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Ellman Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Ellman Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$243k
Granted FY2024still arriving
11
Grants FY2024still arriving
4
States reached
$228k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0197% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2024.

Civil Rights$1.0MArts & Culture$393kAnimals$49kInternational$25kPublic Safety & Disaster$15kPublic Benefit$13kEnvironment$10kHealth$8kOther$0
02FY2024 · 11 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k10 grants · $15k
  • $50k–250k1 grant · $228k
$1,000
Median grant
4
States reached
$515k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
PHOENIX ART MUSEUM$228,123
SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR INSTITUTE$5,000
SOUTHWEST WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTER$3,596
GREATER GOOD CHARITIES$2,046
SURF RIDER FOUNDATION$1,052
ARIZONA HUMANE SOCIETY$1,000
SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (SPCA)$700
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR MONTEREY COUNTY$529
LAGUNA BEACH FIREFIGHTERS COMMUNITY ASSISTACE FUND$500
THE NEON MUSEUM$250
REID PARK ZOO$100
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY18–18, $210) land where the poverty rate runs at 11%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY: $210 → 11%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

WA
NY
NV
PA
CA
UT
CO
NE
VA
MD
AZ
TN
DC
GA
TX
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

95%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$1.5M · 18 repeat orgs$76k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +59% since the first grant, against +44% for those funded once.

18 repeat relationships: 9 still active in FY2024, 9 since wound down; 1 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

18
42

Total granted

$1.5M
$76k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+59%
+44%

Still filing today

89%
45%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 100% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $500 went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
AnimalsArts & CultureHealthEducationPublic Safety & DisasterEnvironmentOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER INC
    6× · 2017–2022 · $1.0M · revenue +51%
  • PA
    PHOENIX ART MUSEUM
    8× · 2017–2024 · $387k · revenue +19%
  • FO
    FRIENDS OF THE SEA LIONS INC DBA PACIFIC MARINE MAMMAL CENTER
    7× · 2017–2023 · $24k · revenue +51%

Funded once

  • FF
    FUND FOR ISRAEL'S TOMORROW
    one grant, 2023 · $25k · revenue -9%
  • TL
    Teen Lifeline Incgraduated
    one grant, 2017 · $15k · revenue +44%
  • CT
    CLASSROOM TEACHER ASSISTANCE FUND
    one grant, 2021 · $8k
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Sacramento Zoological Society

The sacramento zoo inspires appreciation, respect and a connection with wildlife and nature through education, recreation and conservation.

Animals
2
Zoological Society of San Diego

San diego zoo wildlife alliance is committed to saving species worldwide by uniting our expertise in wildlife care and conservation science with our dedication to inspiring passion for nature.

Animals
3
Aquarium of the Pacific Corporation

The aquarium of the pacific's mission is to instill a sense of wonder, respect, and stewardship for the pacific ocean, its inhabitants, and ecosystems.

Animals
4
Rainforest Trust

Rainforest trust saves endangered wildlife and protects our planet by creating rainforest reserves through partnerships, community engagement, and donor support.

International
5
Naples Zoo Inc

Naples zoo is accredited by the american zoo & aquarium association (aza) and has numerous animal exhibits placed on its 45-acre site. (continued on schedule o)each exhibit is unique and designed to simulate typical conditions for the…

Animals
6
Arizona Center for Nature Conservation

The arizona center for nature conservation advances the stewardship and conservation of animals and their habitats while providing experiences that inspire people and motivate them to care for the natural world.

Animals
7
Witte Museum

The witte museum inspires people to shape the future of texas through transformative and relevant experiences in nature, science and culture.

Arts & Culture
8
United Animal Nations Dba Redrover

To bring animals out of crisis and strengthen the bond between people and animals through emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and education. redrover accomplishes its mission by engaging volunteers and…

—
9
The Humane Society for Seattleking County

Seattle humane promotes the human-animal bond by saving and serving pets in need, regardless of age, ability, circumstance or geography.

Animals
10
Marin Humane Society

Marin humane transforms lives through exceptional animal care, humane education, and advocacy. every day, marin humane inspires compassion and positive relationships between people and animals.

Animals
11
Arizona Community Foundation

To lead, serve and collaborate to mobilize enduring philanthropy for a better arizona.

Philanthropy
12
Colorado Museum of Natural History

Be a catalyst! Ignite our community's passion for nature and science.

Arts & Culture
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Arizona Humane Society; the most unlike its peers is Laguna Beach Firefighter Comm Assis Fund. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

37 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 37 of the 62 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
6
Early backer (in before they grew)
37/37
Grantees still filing
26/37
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER INC: $1,010,000 · Arts & CultureSIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER INCPHOENIX ART MUSEUM: $386,806 · Arts & CulturePHOENIX ART MUSEUM+5 more: $4,030 · Arts & CultureFRIENDS OF THE SEA LIONS INC DBA PACIFIC MARINE MAMMAL CENTER: $23,971 · AnimalsArizona Humane Society: $8,000 · AnimalsSOUTHWEST WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTER: $5,998 · AnimalsPEACE OF MIND DOG RESCUE: $2,800 · Animals+7 more: $4,932 · AnimalsCLASSROOM TEACHER ASSISTANCE FUND: $7,500 · OtherBOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE VALLEY INC: $5,000 · OtherASU PRESIDENT'S CLUB: $2,500 · OtherARIZONA COSTUME INSTITUTE: $1,750 · OtherLUV OF DOGS FUND INC: $1,500 · OtherHONORHEALTH FOUNDATION: $5,000 · OtherGREATER GOOD CHARITIES: $3,092 · Other+31 more: $12,287 · OtherFUND FOR ISRAEL'S TOMORROW: $25,000 · InternationalTeen Lifeline Inc: $14,800 · Public Safety & Disaster+1 more: $500 · Public Safety & DisasterSANDRA DAY O'CONNOR INSTITUTE FOR AMERICAN DEMOCRACY: $10,000 · Community ImprovementTHE SURFRIDER FOUNDATION: $7,104 · EnvironmentWORLD WILDLIFE FUND INC: $2,100 · Environment
Arts & Culture$1,400,836Animals$45,701Other$38,629International$25,000Public Safety & Disaster$15,300Community Improvement$10,000Environment$9,204

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetSIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER INC: $1,010,000 over 6y, 1.1% of budgetPHOENIX ART MUSEUM: $386,806 over 8y, 1.8% of budgetFUND FOR ISRAEL'S TOMORROW: $25,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetFRIENDS OF THE SEA LIONS INC DBA PACIFIC MARINE MAMMAL CENTER: $23,971 over 7y, 0.2% of budgetTeen Lifeline Inc: $14,800 over 1y, 1.4% of budgetSANDRA DAY O'CONNOR INSTITUTE FOR AMERICAN DEMOCRACY: $10,000 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetArizona Humane Society: $8,000 over 8y, 0.0% of budgetTHE SURFRIDER FOUNDATION: $7,104 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetSOUTHWEST WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTER: $5,998 over 6y, 0.1% of budgetHONORHEALTH FOUNDATION: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE VALLEY INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGREATER GOOD CHARITIES: $3,092 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetPEACE OF MIND DOG RESCUE: $2,800 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetWORLD WILDLIFE FUND INC: $2,100 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetTHE NEON MUSEUM: $1,300 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetLAGUNA ART MUSEUM: $1,155 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetTransplant Foundation Inc: $1,052 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetBEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY: $1,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetWetlands and Wildlife Care Center: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetDENVER HEALTH AND HOSPITALS FOUNDATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetLuv of dogz fund: $1,000 over 2y, 2.8% of budgetCURIOUS THEATRE COMPANY: $875 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetREID PARK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY: $830 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER: $600 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCOMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR MONTEREY COUNTY: $529 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetDENVER DUMB FRIENDS LEAGUE: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetLAGUNA BEACH FIREFIGHTER COMM ASSIS FUND: $500 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetMY SISTERS CHARITIES: $500 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetSPCA of Texas: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBREAKTHROUGH T1D: $300 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE MICHAEL J FOX FOUNDATION FOR PARKINSON'S RESEARCH: $258 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHospice of the Valley: $210 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBIDEAWEE INC: $102 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION FOR A NEW AMERICAN UNIVERSITY: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWIKIMEDIA FOUNDATION INC: $91 over 3y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

American Endowment Fo…Vanguard Charitable E…Jpmorgan Chase Founda…Morgan Stanley Global…National Philanthropi…American Online Givin…The Bank of America C…Paypal Charitable Giv…Network for GoodDonor Advised Charita…Fidelity Investments …Amazonsmile Foundation
American Endowment FoundationOH12.9× affinity9 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: American Endowment Foundation · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · Jpmorgan Chase Foundation · Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc · National Philanthropic Trust · American Online Giving Foundation Inc · The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc · Paypal Charitable Giving Fund · Network for Good · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · Amazonsmile Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Ellman Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Ellman Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%3%5%8%10%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    11report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–10%
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 62 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Ellman’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home