The Forster Foundation
The Forster Foundation is a private foundation focused on Public Safety, Disaster Preparedness & Relief, based in Westerville, OH. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $109K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 6 grants totaling $8K. Net investment income was $2.
The Forster Foundation at a glance
In short: The Forster Foundation gave $8K across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $1K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $8,002
- -56.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- -57.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,334
- +1.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,500
- Total assets
- $108,856
- +36.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Ohio (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 Forster Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
49 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 49 grants of 49 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Forster Foundation gives
- Giving fell 37% from 2022 to 2025. 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 $5K (2020) to $18K (2024). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $8K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 6 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $8,002 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $108,856 | $145,486 | $116,626 | $8,002 | 6 | $116,626 | $2 |
| 2024 | $79,996 | $146,188 | $128,704 | $18,320 | 14 | $128,029 | $2 |
| 2023 | $62,512 | $57,745 | $52,982 | $17,325 | 12 | $52,332 | $11 |
| 2022 | $57,749 | $40,479 | $29,230 | $12,751 | 8 | $28,605 | $7 |
| 2021 | $46,500 | $41,397 | $36,392 | $8,411 | 9 | $34,402 | $3 |
| 2020 | $41,495 | $14,261 | $10,822 | $5,258 | 7 | — | $3 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Forster Foundation is led by Brandon Harmon, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 13 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Brandon Harmon
President
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Toth
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Derga
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Ashenhurst
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lowell Wood
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cassie Gress
Director
On filings since 2024
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Shaffery
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Crystal Geitter
Director
On filings since 2024
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Bruggeman
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Al Coughlin
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Claudia Forbes
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Albers
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristin Harmon
Treasurer
Advisor → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Kylie Shaffery (2020–2023) — Vice President
- Former: Catherine Kirk (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Craig Forster (2020–2022) — Forster Dele
- Former: Jacob Day (2020–2022) — Vice President
- Former: Jean Forster (2020–2022) — Forster Dele
- Former: Kristina Brumfield (2020) — Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Forster Foundation
How much does The Forster Foundation give each year?
The Forster Foundation gave $8K across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $18K across 14 grants.
What is The Forster Foundation's typical grant size?
The Forster Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,500, and its average grant was $1,334, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Forster Foundation give grants?
The Forster Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does The Forster Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on The Forster Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Hardship Grant" (6 grants).
How large is The Forster Foundation?
The Forster Foundation reported $109K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $145K.
What is The Forster Foundation?
The Forster Foundation is a private foundation focused on Public Safety, Disaster Preparedness & Relief, based in Westerville, OH. It holds $109K in total assets as of 2025.
What is The Forster Foundation's EIN?
The Forster Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-5044139. 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 2, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 20, 2026)
Live grants for the work The Forster Foundation funds
Public Safety, Disaster Preparedness & Relief Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Forster Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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