The Ruthmere Foundation
The Ruthmere Foundation is a private foundation focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Elkhart, IN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $11.8M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $5K. Net investment income was $839K.
The Ruthmere Foundation at a glance
In short: The Ruthmere Foundation gave $5K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $1K), mostly in Indiana. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,460
- +27.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- +33.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,365
- -4.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $655
- Total assets
- $11,849,900
- +3.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Indiana (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Ruthmere Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was First Presbyterian Church ($4K). Together the top 4 received $5K.
Grant Size Distribution
17 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 17 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Ruthmere Foundation gives
- Giving grew 27% from 2021 to 2024. 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
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4K (2020) to $11K (2022). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $5K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| First Presbyterian Church Elkhart, IN | Exempt Purpose of Organization | $4,000 |
| WNIT Public Television South Bend, IN | Exempt Purpose of Organization | $750 |
| Community Foundation of Elkhart County Elkhart, IN | Exempt Purpose of Organization | $560 |
| Elkhart Festivals Inc Elkhart, IN | Exempt Purpose of Organization | $150 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $11,849,900 | $1,187,726 | $1,193,504 | $5,460 | 4 | $1,057,352 | $838,598 |
| 2023 | $11,500,968 | $1,539,499 | $931,047 | $4,285 | 3 | $798,160 | $422,713 |
| 2022 | $10,060,793 | $1,689,933 | $1,023,372 | $11,415 | 5 | $866,965 | $89,049 |
| 2021 | $10,886,148 | $2,928,717 | $994,877 | $4,285 | 3 | $896,027 | $1,403,241 |
| 2020 | $8,843,827 | $6,374,410 | $647,893 | $3,635 | 2 | — | $6,058,802 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Ruthmere Foundation is led by William Firstenberger, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 18 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
William Firstenberger
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$85K (2020) → $87K (2024)
Edward A Beardsley
President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ann Knoll
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Constance Fulmer
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gregory A Kil
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jackson W Beck
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael J Church
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert J Deputy
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Colter Cody Combs
Director
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Myers
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew H Beardsley
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Tychonievich
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Deptula
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Burton
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
George E Freese
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James A Bridenstine
First Vice President
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Todd Zeiger
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janet Evanega Rieckhoff
Second Vice President
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Joan Beardsley Norris (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Karen Cittadine (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Bill Burton (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Dan Tychonievich (2023) — Director
- Former: Dorinda Miles Smith (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Janet Evanega (2020–2022) — Second Vice President
- Former: Teri L Stout (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Cameron T Combs (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Johnathan Tuff (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Robert B Beardsley (2020–2021) — Founding Director
- Former: Arthur J Decio (2020) — Lifetime Director
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 $87K, to William Firstenberger (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Ruthmere Foundation
How much does The Ruthmere Foundation give each year?
The Ruthmere Foundation gave $5K across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4K across 3 grants.
What is The Ruthmere Foundation's typical grant size?
The Ruthmere Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $655, and its average grant was $1,365, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Ruthmere Foundation give grants?
The Ruthmere Foundation gives mostly in Indiana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Elkhart, IN (3 grants).
How large is The Ruthmere Foundation?
The Ruthmere Foundation reported $11.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $1.2M.
What is The Ruthmere Foundation?
The Ruthmere Foundation is a private foundation focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Elkhart, IN. It holds $11.8M in total assets as of 2024.
What is The Ruthmere Foundation's EIN?
The Ruthmere Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 32-0037914. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Ruthmere Foundation funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Ruthmere Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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