The Louis Messer and Helen Messer
The Louis Messer and Helen Messer is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in POTOMAC, MD. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2023. As of 2023, the organization holds $1.2M in total assets. In 2023, it awarded 14 grants totaling $72K. Net investment income was $26K.
Financial Overview
From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.2M
-3.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$72K
+200.0% YoY
Grant Count
14
+133.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
+28.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Louis Messer and Helen Messer reported a distributable amount of $66K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About The Louis Messer and Helen Messer
Based on IRS filings
The Louis Messer and Helen Messer is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in POTOMAC, MD. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2023. As of 2023, the organization holds $1.2M in total assets. In 2023, it awarded 14 grants totaling $72K. Net investment income was $26K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,181,010 | $1,228,220 | $1,230,875 |
| Revenue | $42,447 | $19,925 | $218,829 |
| Expenses | $88,765 | $43,193 | $139,496 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $72,000 | $24,000 | $120,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $25,682 | $31,423 | $218,829 |
| Distributable Amount | $65,921 | $67,892 | $74,542 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
Grant Size Distribution
71 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2023 grants, the largest include Planned Parenthood ($10,000), Hadassah Foundation ($10,000), American Heart Association ($7,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN PHILIDELPHIA, PA | PROVIDE MEDICAL HELP FOR CHILDREN | $6,000 |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION ARLINGTON, VA | PREVENT HEART DISEASE | $7,000 |
| ASPCA WASHINGTON, DC | PREVENT ANIMAL CRUELTY | $2,000 |
| ACLU FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | PROTECT INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES | $5,000 |
| BAND THE ARC NEW YORK, NY | STOP RISE OF AUTHORITARIAN THREAT | $1,000 |
| AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION WASHINGTON, DC | CURE AND TREATMENT FOR LUNG DISEASE | $3,000 |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD WASHINGTON, DC | PROVIDE HEATH CARE TO WOMEN | $10,000 |
| CLARK UNIVERSITY WORCHESTER, MA | HIGHER EDUCATION | $2,000 |
| HADASSAH FOUNDATION ROCKVILLE, MD | ADVANCING GENDER EQUALITY | $10,000 |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS NEW YORK, NY | PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE TO THIRD WORLD | $7,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
From 2023 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR MICHAEL GLASSER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DAVID FEDER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| STANLEY J GULKIN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Louis Messer and Helen Messer?
The Louis Messer and Helen Messer is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in POTOMAC, MD. It holds $1.2M in total assets as of 2023.
How large is The Louis Messer and Helen Messer?
As of 2023, The Louis Messer and Helen Messer holds $1.2M in total assets with $42K in annual revenue. It awarded 14 grants totaling $72K in 2023.
Where does The Louis Messer and Helen Messer operate?
The Louis Messer and Helen Messer has awarded grants in California, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia.
What size grants does The Louis Messer and Helen Messer award?
In 2023, The Louis Messer and Helen Messer awarded 14 grants totaling $72K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Louis Messer and Helen Messer required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, The Louis Messer and Helen Messer reported a distributable amount of $66K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Louis Messer and Helen Messer's EIN?
The Louis Messer and Helen Messer's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1713864. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2023.
Explore Open Grants
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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