James B Chambers Memorial
James B Chambers Memorial is a private foundation based in Wheeling, West Virginia. It supports needs of indigent children in Ohio County, West Virginia, and the West Alexander area of Pennsylvania, including basic necessities, education, camps, and youth programs.
James B Chambers Memorial at a glance
In short: James B Chambers Memorial gave $575K across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $41K), mostly in West Virginia. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $574,609
- -9.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 14
- -33.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $41,044
- +36.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $22,500
- Total assets
- $11,026,454
- +7.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (4 of 14, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- West Virginia (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to James B Chambers Memorial
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website instructs prospective applicants to contact its executive director to discuss the process, then complete the foundation’s application form. It says applications are reviewed at board meetings, typically held six times a year; incomplete applications will not be considered. The 2024 filing states that application materials are provided in an attachment and lists geographic and youth-related restrictions.
- Review Cycle
- The 2024 filing states that there are no deadlines.
- Deadline
- The 2024 filing states that there are no deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Emily Schramm-Fisher
Mailing address: PO Box 3047, Wheeling, WV 26003
Phone: (304) 243-9373
Email: efisher@jbchambersfoundation.org
Website: https://jbchambersfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who James B Chambers Memorial funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Kings Daughters ($167K). Together the top 10 received $562K.
Grant Size Distribution
87 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 69 grants of 87 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation identifies Ohio County, West Virginia, and West Alexander, Pennsylvania, as its service area and says it generally does not make grants to organizations outside those regions. Its 2024 filing lists a geographic restriction of the Greater Wheeling, West Virginia, area, and all reported 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in West Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is James B Chambers Memorial open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 14 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $51K; repeat grants $37K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $9K repeat.
- 57% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−12%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 92% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 $575K (2024) to $656K (2021). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $575K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Kings Daughters Wheeling, WV | Support | $166,667 |
| YMCA Wheeling, WV | Playground | $97,692 |
| United Way Wheeling, WV | Support | $75,000 |
| Oglebay Institute Wheeling, WV | Summer Camps | $60,000 |
| Holy Family Daycare Wheeling, WV | Support | $50,500 |
| Bethlehem Elementary School Wheeling, WV | Playground | $50,000 |
| Middle Creek School Wheeling, WV | Support | $30,000 |
| House of the Carpenter Wheeling, WV | Capital Campaign | $15,000 |
| Young Life Wheeling, WV | Summer Camp | $12,000 |
| Arc Wheeling, WV | Summer Camp | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with James B Chambers Memorial?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $11,026,454 | $1,432,100 | $699,127 | $574,609 | 14 | $606,142 | $1,344,365 | $660,675 |
| 2023 | $10,295,125 | $814,568 | $754,335 | $633,127 | 21 | $678,287 | $738,520 | $609,736 |
| 2022 | $10,234,892 | $1,220,471 | $697,581 | $577,856 | 20 | $613,994 | $1,136,884 | $606,850 |
| 2021 | $9,733,683 | $2,269,164 | $777,833 | $656,354 | 17 | $695,514 | $2,192,873 | $649,285 |
| 2020 | $8,223,855 | $693,835 | $713,816 | $611,000 | 15 | — | $631,968 | $588,448 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James B Chambers Memorial reported a distributable amount of $661K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is “to encourage and support indigent children’s needs in Ohio County, WV and West Alexander, PA through strategically placed charitable resources.” It funds scholarships, food, clothing, school supplies and other necessities, educational access and camps, and capital campaigns for youth centers and programs that directly benefit young people.
The foundation says it grants to nonprofits, religious entities, and government entities serving indigent children in its region, and that grants are limited to 501(c)(3) organizations and qualified government units and agencies. Among its 2024 grantees, Oglebay Institute describes its mission as engaging people of all ages and abilities through programming in arts, dance, history, and nature. Community Impact Network says it supports community improvement projects, including childcare, schools, youth programs, poverty alleviation, and education.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 14 grants totaling $574,609. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $166,667, with a median of $22,500. Its largest reported grants included $166,667 to Kings Daughters for support; $97,692 to the YMCA for a playground; $75,000 to United Way for support; $60,000 to Oglebay Institute for summer camps; and $50,500 to Holy Family Daycare for support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Brian E Joseph as chairman, Thomas Gompers as vice chairman, Charlie Savage as secretary/treasurer, and Lisa Allen, Chris Freeman, James E Altmyer, Edward G Sloane Jr, Henry B Altmyer, and Mary Pockl as board members.
James B Chambers Memorial is led by Brian E. Joseph, Chairman since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 7 of 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Brian E. Joseph
Chairman
Vice President → Vice Chairman, 2021
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Charlie Savage
Secretary & Treasurer
Board Member → Secretary & Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Chris Freeman
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$850 (2020) → $3K (2024)
Edward G. Sloane Jr.
Board Member
Secretary & Assistant Treasurer → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Henry B. Altmeyer
Board Member
President → Chairman, 2021
Chairman → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $2K (2024)
James E. Altmeyer
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Lisa Allen
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$850 (2020) → $0 (2024)
Thomas Gompers
Vice Chairman
Treasurer → Vice Chairman, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Mary Pockl
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$2K (2024)
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 $3K, to Chris Freeman (Board Member). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about James B Chambers Memorial
How much does James B Chambers Memorial give each year?
James B Chambers Memorial gave $575K across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $633K across 21 grants.
What is James B Chambers Memorial's typical grant size?
James B Chambers Memorial's median grant in 2024 was $22,500, and its average grant was $41,044, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from James B Chambers Memorial that year got $51K on average.
Where does James B Chambers Memorial give grants?
James B Chambers Memorial gives mostly in West Virginia: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Wheeling, WV (14 grants).
Does James B Chambers Memorial give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on James B Chambers Memorial's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support" (6 grants).
Who are James B Chambers Memorial's largest grantees?
James B Chambers Memorial's largest 2024 grantees include Kings Daughters ($166,667), YMCA ($97,692) and United Way ($75,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 59% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is James B Chambers Memorial?
James B Chambers Memorial reported $11.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $606K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $661K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does James B Chambers Memorial fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is “to encourage and support indigent children’s needs in Ohio County, WV and West Alexander, PA through strategically placed charitable resources.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from James B Chambers Memorial?
The foundation’s website instructs prospective applicants to contact its executive director to discuss the process, then complete the foundation’s application form. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is James B Chambers Memorial's EIN?
James B Chambers Memorial's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 55-0360517. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). James B Chambers Memorial funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/james-b-chambers-memorial-morg_b25064f825e540088f7e2f1c5a42ab8b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_550360517_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{James B Chambers Memorial funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/james-b-chambers-memorial-morg_b25064f825e540088f7e2f1c5a42ab8b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 James B Chambers Memorial'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.
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