The Gerhard Foundation Inc
The Gerhard Foundation Inc is a private foundation, based in Cleveland, OH. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $9.0M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 6 grants totaling $300K. Net investment income was $773K.
The Gerhard Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Gerhard Foundation Inc gave $300K across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $50K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $300,000
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $50,000
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $52,500
- Total assets
- $9,027,973
- +3.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Ohio (75% 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 Gerhard Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Valparaiso University ($75K). Together the top 5 received $225K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($75,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
30 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 30 (43%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Gerhard Foundation Inc gives
- Giving fell 25% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 93% 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 $200K (2019) to $400K (2023). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $300K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $75,000 |
| Valparaiso University Valparaiso, IN | Discretionary | $75,000 |
| Baldwin Wallace University Berea, OH | Discretionary | $60,000 |
| Musical Arts Association Cleveland, OH | Discretionary | $45,000 |
| The City Mission Cleveland, OH | Discretionary | $30,000 |
| Medina Community Hospital Medina, OH | Discretionary | $15,000 |
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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 | $9,027,973 | $848,406 | $450,941 | $300,000 | 6 | $375,470 | $772,935 | $405,215 |
| 2024 | $8,715,098 | $3,228,006 | $454,078 | $300,000 | 6 | $377,039 | $3,150,347 | $351,858 |
| 2023 | $5,944,270 | $298,854 | $554,183 | $400,000 | 6 | $477,092 | $220,881 | $368,568 |
| 2022 | $6,202,669 | $380,846 | $563,232 | $400,000 | 6 | $481,616 | $299,230 | $403,959 |
| 2021 | $6,393,553 | $586,758 | $476,505 | $300,000 | 6 | $388,252 | $498,505 | $430,127 |
| 2020 | $6,285,945 | $385,372 | $455,095 | $300,000 | 6 | — | $307,325 | $360,785 |
| 2019 | $6,359,940 | $112,841 | $358,977 | $200,000 | 6 | — | $85,945 | $353,151 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Gerhard Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $405K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Gerhard Foundation Inc is led by David J. Hessler, President on every filing since 2019; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
David J. Hessler
President
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$17K (2019) → $18K (2025)
Peter A. Hessler
Secretary
Treasurer → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$17K (2019) → $18K (2025)
Rebecca R. Raymer
Treasurer
Secretary → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$17K (2019) → $18K (2025)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $18K, to David J Hessler (President). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Gerhard Foundation Inc
How much does The Gerhard Foundation Inc give each year?
The Gerhard Foundation Inc gave $300K across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $300K across 6 grants.
What is The Gerhard Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Gerhard Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $52,500, and its average grant was $50,000, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Gerhard Foundation Inc give grants?
The Gerhard Foundation Inc gives mostly in Ohio: 75% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Indiana (25%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cleveland, OH (2 grants).
Does The Gerhard Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on The Gerhard Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Discretionary" (5 grants).
Who are The Gerhard Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Gerhard Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Valparaiso University ($75,000), Baldwin Wallace University ($60,000) and Musical Arts Association ($45,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($75,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Gerhard Foundation Inc?
The Gerhard Foundation Inc reported $9.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $375K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $405K (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.
What is The Gerhard Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Gerhard Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-1659675. 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
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 13, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 24, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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