Epaphroditus Foundation

ELGIN, IL EIN: 36-6072198

The Epaphroditus Foundation is a private foundation based in Elgin, Illinois, established in 1945. The foundation operates with limited staffing and focuses its grantmaking on Christian organizations and human services.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

Annual Giving

$513K

+12.7% YoY

Grant Count

23

-11.5% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$22K

+27.5% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation gives primarily to Christian organizations and for human services. Specific funding interests include:

  • Christian nonprofits and churches
  • Youth programs and young life camps
  • Transitional shelter programs
  • Substance abuse recovery and addiction treatment
  • Civic activities and community support

Grantmaking

The foundation operates on a preselected-only basis, meaning it does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

Grant Range

$2,500–$85,000

How to Apply

**

Ready to take the next step with Epaphroditus Foundation?

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation funds organizations primarily in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, with some international grantmaking (including Bangladesh).

Grant Distribution by State

15states
+7 more states

Cities

AuroraBALTIMOREBEDFORDBLOOMINGTONBOONEBURNSVILLEBakersfieldCHICAGOCOLORADO SPRINGSCOSHOCTONCarol StreamChampaignChicagoColorado SpringsDenverDurantElginIRON RIVERIRVINEKentwood

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Assets & Revenue (FYE February 2025):

  • Total assets: $6,835,010
  • Total revenues: $598,516
  • Total expenses: $551,625
  • Total giving: $513,000

The foundation ranks in the top 10% of foundations by asset size nationally.

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$0.275$0.55$0.8250000000000001$1.120212022202320242025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
Distributable Amount

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$128K$257K$385K$513K29 grants202129 grants202229 grants202326 grants202423 grants2025

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

TEAM$85KBangladesh Youth First C…$32KGlobal Christian Forum F…$32KBY THE HAND CLUB FOR KIDS$29KHOPE ACADEMY$27KConvenant Harbor Bible C…$24KNorth Park Theological S…$24KCOVENANT POINT BIBLE CAMP$24KSAFE FAMILIES$24KRECLAIMING HOPE$24K

Grant Size Distribution

136 grants across all recorded years

131<$50K4$50–100K1$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The foundation is governed by a volunteer board with no paid staff:

  • Ronald Michaelson, President & CEO
  • Lynn Worster, Secretary
  • Gary Gundersen, Treasurer
  • Joan Johnson, Director
  • Jeff Johnson, Director
  • Wes Granberg-Michaelson, Director
  • JK Granberg-Michaelson, Director
  • Jeanne Lunden, Director
  • Gayle Dougherty, Director
  • David Heidlauf, Director

All board members serve without compensation.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

From 2025 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
JOAN JOHNSONDirector1
JEFF JOHNSONDirector1
GARY GUNDERSENTreasurer3
Wes Granberg-MichaelsonDirector1
JK Granberg-MichaelsonDirector1
JEANNE LUNDENDirector1
RONALD MICHAELSONPresident & CEO3
GAYLE DOUGHERTYDirector1
DAVID HEIDLAUFDirector1
LYNN WORSTERSecretary3

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

What could you do with Epaphroditus Foundation on Grantable?

  • Assess strategic fit with your organization
  • Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
  • Find open RFPs from this funder
  • Monitor for new funding opportunities