Charleston Area Charitable Foundation
The Charleston Area Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Charleston, Illinois. It identifies and funds projects and programs of charitable organizations and governmental bodies that benefit people and the environment and support economic development and social welfare in the Charleston area.
Charleston Area Charitable Foundation at a glance
In short: Charleston Area Charitable Foundation gave $185K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $17K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $184,576
- -67.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- -26.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $16,780
- -55.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,600
- Total assets
- $9,239,602
- +6.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Charleston Area Charitable Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Submit a written request explaining the use and purpose of the funds. The foundation states that eligible applicants must be tax-exempt organizations in Charleston or Coles County, Illinois.
- Review Cycle
- Applications must be submitted by the 16th of the month before the meeting: January 16 for the February meeting, April 16 for May, July 16 for August, and October 16 for November.
- Deadline
- Applications must be submitted by the 16th of the month before the meeting: January 16 for the February meeting, April…
- Contact
Application contact: Charleston Area Charitable Foundati
Mailing address: 6029 Park Drive Suite A, Charleston, IL 61920
Phone: (217) 345-2128
Email: info@charlestonfoundation.org
Website: https://charlestonfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Charleston Area Charitable Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was City of Charleston ($84K across 3 grants). Together the top 9 received $185K.
Grant Size Distribution
68 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 54 grants of 68 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its work as serving the Charleston area. All grant dollars reported for filing year 2025 went to recipients in Illinois. Its stated application restrictions specify tax-exempt organizations in Charleston or Coles County, Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Charleston Area Charitable Foundation gives
- Giving fell 90% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 30% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $185K (2025) to $2.0M (2023). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $185K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| City of Charleston Charleston, IL | Linder Sports Complex Development | $50,000 |
| Lincoln Log Cabin Foundation Lerna, IL | Fall/Summer Program | $36,000 |
| City of Charleston Charleston, IL | Red White & Blue Days Community Celebration | $30,000 |
| Immanuel Lutheran Charleston, IL | Gym Equipment | $20,000 |
| United Way of Coles County Mattoon, IL | Annual Funding | $15,000 |
| Hedwig Haus of Hospitality NFP Charleston, IL | Improve 227 Jackson and Purchase 308 Monroe | $10,600 |
| EIU Symphony Orchestra Charleston, IL | Community Entertainment - EIU Orchestras | $10,000 |
| Coles County Arts Council Charleston, IL | Community Art Projects | $5,000 |
| City of Charleston Charleston, IL | Flower Beautification Project | $4,000 |
| Standing Stone Comm Center NFP Charleston, IL | Back to School Program | $3,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Charleston Area Charitable Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Grantmaking totals by filing year:
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $9,239,602 | $758,123 | $231,770 | $184,576 | 11 | $186,351 | $652,758 | $626,123 |
| 2024 | $8,713,249 | $837,484 | $605,748 | $561,697 | 15 | $563,430 | $795,219 | $572,056 |
| 2023 | $8,481,513 | $802,522 | $1,977,813 | $1,994,849 | 16 | $1,971,242 | $726,821 | $593,866 |
| 2022 | $9,656,804 | $767,656 | $1,923,695 | $1,852,577 | 13 | $1,849,927 | $710,101 | $738,835 |
| 2021 | $10,812,843 | $1,170,531 | $634,919 | $606,800 | 13 | — | $1,096,374 | $696,262 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Charleston Area Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $626K 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 says it supports projects and programs benefiting the citizens, environment, economic development, and social welfare of the Charleston area. Its grants include support for local government, arts, education, community celebrations, sports and recreation, and social services.
Among its 2025 grantees, the Lincoln Log Cabin Foundation says its mission is to support and promote activities of and for the Lincoln Log Cabin Historical Site. United Way of Coles County says it brings together community-accepted health, welfare, and recreational agency campaigns in a united appeal.
Grantmaking
The foundation considers applications at board meetings in February, May, August, and November. Its website lists recent projects including the Linder Sports Complex, Lake Charleston Trail Project, renovations at Charleston High School, Lincoln Log Cabin Foundation summer programs, and improvements to local sports fields and parks.
In filing year 2025, the foundation gave $184,576 through 11 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $976 to $50,000, with a median of $10,600. Larger awards included $50,000 to the City of Charleston for Linder Sports Complex Development; $36,000 to the Lincoln Log Cabin Foundation for its fall/summer program; $30,000 to the City of Charleston for the Red White & Blue Days community celebration; $20,000 to Immanuel Lutheran for gym equipment; and $15,000 to United Way of Coles County for annual funding.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Michael J. Metzger as president; John Inyart as vice president; Jennifer L. Sipes as secretary; Kelly P. Miller as treasurer; Richard J. Williams as assistant treasurer; and Mark Bluhm, Derek Hennig, Paul Tomshack, and Christopher Swing as directors. The foundation describes its directors as an all-volunteer group.
Charleston Area Charitable Foundation is led by Michael J. Metzger, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 9 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Michael J. Metzger
President
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Swing
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Bluhm
Director
Secretary → Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Derek Hennig
Director
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Tomshack
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer L. Sipes
Secretary
Assistant Treasurer → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Inyart
Vice President
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly P. Miller
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard J. Williams
Assistant Treasurer
Treasurer → Assistant Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Carol Adams (2021) — Director
- Former: Jeff Horn (2021) — Director
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 Charleston Area Charitable Foundation
How much does Charleston Area Charitable Foundation give each year?
Charleston Area Charitable Foundation gave $185K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $562K across 15 grants.
What is Charleston Area Charitable Foundation's typical grant size?
Charleston Area Charitable Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,600, and its average grant was $16,780, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Charleston Area Charitable Foundation give grants?
Charleston Area Charitable Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Charleston, IL (9 grants).
Does Charleston Area Charitable Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Charleston Area Charitable Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Charleston Area Charitable Foundation's largest grantees?
Charleston Area Charitable Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include City of Charleston ($84,000 across 3 grants), Lincoln Log Cabin Foundation ($36,000) and Immanuel Lutheran ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 76% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Charleston Area Charitable Foundation?
Charleston Area Charitable Foundation reported $9.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $186K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $626K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Charleston Area Charitable Foundation fund?
The foundation says it supports projects and programs benefiting the citizens, environment, economic development, and social welfare of the Charleston area. Its grants include support for local government, arts, education, community celebrations, sports and recreation, and social services. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Charleston Area Charitable Foundation?
Submit a written request explaining the use and purpose of the funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Charleston Area Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Charleston Area Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 37-1172293. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 2, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 6, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Charleston Area Charitable Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/charleston-area-charitable-foundation-morg_fe2d2553700a44f8a080fe2e56b1e296
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_371172293_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Charleston Area Charitable Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/charleston-area-charitable-foundation-morg_fe2d2553700a44f8a080fe2e56b1e296},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 Charleston Area Charitable Foundation'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.
Charleston Area Charitable Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?