James M Doss Charitable Foundation Trust
The James M Doss Charitable Foundation Trust is a private foundation based in Sarasota, Florida, established in 2017. The foundation was created following the passing of James M. Doss Sr., who left a charitable legacy to his son, James M. Doss Jr., and his wife, Marla Doss. The foundation operates with a staff of two employees and focuses on providing financial support to charitable organizations serving the Sarasota and broader Florida community.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.9M
+0.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$456K
+4.0% YoY
Grant Count
19
+18.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$24K
-12.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James M Doss Charitable Foundation Trust reported a distributable amount of $483K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's vision is to connect with and engage the community through philanthropic advancement, promoting, enhancing, and preserving health and human service organizations.
Primary funding areas include:
- Youth Services: General and therapeutic camp programs, youth-serving organizations
- Education: Student success centers, scholarships, and educational program support
- Health & Wellness: Equipment and facility improvements for health-related organizations
- Community Services: Human services and general operating support
- Sports & Recreation: Sports and safety equipment
- Faith-Based Organizations: Catholic faith-based initiatives
- Athletics: Support for Florida State University athletics
Grantmaking
The foundation supports a range of grant types including general operating support, equipment purchases, program expenses, scholarships, and capital projects.
Grant Range
$3,000–$100,000
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Florida, with particular emphasis on the Sarasota and Bradenton area communities. The foundation also supports organizations in Tennessee.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $7,883,043
- Total Revenues: $711,171
- Total Expenses: $651,727
- Staff: 2 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,883,043 | $7,823,599 | $8,270,692 |
| Revenue | $711,171 | $289,030 | $315,223 |
| Expenses | $651,727 | $637,891 | $718,949 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $593,001 | $582,024 | $629,106 |
| Net Investment Income | $652,445 | $372,582 | $237,892 |
| Distributable Amount | $483,497 | $468,123 | $501,160 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
90 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Pines of Sarasota Foundation ($50,000), Saint Joseph School ($50,000), St Jude Children's Research Hospital ($41,361).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADVENTURE FOR ALL SARASOTA, FL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE SUNCOAST VENICE, FL | GENERAL | $25,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF SARASOTA SARASOTA, FL | ARCADIA CLUB | $25,000 |
| CAMP BOGGY CREEK EUSTIS, FL | THERAPEUTIC CAMP PROGRAMS | $30,000 |
| CONSERVATION FOUNDATION OF THE GULF COAST OSPREY, FL | CONSERVATION | $15,000 |
| EASTER SEALS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INC SARASOTA, FL | EQUIPMENT | $30,000 |
| EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA COUNTY SARASOTA, FL | STUDENT SUCCESS CENTERS | $15,000 |
| FACE AUTISM ELLENTON, FL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| FAMILY PARTNERSHIP CENTER OF MANATEE COUNTY DBA PARENTING MATTERS BRADENTON, FL | MUSICAL MOTION PROGRAM | $14,812 |
| MEALS ON WHEELSMANATEE BRADENTON, FL | FOOD FOR FAMILIES PROGRAMS | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
James M. Doss Jr. - President (Compensation: $72,000 as of 2025)
Marla Doss - Co-founder and decision-maker. Marla brings extensive nonprofit experience, having been involved in nonprofit work since 1985, primarily on the fundraising side before becoming a foundation leader.
The foundation is administered with support from Wayne F Seitl.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAYNE F SEITL | TRUSTEE | 3 | $24,896 |
| JAMES M DOSS JR | PRESIDENT | 25 | $72,000 |
| SABAL TRUST COMPANY | TRUSTEE | 3 | $58,726 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues to expand its community impact. Recent initiatives highlight the Dosses' commitment to education and youth development:
James M. Doss Charitable Foundation continues legacy of helping childrenIn 2023, the foundation provided $15,000 to support the Student Success Center at Sarasota Military Academy, recognizing the importance of accessible resources for students planning their futures, particularly low-income students exploring multiple educational pathways including trade schools.
The James M. Doss Charitable Foundation Helps Build a Culture of StudentThe foundation has supported Suncoast Charities For Children with funding that enabled the purchase of new laptops and wellness equipment for adults with disabilities.
James M. Doss Charitable Foundation continues legacy of helping childrenThe foundation's grants have supported facility improvements, including simulation center renovations and intergenerational park development.
The foundation's work reflects James M. Doss Sr.'s values of giving back to the community that supported him, with his son and daughter-in-law continuing this legacy through strategic philanthropic investments in youth services, education, and community health.
James M. Doss Charitable Foundation continues legacy of helping childrenSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does James M Doss Charitable Foundation Trust fund?
The foundation's vision is to connect with and engage the community through philanthropic advancement, promoting, enhancing, and preserving health and human service organizations. Primary funding areas include: • **Youth Services**: General and therapeutic camp programs, youth-serving organizations • **Education**: Student success centers, scholarships, and educational program support • **Health & Wellness**: Equipment and facility improvements for health-related organizations • **Community Ser…
How do I apply for a grant from James M Doss Charitable Foundation Trust?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 20 grants in 2024 • Total giving in 2024: $456,173 • Typical grant range: $3,000–$100,000 **Recent Grants (2024):** • Pines of Sarasota Foundation: $50,000 (Intergenerational Park) • St Jude Children's Research Hospital: $41,361 (General) • Easter Seals Southwest Florida: $30,000 (Equipment) • All Faiths Food Bank: $25,000 • Suncoast Charities For Children: $25,000 (in honor of Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival's 25th year) • Education Foundation of Saras…
Where does James M Doss Charitable Foundation Trust make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Florida, with particular emphasis on the Sarasota and Bradenton area communities. The foundation also supports organizations in Tennessee.
What size grants does James M Doss Charitable Foundation Trust award?
In 2024, James M Doss Charitable Foundation Trust awarded 19 grants totaling $456K — an average of about $24K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is James M Doss Charitable Foundation Trust required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, James M Doss Charitable Foundation Trust reported a distributable amount of $483K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is James M Doss Charitable Foundation Trust's EIN?
James M Doss Charitable Foundation Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 30-6558102. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in James M Doss Charitable Foundation Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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