Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family
Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family is a private foundation, based in Indianapolis, IN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 8 grants totaling $132K. Net investment income was $80K.
Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family at a glance
In short: Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family gave $132K across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $16K), mostly in Indiana. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $131,500
- -40.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- -46.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $16,438
- +11.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $2,365,198
- -2.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Indiana (100% 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 Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ball State University Foundation ($50K). Together the top 8 received $132K.
Grant Size Distribution
72 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 66 grants of 72 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family gives
- Giving fell 25% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 110% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $132K (2024) to $222K (2023). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $132K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ball State University Foundation Muncie, IN | Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| University of Evansville Evansville, IN | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Riley Children's Foundation Indianapolis, IN | Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| Franklin College of Indiana Franklin, IN | Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| United Way of Southwestern Indiana Inc Evansville, IN | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Indiana Citizen Education Foundation Indianapolis, IN | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Buffalo Trace Council Inc Evansville, IN | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Wfyi Foundation Inc Indianapolis, IN | Unrestricted | $500 |
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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 | $2,365,198 | $97,542 | $150,775 | $131,500 | 8 | $132,590 | $79,625 | $121,053 |
| 2023 | $2,418,431 | $-107,243 | $238,319 | $221,500 | 15 | $222,775 | $29,416 | $110,586 |
| 2022 | $2,764,129 | $59,783 | $191,420 | $157,000 | 10 | $158,115 | $44,224 | $119,359 |
| 2021 | $2,895,766 | $1,014,888 | $189,551 | $176,250 | 18 | $177,080 | $1,003,896 | $129,150 |
| 2020 | $2,070,429 | $79,272 | $196,213 | $183,500 | 21 | — | $70,336 | $116,506 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family reported a distributable amount of $121K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family is led by Niel C. Ellerbrook, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Niel C. Ellerbrook
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer A. Wright
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen M. Ellerbrook
Vice President & Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family
How much does Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family give each year?
Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family gave $132K across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $222K across 15 grants.
What is Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family's typical grant size?
Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $16,438, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family give grants?
Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family gives mostly in Indiana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Evansville, IN (3 grants) and Indianapolis, IN (3 grants).
Does Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family's largest grantees?
Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family's largest 2024 grantees include Ball State University Foundation ($50,000), University of Evansville ($25,000) and Riley Children's Foundation ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 72% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family?
Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family reported $2.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $133K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $121K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family's EIN?
Niel C & Karen M Ellerbrook Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0431032. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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 2020–2024
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