Chime Scholars Foundation
Chime Scholars Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. It supports educational scholarships for students pursuing a range of pathways, including college degrees, apprenticeships, trade schools, and technical certifications.
Chime Scholars Foundation at a glance
In short: Chime Scholars Foundation gave $2.0M across 267 grants in 2025 (avg $7K), top state California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,971,277
- +147.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 267
- +206.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $7,383
- -19.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $812,457
- -50.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (31% 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 Chime Scholars Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Students can apply through the foundation’s scholarship program during an open application period.
- Review Cycle
- March 31, 2026, for the 2026–2027 scholarship application period.
- Deadline
- March 31, 2026, for the 2026–2027 scholarship application period.
- Contact
Mailing address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Website: https://chime.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Chime Scholars Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Bottom Line Inc ($110K). Together the top 10 received $595K.
Organizations only. It also paid 255 individual scholarships ($1,343,102), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
367 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 346 grants of 367 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in California (31%), Texas (14%), the District of Columbia (8%), Massachusetts (7%), and New York (6%). The foundation’s 2025 grants also included recipients in Georgia and other states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 267 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Chime Scholars Foundation gives
- Giving grew 935% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $191K (2022) to $2.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 267 grants totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 38 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $385,650 |
| The Bottom Line Inc Boston, MA | Chime Scholarship fund | $110,000 |
| Oakland Promise Oakland, CA | Chime Scholarship fund | $100,000 |
| Scholarshot Dallas, TX | Chime Scholars Foundation Scholarship FUND | $69,000 |
| Kipp Metro Atlanta Collaborative Inc Atlanta, GA | "KIPP-Chime Campus Ambassador Scholars" Scholarship Fund | $63,500 |
| The Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund Dallas, TX | Tulane-Chime Scholarship Fund | $62,500 |
| The New York Opportunity Network Inc New York, NY | Chime Scholarship fund | $55,000 |
| University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX | Chime Scholarship program | $45,000 |
| Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities San Antonio, TX | Chime Scholarship Fund | $37,225 |
| Uaspire Inc Oakland, CA | Chime Scholarship fund | $33,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Chime Scholars Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation stated that it has no plans for dissolution. It reported that, during the taxable year ending June 30, 2025, distributions from sources other than current income totaled $1,983,102 and resulted in a substantial contraction of assets.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $812,457 | $1,331,130 | $2,173,587 | $1,971,277 | 267 | $2,173,454 | $6,130 | $40,826 |
| 2024 | $1,654,914 | $1,209,588 | $976,807 | $796,000 | 87 | $976,715 | $9,588 | $44,243 |
| 2023 | $1,422,133 | $1,528,634 | $706,251 | $664,500 | 10 | $706,247 | $6,634 | $46,769 |
| 2022 | $599,750 | $800,302 | $200,552 | $190,500 | 3 | $200,552 | $302 | $4,173 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Chime Scholars Foundation reported a distributable amount of $41K 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
Chime describes the foundation’s purpose as expanding access to education, easing financial barriers, and helping students pursue opportunities that can support their careers and financial progress. Its scholarship program covers traditional degrees as well as vocational and technical education.
The organizations receiving the foundation’s largest 2025 grants illustrate the range of its partners. Thurgood Marshall College Fund says it works with member schools to increase student access, retention, and graduation, develop student leadership, and connect students and alumni with employers. The Bottom Line says it provides first-generation students from low-income backgrounds with support during college applications and for up to six years in college. Oakland Promise describes its work as advancing educational equity and economic mobility from early education through college and career. An individual recipient Hybrid College Initiative (Rivet School) says it aims to help underserved students earn affordable bachelor’s degrees leading to employment. ScholarShot says it supports first-generation students pursuing career-ready certificates or degrees.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 267 grants totaling $1,971,277. Grant amounts ranged from $675 to $118,000, with a median of $5,000. The largest grants included $118,000 to Thurgood Marshall College Fund, $110,000 to The Bottom Line, $100,000 to Oakland Promise, $87,650 to an individual recipient Hybrid College Initiative, and $69,000 to ScholarShot. The listed purposes identify these awards as scholarship funds or programs.
Separately, the foundation’s scholarship program offers awards of up to $20,000 to students. The 2026–2027 scholarship application period was announced as open through March 31, 2026.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing are Amine Asmerom, Chief Financial Officer; Christopher Britt, Director; Jeni Izuel, Director and President; Ryan King, Director; Jennifer Kuperman, Director and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer; Cynthia Marshall, Director; and Apple Palarca, Secretary.
Chime Scholars Foundation is led by Jeni Izuel, Director & President on every filing since 2022; none of the 7 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jeni Izuel
Director & President
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Britt
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Marshall
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Ryan King
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Jennifer Kuperman
Director & Chief Corp Affairs Offcr
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amine Asmerom
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Apple Palarca
Secretary
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2025. "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 Chime Scholars Foundation
How much does Chime Scholars Foundation give each year?
Chime Scholars Foundation gave $2.0M across 267 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $796K across 87 grants.
What is Chime Scholars Foundation's typical grant size?
Chime Scholars Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $7,383, across 267 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Chime Scholars Foundation give grants?
Chime Scholars Foundation's top state is California, with 31% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Texas (14%) and District of Columbia (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Oakland, CA (2 grants) and Dallas, TX (2 grants).
Does Chime Scholars Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 267 grants with a stated purpose on Chime Scholars Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship Grant" (253 grants) and "Chime Scholarship Fund" (8 grants).
Who are Chime Scholars Foundation's largest grantees?
Chime Scholars Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include The Bottom Line Inc ($110,000), Oakland Promise ($100,000) and Scholarshot ($69,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 255 individual scholarships ($1,343,102), which are not listed by name. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Chime Scholars Foundation?
Chime Scholars Foundation reported $812K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $41K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Chime Scholars Foundation fund?
Chime describes the foundation’s purpose as expanding access to education, easing financial barriers, and helping students pursue opportunities that can support their careers and financial progress. Its scholarship program covers traditional degrees as well as vocational and technical education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Chime Scholars Foundation?
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Chime Scholars Foundation's EIN?
Chime Scholars Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-1599060. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2025.
Does Chime Scholars Foundation 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
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024
Live grants for the work Chime Scholars Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Chime Scholars Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Ecmc Foundation
Minneapolis, MN
ECMC Foundation funds evidence-based efforts to improve postsecondary completion and career success for underserved learners, including work on basic needs, career and technical education, transfer pathways, and systemic change. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,473 to $3,449,045, with a median of $27,500; it funds eligible organizations and institutions in the United States. It accepts unsolicited, project-based requests through an online letter-of-inquiry process.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
198
Total Given
$60.1M
Salesforce Foundation
San Francisco, CA
The Salesforce Foundation funds K–12 public schools and nonprofits advancing young people’s academic success, educator quality, and career readiness, focusing on communities where Salesforce works, especially in California. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100,000 to $7.34 million, with a median of $1 million; it does not accept unsolicited requests and considers proposals by invitation only.
Assets
$397.9M
Grants
22
Total Given
$35.9M
National College Attainment Network
Washington, DC
NCAN funds member organizations working to improve equitable college access and completion, including FAFSA and financial-aid support, postsecondary pathways, and services for underserved students. Its 2025 grants ranged from $7,500 to $48,450, with a median of $15,000, supporting organizations across the country. It offers grants through specified competitive opportunities, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.3M
Grants
36
Total Given
$580K
Fidelity Non-Profit Management Foundation
Boston, MA
Fidelity Non-Profit Management funds eligible public charities working in arts and culture, education, and medical research and healthcare, with an emphasis on strong nonprofit management. Its 2024 grants ranged from $75,000 to $25 million, with a median of $700,000; most funding went to Massachusetts, with grants also made elsewhere in the U.S. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.6B
Grants
108
Total Given
$135.2M
Deloitte Foundation
Stamford, CT
The Deloitte Foundation funds U.S. education initiatives, including scholarships, curriculum and faculty support, mentoring, and grants to education nonprofits and universities, particularly through local programs in about 30 selected locations. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and it does not accept unsolicited requests for its Local Impact Grant Program.
Assets
$51.4M
Grants
121
Total Given
$32.5M
Golden State Community Foundation
San Francisco, CA
Golden State Community Foundation funds education and youth-development programs for underserved young people, including STEM, literacy, college access, and career preparation, with a stated focus on Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,040 to $391,583, with a median of about $59,500. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$39.4M
Grants
84
Total Given
$6.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Delaware
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Chime Scholars Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/chime-scholars-foundation-morg_7f80d7e961ce48f3b1ec00410202fa0c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_881599060_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Chime Scholars Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/chime-scholars-foundation-morg_7f80d7e961ce48f3b1ec00410202fa0c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Chime Scholars 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.
Chime Scholars Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?