The Frier Foundation Inc
The Frier Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Baltimore, Maryland. Its 2023 filing reports charitable activity promoting the reduction of single-use plastics and grants to charitable organizations.
The Frier Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Frier Foundation Inc gave $146K across 21 grants in 2023 (avg $7K), top state Maryland. 38% of 2023 grantees were new. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $146,250
- +0.1% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 21
- +10.5% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $6,964
- -9.5% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $3,150,241
- -4.0% vs 2022
- New grantees (estimate)
- 38% first-time grantees (8 of 21, 2023; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Maryland (46% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Frier Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 844 S Bond Street, Baltimore, MD 21231
Phone: (410) 831-3170
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Frier Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Adamah ($35K). Together the top 10 received $121K.
Grant Size Distribution
85 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 82 grants of 85 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2023, grant dollars went to recipients in Maryland (46%), Washington, DC (18%), California (13%), Massachusetts (10%), and Vermont (10%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Frier Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
38%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 8 of 21 grantees (38%) were first-time recipients. With only 21 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $7K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 57% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2020 to 2023 (−14%). Method
- In 2023 it paid out 103% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2023). 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
From 2020 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $146K (2022) to $299K (2021). In 2023 it made 21 grants totaling $146K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Adamah Reisterstown, MD | General Purpose | $35,000 |
| Bennington College Bennington, VT | Beyond Plastics; General Purpose | $15,000 |
| Chizuk Amuno Congregation Pikesville, MD | General Purpose | $15,000 |
| Sierra Club Fund Oakland, CA | General Purpose | $11,000 |
| Action for the Climate Emergency Charlestown, MA | General Purpose | $10,000 |
| Greenpeace Fund Washington, DC | General Purpose | $10,000 |
| Climate Access Fund Corporation Baltimore, MD | General Purpose | $10,000 |
| Turnup Cambridge, MA | General Purpose | $5,000 |
| American Friends of Shanti Los Angeles, CA | Geneal Purpose | $5,000 |
| Associated Jewish Charities of Baltimore Baltimore, MD | General Purpose | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Frier Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3,150,241 | $53,948 | $199,023 | $146,250 | 21 | $170,283 | $73,317 | $165,715 |
| 2022 | $3,281,566 | $79,924 | $190,383 | $146,153 | 19 | $150,155 | $59,924 | $166,963 |
| 2021 | $3,444,078 | $435,702 | $348,168 | $299,058 | 37 | $304,624 | $392,158 | $197,588 |
| 2020 | $3,295,241 | $82,732 | $217,572 | $170,500 | 8 | — | $70,444 | $282,014 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Frier Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $166K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s 2023 filing describes a direct charitable activity called “Less Plastics Now,” an initiative to promote reducing single-use plastics. Its listed grants include support for organizations working in areas such as environmental education, climate action, community solar, and Jewish community services; those descriptions reflect the grantees’ stated missions, not a stated foundation-wide mission.
For example, ADAMAH describes its work as cultivating connection between people and the Earth through Jewish environmental education, leadership development, and climate action. Climate Access Fund Corporation says it develops and finances community solar products serving low- to moderate-income households. Greenpeace Fund says it supports environmental research, public education, and advocacy.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation made 21 grants totaling $146,250. Grant amounts ranged from $50 to $35,000, with a median grant of $5,000.
Among the largest grants were $35,000 to ADAMAH; $15,000 each to Bennington College and Chizuk Amuno Congregation; $11,000 to Sierra Club Fund; and $10,000 each to Action for the Climate Emergency, Greenpeace Fund, and Climate Access Fund Corporation. The filing lists the purposes of these grants as general purpose, except that the Bennington College grant also specifies “Beyond Plastics.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Robert Frier as president and treasurer.
The Frier Foundation Inc is led by Robert Frier, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Robert Frier
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "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 Frier Foundation Inc
How much does The Frier Foundation Inc give each year?
The Frier Foundation Inc gave $146K across 21 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $146K across 19 grants.
What is The Frier Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Frier Foundation Inc's median grant in 2023 was $5,000, and its average grant was $6,964, across 21 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Frier Foundation Inc that year got $8K on average.
Where does The Frier Foundation Inc give grants?
The Frier Foundation Inc's top state is Maryland, with 46% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (18%) and California (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (5 grants), Baltimore, MD (2 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does The Frier Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 90% of The Frier Foundation Inc's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (19 of 21) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Frier Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Frier Foundation Inc's largest 2023 grantees include Adamah ($35,000), Bennington College ($15,000) and Chizuk Amuno Congregation ($15,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How large is The Frier Foundation Inc?
The Frier Foundation Inc reported $3.2M in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $170K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $166K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Frier Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s 2023 filing describes a direct charitable activity called “Less Plastics Now,” an initiative to promote reducing single-use plastics. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Frier Foundation Inc?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Frier Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Frier Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-3519690. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Does The Frier Foundation Inc 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
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Frier Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Maryland
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Annie E Casey Foundation Inc
Baltimore, MD
The Annie E. Casey Foundation funds U.S. nonprofits and other partners working to improve outcomes for children and young people, including family strengthening, child welfare, education, employment, community development and juvenile justice. In 2024, grants ranged from $50 to $1,185,000, with a median of $40,000. Grants are by invitation only; it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
1,462
Total Given
$93.1M
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg
Owings Mills, MD
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation funds direct services, programs, general operations, and capital projects in housing, health, jobs, education, and aging for low-income and vulnerable people. Its 2024 grants had a median of $50,000; its Small Grants Program offers up to $50,000 over two years, with funding focused on Baltimore, Hawaiʻi, Israel, and Northeastern Pennsylvania. It awards grants by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.8B
Grants
872
Total Given
$127.8M
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University funds a broad range of education, research, health, and community-related work, with 2025 grants ranging from $5,500 to nearly $95 million and a median of $100,000; many of the largest awards were sub-awards. Its grants went to organizations across the U.S., with the largest shares in California and Maryland, and the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$25.3B
Grants
813
Total Given
$594.1M
The Keith Campbell Foundation
Bethesda, MD
The Keith Campbell Foundation funds nonprofits working for equitable, livable communities, especially on watershed health, clean water, agriculture, and related community needs, with a focus on the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays and California’s San Francisco Bay watershed. Giving varies widely: 2024 grants ranged from $40 to $1.5 million, with a median of $5,000. It accepts unsolicited requests, with two application cycles per year.
Assets
$420.2M
Grants
688
Total Given
$27.9M
More similar funders
More Funders in Maryland
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Frier Foundation Inc'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.
The Frier Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?