The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation
THE LILLY CHRISTY BUSCH HERMANN is a private foundation based in St. Louis, Missouri. It made 81 grants totaling $247,893 in 2024, supporting organizations including cultural institutions, schools, conservation organizations, and community groups.
Key facts about The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation
In short: The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation gave $248K across 81 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), mostly in Missouri. 40% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 43-6543271
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $247,893
- Grants made (2024)
- 81
- Average grant
- $3,060
- Median grant
- $1,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (27 of 67, 2024)
- Total assets
- $4,718,679
- Primary geography
- Missouri (60% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Deadline
- No submission deadlines.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.7M
+12.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$248K
-2.6% YoY
Grant Count
81
+8.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3K
-9.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation reported a distributable amount of $318K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 27 of 67 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $1K repeat.
- 45% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 83% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 78% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, the St. Louis Art Museum Foundation says its purpose is to support the Saint Louis Art Museum, including fundraising and financing facility expansion and renovation. The Garden Conservancy says it works to preserve, share, and celebrate America’s gardens and gardening traditions. Dream Builders 4 Equity describes its work as developing economically sustainable and socially engaged communities by growing equity for youth, businesses, residents, and real estate.
Other 2024 recipients include the Society of the Four Arts, which says it offers educational and cultural programs in art, music, drama, literature, and other subjects; Laguna Blanca School, which says it operates a college-preparatory school; and the St. Louis County Police Welfare Association, which says it assists police officers and their families.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 81 grants totaling $247,893. Awards ranged from $100 to $30,000, with a median grant of $1,000. Among the largest grants were $30,000 to the Missouri Botanical Garden for the Chairmen’s Circle and Deer Creek Watershed Alliance Phase V; $18,080 to the St. Louis Community Foundation for the Holton Foundation; and $10,000 each to BISSELL Pet Foundation, Dream Builders 4 Equity, the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, the St. Louis Art Museum Foundation, the St. Louis County Police Welfare Association, the Garden Conservancy, and the Society of the Four Arts.
Review Cycle
No submission deadlines.
Ready to take the next step with The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 60% of grant dollars went to recipients in Missouri, 13% to Florida, 7% to Michigan, 5% to California, and 4% to Virginia. The listed grants also included recipients in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 81 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $135K (2021) to $256K (2022). In 2024 it made 81 grants totaling $248K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Missouri Botanical Garden ($40K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $148K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($8,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
448 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 447 grants of 448 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Botanical Garden St. Louis, MO | Chairmen's circle & deer creek watershed alliance phase v | $30,000 |
| St Louis Community Foundation St. Louis, MO | Holton Foundation | $18,080 |
| Bissell Pet Foundation Grand Rapids, MI | General Support | $10,000 |
| Dream Builders 4 Equity St. Louis, MO | General Support | $10,000 |
| Missouri Botanical Garden St. Louis, MO | General Support | $10,000 |
| Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach Palm Beach, FL | General Support | $10,000 |
| St Louis Art Museum Foundation St. Louis, MO | General Support | $10,000 |
| St Louis County Police Welfare Assoc St. Louis, MO | General Support | $10,000 |
| The Garden Conservancy Garrison, NY | General Support | $10,000 |
| The Society of the Four Arts Palm Beach, FL | General Support | $10,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $247,893 | 81 |
| 2023 | $254,590 | 75 |
| 2022 | $255,564 | 124 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,718,679 | $4,202,284 | $4,221,594 |
| Revenue | $842,992 | $302,442 | $296,108 |
| Expenses | $322,487 | $314,934 | $323,304 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $247,893 | $254,590 | $261,168 |
| Net Investment Income | $768,398 | $242,098 | $245,972 |
| Distributable Amount | $318,455 | $278,561 | $286,270 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 30, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Robert R Hermann Jr. and Carlota H Holton as trustees.
The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Carlota H. Holton
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert R. Hermann Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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.
Contact
Application contact: Robert R Hermann Jr
Mailing address: 7701 Forsyth Blvd Ste 1000, St Louis, MO 63105
Phone: (314) 863-9200
Frequently asked questions about The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation
How much does The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation give each year?
The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation gave $248K across 81 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $255K across 75 grants.
What is The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation's typical grant size?
The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $3,060, across 81 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation that year got $2K on average.
Where does The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation give grants?
The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation gives mostly in Missouri: 60% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Florida (13%) and Michigan (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were St. Louis, MO (34 grants), Palm Beach, FL (6 grants), Grand Rapids, MI (3 grants) and Santa Barbara, CA (3 grants).
Does The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 75% of The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (61 of 81) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Micds Fund" (3 grants).
Who are The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation's largest grantees?
The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Missouri Botanical Garden ($40,000 across 2 grants), St Louis Community Foundation ($21,285 across 2 grants) and St Peter's Episcopal Church ($13,515 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($8,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation?
The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation reported $4.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $248K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $318K (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 does The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, the St. Louis Art Museum Foundation says its purpose is to support the Saint Louis Art Museum, including fundraising and financing facility expansion and renovation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation?
The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation's EIN?
The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-6543271. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Missouri
St Louis Community Foundation Inc
St. Louis, MO
The St. Louis Community Foundation supports nonprofits through donor- and foundation-directed grants, with priorities including economic mobility and youth connections as well as education, health, arts, and culture. Its 2024 grants had a median of $20,000, though amounts ranged from $5,050 to $4 million; its regional priorities center on Greater St. Louis, especially designated high-need ZIP codes. Grant processes vary by fund, so the profile does not establish whether the Foundation accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$494.4M
Grants
839
Total Given
$63.9M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports nonprofits in health, education, arts, disaster relief, reforestation, hunger relief, and community equity, with an emphasis on organizations actively supported by Enterprise employees and their families. Its reported grants range widely: 2024 giving averaged about $7,700 across 9,499 grants, while the foundation also offers awards of up to $40,000; it supports communities where Enterprise operates worldwide. Unsolicited requests are accepted at any time, but eligible applications must be submitted by an Enterprise team member or their spouse or domestic partner on behalf of a nonprofit they actively support.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Hermann Family Foundation
St. Louis, MO
The Hermann Family Foundation supports a range of causes, including pediatric care, medical research, higher education, healthcare campaigns, and community organizations, with most 2024 funding going to Missouri. Grants ranged from $10 to $1 million, though the median was $4,500. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$67.5M
Grants
46
Total Given
$2.9M
Greater Horizons
Kansas City, MO
Greater Horizons is a donor-advised fund provider whose donor-directed grants support eligible U.S. public charities across a broad range of causes; international organizations may also qualify with additional review and fees. In 2024, grants had a median of $15,000, with itemized awards ranging from $5,001 to $10,073,050, and recipients were located across the United States, especially in California, Texas, Nebraska, New York, and Kansas. It describes a grant-request process for donors, not an application process for organizations, so unsolicited requests are not stated as accepted.
Assets
$2.8B
Grants
3,282
Total Given
$212.2M
Commerce Bancshares Foundation
Kansas City, MO
The foundation supports a broad range of charitable organizations and community projects, with 2024 grants typically small (median $1,500) but ranging from $200 to $60,500. Most funding went to Missouri, followed by Kansas and Illinois, with smaller amounts elsewhere; it says applicants should contact the program director and provide proof of 501(c)(3) status, and does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$35.0M
Grants
645
Total Given
$2.0M
Patterson Family Foundation
Kansas City, MO
The Patterson Family Foundation funds healthcare, education, and economic opportunity, including program, operating, equipment, and capital grants for organizations serving rural communities in Kansas and western Missouri, generally in counties under 50,000 residents. Its 2021 awards ranged from $144 to $2.5 million, with a median of $6,300; it says it does not accept unsolicited funding requests and contributes only to preselected charitable organizations.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
607
Total Given
$22.3M
Midway USA Foundation Inc
Columbia, MO
MidwayUSA Foundation funds U.S. high school, college, and other youth shooting-sports teams and activities across all shooting disciplines; it does not support adult programs or non-U.S. teams. In 2024, grants ranged from $902 to $388,797, with a median of $10,601; team cash grants are generally 5% of an eligible program’s endowment balance, and coach-training grants are $1,000–$5,000. It accepts applications through its online system from eligible programs.
Assets
$359.7M
Grants
497
Total Given
$10.1M
Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc
Springfield, MO
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks funds projects in areas including education, health, economic development, environmental sustainability, arts, and community well-being, primarily in the Springfield area and affiliate communities across the Ozarks and southern Missouri. In 2025, its 477 grants ranged from $5,065 to $1 million, with a median of $20,000. It accepts applications for eligible programs through its grant portal; criteria and deadlines vary by program.
Assets
$539.7M
Grants
477
Total Given
$21.4M
Veterans United Foundation
Columbia, MO
Veterans United Foundation supports Veterans, service members, military families, and communities where Veterans United Home Loans has offices, funding community organizations, scholarships, and individual needs. In 2025, its grants had a median of $10,000, with awards ranging from $96 to $1.2 million. Organizations may apply for donations; the profile does not specify whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$36.1M
Grants
386
Total Given
$12.5M
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Kansas City, MO
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation funds college access and completion, workforce and career development, and entrepreneurship, with an emphasis on economic mobility and equitable opportunity in the Kansas City region. Its 2024 median grant was $75,000, though awards vary widely by program; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.5B
Grants
364
Total Given
$95.0M
Washington University
Saint Louis, MO
Washington University’s reported grants primarily support research, with 2025 awards going to universities, medical centers, and other organizations across multiple states. Grants ranged from $5,100 to $6.23 million, with a median of $77,080; the university’s listed seed grants are for WashU researchers, and the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests from outside applicants.
Assets
$22.3B
Grants
359
Total Given
$120.7M
United Way of Greater Kansas City Inc
Kansas City, MO
United Way of Greater Kansas City funds health and human-service nonprofits addressing healthcare, youth opportunity, financial security, and community resilience in the Kansas City region. Its 2025 grants had a median of $23,246 and ranged from $5,058 to $505,000; for Impact 100, eligible organizations not invited to the agency portal may start with a screening form.
Assets
$37.1M
Grants
300
Total Given
$11.1M
More Funders in Missouri
The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?