Firefly Scientists Foundation
Invitation OnlySt Louis, Missouri · EIN 47-2340029 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2024)$3.6M
Organizations funded49
Typical grant$50,000
Total assets$90M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $35,000 and $75,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2024 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
91% of grants went outside Missouri.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Opera | Minneapolis, MN | Lab theater renovation | $450,000 |
| Jewish National Fund | New York, NY | Ecological rooftop at lotem construction project | $300,000 |
| Dodge Nature Center | West St Paul, MN | Pledge payment | $250,000 |
| Leland Stanford Junior University | Stanford, CA | Pledge payment | $200,000 |
| Classical Tahoe | Incline Village, NV | Livestream programming | $187,000 |
| Hugs Cafe | Mckinney, TX | Construction of cafe training facility and headqtr | $125,000 |
| Walker West Music Academy | St Paul, MN | Capital campaign | $125,000 |
| Access Ability Wi Inc | Verona, WI | Outdoors access 4 all building awareness, participants, leaders proj | $121,000 |
| Friends of the Arava Institute | Newton Centre, MA | Matching commitment pledge | $100,000 |
| Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations | Chicago, IL | Ensemble program & producing | $85,000 |
| Highland Friendship Club | St Paul, MN | Community engagement position, lanes 4 friendship | $85,000 |
| Young Dance | St Paul, MN | All abilities dance initiative | $80,000 |
| Partnership Resources Inc | Minneapolis, MN | Inclusion through arts access | $75,000 |
| Mi Work Matters | Livonia, MI | Training/Employment expansion program | $70,000 |
| Springboard for the Arts | St Paul, MN | Cow tipping press grant | $70,000 |
| Carrusel En LA Sebastiana Corp | Guaynabo, PR | Employment readiness training | $65,000 |
| International Association for Spelling As Communication | Herndon, VA | Nonspeaking entrepreneurship program | $60,000 |
| Best Prep | Brooklyn Park, MN | 2024 educational forum, mbv assessment thru wilder research | $56,000 |
| True Tales Live | Barrington, NH | True tales podcast | $55,000 |
| Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest | Clermont, KY | Outdoor play equipment playcosystem play research expansion | $50,000 |
| Chabad Lubavitch Jewish Educational Center | St Paul, MN | Matching campaign upward, onward! | $50,000 |
| Friendship Circle of Washington | Mercer Island, WA | Teen & young adult life skills | $50,000 |
| Kairos Alive | Minneapolis, MN | Unrestricted in memory of maria genne | $50,000 |
| Marnita's Table | Minneapolis, MN | General operations | $50,000 |
| Mnprov | St Paul, MN | Neurodiverse talent taking | $50,000 |
| Omnium Circus | Brooklyn, NY | I'm possible too production | $50,000 |
| Opera Theatre of St Louis | St Louis, MO | Unrestricted funds | $50,000 |
| Reve Academy | Minneapolis, MN | Impact today + vision tomorrow initiative | $50,000 |
| Safe Toddles Inc | New York, NY | Empowering blind toddlers thru safe independence | $50,000 |
| Variety the Children's Charity of St Louis | St Louis, MO | Durable medical equipment | $50,000 |
| Lift for Life Academy | St Louis, MO | Workforce development program | $42,000 |
| American Dance Wheels Foundation | Balacynwyd, PA | Better together project | $38,000 |
| Disability Belongs | Fredericksburg, VA | Talent pipeline program project | $38,000 |
| Highland Popcorn | St Paul, MN | Expands initiative | $37,000 |
| Hennepin Theater Trust | Minneapolis, MN | Sensory friendly theatre, production curriculum, toolkit development | $36,000 |
| Arts in Motion Studio | Brentwood, MO | Arts in motion studio project | $35,000 |
| Gigi's Playhouse | Hoffman Estates, IL | Programming for adults with down syndrome | $35,000 |
| Winters Center for Autism | West Babylon, NY | Winters creative career center | $35,000 |
| Arts for All Kentucky | Murray, KY | Art programs for adults | $33,000 |
| No Limits Cafe | Red Bank, NJ | Suzanne hatfield training program | $30,000 |
| Elpis Enterprises | St Paul, MN | Increasing accessibility project | $27,000 |
| Hugh E Sandefur Training Center | Henderson, KY | General operations | $25,000 |
| Mano a Mano Intl Partners | St Paul, MN | Unrestricted gift | $25,000 |
| Valley Friendship Club | Stillwater, MN | Horticulture education for people living with disabilities | $25,000 |
| Vetri Community Partnership | Philadelphia, PA | Cooking for independence; pilot series - people W/ cognitive disabilities | $22,400 |
| Adaptive Outdoor Education Center | Carrabassett Valley, ME | Adaptive mobility initiative | $20,000 |
| Minnesota Independence College & Community | Richfield, MN | Gala sponsorship | $20,000 |
| Alive & Kickin | Minneapolis, MN | Matching opportunity grant | $10,000 |
| Wilderness Inquiry | St Paul, MN | Great river race | $3,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,645,400 | 49 |
| 2023 | $3,755,000 | 46 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Oct 31, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202503049349101110
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 47-2340029
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.