La Via de James Foundation
La Via de James Foundation is a private foundation, based in Wilmington, DE. IRS filing data is available from 2022 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $80K. Net investment income was $206K.
La Via de James Foundation at a glance
In short: La Via de James Foundation gave $80K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $40K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $80,000
- -60.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- -50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $40,000
- -20.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $40,000
- Total assets
- $2,030,697
- +8.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (69% 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 La Via de James Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Lifesong for Orphans Inc ($55K). Together the top 2 received $80K.
Grant Size Distribution
6 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 6 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How La Via de James Foundation gives
- In 2024 it paid out 96% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $80K (2024) to $200K (2023). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $80K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lifesong for Orphans Inc Gridley, IL | General & Unrestricted | $55,000 |
| Hope Rescue Mission of the City of Reading PA Reading, PA | General & Unrestricted | $25,000 |
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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 | $2,030,697 | $260,359 | $99,716 | $80,000 | 2 | $88,886 | $206,262 | $92,178 |
| 2023 | $1,870,054 | $93,514 | $217,446 | $200,000 | 4 | $211,258 | $91,609 | $95,888 |
| 2022 | $1,993,986 | $2,000,683 | $6,697 | — | — | $6,500 | $486 | $5,978 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, La Via de James Foundation reported a distributable amount of $92K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
La Via de James Foundation is led by Stephen M Essig, Director & President on every filing since 2022; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stephen M Essig
Director & President
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amelia R Martin
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James S Essig
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeremiah J Essig
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Olivia G Essig
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Therese L Essig
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2024. "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 La Via de James Foundation
How much does La Via de James Foundation give each year?
La Via de James Foundation gave $80K across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $200K across 4 grants.
How large is La Via de James Foundation?
La Via de James Foundation reported $2.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $89K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $92K (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.
Where does La Via de James Foundation operate?
La Via de James Foundation has awarded grants in Illinois, Pennsylvania.
What is La Via de James Foundation's EIN?
La Via de James Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-2267960. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2024.
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 2022–2024
Live grants for the work La Via de James Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in La Via de James Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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