Encourage Inc

Private foundation · Grantmaker Evanston, IL EIN: 59-2752833

Encourage Inc is a private foundation, based in Evanston, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $40.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $9.0M. Net investment income was $1.8M.

Key facts about Encourage Inc

In short: Encourage Inc gave $9.0M across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $1.3M), top state Indiana. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
59-2752833
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$9,027,939
Grants made (2024)
7
Average grant
$1,289,706
Median grant
$882,500
Total assets
$40,113,640
Primary geography
Indiana (45% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$40.1M

+232.8% YoY

Annual Giving

$9.0M

+1380.0% YoY

Grant Count

7

+133.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$1.3M

+534.3% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Encourage Inc reported a distributable amount of $2.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How Encourage Inc gives

  • Giving grew 2784% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 408% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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

3states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.

Cities

AuburndaleEvanstonIndianapolisLake WalesOrlando

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$2.5M$5M$7.5M$10M1 grant2020 2 grants2021 2 grants2022 3 grants2023 7 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $180K (2020) to $9.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $9.0M.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 7 recipients in 2024

Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc: $4.0MMorgan Stanley Global ImpactFunding Trust Inc$4.0MConnection for the Homeless: $2.5MConnection for the Homeless$2.5MLake Wales Care Center: $1.0MLake Wales Care Center$1.0MAnchor House Services Inc: $883KAnchor House Services Inc$883KSt Alban's Episcopal Church: $378KSt Alban's Episcopal Church$378KAnchor House Inc of Polk County: $125KAnchor House Inc of PolkCounty$125KDiocese of Central Florida: $123KDiocese of Central Florida$123K

The largest 2024 recipient was Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc ($4.0M). Together the top 7 received $9.0M.

Grant Size Distribution

15 grants across all recorded years

1<$50K$50–100K7$100–250K3$250–500K1$500K–1M3$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 7 grants of 15 (47%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc Indianapolis, INTo Support Public Charities in the Future$4,019,103
Connection for the Homeless Evanston, ILTo Support General Operation$2,500,000
Lake Wales Care Center Lake Wales, FLTo establish the poitras family fund for housing and literacy$1,000,000
Anchor House Services Inc Auburndale, FLTo support general operation, medical-related expenses and transition to success program$882,500
St Alban's Episcopal Church Auburndale, FLTo Support General Operation and Building/Site Maintenance$378,028
Anchor House Inc of Polk County Auburndale, FLTo Support General Operation.$125,000
Diocese of Central Florida Orlando, FLSt. Albans loan payoff (st. As borrowed $ for roof repair)$123,308

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$20M$40M$60M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$40,113,640$12,054,757$2,497,379
Revenue$37,433,628$10,340,288$2,483,898
Expenses$9,374,745$771,888$444,191
Qualifying Distributions$9,106,353$686,075$437,787
Net Investment Income$1,808,223—$30,242
Distributable Amount$2,234,190$154,099$19,509

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Encourage Inc is led by Julie J. Fleps, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Julie J. Fleps

    President

    On filings since 2020

    5 hrs/week

    $30K (2023) → $0 (2024)

  • Daryl M. Carter

    Vice President

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    $30K (2023) → $0 (2024)

  • Jennifer Caracappa

    Secretary

    On filings since 2020

    5 hrs/week

    $30K (2023) → $0 (2024)

  • Jill Freeman

    Treasurer

    Director → Treasurer, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    5 hrs/week

    $30K (2023) → $0 (2024)

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 2023 IRS filing

Julie J Fleps — President: $30KJulie J FlepsPresident$30KDaryl M Carter — Vice President: $30KDaryl M CarterVice President$30KJill Freeman — Treasurer: $30KJill FreemanTreasurer$30KJennifer Caracappa — Secretary: $30KJennifer CaracappaSecretary$30K

The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $30K, to Julie J Fleps (President). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Encourage Inc

How much does Encourage Inc give each year?

Encourage Inc gave $9.0M across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $610K across 3 grants.

What is Encourage Inc's typical grant size?

Encourage Inc's median grant in 2024 was $882,500, and its average grant was $1,289,706, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does Encourage Inc give grants?

Encourage Inc's top state is Indiana, with 45% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Florida (28%) and Illinois (28%). The most frequent recipient cities were Auburndale, FL (3 grants).

Does Encourage Inc give general operating support?

Yes: 57% of Encourage Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Encourage Inc's largest grantees?

Encourage Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc ($4,019,103), Connection for the Homeless ($2,500,000) and Lake Wales Care Center ($1,000,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 83% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Encourage Inc?

Encourage Inc reported $40.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $9.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What is Encourage Inc's EIN?

Encourage Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 59-2752833. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

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

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