The Ellucian Foundation is a corporate foundation established in 2020 by Ellucian, a leading higher education technology solutions provider. Based in Reston, Virginia, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization designated for philanthropic and grantmaking purposes. The foundation was officially tax-exempt as of May 2021.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$106K
+28.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$585K
-16.1% YoY
Grant Count
36
+28.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$16K
-34.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ellucian Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Ellucian Foundation's primary mission centers on supporting higher education students facing financial hardship. The foundation recognizes that financial distress is a significant barrier preventing students from completing their degrees and remaining enrolled in school.
The foundation's core funding vehicle is the Progress, Accomplishment, Thriving, Hope (PATH) Scholarship program, established in 2020. The PATH Scholarship provides flexible, institution-managed grants to help students address immediate needs including housing, food, tuition, and transportation costs.
Grantmaking
The PATH Scholarship provides block grants to higher education institutions in three tiers:
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The PATH Scholarship program operates globally. Recent award announcements indicate that selected institutions span the United States and 9 additional countries. Specific geographic areas mentioned in recent grants include Texas, Arizona, and Alabama, though the program's reach extends internationally.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Data:
- Total Assets: $106,004
- Total Revenues: $621,200
- Total Expenses: $597,936
- Total Giving: $585,000
2023 Financial Data:
- Total Assets: $82,740
- Total Revenues: $609,000
- Total Expenses: $710,000
- Total Liabilities: $0
Grant Awards: Recent grant distributions include $100,000 to Charities Aid Foundation of America for Path Scholarships 2024, and $25,000 grants to institutions including California State University San Bernardino Philanthropic Foundation and Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi/Texas A&M International University.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $106,004 | $82,740 | $249,262 |
| Revenue | $621,200 | $608,684 | $301,700 |
| Expenses | $597,936 | $710,206 | $656,177 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $588,786 | $710,206 | $656,177 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $5,574 | $4,164 | $21,780 |
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
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Ellucian Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Charities Aid Foundation America ($100,000), Alfred State College Development Fu ($25,000), Board of Regents - Nevada State University ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADLER UNIVERSITY CHICAGO, IL | ONE TIME GRANT | $5,000 |
| ALFRED STATE COLLEGE DEVELOPMENT FU ALFRED, NY | PATH SCHOLARSHIPS 2024 | $25,000 |
| BLUEFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY BLUEFIELD, WV | PATH SCHOLARSHIPS 2024 | $10,000 |
| BOARD OF REGENTS - NEVADA STATE UNIVERSITY HENDERSON, NV | PATH SCHOLARSHIPS 2024 | $25,000 |
| CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY BAKERSF SAN FRANCISCO, CA | PATH SCHOLARSHIPS 2024 | $25,000 |
| CHARITIES AID FOUNDATION AMERICA ALEXANDRIA, VA | PATH SCHOLARSHIPS 2024 | $100,000 |
| COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY GLOBAL TEMPE, AZ | PATH SCHOLARSHIPS 2024 | $10,000 |
| CSUSB PHILANTHROPIC FOUNDATION SAN BERNARDINO, CA | PATH SCHOLARSHIPS 2024 | $25,000 |
| EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION CHARLESTON, IL | PATH SCHOLARSHIPS 2024 | $10,000 |
| EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY LA GRANDE, OR | PATH SCHOLARSHIPS 2024 | $15,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Laura Ipsen — President and CEO, Ellucian (quoted in foundation announcements)
Jennifer Welding — Executive Director, Ellucian Foundation
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER WELDING | EXEC DIRECTOR AND DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KIRSTEN WEEKS | TREASURER AND DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RACHAEL TILLEY | SECRETARY AND DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**March 2026:** The Ellucian Foundation announced that 58 institutions were selected to receive 2025 PATH Scholarships totaling $700,000+. The awards span institutions in the U.S. and 9 additional countries. The foundation noted that recent data from its Student Voice Report found that 23% of students who stopped out cannot afford upfront costs to return, and 15% are already burdened by student debt.
Ellucian Foundation's 2024 Path Scholarship Program to Award ...**February 2025:** The foundation announced 47 colleges and universities globally selected to receive 2024 PATH Scholarships totaling $600,000+. The announcement highlighted that 59% of students surveyed considered dropping out due to financial stress, with many reporting impacts on mental health and academic performance.
Ellucian Foundation Awards $700,000+ in PATH Scholarships to 58 Global Colleges**April 2024:** The foundation announced that the 2024 PATH Scholarship Program was accepting applications from eligible institutions, with $500,000 in available funding.
Ellucian Foundation's 2024 Path Scholarship Program to Award ...The foundation made 40 grants in its most recent reporting year and continues to expand its reach to support student financial stability and reduce educational disruptions caused by economic hardship.
Ellucian Foundation to Award Grants to 25 Two-Year Colleges | EllucianSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ellucian Foundation fund?
The Ellucian Foundation's primary mission centers on supporting higher education students facing financial hardship. The foundation recognizes that financial distress is a significant barrier preventing students from completing their degrees and remaining enrolled in school. The foundation's core funding vehicle is the Progress, Accomplishment, Thriving, Hope (PATH) Scholarship program, established in 2020. The PATH Scholarship provides flexible, institution-managed grants to help students addr…
How do I apply for a grant from Ellucian Foundation?
**Grant Structure:** The PATH Scholarship provides block grants to higher education institutions in three tiers: • $10,000 • $15,000 • $25,000 (USD) Individual students receive a maximum award of $1,500 (USD), with limited exceptions. **Recent Grant Activity:** As of 2025, the foundation has awarded $700,000+ in PATH Scholarships to 58 global colleges and universities. In 2024, the foundation awarded $600,000+ in PATH Scholarships to 47 colleges and universities globally. The 2024 program annou…
Where does Ellucian Foundation make grants?
The PATH Scholarship program operates globally. Recent award announcements indicate that selected institutions span the United States and 9 additional countries. Specific geographic areas mentioned in recent grants include Texas, Arizona, and Alabama, though the program's reach extends internationally.
What size grants does Ellucian Foundation award?
In 2024, Ellucian Foundation awarded 36 grants totaling $585K — an average of about $16K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Ellucian Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Ellucian Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Ellucian Foundation's EIN?
Ellucian Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-4066051. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ellucian Foundation'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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