The Gertrude C Ford Foundation Inc
The Gertrude C Ford Foundation Inc is a private foundation focused on Arts and culture, based in Ridgeland, MS. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $44.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $3.3M. Net investment income was $4.1M.
The Gertrude C Ford Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Gertrude C Ford Foundation Inc gave $3.3M across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $3.3M), mostly in Mississippi. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,329,833
- -10.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,329,833
- -10.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,329,833
- Total assets
- $44,519,542
- -0.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Mississippi (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Gertrude C Ford Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 5 grants of 5 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
How The Gertrude C Ford Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 38% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 105% of 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.8M (2020) to $3.7M (2023). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $3.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| See Attached Schedule See Attached Schedule, MS | See Attached Schedule | $3,329,833 |
Ready to take the next step with The Gertrude C Ford 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $44,519,542 | $4,673,200 | $4,164,095 | $3,329,833 | 1 | $3,581,011 | $4,096,155 | $3,403,867 |
| 2023 | $44,665,990 | $3,485,990 | $4,473,796 | $3,720,166 | 1 | $3,983,605 | $3,000,643 | $3,088,478 |
| 2022 | $45,653,796 | $2,281,641 | $3,595,749 | $2,856,933 | 1 | $3,102,475 | $1,792,090 | $3,138,467 |
| 2021 | $46,967,904 | $5,821,887 | $3,164,792 | $2,418,153 | 1 | $2,643,094 | $5,312,254 | $3,243,198 |
| 2020 | $44,310,809 | $4,021,828 | $2,489,998 | $1,808,400 | 1 | — | $3,584,791 | $2,738,589 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Gertrude C Ford Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Gertrude C Ford Foundation Inc's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; all 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Gayle M. Papa
Manager
On filings since 2020
$90K (2020) → $98K (2024)
John Lewis
Manager
On filings since 2020
$90K (2020) → $98K (2024)
Stephen Sims
Manager
On filings since 2021
$90K (2021) → $98K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Cheryle M. Sims (2020) — Manager
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $98K, to John Lewis (Manager and). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Gertrude C Ford Foundation Inc
How much does The Gertrude C Ford Foundation Inc give each year?
The Gertrude C Ford Foundation Inc gave $3.3M across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.7M across 1 grant.
How large is The Gertrude C Ford Foundation Inc?
The Gertrude C Ford Foundation Inc reported $44.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Gertrude C Ford Foundation Inc?
The Gertrude C Ford Foundation Inc is a private foundation focused on Arts and culture, based in Ridgeland, MS. It holds $44.5M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does The Gertrude C Ford Foundation Inc operate?
The Gertrude C Ford Foundation Inc has awarded grants in Mississippi.
What is The Gertrude C Ford Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Gertrude C Ford Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 64-0804548. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Gertrude C Ford Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Mississippi
Ergon Foundation Inc
Jackson, MS
The foundation funds medical research, education, community development, and services for children with communication disorders, with most giving in Mississippi. In 2025, its grants ranged from $2,500 to $615,000, with a median of $25,000. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$210.7M
Grants
158
Total Given
$10.8M
Pinebelt Foundation
Hattiesburg, MS
Pinebelt Foundation supports charitable activities, community programs, and scholarships, with grants spanning varied local needs. In 2025, its grants had a median of $10,000, though amounts varied widely; its primary focus is the Pine Belt of South Mississippi. It accepts applications through GOapply for listed grant programs.
Assets
$61.9M
Grants
133
Total Given
$5.2M
Laura C Higdon Charitable Foundation
Jackson, MS
The Laura C Higdon Charitable Foundation funds scholarships for individuals in Escambia County, Alabama, and Santa Rosa County, Florida. Its 2025 awards ranged from $500 to $2,000, with a median of $1,000; the filing says application materials are not applicable and does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$1.4M
Grants
106
Total Given
$96K
Community Foundation for Mississippi
Jackson, MS
The Community Foundation for Mississippi supports nonprofit and community work, with competitive grants focused on Placemaking, Children and Families, and Community Partnerships, as well as donor-directed giving across varied charitable purposes. Its 2025 grants had a median of $19,500, with itemized awards ranging from $5,500 to $800,000; it primarily serves 22 counties in central and southwest Mississippi. It offers competitive grant programs, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$90.3M
Grants
104
Total Given
$6.2M
Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi
Hernando, MS
The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi funds nonprofit and public-sector work in education, children’s health, workforce development, food security, and other charitable areas, with competitive programs focused on early childhood, regional development, civic engagement, and education technology. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,500 to $962,000, with a median of about $13,900, and primarily serve 12 counties in Northwest Mississippi. It accepts applications through its competitive-grant portal; individual grants or loans are not available.
Assets
$48.6M
Grants
99
Total Given
$4.8M
Franks Foundation
Booneville, MS
The foundation’s 2021 grants supported higher-education scholarships in Mississippi, typically ranging from $500 to $2,000. Its 2021 filing is marked as its final return, so grantmaking appears to have ended; that filing described an application process, but it should not be treated as current guidance.
Assets
—
Grants
96
Total Given
$106K
More similar funders
More Funders in Mississippi
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Gertrude C Ford 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 Gertrude C Ford Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?