IOLA Foundation
IOLA Foundation is a public charity filing on Form 990, based in an individual recipient, California. Its mission and programs support LGBTQ+ youth through storytelling, educational efforts, and grants for youth-focused projects in schools and communities in the United States and internationally.
IOLA Foundation at a glance
In short: IOLA Foundation gave $230K across 23 grants in 2024 (avg $10K), top state California. 70% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $229,764
- -55.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 23
- -55.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $9,990
- +0.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $524,299
- -43.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 70% first-time grantees (14 of 20, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (13% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to IOLA Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The stated process for the annual request for proposals involves an application and review, followed by final board approval. Global Grants are available to organizations within and outside the affiliate network.
- Contact
Mailing address: 7190 W Sunset Blvd 504, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Phone: (323) 782-4934
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from IOLA Foundation
Who IOLA Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was APAC A3 - Artist Advocates & Accolades A3-Visual ($10K). Together the top 10 received $100K.
Organizations only. It also paid 4 grants to individuals ($40,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
124 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 124 grants of 124 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s mission is global. Its Global Grants program prioritizes Asia, Europe, and North and South America and has also funded projects in Africa. The 50 States. 50 Grants. 5,000 Voices program covers the United States, including Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories; it expanded to Canada in 2023.
In filing year 2024, the largest reported shares of grant dollars by recipient state were California (13%), Texas (9%), Iowa (9%), Michigan (4%), and Maryland (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 23 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is IOLA Foundation open to new grantees?
70%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 20 grantees (70%) were first-time recipients. With only 20 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $15K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 30% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2022–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $41K (2020) to $518K (2023). In 2024 it made 23 grants totaling $230K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| APAC A3 - Artist Advocates & Accolades A3-Visual Jackson, MI | Improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students at school | $10,000 |
| Board of Education of Howard County Maryland DBA Howard County Public Scho Ellicot City, MD | Improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students at school | $10,000 |
| Boise Public Schools Education Foundation Inc Boise, ID | Improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students at school | $10,000 |
| 4 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $40,000 |
| Central Arkansas Pride Little Rock, AR | Improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students at school | $10,000 |
| Coalition For A Drug-Free Hawaii Honolulu, HI | Improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students at school | $10,000 |
| Dubuque Community School District Dubuque, IA | Improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students at school | $10,000 |
| Homeless Gay Kids - Houston DBA Tony's Place Houston, TX | Improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students at school | $10,000 |
| Milwaukee Board of School Directors dba Milwaukee Public Schools Milwaukee, WI | Improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students at school | $10,000 |
| Montour School District GSA McKees Rocks, PA | Improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students at school | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with IOLA Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $524,299 | $2,136,887 | $2,478,492 | $229,764 | 23 | $1,147 |
| 2023 | $920,376 | $2,504,910 | $4,152,364 | $517,797 | 52 | $27,100 |
| 2022 | $2,720,925 | $3,113,730 | $4,558,085 | $489,857 | 49 | $7,682 |
| 2021 | $3,984,891 | $4,070,092 | $2,388,858 | $83,838 | Total only | $752 |
| 2020 | $2,369,845 | $2,302,564 | $1,541,130 | $40,739 | Total only | $248 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization states that It Gets Better’s mission is to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth around the globe. Its program areas include storytelling and educational resources, school-based projects, and support for LGBTQ+ youth through local organizations outside the United States.
Its grants support schools and community organizations. For example, Tony’s Place describes its mission as providing youth access to survival resources and affirming LGBTQ+ youth through programming and support. Boise Public Schools Education Foundation says it facilitates donations for innovative and motivating programs in the Boise School District. Prism United describes its mission as responding to the comprehensive needs of LGBTQ youth. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not descriptions of IOLA Foundation’s own programs.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, IOLA Foundation reported 23 grants totaling $229,764. Grant amounts ranged from $9,814 to $10,000, with a median of $10,000. The 2024 filing separately describes the third season of its 50 States. 50 Grants. 5,000 Voices initiative as awarding nearly $250,000 to 25 schools and community organizations.
The 2024 grant list includes $10,000 awards to APAC A3 – Artist Advocates & Accolades A3-Visual in Michigan, the Board of Education of Howard County in Maryland, Boise Public Schools Education Foundation in Idaho, and Tony’s Place in Texas. The listed purpose for these and other largest grants was to improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students at school. Other 2024 recipients identified in the supplied records include Young Women’s Preparatory Network, Mountain Pride, The Pride Foundation, Safe Schools South Florida, an individual recipient County High School for the Arts Foundation, and Prism United, each reported as receiving $10,000.
The filing describes an annual request-for-proposals process for projects supporting LGBTQ+ youth in local communities and middle and high schools. Eligible applicants include public or charter secondary schools serving students ages 13–18, as confirmed by the National Center for Education Statistics, and youth-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Grantees are reviewed through an application process, with final approval by the board, and are expected to report results within one year under deliverables set out in a signed agreement.
The Global Grants program makes small, one-time investments in LGBTQ+ storytelling and educational efforts. Affiliates and organizations beyond the It Gets Better Global Affiliate Network are eligible. The 50 States. 50 Grants. 5,000 Voices program listing gives a March 15, 2026 deadline; that cycle is past. The Changemakers page says applications for 2026 are closed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Paul Dien as chair and president, Avrielle Gallagher as vice chair, and Brian Pines as secretary and treasurer. Directors listed are Carl Boloney, Moe Ari Brown, Christina Fialho, Tracy Gilchrist, Rob Leis, Seth Levy, and Shaun Lewis. The filing states that Seth Levy resigned effective March 27, 2024.
IOLA Foundation is led by Brian Wenke, Chief Executive Officer since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 4 of 16 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Brian Wenke
Chief Executive Officer
CEO → Chief Executive Officer, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$145K (2020) → $168K (2024)
Paul Dien
Chair & President
Director → Chair & President, 2021
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Justin Tindall
Senior Director, Programs & Operations
Director, Education & Global Programming → Director, Programs & Operations, 2022
Director, Programs & Operations → Senior Director, Programs & Operations, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$102K (2021) → $126K (2024)
Ross Von Metzke
Senior Director, Committee & Public Relations
Director, Committee & Public Relations → Senior Director, Committee & Public Relations, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$102K (2021) → $133K (2024)
Jimmy Ancheta-Tilley Jr.
Director & Development
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$111K (2023) → $108K (2024)
Justin Wee
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Seth Levy
Director
Chair & President → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shaun Lewis
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Ruyle
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carl Boloney
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Moe Ari Brown
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christina Fialho
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rob Leis
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tracy Gilchrist
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Avrielle Gallagher
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Pines
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Eboni Munn (2022–2023) — Director, Storytelling & Strategic Mktg.
- Former: Julie Tarney (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $168K, to Brian Wenke (Chief Executive Officer). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about IOLA Foundation
How much does IOLA Foundation give each year?
IOLA Foundation gave $230K across 23 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $518K across 52 grants.
What is IOLA Foundation's typical grant size?
IOLA Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $9,990, across 23 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from IOLA Foundation that year got $10K on average.
Where does IOLA Foundation give grants?
IOLA Foundation's top state is California, with 13% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Texas (9%) and Iowa (9%).
Does IOLA Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 23 grants with a stated purpose on IOLA Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students at school" (23 grants).
Who are IOLA Foundation's largest grantees?
IOLA Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include APAC A3 - Artist Advocates & Accolades A3-Visual ($10,000), Board of Education of Howard County Maryland DBA Howard County Public Scho ($10,000) and Boise Public Schools Education Foundation Inc ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 4 grants to individuals ($40,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is IOLA Foundation?
IOLA Foundation reported $524K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.1M.
What does IOLA Foundation fund?
The organization states that It Gets Better’s mission is to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth around the globe. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from IOLA Foundation?
The stated process for the annual request for proposals involves an application and review, followed by final board approval. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is IOLA Foundation's EIN?
IOLA Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-1906629. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 6, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 5, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 8, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work IOLA Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in IOLA Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). IOLA Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/iola-foundation-morg_53e564f9b72040ddb49da9e579cde146
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_261906629_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{IOLA Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/iola-foundation-morg_53e564f9b72040ddb49da9e579cde146},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from IOLA Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
IOLA Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?