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 $238K across 25 grants in 2025 (avg $10K), top state Florida. 80% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $237,500
- +3.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 25
- +8.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $9,500
- -4.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $719,525
- +37.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 80% first-time grantees (20 of 25, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Florida (12% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated November 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 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Ansonia Public Schools ($10K). Together the top 10 received $100K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($10,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
149 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 149 grants of 149 (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 2025 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is IOLA Foundation open to new grantees?
80%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 20 of 25 grantees (80%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2022–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $41K (2020) to $518K (2023). In 2025 it made 25 grants totaling $238K.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ansonia Public Schools Ansonia, CT | Improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students at school and community | $10,000 |
| AZTECH Robotics LLC Tempe, AZ | Improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students at school and community | $10,000 |
| Encircle Family and Youth Resource Center Salt Lake City, UT | Improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students at school and community | $10,000 |
| Federal City Performing Arts Association Inc Washington, DC | Improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students at school and community | $10,000 |
| Fourth City Sisters St. Louis, MO | Improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students at school and community | $10,000 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $10,000 |
| Indiana Youth Group Inc Indianapolis, IN | Improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students at school and community | $10,000 |
| Indy Pride Inc DBA Carmel Pride Carmel, IN | Improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students at school and community | $10,000 |
| Milwaukee LGBT Community Center Milwaukee, WI | Improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students at school and community | $10,000 |
| Native Movement Fairbanks, AK | Improve the experience of LGBTQ+ students at school and community | $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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $719,525 | $1,792,286 | $1,536,938 | $237,500 | 25 | $42 |
| 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. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 25 grants totaling $237,500.
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); 3 of 13 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Brian Wenke
Chief Executive Officer
CEO → Chief Executive Officer, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$145K (2020) → $178K (2025)
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) → $147K (2025)
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) → $138K (2025)
Justin Wee
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shaun Lewis
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carl Baloney
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
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rob Leis
Director
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tracy Gilchrist
Director
On filings since 2024
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 (5)
- Former: Seth Levy (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Stephanie Ruyle (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Jimmy Ancheta-Tilley Jr. (2023–2024) — Director & Development
- Former: Eboni Munn (2022–2023) — Director, Storytelling & Strategic Mktg.
- Former: Julie Tarney (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $178K, to Brian Wenke (Chief Executive Officer). 3 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 $238K across 25 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $230K across 23 grants.
What is IOLA Foundation's typical grant size?
IOLA Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $9,500, across 25 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from IOLA Foundation that year got $9K on average.
Where does IOLA Foundation give grants?
IOLA Foundation's top state is Florida, with 12% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (12%) and Connecticut (8%).
Does IOLA Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on IOLA Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are IOLA Foundation's largest grantees?
IOLA Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Ansonia Public Schools ($10,000), AZTECH Robotics LLC ($10,000) and Encircle Family and Youth Resource Center ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($10,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is IOLA Foundation?
IOLA Foundation reported $720K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.8M.
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 2020–2025.
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 15, 2026)
- 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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in IOLA Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in California
Share Our Strength
Washington, DC
Share Our Strength funds child nutrition and hunger-reduction efforts, including school meals, summer meals, benefits access, and family economic mobility, primarily across the United States, with some work in India. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,200 to $739,871, with a median of $20,000. The available information does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$74.5M
Grants
302
Total Given
$14.4M
Commerce Bancshares Foundation
Kansas City, MO
The foundation supports a broad range of charitable organizations and community projects, with 2024 grants typically small (median $1,500) but ranging from $200 to $60,500. Most funding went to Missouri, followed by Kansas and Illinois, with smaller amounts elsewhere; it says applicants should contact the program director and provide proof of 501(c)(3) status, and does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$35.0M
Grants
645
Total Given
$2.0M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). IOLA Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 9, 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 2026-11-09. 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?