Charis Fund
Charis Fund is a small, benevolent family trust established in 1938 and based in Newberg, Oregon. It operates as a 501(c)(3) private nonoperating foundation dedicated to supporting nonprofit social service organizations. The fund is non-denominational but frequently utilizes religious organizations for program service distribution.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.2M
+3.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$419K
+5.5% YoY
Grant Count
73
-3.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
+9.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Charis Fund supports projects focused on social welfare with the following priority areas:
- Housing and homelessness — including shelter expansions and facility improvements
- Food insecurity and feeding programs — food purchase and location expansion
- At-risk youth and education — after-school programs, mentoring support
- Mental health and health care — wrap-around programs for families and children, counseling programs
- Domestic violence — safe house furnishings, violence prevention programs
- Substance abuse — treatment center and program expansion, substance-free housing
The fund prioritizes supporting novel programs aimed at addressing root causes rather than treating symptoms. The trustees prefer to fund projects that initiate or expand programs which, once established, will develop ongoing and sustainable community support, rather than providing ongoing support to established programs. Lower priority is given to requests for operating funds and general support.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to the fund's mission and values.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
** Grants typically range from $2,500 to $7,500, with a median grant of $5,000.
Review Cycle
** March 31 and September 30
Ready to take the next step with Charis Fund?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Charis Fund provides grants to organizations located in:
- California
- Oregon
- Washington
- Nevada
These states correspond to areas where the trustees reside. Approximately 97% of all grants support organizations in Washington, California, and Oregon.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $3.06 million to $5.5 million (figures vary by source and reporting year)
Annual Revenue: Approximately $343,000 (2023)
Annual Expenses: Approximately $465,000 (2023)
Total Liabilities: $0 (2023)
Annual Giving: $397,000–$419,000 (2023)
The fund has maintained tax-exempt status since April 1940 (EIN: 94-6077619).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,156,412 | $3,063,308 | $3,192,265 |
| Revenue | $593,519 | $342,892 | $371,834 |
| Expenses | $497,566 | $464,595 | $514,974 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $426,657 | $401,748 | $440,263 |
| Net Investment Income | $526,130 | $282,044 | $316,502 |
| Distributable Amount | $276,459 | $256,020 | $208,057 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Charis Fund
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The fund is governed by 11 officers and trustees who serve without compensation:
- Diana Seder — President
- Peter Dobbins — Vice President
- Michael Chappelle — Secretary
- Deborah Dobbins Warner — Treasurer
- David Chappelle — Trustee
- Andrea D'Anneo Ardzrooni — Trustee
- John D'Anneo — Trustee
- Galen Dobbins — Trustee
- Lewis Dobbins — Trustee
- Tim Knuth — Trustee
- Janet Simmonds Pollak — Trustee
Trustees meet twice per year, typically in early May and November.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIANA SEDER | PRESIDENT | 0.5 | — |
| PETER DOBBINS | VICE PRESIDE | 0.5 | — |
| MICHAEL CHAPPELLE | SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| DEBORAH DOBBINS WARNER | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| DAVID CHAPPELLE | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| ANDREA D'ANNEO ARDZROONI | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| JOHN D'ANNEO | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| GALEN DOBBINS | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| LEWIS DOBBINS | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| JANET SIMMONDS POLLAK | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
As of 2026, Charis Fund announced updated funding guidelines in response to a significant increase in requests. The fund now prioritizes organizations with annual operating budgets under $10 million, with organizations exceeding this threshold no longer eligible for consideration.
Applications for the Fall 2026 funding cycle will be accepted beginning in mid-July, with exact dates to be announced.
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Greater Bend Rotary Club Foundation
BEND, OR
Assets
$773K
Grants
1
Total Given
$12K
Wagner Family Foundation
LAKE OSWEGO, OR
Assets
$215K
Grants
4
Total Given
$215K
Portland Rotary Charitable Trust
PORTLAND, OR
Assets
$4.6M
Grants
8
Total Given
$86K
Catholic Youth Organization
PORTLAND, OR
Assets
$18.1M
Grants
1
Total Given
$11K
Oregon Pathfinder
PORTLAND, OR
Assets
$61K
Grants
5
Total Given
$317K
Trail Rhythms Inc
SISTERS, OR
Assets
$3K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Charis Fund on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities