The Prospector Foundation Inc
The Prospector Foundation Inc is a private foundation, based in Ridgefield, CT. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $16.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $394K.
The Prospector Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Prospector Foundation Inc gave $394K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $394K), mostly in Connecticut. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $393,674
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- Average grant
- $393,674
- Median grant
- $393,674
- Total assets
- $16,554,720
- -2.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
Who The Prospector Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Prospects Opportunity and Enrichment Inc ($394K).
Grant Size Distribution
1 grant across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 1 grant of 1 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How The Prospector Foundation Inc gives
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $394K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Prospects Opportunity and Enrichment Inc Ridgefield, CT | Program Support | $393,674 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $16,554,720 | $444,174 | $923,150 | $393,674 | 1 | $420,489 | $1,299 |
| 2023 | $17,031,277 | $48,000 | $552,551 | — | — | $49,024 | $1,365 |
| 2022 | $17,535,828 | $48,000 | $550,176 | — | — | $45,187 | $1,320 |
| 2021 | $18,038,873 | $16,025 | $720,536 | — | — | $43,535 | $1,504 |
| 2020 | $18,742,515 | $28,000 | $752,464 | — | — | — | $2,984 |
| 2019 | $19,466,979 | $48,000 | $755,621 | — | — | — | $2,834 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Prospector Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Prospector Foundation Inc is led by Valerie K. Jensen, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Valerie K. Jensen
President
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Wenke
Secretary
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert F. Lewis
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Michael Santini (2021–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Rebecca L. Ciota (2019–2021) — Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Margaret Price (2021) — Director
- Former: Gerald L. Garavel Jr. (2019–2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 Prospector Foundation Inc
How much does The Prospector Foundation Inc give each year?
The Prospector Foundation Inc gave $394K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is The Prospector Foundation Inc?
The Prospector Foundation Inc reported $16.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $420K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does The Prospector Foundation Inc operate?
The Prospector Foundation Inc has awarded grants in Connecticut.
What is The Prospector Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Prospector Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-4561656. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 21, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work The Prospector Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Prospector Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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More similar funders
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The Prospector Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?