The Ross Foundation
The Ross Foundation is a private foundation based in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Founded in 1966 by Jane and Esther Ross, it manages timberlands for conservation and charitable purposes and uses revenue from those lands to support a philanthropic grants program primarily benefiting Clark County residents.
The Ross Foundation at a glance
In short: The Ross Foundation gave $748K across 27 grants in 2024 (avg $28K), mostly in Arkansas. 20% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $747,655
- +4.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 27
- +3.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $27,691
- +1.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $111,875,867
- -2.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (5 of 25, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Arkansas (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. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Ross Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Start with the online pre-proposal form. A full proposal is submitted if the trustees invite the applicant to proceed.
- Review Cycle
- The application page lists full-proposal receipt dates of October 1, February 1, and June 1, with reviews by November 30, March 31, and July 31, respectively, and funds for approved projects available by January 1, May 1, and September 1. As of October 2, 2026, the listed October 1 receipt date has passed; the next listed date is February 1.
- Deadline
- The application page lists full-proposal receipt dates of October 1, February 1, and June 1, with reviews by November…
- Contact
Application contact: Mary Elizabeth Eldridge The Ross Fo
Mailing address: PO Box 335, Arkadelphia, AR 71923
Phone: (870) 246-9881
Email: meeldridge@rossfoundation.us
Website: https://rossfoundation.us
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Ross Foundation
Who The Ross Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Arkadelphia Promise Foundation ($352K). Together the top 10 received $720K.
Grant Size Distribution
123 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 112 grants of 123 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website says its grantmaking has historically focused on projects located in Clark County, Arkansas. Its 2024 filing shows that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Arkansas. The foundation reports owning approximately 63,000 acres, primarily in Clark and Hot Spring counties.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 27 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Ross Foundation open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 5 of 25 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $37K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $4K repeat.
- 68% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+2%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $656K (2022) to $748K (2024). In 2024 it made 27 grants totaling $748K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Arkadelphia Promise Foundation Arkadelphia, AR | Scholarship Fund 2024 | $351,684 |
| Arkansas Game & Fish Foundation Little Rock, AR | Conservation Work (Big Timber WMA and (JMWMA Funds), Support work in the West Gulf Coastal Plain. | $153,209 |
| Arkansas Forestry Assoc Education Foundation Little Rock, AR | Unrestricted Grant | $46,606 |
| The Nature Conservancy Little Rock, AR | Unrestricted Grant | $46,606 |
| City of Arkadelphia Arkadelphia, AR | Arkadelphia Festival of the Arts and License Plate Readers | $33,750 |
| Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, AR | Purchase Trees to Beautify Campus | $28,600 |
| Arkansas Foodbank Network Little Rock, AR | Food Credits for Pantries in Clark County | $15,000 |
| Dawson Education Cooperative Arkadelphia, AR | Mini Grant Program - 2024 - 2025 | $15,000 |
| Arkadelphia Public Schools Arkadelphia, AR | CONE Foundation | $10,000 |
| Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, AR | Evaluation of Breeding Birds at Big Timber WMA | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Ross 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $111,875,867 | $2,890,864 | $2,274,743 | $747,655 | 27 | $3,612,531 | $2,870,093 | $146,353 |
| 2023 | $114,473,884 | $3,030,099 | $2,229,030 | $712,430 | 26 | $2,142,742 | $3,004,743 | $147,837 |
| 2022 | $114,833,582 | $2,423,386 | $2,081,289 | $655,597 | 23 | $1,989,338 | $2,423,386 | $21,145 |
| 2021 | $105,700,204 | $2,817,306 | $1,994,632 | $729,750 | 25 | $1,953,159 | $2,817,306 | $3,356 |
| 2020 | $98,366,633 | $2,390,794 | $1,958,423 | $674,101 | 22 | — | $2,247,588 | $16,199 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ross Foundation reported a distributable amount of $146K for 2024 — 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 grant areas are education; arts and cultural enrichment; community beautification and improvement; historical preservation; mental health and the developmentally disabled; and forestry research and conservation management. Its website says its philanthropic program has historically focused on projects in the Clark County, Arkansas area.
The foundation seeks proposals from organizations with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) or public charity status under Section 509(a)(1) or (2). Its 2024 grants included support for a scholarship program; conservation and wildlife habitat work; tree planting and beautification; food credits for Clark County pantries; and arts and community projects. The Arkadelphia Promise Foundation describes its scholarship’s goals as increasing local students’ college-going rate, reducing college withdrawals for financial reasons, and supporting a more educated workforce. The Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation says it supports conservation education, wildlife habitat, and land for game and fish management programs.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 27 grants totaling $747,655. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $351,684, with a median of $5,000. The largest awards included $351,684 to the Arkadelphia Promise Foundation for its 2024 scholarship fund and $153,209 to the Arkansas Game & Fish Foundation for conservation work, including work at Big Timber WMA and support in the West Gulf Coastal Plain. Other notable grants were $46,606 each to the Arkansas Forestry Association Education Foundation and The Nature Conservancy, both for unrestricted grants; $33,750 to the City of Arkadelphia for the Festival of the Arts and license plate readers; and $28,600 to Ouachita Baptist University to purchase campus trees.
The application process begins with a pre-proposal, which may be submitted at any time. It requires general information about the organization, a brief project description, a letter signed by an officer authorized to sign contracts, and a preliminary budget. Trustees review pre-proposals received to date at monthly board meetings. Applicants whose projects fit the foundation’s interests may be invited to submit a full proposal, with a checklist; one unbound copy is requested. The foundation may request additional information or a site visit. It does not fund political lobbying, political advocacy or legislative activities, or grants to individuals. It generally does not fund established agencies’ operating expenses, foreign organizations or expenditures, or debt reduction drives.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Ross Whipple as Chairman and Trustee; Mary Whipple as Secretary and Trustee; Mark Karnes as Director of Operations and Trustee; and Mary Elizabeth Eldridge as Director of Programs and Trustee. It also lists Peggy Clark, Margaret Doose, Emily Nadeau, Clark Tennyson, and Mary Kathryn Tennyson as trustees.
The Ross Foundation is led by Ross Whipple, Chairman & Trustee on every filing since 2020; all 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ross Whipple
Chairman & Trustee
On filings since 2020
12 hrs/week
$52K (2020) → $78K (2024)
Clark Tennyson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $18K (2024)
Mark Karnes
Director of Operations & Trustee
Tr & Director of Ops → Director of Operations & Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$124K (2020) → $150K (2024)
Mary Elizabeth Eldridge
Director of Programs & Trustee
Director & Trustee → Director of Programs & Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
14 hrs/week
$53K (2020) → $64K (2024)
Mary Whipple
Secretary & Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $18K (2024)
Peggy Clark
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $18K (2024)
Emily Nadeau
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
$18K (2022) → $18K (2024)
Margaret Doose
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
$18K (2022) → $18K (2024)
Mary Kathryn Katie Tennyson
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
$18K (2022) → $18K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $150K, to Mark Karnes (Director of Operations/Trustee). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Ross Foundation
How much does The Ross Foundation give each year?
The Ross Foundation gave $748K across 27 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $712K across 26 grants.
What is The Ross Foundation's typical grant size?
The Ross Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $27,691, across 27 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Ross Foundation that year got $3K on average.
Where does The Ross Foundation give grants?
The Ross Foundation gives mostly in Arkansas: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Arkadelphia, AR (13 grants), Little Rock, AR (7 grants) and Hot Springs, AR (2 grants).
Does The Ross Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 30% of The Ross Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 27) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Ross Foundation's largest grantees?
The Ross Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Arkadelphia Promise Foundation ($351,684), Arkansas Game & Fish Foundation ($153,209) and Arkansas Forestry Assoc Education Foundation ($46,606), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 74% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Ross Foundation?
The Ross Foundation reported $111.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $146K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Ross Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated grant areas are education; arts and cultural enrichment; community beautification and improvement; historical preservation; mental health and the developmentally disabled; and forestry research and conservation management. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Ross Foundation?
Start with the online pre-proposal form. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Ross Foundation's EIN?
The Ross Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 71-6060574. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Ross Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Ross Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-ross-foundation-morg_7d6359e6a4754456bf863de3bb34c051
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_716060574_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Ross Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-ross-foundation-morg_7d6359e6a4754456bf863de3bb34c051},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Ross 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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