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Elster Forbes Foundation is a private corporation based in BALLWIN, MO. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 2019. The principal officer is Allen D Elster. It holds total assets of $6.9M. Annual income is reported at $4.3M. Tax records are available from 2020 to 2023. Funding is distributed across 7 states, including National, Missouri, North Carolina. According to available records, Elster Forbes Foundation has made 67 grants totaling $2.5M, with a median grant of $30K. Annual giving has decreased from $780K in 2020 to $288K in 2023. Grantmaking activity was highest in 2022 with $1.1M distributed across 36 grants. Individual grants have ranged from $3K to $100K, with an average award of $38K. The foundation has supported 22 unique organizations. The foundation primarily supports organizations in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, which account for 45% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 12 states. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
Elster Forbes Foundation is a grantmaking private foundation open to external applicants. The primary strategy: (1) Align clearly with mental health, brain research (schizophrenia, depression, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's), or secondarily community welfare (homelessness, disaster relief, hunger, child welfare). (2) Be a proven, established organization with a track record. (3) Geographic alignment: prior grantees cluster in MO, NC, MA, VA, NY, DC. (4) National organizations (MHA, NAMI, Michael J. Fox Foundation, Cure Alzheimer's Fund) have received $50K gifts. (5) No public application portal identified; approach via phone (336-416-0817) or through personal network.
The foundation distributes $285K-$420K in grants annually across 8-12 grants. Grants range from $500 to $100,000 with an average of approximately $35,000-$50,000. Revenue comes entirely from investment income and capital gains. Notable: major mental health organizations (NAMI, MHA, Cure Alzheimer's, Michael J. Fox Foundation) receive $50K each. Total giving since inception: approximately $2.1M across 55 grants through 2023.
Elster Forbes Foundation occupies a niche as a family foundation focused on mental health research and advocacy with $7M in assets giving ~$350K/year. This places it alongside The Sozosei Foundation and The One Mind Foundation. Unlike large mental health funders (RWJ, NIMH), Elster Forbes gives smaller, more personal grants. Unlike most private foundations of its size, it funds both national organizations and local community services. Decision-making is centralized in three family members.
In FY2024, Elster Forbes showed a strong rebound: revenue rose 183% to $504,285 (driven by $324,466 in capital gains) and grants rose to $350,500. Key 2024 grantees included Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Mental Health America, and Cure Alzheimer's Fund (all at $50,000 each). The foundation appears to be expanding its focus toward the broader neurological disease spectrum (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's) based on recent grantees.
Key application tips: (1) Focus on mental health, brain disorders (schizophrenia, depression, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's), or demonstrate strong track record of community impact. (2) Established national mental health organizations are favored. (3) Request amounts of $25,000-$100,000; sweet spot appears to be $50,000 for major national organizations. (4) Contact: www.elsterforbesfoundation.org, phone 336-416-0817. No online grant portal has been identified—likely requires direct outreach or warm referral. (5) Demonstrate measurable outcomes and proven track record.
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Support for mental health organizations like NAMI and related groups to aid those affected by mental illnesses including schizophrenia, depression, and Alzheimer's disease.
Grants for basic and clinical research on brain disorders including schizophrenia, depression, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
Grants to local organizations addressing disaster relief, homelessness, hunger, child welfare, and animal welfare.
The foundation distributes $285K-$420K in grants annually across 8-12 grants. Grants range from $500 to $100,000 with an average of approximately $35,000-$50,000. Revenue comes entirely from investment income and capital gains. Notable: major mental health organizations (NAMI, MHA, Cure Alzheimer's, Michael J. Fox Foundation) receive $50K each. Total giving since inception: approximately $2.1M across 55 grants through 2023.
Elster Forbes Foundation has distributed a total of $2.5M across 67 grants. The median grant size is $30K, with an average of $38K. Individual grants have ranged from $3K to $100K.
Elster Forbes Foundation is a grantmaking private foundation open to external applicants. The primary strategy: (1) Align clearly with mental health, brain research (schizophrenia, depression, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's), or secondarily community welfare (homelessness, disaster relief, hunger, child welfare). (2) Be a proven, established organization with a track record. (3) Geographic alignment: prior grantees cluster in MO, NC, MA, VA, NY, DC. (4) National organizations (MHA, NAMI, Michael J. Fo.
Elster Forbes Foundation is headquartered in BALLWIN, MO. While based in MO, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 12 states.
Officer and trustee information is not yet available for this foundation. This data is typically reported in Part VIII of the 990-PF filing.
Total Giving
$295K
Total Assets
$6.8M
Fair Market Value
$7.1M
Net Worth
$6.8M
Grants Paid
$288K
Contributions
N/A
Net Investment Income
$45K
Distribution Amount
$348K
Total: $6.3M
Total Grants
67
Total Giving
$2.5M
Average Grant
$38K
Median Grant
$30K
Unique Recipients
22
Most Common Grant
$50K
of 2023 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cure Alzheimer FundHelp fulfill its charitable missions | Wellesley Hills, MA | $50K | 2023 |
| UnicefHelp fulfill its charitable missions | New York, NY | $50K | 2023 |
| Mental Health AmericaHelp fulfill its charitable missions | Alexandria, VA | $50K | 2023 |
| Feeding AmericaHelp fulfill its charitable missions | Washington, DC | $50K | 2023 |
| Recovery Institute Of MghHelp fulfill its charitable missions | Boston, MA | $50K | 2023 |
| Not One More VetHelp fulfill its charitable missions | San Jose, CA | $30K | 2023 |
| PaalsHelp fulfill its charitable missions | Columbia, SC | $5K | 2023 |
| Literacy TogetherFulfill its educational mission | Asheville, NC | $3K | 2023 |
| Family PromisePromote donee's charitable missions | Summit, NJ | $25K | 2022 |
| K9s For WarriorsPromote donee's charitable missions | Ponte Vedra, FL | $25K | 2022 |
| Clubhouse InternationalPromote donee's charitable missions | New York, NY | $20K | 2022 |
| Lines For LifePromote donee's charitable missions | Portland, OR | $20K | 2022 |
| Rossman SchoolPromote donee's charitable missions | Saint Louis, MO | $3K | 2022 |
| Finger Lakes Land TrustPromote donee's charitable missions | Ithaca, NY | $3K | 2022 |
| Recovery Research Institute Of Massadvance organization's charitable mission | Boston, MA | $50K | 2021 |