Gary Emel Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Sullivan, IL EIN: 88-2609855

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.

Key facts about Gary Emel Foundation

In short: Gary Emel Foundation gave $34K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $34K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
88-2609855
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$34,274
Grants made (2025)
1
Average grant
$34,274
Median grant
$34,274
Total assets
$324,115
Primary geography
Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$324K

+5.7% YoY

Annual Giving

$34K

+41.3% YoY

Grant Count

1

-50.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$34K

+182.5% YoY

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.

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.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.

States

Cities

SullivanSuulivan

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$10K$20K$30K$40K0 grants2022 1 grant2023 2 grants2024 1 grant2025

From 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $13K (2023) to $34K (2025). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $34K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top recipient in 2025

Sullivan Elementary School: $34KSullivan Elementary School$34K

The largest 2025 recipient was Sullivan Elementary School ($34K).

Grant Size Distribution

4 grants across all recorded years

4<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 4 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Sullivan Elementary School Sullivan, ILTo Further the Organization's Tax Exempt Purpose$34,274

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$100K$200K$300K2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$324,115$306,584$293,791
Revenue$60,395$41,992$-12,982
Expenses$42,864$29,199$17,289
Qualifying Distributions$34,274$24,261$13,339
Net Investment Income$48,704$17,054—
Distributable Amount$24,138$20,079$15,196

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
  2. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024

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.

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