Lillys Gift Foundation is a private foundation based in Yreka, California, established in 2000. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and is designated for philanthropic and grantmaking purposes. It holds significant assets and maintains an active grantmaking program focused on supporting nonprofit organizations across multiple states.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$30.0M
+13.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.1M
+35.1% YoY
Grant Count
72
+26.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
+7.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lillys Gift Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports organizations involved with food banks, health initiatives, birth defects research, ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), fire prevention and control, and human services. The foundation's grantmaking also encompasses education, science and STEM education, and recreation programs.
Grantmaking
The foundation has supported 66 unique organizations across its grantmaking history.
Grant Range
$15,000
Average Grant
$35,000
Review Cycle
- No restrictions or limitations on awards
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports organizations in California, Oregon, and South Carolina, which account for 81% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 13 states, with additional funding activity in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- Total assets: $30 million (2024)
- Total assets have grown from $8.2 million in 2011 to $30 million in 2024
- Total assets reported at $26.5 million (2023)
Annual Activity:
- Total giving (2024): $2.08 million
- Annual income: $11 million
- Revenue (2023): $3.04 million
- Expenses (2023): $1.72 million
- Total liabilities: $0 (2023)
Tax Status:
- Tax-exempt since April 2000
- EIN: 68-0445376
- Contributions are tax-deductible
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $29,961,012 | $26,474,352 | $22,184,230 |
| Revenue | $4,167,092 | $3,043,844 | $2,940,956 |
| Expenses | $2,260,727 | $1,718,128 | $1,457,846 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,103,004 | $1,540,000 | $1,330,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,386,119 | $721,288 | $1,034,785 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,392,855 | $1,203,697 | $1,099,990 |
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
192 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include 10th District Junior Livestock Committee ($345,000), Tulelake-butte Valley Fair Friends ($345,000), Purr-angels ($95,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 10TH DISTRICT JUNIOR LIVESTOCK COMMITTEE YREKA, CA | TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION | $345,000 |
| TULELAKE-BUTTE VALLEY FAIR FRIENDS TUKELAKE, CA | TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION | $345,000 |
| ASANTE FOUNDATION MEDFORD OREGON KIDS WISHES MEDFORD, CA | TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION | $20,000 |
| BENEFIT FOR THE BASIN KLAMATH FALLS, OR | TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION | $5,000 |
| BOYS REPUBLIC WREATH CHINO HILLS, CA | TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION | $10,000 |
| BUTTE VALLEY AMBULANCE SERVICE DORRIS, CA | TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION | $10,000 |
| BUTTE VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT MACDOEL, CA | TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION | $10,000 |
| EASTERSEALS BAY AREA PLEASANT HILL, CA | TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION | $10,000 |
| GUIDING EYES FOR THE BLIND YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY | TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION | $15,000 |
| KLAMATH COUNTY CERT KLAMATH FALLS, OR | TO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Lois G. Ericson – President/CEO (1 hour per week, no compensation)
- Constance Sherwood – CFO (1 hour per week, no compensation)
- Steven L. Ericson – Vice President (1 hour per week, no compensation)
- Marilyn Ericson – Secretary (1 hour per week, no compensation)
The foundation is governed by 4 officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOIS ERICSON | CEO | 1 | — |
| CONSTANCE SHERWOOD | CFO | 1 | — |
| STEVEN L ERICSON | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| MARILYN ERICSON | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: 601 Outsen Road, Yreka, CA 96097-9648
- Phone: (530) 598-7446
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Lillys Gift Foundation fund?
The foundation supports organizations involved with food banks, health initiatives, birth defects research, ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), fire prevention and control, and human services. The foundation's grantmaking also encompasses education, science and STEM education, and recreation programs.
How do I apply for a grant from Lillys Gift Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total grants made: 150 grants totaling $5.3 million (through available records) • Median grant size: $15,000 • Average grant size: $35,000 • Grant range: $2,000 to $345,000 • Annual giving has grown from $1.1 million in 2020 to $1.5 million in 2023 • Peak grantmaking year was 2022 with $2.7 million distributed across 88 grants • Most recent year (2024): $2.08 million in distributions across 72 grants **Application Process:** • No submission deadlines • No restrictions or l…
Where does Lillys Gift Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily supports organizations in California, Oregon, and South Carolina, which account for 81% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 13 states, with additional funding activity in New York.
What size grants does Lillys Gift Foundation award?
In 2024, Lillys Gift Foundation awarded 72 grants totaling $2.1M — an average of about $29K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Lillys Gift Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Lillys Gift Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Lillys Gift Foundation's EIN?
Lillys Gift Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 68-0445376. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lillys Gift 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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