James D & Bess S Polis Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Laramie, WY EIN: 65-6016835

James D & Bess S Polis Foundation is a private foundation, based in Laramie, WY. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 8 grants totaling $55K. Net investment income was $12K.

Key facts about James D & Bess S Polis Foundation

EIN: 65-6016835
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $55,000
Grants made (2024): 8
Average grant: $6,875
Median grant: $5,000
Total assets: $1,045,927
Primary geography: Wyoming (82% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Who James D & Bess S Polis Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for James D & Bess S Polis Foundation's 8 itemized 2024 grants were Wyoming (82%) and New York (18%). The most frequent recipient cities were Laramie, WY (5 grants). None of its 8 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (6 grants).

How James D & Bess S Polis Foundation gives

Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+10%). Method
In 2024 it paid out 106% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

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Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$1.0M

-7.8% YoY

Annual Giving

$55K

+10.0% YoY

Grant Count

+14.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$7K

-3.8% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James D & Bess S Polis Foundation reported a distributable amount of $52K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About James D & Bess S Polis Foundation

Based on IRS filings

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

Wyoming $45K (82%)

New York $10K (18%)

Share of all 8 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

New York Oregon Wyoming

Cities

LaramieCheyenneTorringtonYorktown HeightsPortland

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$1,045,927	$1,134,824	$1,114,891
Revenue	$41,975	$35,683	$67,941
Expenses	$121,193	$70,197	$70,679
Qualifying Distributions	$55,000	$50,000	$47,500
Net Investment Income	$11,975	$23,251	$49,715
Distributable Amount	$51,823	$49,480	$51,309

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

March 1, 2026 IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 8 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

34 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Guiding Eyes for the Blind ($10,000), Saint Paul's Newman Center ($10,000), Climb Wyoming ($10,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
GUIDING EYES FOR THE BLIND Yorktown Heights, NY	CHARITABLE	$10,000
SAINT PAUL'S NEWMAN CENTER Laramie, WY	RELIGIOUS	$10,000
CLIMB WYOMING Cheyenne, WY	EDUCATIONAL	$10,000
DOWNTOWN CLINIC Laramie, WY	CHARITABLE	$5,000
ST JOSEPH'S CHILDREN'S HOME Torrington, WY	CHARITABLE	$5,000
LARAMIE INTERFAITH Laramie, WY	CHARITABLE	$5,000
LARAMIE CONNECTIONS Laramie, WY	CHARITABLE	$5,000
EPSON CENTER Laramie, WY	CHARITABLE	$5,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
James F Polis	Trustee	2	$65,000

Frequently Asked Questions

How large is James D & Bess S Polis Foundation?

As of 2024, James D & Bess S Polis Foundation holds $1.0M in total assets with $42K in annual revenue. It awarded 8 grants totaling $55K in 2024.

Where does James D & Bess S Polis Foundation operate?

James D & Bess S Polis Foundation has awarded grants in New York, Oregon, Wyoming.

What size grants does James D & Bess S Polis Foundation award?

In 2024, James D & Bess S Polis Foundation awarded 8 grants totaling $55K — an average of about $7K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is James D & Bess S Polis Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, James D & Bess S Polis Foundation reported a distributable amount of $52K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

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 2020–2024.