James F & Marion L Miller Foundation
The James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation is a private foundation based in Portland, Oregon. Its mission is to enhance Oregonians’ quality of life through support for classroom education and the performing, visual, and literary arts.
James F & Marion L Miller Foundation at a glance
In short: James F & Marion L Miller Foundation gave $11.9M across 237 grants in 2024 (avg $50K), mostly in Oregon. 12% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $11,927,552
- -26.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 237
- +2.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $50,327
- -28.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $23,500
- Total assets
- $178,512,283
- +13.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 12% first-time grantees (28 of 235, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Oregon (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 F & Marion L Miller Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests from Oregon-based organizations whose primary focus is arts or education. Its filing directs applicants to the application guidelines; the website says organizations starting a new request should take the Eligibility Quiz in the organization grants portal.
- Contact
Application contact: Carrie Hoops Executive Director
Mailing address: 1905 Se 10Th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
Phone: (503) 546-3191
Email: carrie@millerfound.org
Website: https://www.millerfound.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from James F & Marion L Miller Foundation
Miller Foundation Fiscal Sponsorship
James F & Marion L Miller Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Miller Foundation: Arts (Large Org.) Grant
James F & Marion L Miller Foundation
Amount
Up to US $150,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Miller Foundation: Arts (Small Org.) Grants
James F & Marion L Miller Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who James F & Marion L Miller Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Children's Institute ($1.8M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $5.2M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($150,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,201 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 869 grants of 1,201 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s programs support organizations in Oregon. In filing year 2024, 100% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Oregon.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 237 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is James F & Marion L Miller Foundation open to new grantees?
12%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 28 of 235 grantees (12%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $16K; repeat grants $55K. How we count
Medians: $7K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 60% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+1%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 130% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $10.0M (2022) to $16.2M (2023). In 2024 it made 237 grants totaling $11.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Symphony Portland, OR | Three Year Operating Support for Professional Orchestra | $1,166,667 |
| Children's Institute Portland, OR | Five year project support for early childhood advocacy program through miller early childhood initiative | $875,000 |
| Children's Institute Portland, OR | Five year project support for early childhood advocacy program through miller early childhood initiative | $875,000 |
| Portland Art Museum Portland, OR | Three Year Operating Support for Art Museum | $800,000 |
| Portland Opera Portland, OR | Three Year Operating Support for Opera Company | $400,000 |
| Oregon Ballet Theatre Portland, OR | Three year operating support for professional ballet company and school | $300,000 |
| Foundations for a Better Oregon Portland, OR | One year operating support for philanthropic collaborative supporting learning and advocacy for education systems change | $200,000 |
| Kids Unlimited of Oregon Medford, OR | Three year operating grant for in-school youth development program in southern Oregon | $150,000 |
| Reap Portland, OR | Two year operating support for year-round multicultural youth leadership program | $150,000 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $150,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $178,512,283 | $37,478,142 | $15,789,515 | $11,927,552 | 237 | $13,651,386 | $35,904,279 | $10,509,090 |
| 2023 | $157,676,181 | $14,528,601 | $19,254,333 | $16,156,009 | 231 | $17,695,300 | $13,153,075 | $10,120,497 |
| 2022 | $162,216,699 | $11,093,790 | $13,140,061 | $10,013,778 | 212 | $11,525,805 | $9,652,770 | $10,464,725 |
| 2021 | $164,280,841 | $30,090,803 | $14,949,129 | $11,760,000 | 285 | $13,080,541 | $28,677,740 | $10,854,363 |
| 2020 | $149,111,692 | $6,301,787 | $16,066,483 | $13,654,521 | 236 | — | $5,198,186 | $9,273,580 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James F & Marion L Miller Foundation reported a distributable amount of $10.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated vision is an Oregon where the arts thrive in supportive communities and educational systems support effective teaching and learning in every classroom. Its funding includes arts organizations and arts education, K-12 schools and community-based education organizations, and education policy, advocacy, and systems-change work. The foundation says early childhood practice, policy, and advocacy are funded only by invitation or in collaboration with other funders; it does not accept requests for early childhood or pre-K classrooms.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate this range. Portland Art Museum describes its mission as engaging diverse communities through art and film, and collecting, preserving, and educating for the enrichment of present and future generations. Oregon Ballet Theatre says it shares ballet’s expressive power and connects with its community through performance, training, and education. Foundations for a Better Oregon says it works to support children’s learning and development by connecting communities, policymakers, and philanthropy. REAP describes itself as a year-round multicultural youth leadership program, while Latino Network says it promotes social change through education equity, parent engagement, and civic leadership.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 237 grants totaling $11,927,552. The filing summary gives a typical award range of $1,000 to $2,000,000; the 2024 itemized grants ranged from $1,000 to $1,166,667, with a median of $23,500. Larger 2024 awards included $1,166,667 to Oregon Symphony for three-year operating support; $875,000 to Children’s Institute for a five-year early childhood advocacy project; $800,000 to Portland Art Museum for three-year operating support; $400,000 to Portland Opera for three-year operating support; and $300,000 to Oregon Ballet Theatre for three-year operating support. Other reported awards included $200,000 to Foundations for a Better Oregon, $150,000 each to Kids Unlimited of Oregon and REAP, and $125,000 to Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.
The foundation’s website says eligible organizations must be in Oregon, have provided community programs or services for at least three years, and be charitable organizations such as 501(c)(3) organizations, public entities, tribal or municipal governments, or schools, subject to program-specific eligibility rules. Its standard arts and education grants generally provide operating support. The website describes a two-step Standard Grant process: organizations begin with an inquiry form, and invited applicants submit a full application. The Fast Track Arts program accepts requests throughout the year for eligible arts organizations with annual operating expenses of $25,000–$499,999. The foundation’s 2026 Standard Grant inquiry forms are available at any time, with three review cycles. The October 2, 2026 inquiry deadline is today; the invited-application deadline for that cycle is November 20, 2026, and recipients are scheduled to be notified January 29, 2027.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Carolyn Hoops as executive director; Charles H. Putney as chairman of the board; Peter Koehler as president; John Tapogna as treasurer; and Subashini Ganesan-Forbes as secretary. It also lists Kali Ladd Thorne, William Swindells, Donald L. Grotting, and Giyen Kim as directors.
James F & Marion L Miller Foundation is led by Peter Koehler, President since 2023 (on filings since 2020); all 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Peter Koehler
President
Director → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $35K (2024)
Carolyn Hoops
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$226K (2023) → $223K (2024)
Charles H. Putney
Chairman of the Board
President → Chairman of the Board, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$62K (2023) → $9K (2024)
William Swindells
Director
Director → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $35K (2024)
Donald L. Grotting
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
$18K (2022) → $35K (2024)
Giyen Kim
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
$18K (2022) → $35K (2024)
Kali Ladd Thorne
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
$35K (2023) → $35K (2024)
John Tapogna
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
$18K (2022) → $35K (2024)
Subashini Ganesan-Forbes
Secretary
Secrtary → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
$35K (2022) → $35K (2024)
Former officers (5)
- Former: Martha Richards (2020–2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Alice McCartor (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Kali Ladd (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Charles Rooks (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Subashini Ganesan (2020–2021) — Secrtary
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 $223K, to Carolyn Hoops (Executive Director). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about James F & Marion L Miller Foundation
How much does James F & Marion L Miller Foundation give each year?
James F & Marion L Miller Foundation gave $11.9M across 237 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $16.2M across 231 grants.
What is James F & Marion L Miller Foundation's typical grant size?
James F & Marion L Miller Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $23,500, and its average grant was $50,327, across 237 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from James F & Marion L Miller Foundation that year got $16K on average.
Where does James F & Marion L Miller Foundation give grants?
James F & Marion L Miller Foundation gives mostly in Oregon: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, OR (124 grants), Eugene, OR (18 grants), Ashland, OR (9 grants) and Medford, OR (8 grants).
Does James F & Marion L Miller Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 96% of James F & Marion L Miller Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (228 of 237) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are James F & Marion L Miller Foundation's largest grantees?
James F & Marion L Miller Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Children's Institute ($1,750,000 across 2 grants), Oregon Symphony ($1,166,667) and Portland Art Museum ($800,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($150,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 31% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is James F & Marion L Miller Foundation?
James F & Marion L Miller Foundation reported $178.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $13.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $10.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does James F & Marion L Miller Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated vision is an Oregon where the arts thrive in supportive communities and educational systems support effective teaching and learning in every classroom. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from James F & Marion L Miller Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests from Oregon-based organizations whose primary focus is arts or education. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is James F & Marion L Miller Foundation's EIN?
James F & Marion L Miller Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 03-0373895. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does James F & Marion L Miller Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 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 F & Marion L Miller Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/james-f-and-marion-l-miller-foundation-morg_914c3b1a8aae4b5da56a40159b9cc691
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_030373895_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{James F \& Marion L Miller Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/james-f-and-marion-l-miller-foundation-morg_914c3b1a8aae4b5da56a40159b9cc691},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 F & Marion L Miller 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.
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