Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation
This foundation was set up by elwena scarpaci for the purpose of enhancing the general health and welfare of the community of vandalia, and to that end, is organized and shall be operated exclusively for charitable, religious, educational and scientific purposes.
Key facts about Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation
In short: Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation gave $63K across 4 grants in 2026 (avg $16K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 37-1248135
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2026
- Annual giving (2026)
- $63,393
- Grants made (2026)
- 4
- Average grant
- $15,848
- Median grant
- $15,479
- Total assets
- $2,389,789
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2026; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2026 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$2.4M
+2.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$63K
+46.8% YoY
Grant Count
4
+33.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$16K
+10.1% YoY
How Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation gives
- Giving grew 197% from 2023 to 2026. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
About Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation is a public charity, based in Vandalia, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2026. As of 2026, the organization holds $2.4M in total assets. In 2026, it awarded 4 grants totaling $63K. Net investment income was $169K.
Ready to take the next step with Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $17K (2022) to $63K (2026). In 2026 it made 4 grants totaling $63K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Mother of Dolors Catholic Church ($20K). Together the top 4 received $63K.
Grant Size Distribution
14 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 14 grants of 14 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mother of Dolors Catholic Church Vandalia, IL | — | $20,436 |
| Vandalia Community Schools Vandalia, IL | Wrestling Program | $17,000 |
| Friend & Family of SB Lincoln Hosp Vandalia, IL | Capital Equipment | $13,957 |
| Family YMCA of Fayette County Vandalia, IL | Basketball Gym | $12,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,389,789 | $2,324,983 | $2,319,158 |
| Revenue | $172,489 | $95,994 | $140,619 |
| Expenses | $107,683 | $90,169 | $79,427 |
| Net Investment Income | $168,532 | $95,966 | $140,610 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 5, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS June 5, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation is led by Karen Dyer, President since 2026 (on filings since 2024); none of the 5 officers listed in 2026 report compensation.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Karen Dyer
President
Director → President, 2026
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Steve Knebel
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Ty McNary
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Doug Knebel
Director
New on the 2026 filing
No compensation reported
Jennifer Garrison
Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Rick Gottman (2020–2025) — President
- Former: Gregory Starnes (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jim Pryor (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Dustin Brewer (2023) — Director
- Former: Mark Miller (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jay Jolliff (2020) — Trustee, Secretary & Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2026. "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 Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation
How much does Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation give each year?
Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation gave $63K across 4 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990. In 2025 it gave $43K across 3 grants.
What is Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation's typical grant size?
Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $15,479, and its average grant was $15,848, across 4 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990.
Where does Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation give grants?
Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Vandalia, IL (4 grants).
Does Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2026: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation's 2026 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
How large is Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation?
Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation reported $2.4M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $172K.
What is Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation's EIN?
Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 37-1248135. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2026.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Here's the math on researching Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Illinois
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds nonprofits addressing economic mobility, wealth gaps, and urgent community needs, with priorities including homeownership, small businesses, education, quality jobs, and investment in underinvested communities. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $26,500, though awards vary widely; grants generally benefit Chicago-region residents, and the Trust directs applicants to open opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
The Allstate Foundation
Northbrook, IL
The Allstate Foundation funds youth empowerment, efforts to prevent and address relationship abuse, nonprofit leadership, and related economic opportunity and equity work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $2 million, with a median of $1,000, and awards must support work in the United States. It accepts proposals from organizations beyond a preselected list; proposals are reviewed as received.
Assets
$89.3M
Grants
2,010
Total Given
$38.0M
Elks National Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
The Elks National Foundation funds scholarships, youth programs, veterans services, disaster relief, and community projects, primarily through Elks Lodges and state associations in communities across the United States where Elks live and work. Its 2025 grants had a median of $8,500, though amounts varied widely; the listed Beacon and Freedom Grants are limited to Elks Lodges. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$954.1M
Grants
1,536
Total Given
$36.5M
John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation
Chicago, IL
The foundation funds a broad range of work, including journalism, arts, Chicago communities, climate and clean energy, homelessness, human rights, and criminal justice reform. Its 2024 grants had a median of $160,000, with awards ranging from $450 to $21 million; funding is nationwide, with the largest shares going to New York, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. Application rules vary by program: some accept self-nominations or Letters of Inquiry, while others generally do not fund unsolicited proposals.
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
Chicago, IL
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial supports a broad range of organizations, including education, Jewish organizations, and community foundations. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $3 million, with a median of $55,000; 55% of grant dollars went to Illinois, with additional funding in New York, Washington, DC, California, and Minnesota. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
897
Total Given
$115.2M
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
Chicago, IL
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan funds human services, education, community programs, Jewish life, and crisis relief in the Chicago area, as well as support for Israel and Jewish communities worldwide. Its 2025 grants ranged from about $5,000 to $27.4 million, with a median of about $20,000. Unsolicited requests are not addressed for the Federation overall; its separate Jewish Women’s Foundation accepts letters of intent, with proposals by invitation only.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
896
Total Given
$166.6M
Circle of Service Foundation
Chicago, IL
Circle of Service Foundation funds community services, education, medical research, and Jewish causes, with nearly all grants going to organizations in Cook and Lake Counties, Illinois. Grants typically range from $100 to $500,000, with a median of $25,000. It accepts unsolicited pre-applications for community services and Jewish community needs; education and medical research grants are typically by invitation, and unsolicited capital proposals are not accepted.
Assets
$592.0M
Grants
637
Total Given
$37.0M
Polk Bros Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
Polk Bros Foundation funds community-driven Chicago nonprofits working to close the life expectancy gap, build community wealth, and foster participatory, multiracial democracy. Recent grants ranged from $100 to $250,000, with a median of $25,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests during its transition period, which ends in fall 2026; it currently offers targeted RFPs.
Assets
$334.3M
Grants
568
Total Given
$19.3M
Ea Mellinger Educational
Monmouth, IL
The foundation primarily funds undergraduate scholarships and makes a small number of educational grants to charitable organizations; in 2025, awards ranged from $183 to $15,000, with a median of $2,100. Scholarships are limited to residents of six Illinois counties, and most grant dollars go to Illinois recipients. It provides an online scholarship application, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests for organizational grants is not stated.
Assets
$25.0M
Grants
582
Total Given
$1.2M
Helen V Brach Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Helen V Brach Foundation funds education, animal and child welfare, and charitable, literary, arts, religious, and scientific purposes; its 2025 filings report 553 grants totaling about $5.9 million, but no typical award size is given. Recent filings show grants went to Illinois, including Chicago. It accepts requests from organizations not preselected for funding; an application form is available upon request, and applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations.
Assets
$128.9M
Grants
1
Total Given
$6.8M
National Council of YMCAs of the USA
Chicago, IL
Y-USA funds YMCA and affiliated World Alliance of YMCAs members for youth development, healthy living, social responsibility, and related program support. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,000 to $799,726, with a median of $55,000, and supported organizations across the United States. It states that proposals are evaluated by staff and approved through its International Group process; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$260.5M
Grants
540
Total Given
$44.1M
More Funders in Illinois
Joe & Elwena Scarpaci Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?