Gary Emel Foundation
Gary Emel Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Sullivan, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2022 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $324K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $34K. Net investment income was $49K.
Gary Emel Foundation at a glance
In short: Gary Emel Foundation gave $34K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $34K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $34,274
- +41.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- -50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $34,274
- +182.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $34,274
- Total assets
- $324,115
- +5.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Gary Emel Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Sullivan Elementary School ($34K).
Grant Size Distribution
4 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 4 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Gary Emel Foundation gives
- In 2025 it paid out 142% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $13K (2023) to $34K (2025). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $34K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sullivan Elementary School Sullivan, IL | To Further the Organization's Tax Exempt Purpose | $34,274 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $324,115 | $60,395 | $42,864 | $34,274 | 1 | $34,274 | $48,704 | $24,138 |
| 2024 | $306,584 | $41,992 | $29,199 | $24,261 | 2 | $24,261 | $17,054 | $20,079 |
| 2023 | $293,791 | $-12,982 | $17,289 | $13,339 | 1 | $13,339 | — | $15,196 |
| 2022 | $247,757 | $247,757 | — | — | — | — | — | $168 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gary Emel Foundation reported a distributable amount of $24K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Gary Emel Foundation is led by Sarah Melvin, President on every filing since 2022; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sarah Melvin
President
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Betty Jo Emel
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Bradley Emel
Vice President
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
David Melvin
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Fayanne Emel
Secretary
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Gary Emel Foundation
How much does Gary Emel Foundation give each year?
Gary Emel Foundation gave $34K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $24K across 2 grants.
How large is Gary Emel Foundation?
Gary Emel Foundation reported $324K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $34K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $24K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Gary Emel Foundation?
Gary Emel Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Sullivan, IL. It holds $324K in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Gary Emel Foundation operate?
Gary Emel Foundation has awarded grants in Illinois.
What is Gary Emel Foundation's EIN?
Gary Emel Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-2609855. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024
Live grants for the work Gary Emel Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gary Emel Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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