The Palmer Foundation
The Palmer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private family foundation established in 1990 and based in Oakton, Virginia. Founded by Mary "Penny" Palmer Enroth, the foundation was named in honor of her grandfather, Stanton Palmer, the first president of Snap-on Tools, and her father, Rogers Palmer, a former senior vice president of Snap-on Tools. The foundation has awarded grants to more than 400 nonprofit organizations throughout its history.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$800K
-5.0% YoY
Grant Count
28
-17.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
+15.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Palmer Foundation's mission is to inspire meaningful change with the greatest impact on public health and livelihoods to forge stronger, happier, and more successful communities.
The foundation's current funding priorities include:
WASH (Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene) — The foundation is committed to ensuring that increasing numbers of people in America and in the developing world have access to clean, sustainable water supplies, recognizing that such access creates resilient, healthy communities.
Workforce Development — The foundation supports programs that provide specialized training and skills geared toward veterans, youth, nurses, and tradespeople to bolster careers and improve lives.
Special Family Interests — Beyond the core pillars, the foundation supports nonprofits dedicated to personal philanthropic passions of board members, strengthening community programs aligned with family interests.
The foundation also maintains a historical focus on youth, the environment, and public health.
Grantmaking
The Palmer Foundation makes grants primarily to domestic nonprofits, with a focus on the Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic states, as well as international organizations in countries where family members have lived or traveled.
Grant Range
$1,000 to $100,000
Average Grant
amount: approximately $28,000–$30,700
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Palmer Foundation primarily funds nonprofits in Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic states, with particular activity in Wisconsin, Maryland, and Virginia. The foundation also supports international initiatives in countries where family members have lived or traveled.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $17,589,428
- Total Revenue: $1,293,313
- Total Expenses: $1,128,781
- Net Income: $164,532
- Total Liabilities: $0
Revenue Composition (2023):
- Grants and contributions: $201,634
- Investment income and dividends: $519,706
- Net rental income: -$9,834
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: -$66,879
- Miscellaneous revenues: $307
The foundation maintains a strong financial position with no outstanding liabilities and substantial assets supporting its grantmaking activities.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
148 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Crohn's & Coalitis Foundation ($92,000), Georgetown University - Mcdonough School of Business ($65,000), Association to Preserve Cape Cod ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A LEG TO STAND ON INC NEW YORK, NY | PROVIDING FREE, HIGH-QUALITY CLUBFOOT CORRECTION TO BABIES AND CHILDREN IN BANGLADESH & PAKISTAN | $30,000 |
| ALDEA NEW YORK, NY | TO SUPPORT SANITARY LATRINES TO HELP IMPROVE HEALTH AND HYGIENE IN SANTA ISABEL, GUATEMALA. | $35,000 |
| ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION OF DOOR COUNTY WI INC STURGEON BAY, WI | TO SUPPORT THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL FAIR BY PROVIDING ATHLETIC SHOES AND SOCKS, GRADE LEVEL SCHOOL SUPPLIES, SHIRTS, TOILETRIES, BACKPACKS AND OTHER ESSENTIALS FOR 600 STUDENTS (WORKFORCE) | $2,000 |
| ASSOCIATION TO PRESERVE CAPE COD DENNIS, MA | TO SPONSOR A PILOT PROJECT TO MONITOR FRESHWATER PONDS FOR DANGEROUS NEUROTOXINS (ANATOXINS), ESTABLISH TESTING PROTOCOLS FOR THEM, AND WORK WITH STATE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS FOR SAFETY | $50,000 |
| DOOR COMMUNITY AUDITORIUM CORP FISH CREEK, WI | TO SUPPORT THE 4K ART PROGRAM AND THE PASSPORT PROGRAM (PERFORMING ARTISTS) AND SONG WRITING RESIDENCY. | $3,000 |
| DUKE-FUQUA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS DURHAM, NC | TO SUPPORT ENTREPRENEURSHIP ACTIVITIES AT FUQUA | $15,000 |
| FOREST PLANET WASHINGTON, DC | LAYING THE GROUNDWORK: LEVERAGE FOR THE KUKUA INITIATIVE, TO PAY FOR THE LABOR TO PRUNE AND MULCH UNDERGROWTH NEAR AND AROUND 340K TREES IN THE IRENTE2 AND IRENTE3 PLANTING SITES. THIS WILL FERTILIZE SOIL AND ACCELERATE GROWTH OF TREES. FUNDS WILL ALSO HELP CONSTRUCT A 400K CAPACITY MANGROVE TREE NURSERY. FINALLY, ADDITIONAL DOLLARS WILL HELP DEFRAY TRAVEL COSTS FOR HANK DEARDEN TO OVERSEE BOTH PROJECTS. | $46,000 |
| GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY - MCDONOUGH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS WASHINGTON, DC | THE GEORGETOWN MCDONOUGH SMALL BUSINESS CORP AND SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS. | $65,000 |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL AMERICUS, GA | TO SUPPORT THE BUILDING OF A HOME IN DOOR COUNTY ($5K) AND TO REDUCE ARSENIC CONTAMINATION AND WATER-BORNE DISEASE IN BANGLADESH BY IMPROVING ACCESS TO WASH CONDITIONS ($20,000) | $25,000 |
| KEMPER CENTER KENOSHA, WI | TO HIRE AN EXPERIENCED CURATOR FOR THE ANDERSON ARTS CENTER IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE ARTS CENTER TO CONTINUE TO GROW BY PROVIDING REVOLVING SHOWS, TRAVELING NATIONAL SHOWS, BUILDING A PERMANENT COLLECTION AND TO EXPAND CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING THROUGH ART EDUCATION - COLLECTIVE | $35,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Directors:
- Mary P. Enroth, Chairman
- Karen E. Lischick, President
- Susan Le Mieux Enroth, Vice President
- Jay L. Owen, Secretary
- Peter Lischick, Treasurer
- Grant Lischick, Director
- Megan Butler, Director
- Brandon Enroth, Director
- Brendt Enroth, Director
Board members dedicate approximately 5 hours per week to foundation activities.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARY P ENROTH | CHAIRMAN | 5 | — |
| GRANT LISCHICK | DIRECTOR | 5 | $500 |
| JAY L OWEN | SECRETARY | 5 | — |
| KAREN E LISCHICK | PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| SUSAN L ENROTH | VICE PRESIDENT | 5 | $1,000 |
| PETER LISCHICK | TREASURER | 5 | $1,000 |
| MEGAN BUTLER | DIRECTOR | 5 | $1,000 |
| BRENDT ENROTH | DIRECTOR | 5 | $1,000 |
| BRANDON ENROTH | DIRECTOR | 5 | $1,000 |
| CAITY ENROTH | DIRECTOR | 5 | $1,000 |
| CAITY LISCHICK | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
Contact Information
- Website: thepalmerfoundation.org
- Phone: 202-595-1020
- Address: PO Box 3412, Oakton, VA 22124-9412
- EIN: 36-3700897
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Palmer Foundation fund?
The Palmer Foundation's mission is to inspire meaningful change with the greatest impact on public health and livelihoods to forge stronger, happier, and more successful communities. The foundation's current funding priorities include: **WASH (Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene)** — The foundation is committed to ensuring that increasing numbers of people in America and in the developing world have access to clean, sustainable water supplies, recognizing that such access creates resilient, h…
How do I apply for a grant from The Palmer Foundation?
The Palmer Foundation makes grants primarily to domestic nonprofits, with a focus on the Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic states, as well as international organizations in countries where family members have lived or traveled. **Grant Characteristics:** • Grant range: $1,000 to $100,000 • Median grant amount: approximately $27,000–$32,000 • Average grant amount: approximately $28,000–$30,700 • Giving rate: 5.6% of assets **Recent Grant Activity:** • 2024: 88 grants awarded; total giving of $984,435 …
Where does The Palmer Foundation make grants?
The Palmer Foundation primarily funds nonprofits in Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic states, with particular activity in Wisconsin, Maryland, and Virginia. The foundation also supports international initiatives in countries where family members have lived or traveled.
What size grants does The Palmer Foundation award?
In 2024, The Palmer Foundation awarded 28 grants totaling $800K — an average of about $29K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Palmer Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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