International Christian Scholarship Fdtn

Foundation · Grantmaker LA VERNE, CA EIN: 95-6048302 Website

International Christian Scholarship Foundation (ICSF) is a private foundation based in La Verne, California, established in 1955. The organization operates as an independent 501(c)(3) foundation with a primary mission of providing educational scholarships to international students from developing communities worldwide.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$4.5M

+6.6% YoY

Annual Giving

$185K

-0.5% YoY

Grant Count

-4.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$8K

+3.6% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, International Christian Scholarship Fdtn reported a distributable amount of $213K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

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

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's mission is to provide financial support to scholars in developing communities worldwide, with particular emphasis on the education of women. According to the organization, "Because the Education of Women brings greater health, wealth, and security to communities, it is the mission of ICSF to provide financial support to scholars in developing communities worldwide."

ICSF was founded by Elsie Farris, a Long Beach attorney, who through her international travels recognized the need for educating people worldwide to serve their local communities as doctors, nurses, teachers, ministers, and other helping professionals.

The foundation grants funds to educational institutions for purposes of providing educational scholarships. The organization also holds investments in a semi-endowment fund, with earnings used to provide grants to educational institutions.

Grantmaking

The foundation indicates it operates on a "preselected only" basis, suggesting grants are awarded to pre-identified institutions rather than through open application processes.

Grant Range

$6,500

How to Apply

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

ICSF works with partner institutions across 14 countries and currently maintains relationships with 26 partner schools that help identify scholars for assistance. Geographic areas of focus include:

Africa
India
Philippines
South America
South Korea

Grant Distribution by State

California $5K (100%)

States

California

Cities

La Verne

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of Fiscal Year 2024:

Total Assets: $4,219,942
Total Revenue: $146,266
Total Expenses: $218,770
Number of Employees: 0 (all-volunteer organization)

Endowment: The foundation maintains an endowment in excess of $3 million, with earnings used to support annual grant distributions.

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2025	2024	2023
Total Assets	$4,497,236	$4,219,942	$4,018,862
Revenue	$143,045	$146,266	$165,335
Expenses	$225,536	$218,770	$222,880
Qualifying Distributions	$185,096	$186,026	$202,316
Net Investment Income	$136,516	$146,251	$161,472
Distributable Amount	$212,763	$200,848	$198,845

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

127 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Arab Baptist Theological Seminary ($15,000), Silliman University ($14,300), Ecumenical Theology Seminary ($10,633).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
UNIVERSIDAD BILBLICA LATINO AMERICA	EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP	$8,800
BALASORE TECHNICAL SCHOOL	EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP	$10,000
SATYA WACANA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE	EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP	$9,423
DAYSTAR UNIVERSITY	EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP	$6,600
MAUA METHODIST HOSPITAL	EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP	$6,050
EWHA WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY	EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP	$5,500
ARAB BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY	EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP	$15,000
UNIVERSIDAD MADERO	EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP	$6,380
MINORITY FOCUS - MEDICAL	EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP	$10,550
MINORITY FOCUS - THEOLOGICAL	EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP	$5,900

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The foundation is governed by 18 directors elected from the ecumenical membership of Church Women United in Southern California/Southern Nevada. All directors serve without compensation and volunteer their time.

Board Members (as of 2024):

Diomy Alexander, President
Vickey Mueller, Vice President
Vera Lee, Secretary
Julie Kurtz, Treasurer

All board members serve with zero annual compensation and dedicate one hour per week to their roles.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

From 2025 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
JULIE KURTZ	Treasurer	1	—
VERA LEE	Secretary	1	—
DIOMY ALEXANDER	President	1	—
VICKEY MUELLER	Vice President	1	—

Recent Activity

Recent developments and announcements

2024

As of June 2024, the foundation had made 28 grants during that fiscal year. The organization continues to support educational institutions internationally, with recent grants distributed to theological colleges, university alumnae chapters, and other educational organizations serving international students.

International Christian University to expand scholarships for new students

The foundation has supported over 293 scholars across its history, with students studying theology, medicine, and education at partner institutions worldwide.

Announcement: Christian Scholars Foundation Legacy Grant 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What does International Christian Scholarship Fdtn fund?

How do I apply for a grant from International Christian Scholarship Fdtn?

**Grant Activity:** • The foundation made 28 grants in 2024 • Median grant size: $6,500 • Grant range: $3,300 to $15,000 • Annual grants exceed $190,000 **Recent Grants (2024):** • Christian Ministry at Southern Oregon College: $9,160 (Educational Scholarship) • Ewha Womans University Alumnae Detroit Chapter: $5,500 (Educational Scholarship) • St Andrews Theological College and Seminary: $5,500 (Educational Scholarship) **Application Process:** The foundation indicates it operates on a "presele…

Where does International Christian Scholarship Fdtn make grants?

ICSF works with partner institutions across 14 countries and currently maintains relationships with 26 partner schools that help identify scholars for assistance. Geographic areas of focus include: • Africa • India • Philippines • South America • South Korea

What size grants does International Christian Scholarship Fdtn award?

In 2025, International Christian Scholarship Fdtn awarded 24 grants totaling $185K — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is International Christian Scholarship Fdtn required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, International Christian Scholarship Fdtn reported a distributable amount of $213K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is International Christian Scholarship Fdtn's EIN?

International Christian Scholarship Fdtn's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-6048302. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.