James D & Bess S Polis Foundation
James D & Bess S Polis Foundation is a private foundation, based in Laramie, WY. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.0M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $35K. Net investment income was $12K.
James D & Bess S Polis Foundation at a glance
In short: James D & Bess S Polis Foundation gave $35K across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $4K), mostly in Wyoming. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $35,000
- -36.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $4,375
- -36.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $1,032,919
- -1.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Wyoming (86% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who James D & Bess S Polis Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was St Paul's Newman Center ($5K). Together the top 8 received $35K.
Grant Size Distribution
37 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 37 grants of 37 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How James D & Bess S Polis Foundation gives
- Giving fell 26% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 128% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $35K (2025) to $55K (2024). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $35K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| St Paul's Newman Center Laramie, WY | General Fund | $5,000 |
| Climb Wyoming Cheyenne, WY | Single Mother Traing & Support | $5,000 |
| Downtown Clinic Laramie, WY | General Fund | $5,000 |
| Laramie Interfaith Laramie, WY | General Fund | $5,000 |
| Saint Joseph's Children's Home Torrington, WY | General Fund | $5,000 |
| Guiding Eyes for the Blind Yorktown Heights, NY | Training for Guide Dogs | $5,000 |
| Eppson Center for Seniors Laramie, WY | General Fund | $2,500 |
| Laramie Connections Laramie, WY | General Fund | $2,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,032,919 | $23,861 | $46,548 | $35,000 | 8 | $35,000 | $12,313 | $27,294 |
| 2024 | $1,045,927 | $41,975 | $121,193 | $55,000 | 8 | $55,000 | $11,975 | $51,823 |
| 2023 | $1,134,824 | $35,683 | $70,197 | $50,000 | 7 | $50,000 | $23,251 | $49,480 |
| 2022 | $1,114,891 | $67,941 | $70,679 | $47,500 | 7 | $47,500 | $49,715 | $51,309 |
| 2021 | $1,119,359 | $222,422 | $68,000 | $50,000 | 7 | $50,000 | $207,422 | $47,865 |
| 2020 | $964,937 | $225,887 | $58,496 | $36,000 | 5 | — | $205,891 | $41,282 |
| 2019 | $797,546 | $51,301 | $99,912 | $48,000 | 5 | — | $1,889 | $42,535 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James D & Bess S Polis Foundation reported a distributable amount of $27K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
James D & Bess S Polis Foundation is led by Adrienne Polis, President on the 2025 filing — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Adrienne Polis
President
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: James F. Polis (2019–2024) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 James D & Bess S Polis Foundation
How much does James D & Bess S Polis Foundation give each year?
James D & Bess S Polis Foundation gave $35K across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $55K across 8 grants.
What is James D & Bess S Polis Foundation's typical grant size?
James D & Bess S Polis Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $4,375, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does James D & Bess S Polis Foundation give grants?
James D & Bess S Polis Foundation gives mostly in Wyoming: 86% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Laramie, WY (5 grants).
Does James D & Bess S Polis Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 75% of James D & Bess S Polis Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are James D & Bess S Polis Foundation's largest grantees?
James D & Bess S Polis Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include St Paul's Newman Center ($5,000), Climb Wyoming ($5,000) and Downtown Clinic ($5,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 43% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is James D & Bess S Polis Foundation?
James D & Bess S Polis Foundation reported $1.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $35K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $27K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is James D & Bess S Polis Foundation's EIN?
James D & Bess S Polis Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 65-6016835. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 23, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 26, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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