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
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
No grants recorded for .
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 organizationsRelated Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Laborers Intl Union of 472 Hcl
NEWARK, NJ
Assets
$61.5M
Grants
1
Total Given
$179K
The Community Chest of Englewood
ENGLEWOOD, NJ
Assets
$491K
Grants
5
Total Given
$38K
Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust
FLORHAM PARK, NJ
Assets
$111.3M
Grants
61
Total Given
$6.9M
Anplr Religious Education Inc
PASSAIC, NJ
Assets
$19K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
New Digital Trade Coalition Ndtc
NORTH BERGEN, NJ
Assets
$300
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Stephen J Machuta Scholarship Trust
PENNINGTON, NJ
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
1
Total Given
$70K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Joseph and Barbara Ellis Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities