Epaphroditus Foundation
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
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
**
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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
States
Cities
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.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| 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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
136 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Team ($85,000), Bangladesh Youth First Concerns ($31,500), Global Christian Forum Foundation ($31,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh Youth First Concerns | REHAB FOR NARCOTIC DRUG ATTICTION | $31,500 |
| Breakthrough Urban Ministries Chicago, IL | INTERIM HOUSING FOR HOMELESS ADULTS | $21,500 |
| Convenant Harbor Bible Camp LAKE Geneva, WI | SUPPORT INTERN PROGRAM | $24,000 |
| Dreems Indeed international Phoenix, AZ | PUBLISH TEACHER MANUALS & BIBLE ILLUSTRATIONS | $21,500 |
| Fellowship of Christian Athletes Mi Springfield, IL | SUPPORT FCA HUDDLE MINISTRIES | $5,000 |
| Lake Geneva Youth Camp Lake Geneva, WI | CONFERENCE POINT BUILDING FUND | $21,500 |
| North Park Theological Seminary Chicago, IL | CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY | $24,000 |
| Outreach Community Ministries Inc Wheaton, IL | TRANSITIONAL SHELTER PROGRAM | $21,500 |
| TEAM Wheaton, IL | KARANDA MISSION HOSPITAL | $85,000 |
| Global Christian Forum Foundation Kentwood, MI | MISSION FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY | $31,500 |
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
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOAN JOHNSON | Director | 1 | — |
| JEFF JOHNSON | Director | 1 | — |
| GARY GUNDERSEN | Treasurer | 3 | — |
| Wes Granberg-Michaelson | Director | 1 | — |
| JK Granberg-Michaelson | Director | 1 | — |
| JEANNE LUNDEN | Director | 1 | — |
| RONALD MICHAELSON | President & CEO | 3 | — |
| GAYLE DOUGHERTY | Director | 1 | — |
| DAVID HEIDLAUF | Director | 1 | — |
| LYNN WORSTER | Secretary | 3 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Epaphroditus Foundation fund?
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
How do I apply for a grant from Epaphroditus Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 23-30 grants in the most recent fiscal year (FYE February 2025) • Total giving: $513,000 • Grant range: $2,500–$85,000 • Median grant amount: $22,000 **Recent Grants (FYE February 2025):** • Go Team 2704 NFP (Karanda Mission Hospital): $85,000 • Global Christian Forum Foundation (Mission for Christian Unity): $31,500 • By The Hand Club For Kids (Civic Activities): $29,000 • Bangladesh Youth First Concerns (Rehab for Narcotic Drug Addiction): $31,500 **Application Proc…
Where does Epaphroditus Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds organizations primarily in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, with some international grantmaking (including Bangladesh).
What size grants does Epaphroditus Foundation award?
In 2025, Epaphroditus Foundation awarded 23 grants totaling $513K — an average of about $22K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Epaphroditus Foundation's EIN?
Epaphroditus Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6072198. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Epaphroditus 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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