John and Deborah Gillis Foundation
The John and Deborah Gillis Foundation is an independent private foundation based in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Established in 2018 and tax-exempt since August 2019, the foundation was created to fulfill a long-held vision by Hopkins County natives John and Deborah Gillis to give back to their hometown and surrounding communities through educational support.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.7M
-5.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$361K
-10.9% YoY
Grant Count
1
-97.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$361K
+4088.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, John and Deborah Gillis Foundation reported a distributable amount of $237K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation exists to provide Hopkins County graduates with opportunities to further their education and become competitive in the world of work and career advancement. The foundation's primary focus areas include:
- Scholarships for students pursuing post-secondary education
- Grants for school districts in Hopkins County
Grantmaking
The foundation's flagship initiative is the Bright Star Scholarship Program, which provides annual scholarships to graduating seniors from the seven high schools in Hopkins County. Key details include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
While headquartered in Sulphur Springs, Texas, the foundation has a broad geographic reach, funding projects across multiple states including:
Arkansas, California, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $4.69 million
- Total Revenue: $377,000
- Total Expenses: $604,000
- Total Liabilities: $7,350
Staff: 2 employees
EIN: 82-5115039
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,687,726 | $4,933,021 | $5,058,296 |
| Revenue | $377,101 | $123,194 | $104,164 |
| Expenses | $603,941 | $650,373 | $699,051 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $514,324 | $563,099 | $471,674 |
| Net Investment Income | $287,485 | $37,182 | $57,268 |
| Distributable Amount | $237,210 | $243,070 | $266,708 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 1 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
123 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include See Attached ($360,623).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SEE ATTACHED SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX | GRANT FUNDING FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS | $360,623 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Deborah Gillis - Founder
- Robin Shrode - Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues to actively support Hopkins County students through its Bright Star Scholarship Program. The 2025 cohort of Bright Star Scholars was celebrated in a formal dinner event, with the foundation welcoming 10 new graduating seniors into the program. The foundation also distributes mini-grants to school-based applicants within Hopkins County.
John and Deborah Gillis Foundation Celebrates 2025 Bright Star Scholars |Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does John and Deborah Gillis Foundation fund?
The foundation exists to provide Hopkins County graduates with opportunities to further their education and become competitive in the world of work and career advancement. The foundation's primary focus areas include: • **Scholarships for students** pursuing post-secondary education • **Grants for school districts** in Hopkins County
How do I apply for a grant from John and Deborah Gillis Foundation?
The foundation's flagship initiative is the Bright Star Scholarship Program, which provides annual scholarships to graduating seniors from the seven high schools in Hopkins County. Key details include: • **Number of scholarships:** 10 annual awards • **Scholarship amount:** $4,000 per semester • **Renewal period:** Up to eight semesters • **Eligibility:** Graduating seniors from any of the seven Hopkins County high schools • **Program launch:** Spring 2019 The Bright Star Scholarship Program re…
Where does John and Deborah Gillis Foundation make grants?
While headquartered in Sulphur Springs, Texas, the foundation has a broad geographic reach, funding projects across multiple states including: Arkansas, California, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington.
What size grants does John and Deborah Gillis Foundation award?
In 2024, John and Deborah Gillis Foundation awarded 1 grants totaling $361K — an average of about $361K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is John and Deborah Gillis Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, John and Deborah Gillis Foundation reported a distributable amount of $237K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is John and Deborah Gillis Foundation's EIN?
John and Deborah Gillis Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-5115039. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in John and Deborah Gillis Foundation'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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