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Philip Lee & Elizabeth B Ellis Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Philip Lee & Elizabeth B Ellis Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$62k
Granted FY2025still arriving
9
Grants FY2025still arriving
4
States reached
$10k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0199% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2018 to 2025.

Animals$182kEnvironment$148kHealth$25kScience & Tech$20kInternational$10kHuman Services$3kYouth Development$500Other$0
02FY2025 · 9 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k5 grants · $22k
  • $10k–50k4 grants · $40k
$5,000
Median grant
4
States reached
$134k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION$10,000
WORLD WILDLIFE FUND$10,000
ASPCA$10,000
SPCA INTERNATIONAL$10,000
AFRICAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION$5,000
PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF$5,000
JANE GOODALL INSTITUTE$5,000
UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS$5,000
THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED ST$2,000
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 (FY18–20, $1k) land where the poverty rate runs at 14%, 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%YMCA OF GREATER WHITTIER: $500 → 14%YMCA OF GREATER WHITTIER: $500 → 14%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.
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.

97%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$366k · 18 repeat orgs$10k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +50% since the first grant, against +24% for those funded once.

18 repeat relationships: 9 still active in FY2025, 9 since wound down.

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

18
10

Total granted

$366k
$10k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+50%
+24%

Still filing today

83%
70%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 100% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $0 went to new ones.

50%100%’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

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

’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
AnimalsEnvironmentHealthInternationalCrime & LegalHuman ServicesOther
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

  • WORLD WILDLIFE FUND INC
    8× · 2018–2025 · $52k · revenue +43%
  • OC
    OCEAN CONSERVANCY
    7× · 2018–2024 · $41k · revenue +31%
  • SI
    SPCA INTERNATIONAL INC
    8× · 2018–2025 · $37k · revenue +36%

Funded once

  • LA
    LOS ANGELES SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
    one grant, 2018 · $1k · revenue +14%
  • Physicians Committee for Responsible Medgraduated
    one grant, 2018 · $1k · revenue +55%
  • PLANNED PARENTHOOD LOS ANGELESgraduated
    one grant, 2018 · $1k · revenue +89%
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
World Animal Protection

World animal protection is a global organization working to end factory farming and wildlife exploitation. we expose cruel systems, promote animal-friendly alternatives, and influence policy change. for over 75 years, we've been rewriting…

Animals
2
Conservation International Foundation

Ci works to spotlight and secure the critical benefits that nature provides to humanity.

Environment
3
Wildlife Conservation Society

The wildlife conservation society (wcs) saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature.

Animals
4
Animal Wellness Action

To prevent cruelty to animals, we promote enacting and enforcing good public policies. enacting good laws depends upon electing good lawmakers, and we remind voters which candidates care about and support animal issues.

Human Services
5
Panthera Corporation

Panthera's mission is the conservation of the world's 40 wild cat species, many of which are endangered or threatened. panthera develops, implements and oversees wild cat conservation strategies on a global scale.

Animals
6
Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Foundation

To engage and catalyze global seafood supply chains in rebuilding depleted fish stocks and reducing the environmental impacts of fishing and fish farming.

Animals
7
American Humane Association

Founded in 1877, american humane association, dba american humane society (american humane) is committed to ensuring the safety, welfare and well-being of animals. our leadership programs are first to serve in promoting and nurturing the…

Animals
8
Resource Renewal Institute

The resource renewal institute facilitates the creation, development and implementation of practical strategies to solve the entire complex environmental problem by addressing it comprehensively.

Environment
9
Humane World Action Fund

To pass animal protection laws, educate the public, and support humane candidates for office.

Animals
10
For the Fishes

To address, educate, coordinate, and enhance enforcement capacity to end teh trade in coral reef wildlife for household and other small display aquariums. our supply and demand side strategies are directed locally and globally to…

Animals
11
The Peregrine Fund Inc

To change the future for nature and humanity by conserving birds of prey worldwide.

—
12
Four Paws International Inc

Our vision is a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. four paws mission is to be the strong, global and independent voice for animals.

Animals
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated; the most unlike its peers is Humane World for Animals International. 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

23 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. 23 of the 29 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)
1
Early backer (in before they grew)
23/23
Grantees still filing
22/23
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

SPCA INTERNATIONAL INC: $37,000 · AnimalsSPCA INTERNATIONAL INCNATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION: $31,500 · AnimalsNATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATIONTHE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: $29,000 · AnimalsTHE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY…JANE GOODALL INSTITUTE FOR WILDLIFE RESEARCH EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION: $23,500 · AnimalsJANE GOODALL INSTITUTE FOR WILDLIFE RESEARCH EDUCA…PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS INC: $21,500 · AnimalsPEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS INCAFRICAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION INC: $16,500 · AnimalsAFRICAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION INCHumane World for Animals Inc: $12,000 · AnimalsHumane World for Animals Inc+3 more: $3,000 · AnimalsWORLD WILDLIFE FUND INC: $51,500 · EnvironmentWORLD WILDLIFE FUND INCOCEAN CONSERVANCY: $40,500 · EnvironmentOCEAN CONSERVANCYNATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL INC: $22,250 · EnvironmentNATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL INCENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATED: $11,250 · EnvironmentENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATEDTHE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND: $8,750 · EnvironmentTHE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LANDTHE NATURE CONSERVANCY: $13,250 · OtherTHE NATUR…INTERNATIONAL PLANNED PARENTHOOD FE: $9,000 · OtherINTERNATI…AFRICA WILDLIFE FOUNDATION: $6,500 · OtherAFRICA WI…THE SALVATION ARMY: $1,300 · Other+3 more: $2,500 · Other+3 morePLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA INC: $23,000 · HealthPhysicians Committee for Responsible Med: $1,000 · HealthPLANNED PARENTHOOD LOS ANGELES: $1,000 · HealthTHE UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS INC: $20,000 · InternationalINTERNATIONAL PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION WESTERN HEMISPHERE REGION: $1,000 · InternationalBridge of Faith: $1,000 · Crime & LegalYMCA OF GREATER WHITTIER: $1,000 · Human Services
Animals$174,000Environment$134,250Other$32,550Health$25,000International$21,000Crime & Legal$1,000Human Services$1,000

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

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetWORLD WILDLIFE FUND INC: $51,500 over 8y, 0.0% of budgetOCEAN CONSERVANCY: $40,500 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetSPCA INTERNATIONAL INC: $37,000 over 8y, 0.0% of budgetNATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION: $31,500 over 8y, 0.0% of budgetTHE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: $29,000 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetJANE GOODALL INSTITUTE FOR WILDLIFE RESEARCH EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION: $23,500 over 8y, 0.0% of budgetPLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA INC: $23,000 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetNATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL INC: $22,250 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetPEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS INC: $21,500 over 8y, 0.0% of budgetTHE UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS INC: $20,000 over 8y, 0.0% of budgetAFRICAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION INC: $16,500 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetTHE NATURE CONSERVANCY: $13,250 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetHumane World for Animals Inc: $12,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATED: $11,250 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetTHE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND: $8,750 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetLOS ANGELES SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPLANNED PARENTHOOD LOS ANGELES: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBridge of Faith: $1,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetYMCA OF GREATER WHITTIER: $1,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetINTERNATIONAL PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION WESTERN HEMISPHERE REGION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHumane World for Animals International: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetDefenders of Wildlife: $1,000 over 1y, 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.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Philip Lee & Elizabeth B Ellis Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Philip Lee & Elizabeth B Ellis Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 10%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%8%15%22%30%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    1get no government money at all
    5report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–30%
    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 29 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 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

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    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