Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller
Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller is a private foundation based in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. Its 2024 filing reports 15 grants totaling $141,046 to charitable organizations.
Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller at a glance
In short: Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller gave $141K across 15 grants in 2024 (avg $9K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 73% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $141,046
- +17.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- +50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $9,403
- -21.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $6,337,075
- +6.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 73% first-time grantees (11 of 15, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (60% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 751 N Church St, Hazleton, PA 18201-6277
Phone: (570) 455-9408
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Literacy Center- LV ($30K). Together the top 10 received $130K.
Grant Size Distribution
57 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 53 grants of 57 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grants went to recipients in Pennsylvania (60% of grant dollars), Washington, DC (16%), Illinois (9%), Utah (7%), and Massachusetts (4%). A listed grant also went to ABC of Teton Valley in Idaho.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller open to new grantees?
73%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 15 grantees (73%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $15K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $19K repeat.
- 27% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−3%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 46% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $120K (2023) to $340K (2020). In 2024 it made 15 grants totaling $141K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Literacy Center- LV Allentown, PA | Charitable | $30,000 |
| Breastcancerorg Ardmore, PA | Charitable | $23,000 |
| Washington Urban Debate League Washington, DC | Charitable | $23,000 |
| Muhlenberg College- Institute for Religion Culture and Public Life Allentown, PA | Charitable | $15,000 |
| The Clay Studiothe Claymobile Philadelphia, PA | Charitable | $9,500 |
| Chicago Debate Chicago, IL | Charitable | $8,000 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sept Program Cambridge, MA | Charitable | $6,000 |
| ABC of Teton Valley Driggs, ID | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Huntsman Cancer Institute- University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Westminster Center of Finance Wellness Salt Lake City, UT | Charitable | $5,000 |
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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 | $6,337,075 | $683,928 | $291,559 | $141,046 | 15 | $141,046 | $314,435 | $307,571 |
| 2023 | $5,944,252 | $519,731 | $246,144 | $119,722 | 10 | $119,722 | $145,770 | $285,551 |
| 2022 | $5,737,355 | $634,981 | $331,577 | $206,100 | 11 | $206,100 | $183,360 | $274,863 |
| 2021 | $5,367,261 | $919,080 | $199,910 | $145,555 | 11 | $154,142 | $447,206 | $249,113 |
| 2020 | $4,648,091 | $594,960 | $389,829 | $340,048 | 10 | — | $185,235 | $232,621 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller reported a distributable amount of $308K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations working in areas including literacy, breast health and cancer information, debate education, arts, and education.
Among its grantees, Washington Urban Debate League says its mission is to provide students in the greater Washington, DC area equitable access to educational experiences through debate instruction and competition. Breastcancer.org says it helps people understand information about breast health and breast cancer so they can make informed decisions. Hyde Park Art Center says it works to stimulate and sustain visual arts in Chicago by supporting artists, connecting them with the public, and creating opportunities to engage with art.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 15 grants totaling $141,046. Grant amounts ranged from $46 to $30,000, with a median grant of $5,000.
The largest reported grants included $30,000 to The Literacy Center-LV; $23,000 each to Breastcancer.org and Washington Urban Debate League; $15,000 to Muhlenberg College’s Institute for Religion, Culture and Public Life; and $9,500 to The Clay Studio/The Claymobile. Other listed grants included $8,000 to Chicago Debate, $6,000 to MIT’s SEPT Program, and $5,000 each to ABC of Teton Valley, Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, and Westminster Center of Finance Wellness.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Nancy Scheller Hays as chairperson, Elyssa J Hays as secretary, and Andrew W Arsht as treasurer.
Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller is led by Nancy Scheller Hays, Chairperson on every filing since 2020; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nancy Scheller Hays
Chairperson
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$60K (2022) → $60K (2024)
Andrew W. Arsht
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elyssa J. Hays
Secretary
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Joseph B. Scheller (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Michael H. Scheller (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Rita P. Scheller (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Sarah E. Scheller (2020–2021) — Officer
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $60K, to Nancy Scheller Hays (Chairperson).
Frequently asked questions about Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller
How much does Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller give each year?
Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller gave $141K across 15 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $120K across 10 grants.
What is Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller's typical grant size?
Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $9,403, across 15 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller that year got $7K on average.
Where does Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller give grants?
Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 60% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (16%) and Illinois (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Allentown, PA (3 grants), Chicago, IL (2 grants) and Salt Lake City, UT (2 grants).
Does Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (15 grants).
Who are Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller's largest grantees?
Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller's largest 2024 grantees include The Literacy Center- LV ($30,000), Breastcancerorg ($23,000) and Washington Urban Debate League ($23,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 54% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller?
Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller reported $6.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $141K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $308K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations working in areas including literacy, breast health and cancer information, debate education, arts, and education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller's EIN?
Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7824343. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/joseph-b-scheller-and-rita-p-scheller-morg_591a5b4d1ca5482f900b9acda3dadab8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237824343_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/joseph-b-scheller-and-rita-p-scheller-morg_591a5b4d1ca5482f900b9acda3dadab8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Joseph B Scheller and Rita P Scheller's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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