The Pelson Foundation
The Pelson Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Albany, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $48K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 14 grants totaling $68K. Net investment income was $43K.
Key facts about The Pelson Foundation
In short: The Pelson Foundation gave $68K across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), top state New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 23-7880442
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $68,322
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- Average grant
- $4,880
- Median grant
- $5,811
- Total assets
- $48,452
- Primary geography
- New York (49% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$48K
-53.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$68K
+26.0% YoY
Grant Count
14
+27.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
-1.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Pelson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How The Pelson Foundation gives
- 71% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 173% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 14 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
Cities
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
37 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| the metropolitan musuem New York, NY | organization needs | $10,750 |
| URBAN ARTS New York, NY | organization needs | $10,000 |
| COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY Ewing Township, NJ | organization needs | $10,000 |
| FOUNDATION OF DEFENCE Washington, DC | ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS | $10,000 |
| SOUND START FOUNDATION Mountain Lakes, NJ | organization needs | $6,500 |
| congregation emanu-el of new york New York, NY | organization needs | $6,150 |
| Chamber Music Society new york, NY | organization needs | $6,000 |
| temple b'nai abraham Livingston, NJ | organization needs | $5,622 |
| Morris Museum Morristown, NJ | organization needs | $1,000 |
| JEWISH FEDERATION New York, NY | organization needs | $650 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $48,452 | $103,839 | $118,583 |
| Revenue | $13,029 | $39,498 | $4,536 |
| Expenses | $68,416 | $54,242 | $39,590 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $68,322 | $54,242 | $39,390 |
| Net Investment Income | $43,403 | $6,721 | $4,536 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,440 | $5,134 | $6,563 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Pelson Foundation's 2025 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Barbara A. Pelson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Daniel A. Pelson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jonathan A. Pelson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Mark A. Pelson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Pelson Foundation
How much does The Pelson Foundation give each year?
The Pelson Foundation gave $68K across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $54K across 11 grants.
What is The Pelson Foundation's typical grant size?
The Pelson Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,811, and its average grant was $4,880, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Pelson Foundation give grants?
The Pelson Foundation's top state is New York, with 49% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New Jersey (36%) and District of Columbia (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (5 grants) and Morristown, NJ (3 grants).
Does The Pelson Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on The Pelson Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "organization needs" (13 grants).
Who are The Pelson Foundation's largest grantees?
The Pelson Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include the metropolitan musuem ($10,750), Urban Arts ($10,000) and College of New Jersey ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 45% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Pelson Foundation?
The Pelson Foundation reported $48K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $68K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Pelson Foundation?
The Pelson Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Albany, NY. It holds $48K in total assets as of 2025.
What is The Pelson Foundation's EIN?
The Pelson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7880442. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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