Dalton & Elaine Knauss Foundation Inc
The Dalton & Elaine Knauss Foundation is a private Christian foundation based in Payson, Arizona. Incorporated in June 1998, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and has maintained tax-exempt status since December 1998.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.0M
+5.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$447K
+50.8% YoY
Grant Count
29
+7.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
+40.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to support areas of:
- Education
- Evangelism
- Family issues
- Acts of mercy
Grantmaking
The foundation also supports organizations including Charity Water and Time Out Shelter, Inc.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Arizona, California, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $9,029,692
- Total Giving: $447,000
- Total Revenues: $707,470
- Total Expenses: $550,704
- Investment Income and Dividends: $71,584
Asset Range: $5 million to $9.9 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,029,692 | $8,567,190 | $4,751,384 |
| Revenue | $707,470 | $4,345,543 | $575,279 |
| Expenses | $550,704 | $393,842 | $366,342 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $447,000 | $296,500 | $289,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $603,766 | $1,168,201 | $12,121 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
134 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Point Loma Nazarene Univ ($125,000), Time Out Shelter ($30,000), Payson Christian Clinic ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NORMAN MOORE MINISTRIES LONG BEACH, CA | RELIGIOUS | $5,000 |
| PACIFIC GARDENS MISSION CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL PURPOSE | $10,000 |
| THE SMILE TRAIN NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL PURPOSE | $25,000 |
| TIME OUT SHELTER PAYSON, AZ | GENERAL PURPOSE | $30,000 |
| BRIDGING ARIZONA Mesa, AZ | GENERAL PURPOSE | $2,000 |
| PAYSON CHRISTIAN CLINIC PAYSON, AZ | GENERAL PURPOSE | $30,000 |
| BUSH TELEGRAPH PHOENIX, AZ | CHARITABLE | $2,500 |
| PAYSON MULTI-PURPOSE SENIOR CENTER PAYSON, AZ | GENERAL PURPOSE | $7,500 |
| CHILD CRISIS CENTER MESA, AZ | CHARITABLE | $2,500 |
| PAYSON COMMUNITY KIDS PAYSON, AZ | CHARITABLE | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Dalton L. Knauss - President
- William C. Knauss - Vice President
- Elaine V. Knauss - Officer
- Cynthia Knauss-Konija - Treasurer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SARA MERSEK | Secretary | 3 | $4,000 |
| MARISSA KNAUSS | Program Manager | 3 | $4,000 |
| WILLIAM KNAUSS | President | 30 | $20,000 |
| CYNTHIA DIAZ | Vice President | 3 | $4,000 |
| TAMARA HILL | Treasurer | 1 | $4,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has made significant educational contributions beyond its primary Arizona base, including a $2 million gift to Indiana University's College of Arts and Sciences for scholarships and donations to educational institutions in other states.
IU College of Arts and Sciences announces new scholarships funded by $2 millionFrequently Asked Questions
What does Dalton & Elaine Knauss Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is to support areas of: • Education • Evangelism • Family issues • Acts of mercy
How do I apply for a grant from Dalton & Elaine Knauss Foundation Inc?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $1,000 to $125,000. **Recent Grant Activity (2024):** • Payson Christian Clinic: $30,000 • Smile Train: $25,000 • Start With One: $15,000 The foundation also supports organizations including Charity Water and Time Out Shelter, Inc. **Funding Approach:** All investment income received is used to support charitable causes.
Where does Dalton & Elaine Knauss Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Arizona, California, and New York.
What size grants does Dalton & Elaine Knauss Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Dalton & Elaine Knauss Foundation Inc awarded 29 grants totaling $447K — an average of about $15K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Dalton & Elaine Knauss Foundation Inc's EIN?
Dalton & Elaine Knauss Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-0931606. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Dalton & Elaine Knauss Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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