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Foundation Lookup

Form 990-PFTax year 2024EIN 47-2340029

Firefly Scientists Foundation

A private foundation in St Louis, MO. Its return for tax year 2024 lists 49 grants and $3.6 million paid in grants.

See which foundations fund work like yours Matching by cause, place and grant size

Tax year 2024 (period ending Dec 31, 2024), read from the IRS e-file on Nov 11, 2026. Returns reach the IRS 5 to 18 months after the year they describe.

How to apply

Preselected only

The return checks the box saying the foundation gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets and giving by year

7 returns on file
Grants paid by tax year. The latest year is in blue.

  • Tax year 2024

    $3,645,400

    Grants listed
    49
    Assets, end of year
    $74,893,305

  • Tax year 2023

    $3,755,000

    Grants listed
    46
    Assets, end of year
    $71,785,701

  • Tax year 2022

    $4,071,300

    Grants listed
    24
    Assets, end of year
    $72,656,586

  • Tax year 2021

    $4,101,320

    Grants listed
    46
    Assets, end of year
    $75,388,702

  • Tax year 2020

    $3,367,700

    Grants listed
    49
    Assets, end of year
    $72,403,459

  • Tax year 2019

    $3,796,600

    Grants listed
    34
    Assets, end of year
    $73,115,118

  • Tax year 2018

    $3,873,000

    Grants listed
    26
    Assets, end of year
    $74,144,515

Grants paid in 2024

49 grants, largest first

As listed on the return.

  1. Minnesota OperaMinneapolis, MN

    Lab theater renovation

    $450,000
  2. Jewish National FundRockville Ctr, NY

    Ecological rooftop at lotem construction project

    $300,000
  3. Dodge Nature CenterWest St Paul, MN

    Pledge payment

    $250,000
  4. Leland Stanford Junior UniversityStanford, CA

    Pledge payment

    $200,000
  5. Classical TahoeIncline VLG, NV

    Livestream programming

    $187,000
  6. Hugs CafeMcKinney, TX

    Construction of cafe training facility and headqtr

    $125,000
  7. Walker West Music AcademyMinneapolis, MN

    Capital campaign

    $125,000
  8. Access Ability Wi IncVerona, WI

    Outdoors access 4 all building awareness, participants, leaders proj

    $121,000
  9. Friends of the Arava InstituteNewton Center, MA

    Matching commitment pledge

    $100,000
  10. Artists Breaking Limits & ExpectationsChicago, IL

    Ensemble program & producing

    $85,000
  11. Highland Friendship ClubSaint Paul, MN

    Community engagement position, lanes 4 friendship

    $85,000
  12. Young DanceSaint Paul, MN

    All abilities dance initiative

    $80,000
  13. Partnership Resources IncMinneapolis, MN

    Inclusion through arts access

    $75,000
  14. Mi Work MattersLivonia, MI

    Training/employment expansion program

    $70,000
  15. Springboard for the ArtsSaint Paul, MN

    Cow tipping press grant

    $70,000
  16. Carrusel En La Sebastiana CorpGuaynabo, PR

    Employment readiness training

    $65,000
  17. International Association for Spelling as CommunicationHerndon, VA

    Nonspeaking entrepreneurship program

    $60,000
  18. Best PrepBrooklyn Park, MN

    2024 educational forum, MBV assessment thru wilder research

    $56,000
  19. True Tales LiveBarrington, NH

    True tales podcast

    $55,000
  20. Bernheim Arboretum & Research ForestClermont, KY

    Outdoor play equipment playcosystem play research expansion

    $50,000
  21. Chabad Lubavitch Jewish Educational CenterSaint Paul, MN

    Matching campaign upward, onward!

    $50,000
  22. Friendship Circle of WashingtonMercer Island, WA

    Teen & young adult life skills

    $50,000
  23. Kairos AliveMinneapolis, MN

    Unrestricted in memory of maria genne

    $50,000
  24. Marnita's TableMinneapolis, MN

    General operations

    $50,000
  25. MnprovSaint Paul, MN

    Neurodiverse talent taking

    $50,000
  26. Omnium CircusBrooklyn, NY

    I'm possible too production

    $50,000
  27. Opera Theatre of St LouisSt Louis, MO

    Unrestricted funds

    $50,000
  28. Reve AcademyMinneapolis, MN

    Impact today + vision tomorrow initiative

    $50,000
  29. Safe Toddles IncNew York, NY

    Empowering blind toddlers thru safe independence

    $50,000
  30. Variety the Children's Charity of St LouisSaint Louis, MO

    Durable medical equipment

    $50,000
  31. Lift for Life AcademySaint Louis, MO

    Workforce development program

    $42,000
  32. American Dance Wheels FoundationBalacynwyd, PA

    Better together project

    $38,000
  33. Disability BelongsFredericksbrg, VA

    Talent pipeline program project

    $38,000
  34. Highland PopcornSaint Paul, MN

    Expands initiative

    $37,000
  35. Hennepin Theater TrustMinneapolis, MN

    Sensory friendly theatre, production curriculum, toolkit development

    $36,000
  36. Arts in Motion StudioBrentwood, MO

    Arts in motion studio project

    $35,000
  37. Gigi's PlayhouseHoffman Est, IL

    Programming for adults with down syndrome

    $35,000
  38. Winters Center for AutismWest Babylon, NY

    Winters creative career center

    $35,000
  39. Arts for All KentuckyMurray, KY

    Art programs for adults

    $33,000
  40. No Limits CafeRed Bank, NJ

    Suzanne hatfield training program

    $30,000
  41. Elpis EnterprisesSaint Paul, MN

    Increasing accessibility project

    $27,000
  42. Hugh E Sandefur Training CenterHenderson, KY

    General operations

    $25,000
  43. Mano A Mano Intl PartnersSt Paul, MN

    Unrestricted gift

    $25,000
  44. Valley Friendship ClubStillwater, MN

    Horticulture education for people living with disabilities

    $25,000
  45. Vetri Community PartnershipPhiladelphia, PA

    Cooking for independence; pilot series - people w/ cognitive disabilities

    $22,400
  46. Adaptive Outdoor Education CenterCarrabassett Valley, ME

    Adaptive mobility initiative

    $20,000
  47. Minnesota Independence College & CommunityRichfield, MN

    Gala sponsorship

    $20,000
  48. Alive & KickinMinneapolis, MN

    Matching opportunity grant

    $10,000
  49. Wilderness InquiryBloomington, MN

    Great river race

    $3,000

Where the money goes

By cause: grants to organizations we matched to the IRS list of exempt organizations, by their category.

  1. Arts and culture6 grants $693,00031% of the total
  2. Education5 grants $435,00019% of the total
  3. Human services5 grants $372,00016% of the total
  4. International aid1 grant $300,00013% of the total
  5. Environment3 grants $153,0007% of the total
  6. Health3 grants $122,4005% of the total
  7. 5 other causes6 grants $189,0008% of the total

By State

Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.

  1. Minnesota21 grants $1,624,000
  2. New York4 grants $435,000
  3. California1 grant $200,000
  4. Nevada1 grant $187,000
  5. Missouri4 grants $177,000
  6. Texas1 grant $125,000
  7. Wisconsin1 grant $121,000
  8. Illinois2 grants $120,000
  9. Kentucky3 grants $108,000
  10. Massachusetts1 grant $100,000

Officers, directors and trustees

3 people as filed

As filed on the return, with average hours per week and pay from the foundation.

  • Miriam G WilhelmDIRECTOR Hours 4Pay $0
  • Scott MortensenDIRECTOR & ADMIN OFFICER Hours 4Pay $0
  • Melanie Broida WerlPRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR Hours 40Pay $0

The return

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