The Palmer Foundation
The Palmer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private family foundation based in New York, NY (360 Madison Ave, 20th Floor). Founded in 1990 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. Since its establishment, the foundation has awarded grants to more than 400 nonprofit organizations, primarily in Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic states, as well as countries where family members have lived or traveled.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.1M
-9.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.5M
-15.3% YoY
Grant Count
7
+75.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$218K
-51.6% 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:
Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): 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, which the foundation believes create 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 lives of these workforce members.
Special Family Interests: Beyond the core pillars of WASH and workforce development, the foundation supports nonprofits dedicated to special interests of family members.
Grantmaking
The Palmer Foundation operates as a preselected grantmaker, typically selecting grantees rather than accepting unsolicited proposals.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Pennsylvania
- Massachusetts
- Oregon
- Washington
- New Jersey
- Mid-Atlantic states
- Midwestern states
- International locations where family members have lived or traveled
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6.1–$6.8 million | 2024 |
| Total Revenues | $941,914 | 2024 |
| Investment Income & Dividends | $326,569 | 2024 |
| Net Gain from Sale of Assets | $578,499 | 2024 |
| Total Expenses | $105,060 | 2024 |
| Annual Income | $3.6 million | (reported) |
The foundation has demonstrated asset growth from $345,000 in 2011 to $6.1–$6.8 million in recent years.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,141,241 | $6,790,743 | $7,971,924 |
| Revenue | $941,914 | $751,242 | $819,542 |
| Expenses | $105,060 | $108,531 | $1,626,408 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | $1,500,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $326,594 | $354,890 | $819,512 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | $585,759 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
25 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Centre Volunteers in Medicine ($750,000), Pennsylvania State Unversity ($500,000), Wsu Advance Fund ($125,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNVERSITY STATE COLLEGE, PA | GENERAL FUND | $500,000 |
| CENTRE VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE STATE COLLEGE, PA | GENERAL FUND | $750,000 |
| DISCOVERY SPACE STATE COLLEGE, PA | GENERAL FUND | $30,000 |
| WEST MORRIS AREA YMCA RANDOLPH, NJ | GENERAL FUND | $30,000 |
| WORLD WILDLIFE FUND WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL FUND | $15,000 |
| WSU ADVANCE FUND PULLMAN, WA | GENERAL FUND | $125,000 |
| CHAPEL HILL WALTHAM, MA | GENERAL FUND | $75,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers & 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
The foundation's governance structure emphasizes that the unique and varied perspectives from board members are the foundation's greatest strength. As new generations of family members join the board, its focus shifts to accommodate their special talents, skills, and interests.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHARLES PALMER | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| DEBRA PALMER | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| JANET LIPCON | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| WAYNE REISNER | SECY/TREASUR | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Palmer Foundation announced a partnership with Wake Forest University to promote leadership and character through golf (2026)
Wake Forest, Palmer Foundation announce partnership to promote ...The Human Development Fund partnered with the Palmer Family Foundation to launch the "Roots of Recovery" Hurricane Relief Program in Jamaica
Wake Forest, Palmer Foundation announce partnership to promote ...The Palmer Foundation funded a MedStar study examining the effects of massage therapy on pain in palliative care patients
Wake Forest, Palmer Foundation announce partnership to promote ...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: • **Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)**: 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, which the foundation believes create resilient, …
How do I apply for a grant from The Palmer Foundation?
The Palmer Foundation operates as a preselected grantmaker, typically selecting grantees rather than accepting unsolicited proposals. **Grant Activity:** • Recent grants have ranged from $30,000 to $1,000,000 • Recent notable grants include $750,000 to Centre Volunteers in Medicine, $75,000 to Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School, and $30,000 to Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania (all 2024) • The foundation made four grants in 2024 **Financial Capacity:** • Total assets: $6.1–$6.8 million • Ann…
Where does The Palmer Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Pennsylvania • Massachusetts • Oregon • Washington • New Jersey • Mid-Atlantic states • Midwestern states • International locations where family members have lived or traveled
What size grants does The Palmer Foundation award?
In 2024, The Palmer Foundation awarded 7 grants totaling $1.5M — an average of about $218K 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 25-1568606. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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