The STEAM Engine Foundation
The STEAM Engine Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. Its 2025 filing reports 17 scholarship grants totaling $36,600, all to recipients in California.
The STEAM Engine Foundation at a glance
In short: The STEAM Engine Foundation gave $37K across 17 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $36,600
- Grants made (2025)
- 17
- Average grant
- $2,153
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $774,157
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The STEAM Engine Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The STEAM Engine Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was J Berkley ($4K). Together the top 10 received $27K.
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
All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The STEAM Engine Foundation gives
- In 2025 it paid out 137% of 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 2025 it made 17 grants totaling $37K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| J Berkley Ramona, CA | Scholarship Grant | $4,000 |
| M Mule San Diego, CA | Scholarship Grant | $3,000 |
| R Schmidt San Diego, CA | Scholarship Grant | $3,000 |
| A Norton Ramona, CA | Scholarship Grant | $2,500 |
| A Rowell San Diego, CA | Scholarship Grant | $2,500 |
| C Avetta San Marcos, CA | Scholarship Grant | $2,500 |
| G Page San Diego, CA | Scholarship Grant | $2,500 |
| J Rathburn San Diego, CA | Scholarship Grant | $2,500 |
| L Sanders San Marcos, CA | Scholarship Grant | $2,500 |
| B Grace San Diego, CA | Scholarship Grant | $2,000 |
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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 | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $774,157 | $349,137 | $55,312 | $36,600 | 17 | $47,467 | $325,853 | $34,736 |
| 2023 | $274,511 | $292,511 | $18,000 | — | — | $13,212 | $271,652 | $1,907 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The STEAM Engine Foundation reported a distributable amount of $35K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 17 grants totaling $36,600. Grants ranged from $600 to $4,000, with a median of $2,500. The filing identifies the grants as scholarship grants.
Among the largest grants were $4,000 to J Berkley of Ramona, California; $3,000 each to M Mule and R Schmidt of San Diego; and $2,500 each to A Norton of Ramona, A Rowell and G Page of San Diego, C Avetta and L Sanders of San Marcos, and J Rathburn of San Diego.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Amy Shreve von Novak as director, president, secretary, and treasurer, and William Henry von Novak III as director.
The STEAM Engine Foundation is led by Amy Shreve von Novak, Director, President, Secretary & Treasurer on every filing since 2023; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Amy Shreve von Novak
Director, President, Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Henry von Novak III
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023–2025. "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 STEAM Engine Foundation
How much does The STEAM Engine Foundation give each year?
The STEAM Engine Foundation gave $37K across 17 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is The STEAM Engine Foundation's typical grant size?
The STEAM Engine Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,500, and its average grant was $2,153, across 17 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The STEAM Engine Foundation give grants?
The STEAM Engine Foundation gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were San Diego, CA (12 grants), Ramona, CA (2 grants) and San Marcos, CA (2 grants).
Does The STEAM Engine Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on The STEAM Engine Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship Grant" (17 grants).
Who are The STEAM Engine Foundation's largest grantees?
The STEAM Engine Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include J Berkley ($4,000), M Mule ($3,000) and R Schmidt ($3,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The STEAM Engine Foundation?
The STEAM Engine Foundation reported $774K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $47K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $35K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
How do I apply for a grant from The STEAM Engine Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The STEAM Engine Foundation's EIN?
The STEAM Engine Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 92-2765555. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023–2025.
Does The STEAM Engine Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 8, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal year 2023
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Figures come from The STEAM Engine 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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