Joseph and Barbara Ellis Foundation
The Joseph H. & Barbara I. Ellis Foundation is a private foundation based in Iselin, New Jersey, established in January 1989. It serves as the philanthropic vehicle of Joseph Ellis, a Goldman Sachs veteran who joined the firm in 1970 and served as a general partner, and his wife Barbara. The couple is based in Connecticut and maintains a low profile in their grantmaking activities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.0M
-37.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$680K
+29.3% YoY
Grant Count
45
-25.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
+72.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Joseph and Barbara Ellis Foundation reported a distributable amount of $70K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grantmaking priorities include:
- Environment and Conservation: Climate change and environmental conservation represent a significant funding priority, with particular emphasis on sustainable development
- Arts and Culture: Support for cultural institutions and artistic endeavors
- Education: Funding for higher education initiatives
- Human Services: Support for human services organizations
- Philanthropy and Voluntarism: Support for grantmaking and volunteer-focused work
Grantmaking
How to Apply
**: The foundation does not appear to accept unsolicited proposals. Networking is identified as key to securing funding from this foundation.
Ready to take the next step with Joseph and Barbara Ellis Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on the Northeast, with particular emphasis on:
- New York City
- Connecticut
- New York State
- Washington, District of Columbia
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2023:
- Total Assets: $1,629,901
- Total Giving: $525,932
- Revenue: $113,700
- Total Liabilities: $0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,018,339 | $1,629,901 | $2,042,523 |
| Revenue | $49,139 | $113,785 | $236,560 |
| Expenses | $680,225 | $526,407 | $1,098,599 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $679,800 | $525,932 | $1,097,824 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,065 | $46,732 | $131,560 |
| Distributable Amount | $69,543 | $90,356 | $113,303 |
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
245 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Fidelity Charitable ($160,000), Friends of Birdlife International Inc ($101,000), Earthjustice ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 122 EAST 66TH STREET FOUNDATION INC NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL PURPOSE | $200 |
| AMERICAN JEWISH WORLD SERVICE INC NEW YORK, CT | GENERAL PURPOSE | $35,000 |
| ASPCA NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL PURPOSE | $500 |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL PURPOSE | $500 |
| BARNARD COLLEGE NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL PURPOSE | $25,000 |
| BERKSHIRE TACONIC COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC SHEFFIELD, MA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $300 |
| CARE INC ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $10,000 |
| CHARLOTTE HUNGERFORD HOSPITAL TORRINGTON, CT | GENERAL PURPOSE | $25,000 |
| CITY HARVEST NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL PURPOSE | $2,500 |
| CITY MEALS ON WHEELS NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL PURPOSE | $4,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Joseph Ellis: Founder; joined Goldman Sachs in 1970 and served as a general partner. Serves as secretary of the board of National Audubon Society. Previously served as vice chair of the board of New York State Nature Conservancy. Currently on the board of RARE.
Barbara Ellis: Co-founder; Columbia University graduate who supports the foundation's grantmaking priorities alongside Joseph Ellis.
Both Joseph and Barbara Ellis are Columbia University graduates, which has influenced their philanthropic focus on the institution.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOSEPH ELLIS | TRUSTEE | 6 | — |
| BARBARA ELLIS | TRUSTEE | 6 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation maintains an active grantmaking program, with recent activity documented through Form 990 filings through fiscal year 2023. The foundation's most recent financial data reflects continued support for its priority areas in education, environment, arts, and human services across its geographic focus areas.
Community Foundation of Ellis awards grants to support local organizationsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Joseph and Barbara Ellis Foundation fund?
The foundation's grantmaking priorities include: • **Environment and Conservation**: Climate change and environmental conservation represent a significant funding priority, with particular emphasis on sustainable development • **Arts and Culture**: Support for cultural institutions and artistic endeavors • **Education**: Funding for higher education initiatives • **Human Services**: Support for human services organizations • **Philanthropy and Voluntarism**: Support for grantmaking and voluntee…
How do I apply for a grant from Joseph and Barbara Ellis Foundation?
**Grant Amounts**: Typical awards range from $50 to $848,000. **Application Process**: The foundation does not appear to accept unsolicited proposals. Networking is identified as key to securing funding from this foundation. **Recent Grantees**: The foundation has supported organizations including: • National Audubon Society • African Parks Foundation • Columbia University (particularly for sustainable development education) • Brooklyn Conservatory of Music • Museum of American Bird Art • The M…
Where does Joseph and Barbara Ellis Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on the Northeast, with particular emphasis on: • New York City • Connecticut • New York State • Washington, District of Columbia
What size grants does Joseph and Barbara Ellis Foundation award?
In 2024, Joseph and Barbara Ellis Foundation awarded 45 grants totaling $680K — an average of about $15K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Joseph and Barbara Ellis Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Joseph and Barbara Ellis Foundation reported a distributable amount of $70K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Joseph and Barbara Ellis Foundation's EIN?
Joseph and Barbara Ellis Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3437916. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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