | 10 | $616,618 | $253,941 | $297,078 |
| 2023 | $5,327,877 | $90,932 | $681,488 | $576,000 | 9 | $591,550 | $83,040 | $286,910 |
| 2022 | $5,918,433 | $4,580,917 | $712,004 | $606,000 | 10 | $622,396 | — | $227,119 |
| 2021 | $2,049,520 | $286,298 | $294,470 | $226,000 | 8 | $237,048 | $227,421 | $111,367 |
| 2020 | $2,057,692 | $120,038 | $337,523 | $270,000 | 16 | — | $65,358 | $114,865 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ferry Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $242K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Ferry Family Foundation's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; 1 of 2 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
William Culbertson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carol Colangelo
Admstrtr & Trstee
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$50K (2020) → $81K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Carolyn P. Ferry (2020–2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $81K, to Carol Colangelo (Admstrtr & TRSTEE).
Frequently asked questions about The Ferry Family Foundation
How much does The Ferry Family Foundation give each year?
The Ferry Family Foundation gave $6.3M across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $601K across 10 grants.
What is The Ferry Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Ferry Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $591,700, and its average grant was $904,699, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Ferry Family Foundation give grants?
The Ferry Family Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Michigan (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cleveland, OH (5 grants).
Does The Ferry Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 14% of The Ferry Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Ferry Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Ferry Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include City Mission of Cleveland ($2,257,046), Cleveland Foodbank Inc ($2,014,150) and Case Western Reserve Univ School of Law ($780,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 80% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How much is The Ferry Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, The Ferry Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $242K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Ferry Family Foundation's EIN?
The Ferry Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 32-6000096. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 6, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 18, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 18, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 22, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work The Ferry Family Foundation funds
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