The Kerscher Family Foundation
The Kerscher Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Stow, Ohio. It made 15 grants totaling $100,000 in 2024 to charitable organizations in Ohio and other states.
The Kerscher Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Kerscher Family Foundation gave $100K across 15 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), mostly in Ohio. 47% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $100,000
- +5.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- +15.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $6,667
- -8.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $1,231,931
- +4.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (7 of 15, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (52% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Kerscher Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 4954 Bayside Lake, Stow, OH 44224
Phone: (330) 655-0228
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Kerscher Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Let Them Live ($18K). Together the top 10 received $85K.
Grant Size Distribution
62 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 60 grants of 62 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 52% of grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio, 18% to Indiana, 15% to Florida, 8% to Tennessee, and 5% to Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Kerscher Family Foundation open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 15 grantees (47%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $8K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $8K repeat.
- 40% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 33% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 136% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2024). 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $83K (2022) to $200K (2019). In 2024 it made 15 grants totaling $100K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Let Them Live Fort Wayne, IN | General Operating Funds for Exempt Purposes | $18,000 |
| The Celiac and Allergy Friendly Food Initiative Cuyahoga Falls, OH | General Operating Funds for Exempt Purpose | $10,000 |
| Villa Angela-St Joseph High School Cleveland, OH | General Operating Funds for Exempt Purpose | $10,000 |
| Cleveland Clinic Philanthropy Cleveland, OH | General Operating Funds for Exempt Purpose | $10,000 |
| Sanibel Sea School Sanibel, FL | General Operating Funds for Exempt Purpose | $10,000 |
| The Edge Sports & Arts Academy Twinsburg, OH | General Operating Funds for Exempt Purpose | $7,000 |
| Cleveland Clinic Foundation Cleveland, OH | Grant for prostate cancer research, individual doctors, step fund, and the cowan family liver fund. | $5,000 |
| Charm- Children Are Magical Franklin, TN | General Operating Funds for Exempt Purpose | $5,000 |
| Open M Akron, OH | General Operating Funds for Exempt Purpose | $5,000 |
| Christ Community Chapel Hudson, OH | General Operating Funds for Exempt Purpose | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Kerscher Family Foundation?
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 | $1,231,931 | $89,667 | $102,149 | $100,000 | 15 | $100,500 | $62,737 | $74,050 |
| 2023 | $1,183,267 | $63,114 | $95,745 | $95,000 | 13 | $95,500 | $43,114 | $66,513 |
| 2022 | $1,215,898 | $287,906 | $85,725 | $83,223 | 10 | $83,723 | $31,989 | $57,196 |
| 2021 | $1,079,542 | $157,694 | $155,051 | $150,234 | 13 | $150,734 | $46,604 | $62,928 |
| 2020 | $1,077,505 | $88,740 | $185,506 | $181,685 | 11 | — | $33,285 | $54,307 |
| 2019 | $1,172,936 | $81,797 | $204,904 | $200,000 | 13 | — | $75,652 | $61,116 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Kerscher Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $74K for 2024 — 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 stated mission is not provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations working in areas such as ocean education, services for children awaiting foster care placement, Bible translation, education, health, and community services. For example, Sanibel Sea School describes its mission as improving the ocean’s future by helping people value, understand, and care for the ocean. Isaiah 117 House describes its mission as providing physical and emotional support in a safe, loving home for children awaiting foster care placement. Pioneer Bible Translators says it works to provide enduring access to the Bible in people’s languages and support its impact.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 15 grants totaling $100,000. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $18,000, with a median grant of $5,000. Its total giving was $95,000 across 13 grants in 2023 and $83,223 across 10 grants in 2022.
Notable 2024 grants included $18,000 to Let Them Live; $10,000 each to The Celiac and Allergy Friendly Food Initiative, Villa Angela-St Joseph High School, Cleveland Clinic Philanthropy, and Sanibel Sea School; and $7,000 to The Edge Sports & Arts Academy. Other listed grants included $5,000 to Cleveland Clinic Foundation, CHARM—Children Are Magical, Open M, Christ Community Chapel, and Cru. Pioneer Bible Translators received $2,500.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Barbara F. Kerscher as president, Kelley Engle as treasurer, Laurie Zapp as secretary, and Steven Kerscher as director.
The Kerscher Family Foundation is led by Barbara F. Kerscher, President on every filing since 2019; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Barbara F. Kerscher
President
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven Kerscher
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelley Engle
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$300 (2019) → $300 (2024)
Laurie Zapp
Secretary
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 $300, to Kelley Engle (Treasurer).
Frequently asked questions about The Kerscher Family Foundation
How much does The Kerscher Family Foundation give each year?
The Kerscher Family Foundation gave $100K across 15 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $95K across 13 grants.
What is The Kerscher Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Kerscher Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $6,667, across 15 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Kerscher Family Foundation that year got $5K on average.
Where does The Kerscher Family Foundation give grants?
The Kerscher Family Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 52% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Indiana (18%) and Florida (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cleveland, OH (3 grants).
Does The Kerscher Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 93% of The Kerscher Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (14 of 15) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Kerscher Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Kerscher Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Let Them Live ($18,000), The Celiac and Allergy Friendly Food Initiative ($10,000) and Villa Angela-St Joseph High School ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Kerscher Family Foundation?
The Kerscher Family Foundation reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $101K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $74K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Kerscher Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is not provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations working in areas such as ocean education, services for children awaiting foster care placement, Bible translation, education, health, and community services. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Kerscher Family Foundation?
The foundation 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 Kerscher Family Foundation's EIN?
The Kerscher Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-3923436. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Does The Kerscher Family Foundation 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 11, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 6, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 21, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work The Kerscher Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Kerscher Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Kerscher Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-kerscher-family-foundation-morg_080f9849b2174e3598a95d704416f385
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_473923436_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Kerscher Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-kerscher-family-foundation-morg_080f9849b2174e3598a95d704416f385},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Kerscher Family Foundation'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.
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