Chen Frame Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker McLean, VA EIN: 27-1564060

Chen Frame Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in McLean, VA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2023. As of 2023, the organization holds $2.7M in total assets. In 2023, it awarded 7 grants totaling $48K. Net investment income was $126K.

Key facts about Chen Frame Foundation

In short: Chen Frame Foundation gave $48K across 7 grants in 2023 (avg $7K), mostly in Virginia. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
27-1564060
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2023
Annual giving (2023)
$47,800
Grants made (2023)
7
Average grant
$6,829
Median grant
$3,000
Total assets
$2,674,986
Primary geography
Virginia (59% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$2.7M

+2.9% YoY

Annual Giving

$48K

+0.0% YoY

Grant Count

7

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$7K

+0.0% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Chen Frame Foundation reported a distributable amount of $144K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How Chen Frame Foundation gives

  • Giving fell 49% from 2020 to 2023. Method
  • In 2023 it paid out 33% 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.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

6states

Share of all 7 itemized 2023 grant dollars.

Cities

WashingtonArlingtonNew YorkNewtown SquareAuroraLouisvilleMc Lean

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$25K$50K$75K$100K1 grants20209 grants20217 grants20227 grants2023

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 7 recipients in 2023

Arlington Community Foundation: $25KArlington Community Foundation$25KGeorge Washington University: $6KGeorge Washington University$6KAmerican University: $6KAmerican University$6KAnimal Welfare League of Arlington: $3KAnimal Welfare League ofArlington$3KPMI Educational Foundation: $3KPMI Educational Foundation$3KDoctors Without Borders: $3KDoctors Without Borders$3KThe Kennedy Center: $2KThe Kennedy Center$2K

Grant Size Distribution

24 grants across all recorded years

23<$50K1$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Arlington Community Foundation Arlington, VAEducation$25,000
George Washington University Washington, DCEducation$6,000
American University Washington, DCEducation$6,000
Animal Welfare League of Arlington Arlington, VAEducation$3,000
PMI Educational Foundation Newtown Square, PAEducation$3,000
Doctors Without Borders New York, NYEducation$3,000
The Kennedy Center Washington, DCEducation$1,800

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$50K$100K$150K$200K2020202120222023
Metric202320222021
Total Assets$2,674,986$2,599,118$2,455,229
Revenue$59,484$51,148$44,127
Expenses$47,800$47,800$51,800
Qualifying Distributions$47,800$47,800$51,800
Net Investment Income$126,190$113,578$157,664
Distributable Amount$143,992$144,154$139,632

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Chen Frame Foundation's 2023 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.

Officers on the 2023 filing

  • John D. Frame III

    Cotrustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Yanping Chen

    Cotrustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "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 Chen Frame Foundation

How much does Chen Frame Foundation give each year?

Chen Frame Foundation gave $48K across 7 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $48K across 7 grants.

What is Chen Frame Foundation's typical grant size?

Chen Frame Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $3,000, and its average grant was $6,829, across 7 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does Chen Frame Foundation give grants?

Chen Frame Foundation gives mostly in Virginia: 59% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (29%) and Pennsylvania (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (3 grants) and Arlington, VA (2 grants).

Does Chen Frame Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2023: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Chen Frame Foundation's 2023 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education" (7 grants).

Who are Chen Frame Foundation's largest grantees?

Chen Frame Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include Arlington Community Foundation ($25,000), George Washington University ($6,000) and American University ($6,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 77% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.

How large is Chen Frame Foundation?

Chen Frame Foundation reported $2.7M in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $48K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $144K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What is Chen Frame Foundation?

Chen Frame Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in McLean, VA. It holds $2.7M in total assets as of 2023.

What is Chen Frame Foundation's EIN?

Chen Frame Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-1564060. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

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