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Foundation Lookup

Form 990-PFTax year 2024EIN 71-6060574

The Ross Foundation

A private foundation in Arkadelphia, AR. Its return for tax year 2024 lists 27 grants and $747,655 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

Accepts applications

The return gives an application contact and rules, as below.

Contact
Mary Elizabeth Eldridge The Ross Fo
PO Box 335
Arkadelphia, AR 71923
(870) 246-9881
[email protected]
Form and materials
The application process consists of two steps. The first step is the preparation of a pre-proposal form, which can be found online at http://rossfoundation.us/pdfs/PreProposal_Info.pdf
Deadlines
Submission deadlines are posted online at http://rossfoundation.us/application_procedure.html
Restrictions
The major focus of the Foundation's philanthropic program has historically been restricted to projects that are located in the Clark County, Arkansas area. Applicant organizations must demonstrate tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) or public charity status under Sections 509(a)(1) or (2) of the Internal Revenue Code. Funding is not provided for political lobbying, political advocacy or legislative activities, or grants to individuals. Funding is generally not provided for operating expenses of established agencies, grants to foreign organizations, grants for foreign expenditure or debt reduction drives.

Assets and giving by year

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

  • Tax year 2024

    $747,655

    Grants listed
    27
    Assets, end of year
    $111,875,867

  • Tax year 2023

    $712,430

    Grants listed
    26
    Assets, end of year
    $114,473,884

  • Tax year 2022

    $655,597

    Grants listed
    23
    Assets, end of year
    $114,833,582

  • Tax year 2021

    $729,750

    Grants listed
    25
    Assets, end of year
    $105,700,204

  • Tax year 2020

    $674,101

    Grants listed
    22
    Assets, end of year
    $98,366,633

  • Tax year 2019

    $816,608

    Grants listed
    31
    Assets, end of year
    $97,711,995

  • Tax year 2018

    $698,786

    Grants listed
    29
    Assets, end of year
    $98,235,363

Grants paid in 2024

27 grants, largest first

As listed on the return.

  1. Arkadelphia Promise FoundationArkadelphia, AR

    Scholarship Fund 2024

    $351,684
  2. Arkansas Game & Fish FoundationLittle Rock, AR

    Conservation Work (Big Timber WMA and (JMWMA Funds), Support work in the West Gulf Coastal Plain.

    $153,209
  3. Arkansas Forestry Assoc Education FoundationLittle Rock, AR

    Unrestricted Grant

    $46,606
  4. The Nature ConservancyArlington, VA

    Unrestricted Grant

    $46,606
  5. City of ArkadelphiaArkadelphia, AR

    Arkadelphia Festival of the Arts and License Plate Readers

    $33,750
  6. Ouachita Baptist UniversityArkadelphia, AR

    Purchase Trees to Beautify Campus

    $28,600
  7. Arkansas Foodbank NetworkLittle Rock, AR

    Food Credits for Pantries in Clark County

    $15,000
  8. Dawson Education CooperativeArkadelphia, AR

    Mini Grant Program - 2024 - 2025

    $15,000
  9. Arkadelphia Public SchoolsArkadelphia, AR

    CONE Foundation

    $10,000
  10. Ouachita Baptist UniversityArkadelphia, AR

    Evaluation of Breeding Birds at Big Timber WMA

    $10,000
  11. Arkadelphia Public SchoolsArkadelphia, AR

    FBLA Students attend National Conference

    $5,000
  12. The CALL of Clark CountyArkadelphia, AR

    Project - Bring The CALL Home (Office)

    $5,000
  13. University of Arkansas Foundation IncFayetteville, AR

    ASMSA Talent Identification Pogram (ASMSA-TIP)

    $5,000
  14. Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Family ServicesLittle Rock, AR

    What's Next? Workforce Education at Vera Lloyd

    $5,000
  15. CASA of Clark and Pike CountiesArkadelphia, AR

    Strengethening Families

    $4,200
  16. Hot Springs Documentary Film InstituteHot Springs, AR

    HSDFF Educational Outreach Programs

    $3,000
  17. Arkansas Hunters Feeding the HungryLittle Rock, AR

    Snack Stick Program for Area Schools

    $2,500
  18. Baptist Health FoundationLittle Rock, AR

    General support

    $1,000
  19. Group Living IncArkadelphia, AR

    General support

    $1,000
  20. Lions of Arkansas FoundationHazen, AR

    General support

    $1,000
  21. Percy & Donna Malone Child Safety CenterArkadelphia, AR

    General support

    $1,000
  22. Soldiers of Service of Clark CountyGurdon, AR

    SOS Walkathon to benefit American Cancer Society

    $1,000
  23. Arkansas Environmental Education AssociationGreenland, AR

    Statewide Environmental & Outdoor Education, Conference

    $500
  24. Clark County 4-H FoundationArkadelphia, AR

    Support for the Clark County 4-H Program

    $500
  25. Curtis Rural Fire DepartmentCurtis, AR

    Unrestricted Grant

    $500
  26. Little League Baseball IncArkadelphia, AR

    General support

    $500
  27. NICA Hot Springs ThoroughbredsHot Springs, AR

    Mountain Bike Education Program & Outdoor Stewardship

    $500

Approved for future payment

5 grants

Approved in 2024 and not yet paid.

  1. Baptist Health FoundationLittle Rock, AR

    Hospice Room - Baptist Health Medical Center (2 years payable)

    $20,000
  2. Arkansas Children's FoundationLittle Rock, AR

    AED Machines for Clark County Schools

    $15,000
  3. Manchester Community Center IncArkadelphia, AR

    Pavilion

    $10,000
  4. Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship FundN Little Rock, AR

    2025 Ross Scholars - Clark County

    $7,500
  5. City of ArkadelphiaArkadelphia, AR

    K9 Accelerant and Tracking Program

    $3,000

Where the money goes

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

  1. Education4 grants $395,28471% of the total
  2. Animals2 grants $154,20928% of the total
  3. Human services2 grants $6,0001% of the total
  4. Arts and culture1 grant $3,000<1% of the total
  5. Health1 grant $1,000<1% of the total
  6. Environment1 grant $500<1% of the total
  7. 1 other causes1 grant $500<1% of the total

By State

Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.

  1. Arkansas27 grants $747,655

Officers, directors and trustees

9 people as filed

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

  • Ross WhippleChairman/Trustee Hours 12Pay $78,050
  • Mary WhippleSecretary/Trustee Hours 2Pay $18,000
  • Mark KarnesDirector of Operations/Trustee Hours 40Pay $150,248
  • Mary Elizabeth EldridgeDirector of Programs/Trustee Hours 14Pay $64,083
  • Peggy ClarkTrustee Hours 2Pay $18,000
  • Margaret DooseTrustee Hours 2Pay $18,000
  • Emily NadeauTrustee Hours 2Pay $18,000
  • Clark TennysonTrustee Hours 2Pay $18,000
  • Mary Kathryn TennysonTrustee Hours 2Pay $18,000

The return

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