Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis
Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis is a private foundation based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Its website says the foundation was formed by Steve Achelis in 1990 as his “tithe” and that it supports small, cost-effective nonprofits that empower disadvantaged people to improve their lives.
Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis at a glance
In short: Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis gave $190K across 37 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), top state Utah. 27% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $189,994
- +37.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 37
- -2.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $5,135
- +41.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $1,110,650
- +0.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (10 of 37, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Utah (41% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Its website’s guidelines say requests should be mailed and include a description of services, a breakdown of revenue and expenditures, and a recent IRS Form 990 or 501(c)(3) determination letter. The filing states that donee organizations must have a 501(c)(3) tax-exemption determination letter. The website says the foundation is unable to respond to proposals, phone calls, or email inquiries.
- Review Cycle
- The filing lists no deadlines. The website says funding requests are evaluated once a year, with decisions made in May or June.
- Deadline
- The filing lists no deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Steve Achelis
Mailing address: PO Box 71342, Salt Lake City, UT 84171
Phone: (801) 560-5733
Website: https://www.stevesfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis
Who Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was BSO Orchkids ($10K). Together the top 10 received $99K.
Grant Size Distribution
201 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 201 grants of 201 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 41% of grant dollars went to recipients in Utah. Other leading recipient states were New York (7%), California (5%), Maryland (5%), and South Carolina (5%). The foundation’s 2025 grants also included recipients in Colorado, Texas, Washington, Kentucky, and other states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 37 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 10 of 37 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 70% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 52% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 116% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $105K (2021) to $190K (2025). In 2025 it made 37 grants totaling $190K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BSO Orchkids Baltimore, MD | To Benefit Charity | $10,000 |
| Paul Sherwen Project Hilton Head, SC | To Benefit Charity | $10,000 |
| Stemblazers Highlands Ranch, CO | To Benefit Charity. | $10,000 |
| Blessing Hands Laredo, TX | To Aid in Charitable Purpose | $10,000 |
| Tandika Revitalization Fund Millcrekk, UT | To Aid in Charitable Purpose | $10,000 |
| Protect Democracy Project Washington, DC | To Aid in Charitable Purpose | $10,000 |
| Empower Mali Highland, UT | To Aid in Charitable Purpose | $10,000 |
| Family Scholar House Louisville, KY | To Aid in Charitable Purpose | $10,000 |
| Lifting Hand International Salt Lake City, UT | To Aid in Charitable Purpose | $10,000 |
| Girls Scouts of Utah Salt Lake City, UT | To Benefit Charity | $9,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,110,650 | $222,423 | $214,631 | $189,994 | 37 | $190,179 | $197,971 | $164,214 |
| 2024 | $1,102,858 | $226,696 | $162,700 | $138,010 | 38 | $138,388 | $202,384 | $143,545 |
| 2023 | $1,038,862 | $182,300 | $149,586 | $130,073 | 41 | $130,830 | $163,544 | $123,722 |
| 2022 | $1,006,148 | $84,920 | $148,053 | $125,100 | 44 | $126,772 | $63,639 | $136,385 |
| 2021 | $1,069,281 | $83,346 | $121,965 | $104,950 | 41 | — | $66,477 | $127,475 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis reported a distributable amount of $164K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s website describes its purpose as supporting small, cost-effective nonprofits that empower disadvantaged people to improve their lives. Its guidelines also identify charitable, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations as eligible recipients.
Recent grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. Family Scholar House says its mission is to help single parents and young adults formerly in foster care obtain post-secondary education leading to a livable wage and greater self-sufficiency. Empower Mali says it works to improve education, healthcare, clean water, and clean energy in Mali. Girl Scouts of Utah says it builds girls’ courage, confidence, and character. Lifting Hands International says it provides humanitarian aid to refugees at home and abroad.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 37 grants totaling $189,994. The grants ranged from $200 to $10,000, with a median of $5,000. The foundation’s website describes typical grants as $500–$5,000, averaging $2,600, and says annual grants are approximately $100,000.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $10,000 each to BSO ORCHKIDS, Paul Sherwen Project, STEMblazers, Blessing Hands, Tandika Revitalization Fund, Protect Democracy Project, Empower Mali, Family Scholar House, and Lifting Hands International. Other notable awards included $9,000 to Girl Scouts of Utah, $8,000 to Catalino Tapia Scholarship Foundation, and $7,000 to Girl Rising.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Steven B Achelis as trustee. Directors listed are Elizabeth L Frank, Eric S Achelis, Jennifer A Huffine, Kimberly A Achelis, and Michael D Achelis.
Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis's 2025 filing lists 6 officers; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Steven B. Achelis
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth L. Frank
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric S. Achelis
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer A. Huffine
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly A. Achelis
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael D. Achelis
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis
How much does Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis give each year?
Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis gave $190K across 37 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $138K across 38 grants.
What is Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis's typical grant size?
Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $5,135, across 37 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis that year got $6K on average.
Where does Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis give grants?
Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis's top state is Utah, with 41% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (7%) and California (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Salt Lake City, UT (14 grants).
Who are Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis's largest grantees?
Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis's largest 2025 grantees include BSO Orchkids ($10,000), Paul Sherwen Project ($10,000) and Stemblazers ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 16% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis?
Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $190K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $164K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis fund?
The foundation’s website describes its purpose as supporting small, cost-effective nonprofits that empower disadvantaged people to improve their lives. Its guidelines also identify charitable, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations as eligible recipients. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis?
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis's EIN?
Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-0481479. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/achelis-foundation-dba-steven-b-achelis-morg_006f7bcade9b457b81c09d49464e7c1d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_870481479_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/achelis-foundation-dba-steven-b-achelis-morg_006f7bcade9b457b81c09d49464e7c1d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Achelis Foundation DBA Steven B Achelis's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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