The Swearingen Foundation
The Swearingen Foundation is a private foundation based in Prairie Village, Kansas. Its 2021 IRS filing is marked as the organization’s final return, indicating that it appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking.
The Swearingen Foundation at a glance
In short: The Swearingen Foundation gave $527K across 36 grants in 2021 (avg $15K), top state North Carolina. 19% of 2021 grantees were new. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $527,340
- +257.5% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 36
- -10.0% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $14,648
- +297.2% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (7 of 36, 2021)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (30% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Swearingen 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. Its filing does not describe an application process or required materials.
- Contact
Mailing address: 4200 Somerset Drive 208, Prairie Village, KS 66208
Phone: (913) 213-5400
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Swearingen Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was Duke University Department of Neurology ($50K). Together the top 10 received $297K.
Grant Size Distribution
117 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 115 grants of 117 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2021, recipients in North Carolina received 30% of grant dollars, Michigan 19%, Florida 19%, California 9%, and Virginia 7%. The listed grants also include recipients in other states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Swearingen Foundation open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2021
In 2021, 7 of 36 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $17K; repeat grants $14K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 78% of 2021 grantees were also funded in 2020. Method
- In 2021 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2021). 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 2019 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $148K (2020) to $527K (2021). In 2021 it made 36 grants totaling $527K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Duke University Department of Neurology Durham, NC | Charitable | $50,000 |
| The Hoover Institution Stanford, CA | Charitable | $50,000 |
| Ackland Museum - Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC | Charitable | $30,000 |
| Heritage Foundation Washington, DC | Charitable | $30,000 |
| Indian River Area Library Indian River, MI | Charitable | $30,000 |
| McLaren N Michigan Hospital Foundation Petoskey, MI | Charitable | $30,000 |
| Christ United Methodist Church - Venice FL Venice, FL | Charitable | $20,000 |
| Indian River United Methodist Church Indian River, MI | Charitable | $20,000 |
| Secu Family House of Chapel Hill Winston-Salem, NC | Charitable | $20,000 |
| Rescue Missions Ministries Inc Durham, NC | Charitable | $16,840 |
Ready to take the next step with The Swearingen Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation’s filing type is Form 990-PF.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $376,300 | $541,984 | $527,340 | 36 | $527,340 | $361,656 | $13,205 |
| 2020 | $167,071 | $100,684 | $156,530 | $147,500 | 40 | — | $92,435 | $23,183 |
| 2019 | $222,974 | $82,038 | $160,954 | $150,000 | 41 | — | $72,124 | $30,878 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Swearingen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $13K for 2021 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2021 grants went to organizations including a university neurology department, museums, a library, hospital and church foundations, a rescue mission, and a university engineering team. These examples describe recipients, not the foundation’s stated focus areas. Among the grantees described in their own words, Rescue Missions Ministries said it serves people experiencing homelessness and addiction in central North Carolina; Inland Lakes Educational Foundation said it funds scholarships for graduates of the Inland Lakes School District; and the North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation said it stewards and shares an art collection and connects communities to cultural and natural resources.
Grantmaking
In 2021, the foundation made 36 grants totaling $527,340. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $50,000, with a median of $10,000. Notable awards included $50,000 each to Duke University Department of Neurology and the Hoover Institution; $30,000 each to Ackland Museum - Chapel Hill, Heritage Foundation, Indian River Area Library, and McLaren N Michigan Hospital Foundation; and $20,000 each to Christ United Methodist Church - Venice FL, Indian River United Methodist Church, and SECU Family House of Chapel Hill.
Other 2021 grants included $16,840 to Rescue Missions Ministries, $10,000 each to DePauw University, North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation, and Inland Lakes Educational Foundation, $2,500 to Lake Forest College, and $1,000 to North Carolina Opera.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2021 filing lists Marcia Swearingen Pfleeger, Linda Swearingen Arnold, F Gary Pfleeger, Matthew C Arnold Sr, and Matthew C Arnold Jr as directors.
The Swearingen Foundation's 2021 filing lists 5 officers; all 5 officers listed in 2021 are compensated.
Officers on the 2021 filing
F. Gary Pfleeger
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$300 (2019) → $300 (2021)
Linda Swearingen Arnold
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$300 (2019) → $300 (2021)
Marcia Swearingen Pfleeger
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$300 (2019) → $300 (2021)
Matthew C. Arnold Jr.
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$300 (2019) → $300 (2021)
Matthew C. Arnold Sr.
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$300 (2019) → $300 (2021)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2021. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2021 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2021 filing was $300, to Marcia Swearingen Pfleeger (Director). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Swearingen Foundation
How much does The Swearingen Foundation give each year?
The Swearingen Foundation gave $527K across 36 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $148K across 40 grants.
What is The Swearingen Foundation's typical grant size?
The Swearingen Foundation's median grant in 2021 was $10,000, and its average grant was $14,648, across 36 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Swearingen Foundation that year got $17K on average.
Where does The Swearingen Foundation give grants?
The Swearingen Foundation's top state is North Carolina, with 30% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Michigan (19%) and Florida (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were Venice, FL (5 grants), Indian River, MI (4 grants), Chapel Hill, NC (3 grants) and Sarasota, FL (3 grants).
Does The Swearingen Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2021: none of the 36 grants with a stated purpose on The Swearingen Foundation's 2021 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (36 grants).
Who are The Swearingen Foundation's largest grantees?
The Swearingen Foundation's largest 2021 grantees include Duke University Department of Neurology ($50,000), The Hoover Institution ($50,000) and Ackland Museum - Chapel Hill ($30,000), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2021 grant dollars.
What does The Swearingen Foundation fund?
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2021 grants went to organizations including a university neurology department, museums, a library, hospital and church foundations, a rescue mission, and a university engineering team. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Swearingen 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 ↑
How much is The Swearingen Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2021, The Swearingen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $13K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Swearingen Foundation's EIN?
The Swearingen Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-7164493. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2021.
Does The Swearingen Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 26, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 10, 2022)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2021
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Figures come from The Swearingen 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.
The Swearingen Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?