James L Kovar Educational
James L Kovar Educational is a private foundation based in Southington, Ohio. Its 2025 filing lists scholarships for graduates of Chalker High School in Southington, Ohio, including awards for study at several Ohio colleges and universities.
James L Kovar Educational at a glance
In short: James L Kovar Educational gave $110K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $8K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $110,235
- -0.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $8,480
- -0.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $8,882
- Total assets
- $2,346,370
- +2.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Ohio (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to James L Kovar Educational
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It lists a scholarship application form and restricts awards to graduates of Chalker High School in Southington, Ohio. The filing names Barbara Eckelberger as the contact for the application process.
- Review Cycle
- April 1, as listed on the 2024 filing; this is a past cycle.
- Deadline
- April 1, as listed on the 2024 filing; this is a past cycle.
- Contact
Application contact: Barbara Eckelberger
Mailing address: 3553 Phalanx Mills Herner Road, Southington, OH 44470
Phone: (330) 898-1793
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who James L Kovar Educational funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Ryan Herdman ($198).
Organizations only. It also paid 12 individual scholarships ($110,037), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
72 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 72 grants of 72 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in Ohio. The 2024 filing restricts awards to graduates of Chalker High School in Southington, Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How James L Kovar Educational gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−5%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 77% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $110K (2025) to $183K (2021). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $110K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 12 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $110,037 |
| Ryan Herdman Southington, OH | Youngstown State University Scholars | $198 |
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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 | $2,346,370 | $196,374 | $132,859 | $110,235 | 13 | $125,730 | $191,793 | $163,699 |
| 2024 | $2,282,855 | $95,580 | $122,871 | $110,452 | 13 | $119,399 | $91,203 | $145,162 |
| 2023 | $2,310,146 | $63,436 | $154,796 | $136,521 | 16 | $150,671 | $61,486 | $126,263 |
| 2022 | $2,401,506 | $126,943 | $134,693 | $115,655 | 16 | $130,193 | $124,793 | $137,363 |
| 2021 | $2,409,256 | $112,112 | $200,830 | $183,209 | 14 | — | $94,969 | $116,824 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James L Kovar Educational reported a distributable amount of $164K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 13 grants totaling $110,235. Grant amounts ranged from $198 to $15,284, with a median of $8,882. Listed awards included $15,284 for a Slippery Rock University scholarship, $14,101 and $13,277 for Kent State University scholarships, $12,394 for an Ohio State University scholarship, and $8,933 for a Hiram College scholarship.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Barbara A. Eckelberger as president, Kevin Kovar as director, and David Motz as treasurer.
James L Kovar Educational is led by Barbara A. Eckelberger, President on every filing since 2021; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Barbara A. Eckelberger
President
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$5K (2021) → $6K (2025)
Kevin Kovar
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$5K (2021) → $6K (2025)
David Motz
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$5K (2021) → $6K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $6K, to Barbara a Eckelberger (President). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about James L Kovar Educational
How much does James L Kovar Educational give each year?
James L Kovar Educational gave $110K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $110K across 13 grants.
What is James L Kovar Educational's typical grant size?
James L Kovar Educational's median grant in 2025 was $8,882, and its average grant was $8,480, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does James L Kovar Educational give grants?
James L Kovar Educational gives mostly in Ohio: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does James L Kovar Educational give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on James L Kovar Educational's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Kent State University Scholarship" (3 grants).
How large is James L Kovar Educational?
James L Kovar Educational reported $2.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $126K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $164K (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.
How do I apply for a grant from James L Kovar Educational?
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is James L Kovar Educational's EIN?
James L Kovar Educational's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-3993806. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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 2021–2025
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