The Palmer Foundation
The Palmer Foundation is a private foundation based in Oakton, Virginia. Founded in 1990 by Mary “Penny” Palmer Enroth, it supports projects focused on WASH (water access, sanitation, and hygiene) and workforce development, as well as other family-interest projects in areas such as education, youth programming, medical services, and the arts.
The Palmer Foundation at a glance
In short: The Palmer Foundation gave $950K across 34 grants in 2025 (avg $28K), top state Maryland. 50% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $950,000
- +18.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 34
- +21.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $27,941
- -2.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $17,547,442
- -0.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 50% first-time grantees (17 of 34, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Maryland (22% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Palmer Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. It states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 3412, Oakton, VA 22124
Phone: (202) 595-1020
Website: https://thepalmerfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Palmer Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation ($113K). Together the top 10 received $581K.
Grant Size Distribution
153 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 120 grants of 153 (78%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website says it has supported organizations primarily in Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic states, as well as in countries where family members have lived or traveled. Its 2025 grants went to recipients in multiple states; the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Maryland (22%), Virginia (12%), California (11%), Wisconsin (9%), and North Carolina (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 34 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Palmer Foundation open to new grantees?
50%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 17 of 34 grantees (50%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $28K; repeat grants $28K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 32% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+15%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 88% 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 (2019–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $676K (2019) to $950K (2025). In 2025 it made 34 grants totaling $950K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Rockville, MD | General Support and Research Support for IBD | $113,250 |
| Chesapeake Bay Foundation Annapolis, MD | Help build a new state of the art oyster restoration center | $92,750 |
| Fotokids Palm Springs, CA | To further education and technology skills enabling options for a successful future and increased opportunities for employment. | $50,000 |
| Icare Corporation Statesville, NC | To support the rescue of wild corals and their reestablishment on coral reefs, as well as the restoration of reef-based sponge species to improve water quality in coral reef communities in the Florida keys | $50,000 |
| Southern Environmental Law Center Charlottesville, VA | To build on that epa objection and require north carolinas department of environmental quality to enforce the clean water act at all such facilities discharging pfas and other industrial toxins and will continue to push the state to set numeric standards for these pollutants. | $50,000 |
| Operation Job Ready Veterans Indianapolis, IN | To sponsor an in-person training so employees can gain skills and knowledge to work one-on-one with clients to assist them in all aspects of their transition from active-duty careers to civilian employment ($30k). Funding will also support a consultant to train employment transition managers in the federal resume writing process ($20k). | $50,000 |
| Environmental Law & Policy Center Chicago, IL | To fund efforts to educate the next generation of lawmakers and legislative staff on the great lakes compact | $50,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity International Americus, GA | To support the building of a home in Door county ($3k) and to serve 100 of the most vulnerable families in ethiopia with permanent shelter solutions | $45,000 |
| Root NS Inc Salem, MA | To provide stipends to students in the root culinary training program | $45,000 |
| Workforce Alliance New Haven, CT | Funding for workforce alliance's skill up for manufacturing program. This funding will be used to fund stipends, support services, and on-the-job training wage subsidies for participants in skill up for manufacturing cohorts to be offered in the 2025-2026 program year. | $35,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Palmer 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $17,547,442 | $1,274,119 | $1,316,105 | $950,000 | 34 | $1,152,536 | $819,781 | $1,315,690 |
| 2024 | $17,589,428 | $1,293,313 | $1,128,781 | $800,000 | 28 | $984,435 | $862,968 | $1,190,945 |
| 2023 | $17,424,896 | $654,768 | $1,135,484 | $842,000 | 34 | $1,003,602 | $396,044 | $1,031,491 |
| 2022 | $17,905,612 | $497,407 | $1,140,973 | $829,000 | 27 | $990,569 | $260,419 | $1,023,344 |
| 2021 | $18,549,178 | $3,116,778 | $1,190,460 | $905,600 | 30 | $1,055,757 | $2,177,138 | $1,108,611 |
| 2020 | $16,622,860 | $1,478,250 | $1,026,549 | $788,100 | 29 | — | $966,468 | $1,037,706 |
| 2019 | $16,121,159 | $739,895 | $959,219 | $676,000 | 30 | — | $530,174 | $873,570 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Palmer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.3M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to inspire meaningful change with the greatest impact on public health and livelihoods, helping forge stronger, happier, and more successful communities. Its website identifies WASH and workforce development as current priorities, alongside special projects reflecting family members’ interests.
WASH grants support efforts to improve water quality and availability, sanitation, and hygiene. Examples on the foundation’s website include oyster restoration, water filters for rural communities, sanitation facilities, coral reef restoration, and advocacy related to water issues. Workforce grants support specialized training and skills development for veterans, youth, nurses, and tradespeople. Other supported areas include arts, education, medical care, and youth enrichment.
The 2025 grants illustrate this range. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation received $92,750 for an oyster restoration center; the foundation’s website describes the organization’s project as supporting the Chesapeake Bay’s native oyster population. Partner for Surgery received $30,000 for an infant nutrition program in rural Guatemala supporting babies born with cleft lip and palate. Workforce-related examples include $35,000 to Workforce Alliance for its Skill Up for Manufacturing program and $50,000 to Root NS for student stipends in its culinary training program. The grantees describe their work respectively as providing job training and helping young adults build pathways to independence through food-service training and employment.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 34 grants totaling $950,000. Grant amounts ranged from $2,000 to $113,250, with a median of $25,000. The 2024 filing reported 28 grants totaling $800,000, and the 2023 filing reported 34 grants totaling $842,000.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $113,250 to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation for general and IBD research support; $92,750 to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation; and $50,000 each to Fotokids, ICARE Corporation, Southern Environmental Law Center, Operation Job Ready Veterans, and Environmental Law & Policy Center. Other notable grants included $45,000 each to Habitat for Humanity International and Root NS, $35,000 to Workforce Alliance, and $32,000 to the University of Virginia Darden School Foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Mary P. Enroth as chairman; Karen E. Lischick as president; Susan L. Enroth as vice president; Jay L. Owen as secretary; and Peter Lischick as treasurer. Directors listed were Grant Lischick, Megan Butler, Brendt Enroth, and Brandon Enroth. The foundation’s website also lists these officers and directors.
The Palmer Foundation is led by Karen E. Lischick, President on every filing since 2019; 6 of 11 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Karen E. Lischick
President
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary P. Enroth
Chairman
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Grant Lischick
Director
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
$500 (2019) → $1K (2025)
Brandon Enroth
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
$1K (2024) → $1K (2025)
Brendt Enroth
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
$1K (2023) → $500 (2025)
Megan Butler
Director
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
$1K (2024) → $500 (2025)
Caitlyn Enroth
Director
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
$1K (2025)
Caity Lischick
Director
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter Lischick
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
$1K (2019) → $1K (2025)
Susan L. Enroth
Vice President
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
$1K (2019) → $0 (2025)
Jay L. Owen
Secretary
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Caity Enroth (2024) — Director
- Former: Megan Enroth (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Lisa Enroth (2019–2020) — Director
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 $1K, to Grant Lischick (Director). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Palmer Foundation
How much does The Palmer Foundation give each year?
The Palmer Foundation gave $950K across 34 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $800K across 28 grants.
What is The Palmer Foundation's typical grant size?
The Palmer Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $27,941, across 34 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Palmer Foundation that year got $28K on average.
Where does The Palmer Foundation give grants?
The Palmer Foundation's top state is Maryland, with 22% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Virginia (12%) and California (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Fish Creek, WI (3 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants), Charlottesville, VA (2 grants) and Sturgeon Bay, WI (2 grants).
Does The Palmer Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 15% of The Palmer Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 34) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Palmer Foundation's largest grantees?
The Palmer Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation ($113,250), Chesapeake Bay Foundation ($92,750) and Fotokids ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Palmer Foundation?
The Palmer Foundation reported $17.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.3M (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 Palmer Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to inspire meaningful change with the greatest impact on public health and livelihoods, helping forge stronger, happier, and more successful communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Palmer Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Palmer Foundation's EIN?
The Palmer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3700897. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The Palmer 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 18, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 28, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 31, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 26, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 30, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 1, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Palmer Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-palmer-foundation-morg_51542f414e4b45d98e1ee6f179b74386
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363700897_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Palmer Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-palmer-foundation-morg_51542f414e4b45d98e1ee6f179b74386},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Palmer 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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