Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis
To maintain a formal program of chess instruction for students of all ages and levels and to increase the awareness of the educational value of chess.it is the mission of the chess club and scholastic center of saint louis, an educational organization, to maintain a formal program of instruction to teach the game of chess and to promote and support its educational program through community outreach and local, national, and international partnerships to increase the awareness of the educational value of chess.
Key facts about Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis
In short: Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis gave $3.8M across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $537K), mostly in Missouri. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 26-0844268
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,756,228
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- Average grant
- $536,604
- Median grant
- $512,500
- Total assets
- $29,019,699
- Primary geography
- Missouri (70% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$29.0M
+74.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.8M
+119.4% YoY
Grant Count
7
+40.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$537K
+56.7% YoY
How Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis gives
- Giving grew 75% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
About Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis
Based on IRS filings
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis is a public charity focused on Recreation & Sports, based in St. Louis, MO. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $29.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $3.8M. Net investment income was $47K.
Focus Areas
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis
Ready to take the next step with Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.7M (2023) to $3.8M (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $3.8M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Missouri Columbia ($1.9M). Together the top 7 received $3.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
33 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 11 grants of 33 (33%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Missouri Columbia Columbia, MO | Collegiate Chess Programming & Support | $1,888,728 |
| Kasparov Chess Foundation Montville, NJ | Chess Programming | $600,000 |
| Grand Chess Tour Saint Louis, MO | Chess Tour Operations & Program Assistance | $555,000 |
| International Chess School Inc Montville, NJ | Chess Programming | $512,500 |
| US Chess Federation Saint Louis, MO | Womens Chess Programming Grant & Chess Olympiad Support | $165,000 |
| Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St Louis Saint Louis, MO | Benefits the work of local saint louis, mo charities | $25,000 |
| National Scholastic Chess Foundation Inc White Plains, NY | Chess Programming | $10,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $29,019,699 | $16,627,033 | $17,925,687 |
| Revenue | $31,206,877 | $16,677,688 | $15,124,357 |
| Expenses | $19,681,176 | $15,695,405 | $14,309,513 |
| Net Investment Income | $46,704 | $22,776 | $1,029 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis is led by Rex Sinquefield, President & Chairman on every filing since 2020; 8 of 14 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Rex Sinquefield
President & Chairman
On filings since 2020
16 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anthony Rich
Techincal Director
Executive Director → Techincal Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$124K (2020) → $142K (2024)
James Gildehaus
Director of Facilities
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$105K (2022) → $116K (2024)
Tad Middleton
Director of Administration
Administrative Director → Director of Administration, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$37K (2023) → $140K (2024)
Ed Baur
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jean Hoffman
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Podgursky
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Doug Eckert
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$353 (2023) → $2K (2024)
Levon Aronyan
Grandmaster & Chess Player
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$246K (2022) → $338K (2024)
Norah Friel
Finance Manager
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$115K (2022) → $130K (2024)
Catherine Gallaher
Human Resource Manager
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$121K (2024)
Yasser Seirawan
Chief Commentator & Spokesperson
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$115K (2024)
James Voelker
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Lueken
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Ioan Cristian Chirila (2023) — Chess Coach & Commentator
- Former: John Costello (2023) — Director of Security
- Former: Alejandro Ramirez (2020–2022) — Chess Coach & Commentator
- Former: Dorsa Derakhshani (2022) — Im Chess Teacher
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $338K, to Levon Aronyan (Grandmaster & Chess Player). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis
How much does Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis give each year?
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis gave $3.8M across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.7M across 5 grants.
What is Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis's typical grant size?
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis's median grant in 2024 was $512,500, and its average grant was $536,604, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis give grants?
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis gives mostly in Missouri: 70% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was New Jersey (30%). The most frequent recipient cities were Saint Louis, MO (3 grants) and Montville, NJ (2 grants).
Does Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Chess Programming" (3 grants).
Who are Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis's largest grantees?
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis's largest 2024 grantees include University of Missouri Columbia ($1,888,728), Kasparov Chess Foundation ($600,000) and Grand Chess Tour ($555,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 81% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis?
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis reported $29.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $31.2M.
What is Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis?
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis is a public charity focused on Recreation & Sports, based in St. Louis, MO. It holds $29.0M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis's EIN?
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0844268. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Here's the math on researching Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Carrie E Gross Scholarship Fund for Nursing
Dallas, TX
Assets
$1.4M
Grants
5
Total Given
$53K
Hawkins Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
Assets
—
Grants
5
Total Given
$49K
Kennett Arthur Educational Fund
Milwaukee, WI
Assets
$553K
Grants
6
Total Given
$25K
JL & Da Hays Memorial Scholarship Trust
Jefferson City, MO
Assets
$315K
Grants
7
Total Given
$18K
August a Busch III Charitable Trust
Chesterfield, MO
The trust funds a broad range of work, including health care, senior housing, education, caregiving, wildlife conservation, and disaster relief, with most 2025 grant dollars going to Missouri. Grants ranged from $500 to $500,000, with a median of $5,000. It lists no application form or deadline; contact David J. Krauss to inquire, and the filing says it does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$5.7M
Grants
62
Total Given
$1.8M
William E McElroy Charitable Foundation
Milwaukee, WI
The foundation funds scholarships, with 2025 grants ranging from $900 to $48,900 and a median of $9,125. Awards are restricted to boys graduating from high school in Sangamon County, Illinois, though recent grants also went to recipients in other states. It does not restrict giving to preselected organizations; contact Mary Jo Janssen at U.S. Bank for application materials.
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
14
Total Given
$194K
John R Lucash Scholarship Trust
Birmingham, AL
Assets
$912K
Grants
27
Total Given
$52K
Gannett Foundation Inc
New York, NY
Gannett Foundation’s 2025 grants supported a range of organizations, with listed awards generally between $1,500 and $2,500, though the available figures do not establish a typical grant size or geographic focus. The foundation has wound down: its 2026 filing reports no grants or assets, and no current application process or acceptance of unsolicited requests is stated.
Assets
—
Grants
32
Total Given
$65K
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
McKesson Foundation Inc
Dallas, TX
The McKesson Foundation funds cancer support and care, healthcare workforce pathways, and emergency response, with grants mainly supporting organizations in the United States and Canada. Its 2025 grants had a median of $100,000, though amounts ranged from $10,000 to about $2.47 million. Its filing says it does not accept unsolicited requests, while its application page describes an online application process with stated submission windows.
Assets
$1.6M
Grants
76
Total Given
$16.6M
Culver's Foundation Inc
Prairie Du Sac, WI
The foundation funds community needs, youth and families, local initiatives, and scholarships for Culver’s team members, with a strong local focus in Wisconsin and grants also reaching other states. In 2024, grants ranged from $2,500 to $250,000, with a median of $10,000. It accepts applications through an online process and does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$8.1M
Grants
83
Total Given
$1.3M
More Funders in Missouri
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St Louis down — hundreds of funders to go?