The Kemmerer Family Foundation concentrates its funding on public library infrastructure and a small set of place-based emergency services. The foundation makes large, targeted gifts—frequently for capital campaigns and sustained operating support—and repeats grants to the same institutions, indicating long-term partnerships. While most support goes to local libraries (including multiple grants for building expansions and operations), a substantial outlier is sizeable funding for Teton County Search & Rescue, suggesting a personal or geographic connection there.
A defining pattern of the Kemmerer Family Foundation is its repeated use of large, targeted gifts to expand and sustain a small set of institutions over multiple years. The clearest example is Kemmerer Library in New Vernon, New Jersey, which received $500,000 in 2023 for a planned building expansion project, another $500,000 in 2024 for library expansion, and $500,000 in 2025 for a building expansion project and operations. That same long-term approach appears in Wyoming, where Teton County Search & Rescue received $400,000 in both 2023 and 2024 for a dedicated helicopter, followed by a $200,000 grant in 2025 for the purchase of a rescue helicopter. The foundation also backs community-serving institutions such as Community Library in Ketchum, Idaho, which received $350,000 in 2025 for library operations and programs. Across the recent grants list, the foundation’s support centers on library infrastructure, library operations, and emergency response capacity, with additional gifts extending to housing, land conservation, museums, education, and survivor support.
Public library facilities are a core theme. Kemmerer Family Foundation gave $500,000 to Kemmerer Library Harding Township in New Vernon, New Jersey, for a planned building expansion project, and another $500,000 to Kemmerer Library in New Vernon for library expansion. In Idaho, they gave $350,000 to Community Library in Ketchum for library operations and programs. Emergency response is another clear area: Teton County Search & Rescue in Jackson, Wyoming, received $400,000 in 2023 and $400,000 in 2024 for a dedicated helicopter, then $200,000 in 2025 for the purchase of a rescue helicopter. The foundation also funds land and park work, including $250,000 to Jackson Hole Land Trust for land conservation and park maintenance.
Typical awards are substantial: the grant-size distribution is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $81,750 at the 75th percentile. The recent record shows repeated support to the same recipients across multiple years, especially Kemmerer Library and Teton County Search & Rescue, which points to ongoing partnerships rather than one-off awards. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it funds individuals. Program-related investments are not used in the data provided. Recent grants suggest a mix of capital support, operating support, and project-based funding, with several awards tied to expansions, equipment, and facilities.
$3.6M
$34.6M
$9.3M
$3.9M
Most grants fall between $10K and $82K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$82K
About 12% of grants go to recipients in WY.
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Highly concentrated: very few, large grants with repeat funding to the same core grantees; mix of capital campaign gifts and operational support; geographically focused but includes at least one out-of-area priority.
Notable grantees: Kemmerer Library (including Harding Township projects), Teton County Search & Rescue, Community Library
Giving is national, but it is heavily concentrated in Wyoming, which accounts for the largest share of grants by count. New Jersey also receives a meaningful share, with 12% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Recent recipient cities include New Vernon, Jackson, Ketchum, Hailey, Laramie, Bellevue, Stowe, Arlington, Charlottesville, and Summit. Outside the foundation’s home state, Wyoming and Idaho appear frequently in the recent grants list, especially Jackson and Ketchum.
The recent grants show support for library expansion and operations, search-and-rescue equipment, land conservation and park maintenance, workforce and school-employee housing, scholarship support, museum projects, and domestic abuse prevention and survivor support. Several awards are tied to facilities, capital campaigns, and operating support.
Yes. The same organizations appear in multiple years, including Kemmerer Library, which received $500,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Teton County Search & Rescue, which received $400,000 in 2023 and 2024 and $200,000 in 2025. That pattern suggests multi-year relationships.
The grant-size distribution is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $81,750 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes several six-figure awards, showing that the foundation uses both smaller and very large grants.
By grant count, Wyoming is the top state for the foundation’s giving. New Jersey, the HQ state, accounts for 12% of grants, and the recipient city list also includes places in Idaho, Vermont, Virginia, and Colorado.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood River Land Trust | Hailey, ID | $500,000 | 2026 | Land Conservation |
| Mahlon S Kemmerer Memorial Park Center | Jim Thorpe, PA | $450,000 | 2026 | Capital Improvements |
| Central Wyoming College | Jackson, WY | $300,000 | 2026 | Construction and development of Jackson campus |
| Hamsfork Museum Inc | Kemmerer, WY | $250,000 | 2026 | Upgrades and exhibits for local museum |
| The Advocates | Hailey, ID | $200,000 | 2026 | Domestic Abuse Preventation and Survivor Support |
| Project Big Wood | Ketchum, ID | $200,000 | 2026 | River preservation and maintenance |
| Community Foundation of Jackson Hole | Jackson, WY | $175,000 | 2026 | Various Community Charitable Efforts |
| Rotarun Ski Club | Hailey, ID | $158,000 | 2026 | Purchase and installation of ski equipment |
| St Luke's Wood River Foundation | Ketchum, ID | $155,000 | 2026 | Emergency department equipment |
| Trust for Public Land | Jackson, WY | $100,000 | 2026 | Land Conservation |
| Freedom Caucus Foundation | Washington, DC | $100,000 | 2026 | Education and Training |
| American Red Cross | Fairfield, NJ | $100,000 | 2026 | California Wildfires |
| Teton Valley Ranch Camp Education Foundation | Jackson, WY | $100,000 | 2026 | Facility Upgrades and Scholarships |
| Jackson Hole Children's Museum | Jackson, WY | $75,000 | 2026 | Move to New Facility and Exhibits |
| St John's Health Foundation | Jackson, WY | $75,000 | 2026 | Wellness Department support |
| St Stephens Episcopal Church | Millburn, NJ | $75,000 | 2026 | Cemetery Upgrades and maintenance |
| Community Foundation of Texas Hill Country | Kerrville, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | Relief aid for Flood victims |
| Flourish Foundation | Ketchum, ID | $50,000 | 2026 | Student Education Programs |
| Community Foundation of Teton Valley | Driggs, ID | $50,000 | 2026 | Earthfire Institute Wildlife Santucary |
| Arch Community Housing Trust | Ketchum, ID | $42,000 | 2026 | School District Workforce Housing |
| Legacy Park Trust Inc | Idaho City, ID | $40,000 | 2026 | Upgrades and improvements to Cowboy campgrounds |
| University of Wyoming Foundation | Laramie, WY | $25,000 | 2026 | Free Speech Initiative |
| Compass Women's Care | Jackson, WY | $25,000 | 2026 | Pregnant Women Support |
| Wood River YMCA | Ketchum, ID | $25,000 | 2026 | Childrens Water Safety and Swim Program |
| Corpus Christi Parish | Chatham, NJ | $20,000 | 2026 | Community Members in need |
| Holy Land Christians Society | Falls Church, VA | $20,000 | 2026 | Orphanage in Israel |
| Cleveland Clinic Indian River Foundation | Vero Beach, FL | $20,000 | 2026 | Hospital renovations and upgrades |
| Ecosystems Sciences Foundation | Boise, ID | $20,000 | 2026 | Silver Creek Watershed Program |
| Wyoming Catholic Ministries Foundation | Cheyenne, WY | $20,000 | 2026 | Catholic Elentary Schools in Wyoming |
| Turning Point USA | Phoenix, AZ | $20,000 | 2026 | Education and Training |
| Thrival Foundation | Bellevue, ID | $10,000 | 2026 | Classes and Camps for women and teens |
| Dude Ranch Foundation | Cody, WY | $10,000 | 2026 | Publication of memorial book |
| Our Lady of the Mountains | Jackson, WY | $10,000 | 2026 | Church Operating Expenses |
| Wyoming Rescue Mission | Casper, WY | $10,000 | 2026 | Support and treatment for homeless |
| Diocese of Paterson | Clifton, NJ | $10,000 | 2026 | Catholic Diocese Program |
| Independent Women's Forum | Winchester, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | Education and Training |
| Climb Wyoming | Jackson, WY | $10,000 | 2026 | Single Mother Support and Training |
| Gifford Youth Achievement Center | Vero Beach, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | Youth Employability Program |
| Women's Care Center | South Bend, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | Pregnant Women Support |
| Sisters of Christian Charity | Mendham, NJ | $5,000 | 2026 | Support for Ministry Programs |
| Snake River Fund | Jackson, WY | $5,000 | 2026 | Scholarships to Fish Camp program |
| Brain Chemistry Labs | Jackson, WY | $5,000 | 2026 | Medical Research |
| A Caring Center for Women | Vero Beach, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | Pregnant Women Support |
| Kemmerer Library | New Vernon, NJ | $500,000 | 2025 | Building expansion project & operations |
| Community Library | Ketchum, ID | $350,000 | 2025 | Library operations & programs |
| Jackson Hole Land Trust | Jackson, WY | $250,000 | 2025 | Land conservation & park maintenance |
| University of Wyoming Foundation | Laramie, WY | $250,000 | 2025 | Undergraduate Scholarship Fund |
| The Advocates | Hailey, ID | $200,000 | 2025 | domestic abuse prevention & survivor support |
| Teton County Search & Rescue | Jackson, WY | $200,000 | 2025 | Purchase of rescue helicopter |
| Jackson Hole Children's Museum | Jackson, WY | $175,000 | 2025 | move to new facilty & exhibits |
Wood River Land Trust
$500,000Land Conservation
Mahlon S Kemmerer Memorial Park Center
$450,000Capital Improvements
Central Wyoming College
$300,000Construction and development of Jackson campus
Hamsfork Museum Inc
$250,000Upgrades and exhibits for local museum
The Advocates
$200,000Domestic Abuse Preventation and Survivor Support
Project Big Wood
$200,000River preservation and maintenance
Rotarun Ski Club
$158,000Purchase and installation of ski equipment
Trust for Public Land
$100,000Land Conservation
Freedom Caucus Foundation
$100,000Education and Training
Facility Upgrades and Scholarships
St Stephens Episcopal Church
$75,000Cemetery Upgrades and maintenance
Community Foundation of Teton Valley
$50,000Earthfire Institute Wildlife Santucary
Legacy Park Trust Inc
$40,000Upgrades and improvements to Cowboy campgrounds
Compass Women's Care
$25,000Pregnant Women Support
Wood River YMCA
$25,000Childrens Water Safety and Swim Program
Corpus Christi Parish
$20,000Community Members in need
Holy Land Christians Society
$20,000Orphanage in Israel
Cleveland Clinic Indian River Foundation
$20,000Hospital renovations and upgrades
Ecosystems Sciences Foundation
$20,000Silver Creek Watershed Program
Wyoming Catholic Ministries Foundation
$20,000Catholic Elentary Schools in Wyoming
Turning Point USA
$20,000Education and Training
Thrival Foundation
$10,000Classes and Camps for women and teens
Dude Ranch Foundation
$10,000Publication of memorial book
Our Lady of the Mountains
$10,000Church Operating Expenses
Diocese of Paterson
$10,000Catholic Diocese Program
Climb Wyoming
$10,000Single Mother Support and Training
Sisters of Christian Charity
$5,000Support for Ministry Programs
Brain Chemistry Labs
$5,000Medical Research
A Caring Center for Women
$5,000Pregnant Women Support
Community Library
$350,000Library operations & programs
Teton County Search & Rescue
$200,000Purchase of rescue helicopter