Encourage Inc
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.
Ready to take the next step with Encourage Inc?
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 $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
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
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 7 grants of 15 (47%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc Indianapolis, IN | To Support Public Charities in the Future | $4,019,103 |
| Connection for the Homeless Evanston, IL | To Support General Operation | $2,500,000 |
| Lake Wales Care Center Lake Wales, FL | To establish the poitras family fund for housing and literacy | $1,000,000 |
| Anchor House Services Inc Auburndale, FL | To support general operation, medical-related expenses and transition to success program | $882,500 |
| St Alban's Episcopal Church Auburndale, FL | To Support General Operation and Building/Site Maintenance | $378,028 |
| Anchor House Inc of Polk County Auburndale, FL | To Support General Operation. | $125,000 |
| Diocese of Central Florida Orlando, FL | St. Albans loan payoff (st. As borrowed $ for roof repair) | $123,308 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
- 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
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.
Here's the math on researching Encourage Inc by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Encourage Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Illinois
George Jenkins Foundation Inc
Lakeland, FL
The George Jenkins Foundation funds education, youth opportunity, food assistance, health care, and community programs, primarily in Florida. Its 2025 grants ranged from $9,300 to $1,066,200, with a median of $121,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$11.8M
Grants
32
Total Given
$6.6M
The Abram Foundation
Chicago, IL
Assets
$239K
Grants
2
Total Given
$2.2M
Westgate Foundation Inc
Orlando, FL
Westgate Foundation funds family stability, support for active military members and veterans, and workforce readiness, including related services such as hunger relief, housing, and crisis support. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $40,000, with a median of $20,000, and were concentrated in Florida, with awards also made in several other states. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.7M
Grants
59
Total Given
$1.0M
Park City Community Foundation
Park City, UT
Park City Community Foundation funds local nonprofits in greater Park City and Summit County, Utah, across areas including arts, education, health, youth services, housing, and the environment. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,160 to $306,310, with a median of $22,222; its Community Fund application period is listed for June 8–July 10, 2026, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$31.5M
Grants
99
Total Given
$5.8M
Suffolk Cares Charitable Foundation
Boston, MA
Suffolk Cares Charitable Foundation funds charitable, civic, educational, healthcare, arts, and cultural organizations nationwide, with recent grants concentrated in Massachusetts and New York. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $250,000, with a median of $25,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.7M
Grants
27
Total Given
$1.9M
Ernst & Young Foundation
New York, NY
The Ernst & Young Foundation primarily supports higher education and preparation for business careers, with additional grants for educational projects, social justice, and disaster relief. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,056 to $316,005, with a median of $13,525, and went to organizations across the United States.
Assets
$47.6M
Grants
637
Total Given
$16.7M
Morris & Arlene Goldfarb Family
New York, NY
Assets
$3.1M
Grants
46
Total Given
$104K
CSB Foundation
Norwalk, IA
Promoting philanthropy by 1) supporting nonprofit organizations; 2) making grants to qualified nonprofits; 3) holding and investing funds for the benefit of nonprofit organizations including donor advised funds; 4) general education to the public about charitable giving and estate planning.
Assets
$2.3M
Grants
9
Total Given
$674K
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds nonprofits addressing economic mobility, wealth gaps, and urgent community needs, with priorities including homeownership, small businesses, education, quality jobs, and investment in underinvested communities. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $26,500, though awards vary widely; grants generally benefit Chicago-region residents, and the Trust directs applicants to open opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
The Allstate Foundation
Northbrook, IL
The Allstate Foundation funds youth empowerment, efforts to prevent and address relationship abuse, nonprofit leadership, and related economic opportunity and equity work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $2 million, with a median of $1,000, and awards must support work in the United States. It accepts proposals from organizations beyond a preselected list; proposals are reviewed as received.
Assets
$89.3M
Grants
2,010
Total Given
$38.0M
Elks National Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
The Elks National Foundation funds scholarships, youth programs, veterans services, disaster relief, and community projects, primarily through Elks Lodges and state associations in communities across the United States where Elks live and work. Its 2025 grants had a median of $8,500, though amounts varied widely; the listed Beacon and Freedom Grants are limited to Elks Lodges. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$954.1M
Grants
1,536
Total Given
$36.5M
More Funders in Illinois
Encourage Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?