John a James Foundation
John a James Foundation is a private foundation, based in Detroit, MI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $138K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $145K. Net investment income was $23.
John a James Foundation at a glance
In short: John a James Foundation gave $145K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $29K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $145,300
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- Average grant
- $29,060
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $138,334
- -39.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Michigan (86% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who John a James Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Children's Foundation ($100K). Together the top 5 received $145K.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 9 grants of 10 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How John a James Foundation gives
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $51K (2020) to $145K (2024). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $145K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Children's Foundation Detroit, MI | General Support | $100,000 |
| Tiffin University Tiffin, OH | General Support | $20,000 |
| Rhonda Walker Foundation Detroit, MI | General Support | $10,000 |
| The National Association for Black Suppliers Livonia, MI | General Support | $10,000 |
| Thawfund Org Detroit, MI | General Support | $5,300 |
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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 | $138,334 | $55,023 | $146,776 | $145,300 | 5 | $145,300 | $23 | $8,885 |
| 2023 | $230,087 | $200,023 | $47,859 | — | — | — | $23 | $7,585 |
| 2022 | $77,923 | $12,394 | $12,204 | — | — | — | $8 | $319 |
| 2021 | $77,733 | $27,012 | $45,088 | — | — | — | $12 | $356 |
| 2020 | $95,809 | $150,000 | $54,200 | $50,500 | 5 | — | — | $393 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, John a James Foundation reported a distributable amount of $9K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
John a James Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Keri James
Founder & Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sharon James
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about John a James Foundation
How much does John a James Foundation give each year?
John a James Foundation gave $145K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is John a James Foundation's typical grant size?
John a James Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $29,060, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does John a James Foundation give grants?
John a James Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 86% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Ohio (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (3 grants).
Does John a James Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of John a James Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are John a James Foundation's largest grantees?
John a James Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Children's Foundation ($100,000), Tiffin University ($20,000) and Rhonda Walker Foundation ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 89% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is John a James Foundation?
John a James Foundation reported $138K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $145K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $9K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is John a James Foundation's EIN?
John a James Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-4473406. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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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