Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr
Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr is a private foundation based in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. In 2024, it reported eight charitable grants totaling $502,287 to organizations in several states.
Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr at a glance
In short: Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr gave $502K across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $63K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $502,287
- -26.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- -83.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $62,786
- +349.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $34,575
- Total assets
- $12,385,585
- -0.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (52% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 751 North Church Street, Hazleton, PA 18201
Phone: (570) 455-9408
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Fox Chase Cancer Center ($200K). Together the top 7 received $443K.
Grant Size Distribution
191 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 183 grants of 191 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars were reported across recipient states as follows: Pennsylvania, 52%; Missouri, 23%; New York, 21%; Colorado, 2%; and Florida, 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr gives
- Giving grew 228% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 89% 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $153K (2021) to $685K (2023). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $502K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fox Chase Cancer Center Philadelphia, PA | Charitable | $200,000 |
| Fund for Israel's Tomorrow St. Louis, MO | Charitable | $118,000 |
| Americans for Ben Gurion University New York, NY | Charitable | $100,000 |
| Various Hazleton, PA | Charitable | $59,150 |
| Bravo Vail Vail, CO | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Ocean Reef Chapel & Fellowship Key Largo, FL | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Hadassah New York, NY | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Flow Through from Baupost Boston, MA | Charitable | $137 |
Ready to take the next step with Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
EIN: 23-7828732
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $12,385,585 | $677,108 | $696,017 | $502,287 | 8 | $502,287 | $604,125 | $562,605 |
| 2023 | $12,404,494 | $429,791 | $882,902 | $685,070 | 49 | $685,070 | $443,893 | $625,028 |
| 2022 | $12,857,605 | $666,366 | $623,121 | $309,174 | 50 | $309,174 | $561,606 | $607,887 |
| 2021 | $12,814,360 | $1,891,075 | $264,176 | $153,122 | 46 | $153,122 | $1,613,866 | $487,149 |
| 2020 | $11,187,461 | $605,180 | $508,254 | $405,015 | 38 | — | $580,193 | $543,986 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr reported a distributable amount of $563K 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 included support for a cancer center, organizations connected with Israel and Jewish communities, a performing arts organization, a chapel and fellowship, and charitable recipients in Hazleton.
Fund for Israel’s Tomorrow, which received $118,000 in 2024, describes its mission as supporting the education, welfare, and well-being of young adult Israelis during and after military service, and fostering cultural awareness and understanding between Israelis and Americans.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made eight grants totaling $502,287. Grants ranged from $137 to $200,000, with a median grant of $34,575. The largest grants were $200,000 to Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; $118,000 to Fund for Israel’s Tomorrow in St. Louis, Missouri; and $100,000 to Americans for Ben Gurion University in New York, New York. Other reported grants included $59,150 to Various in Hazleton, Pennsylvania; $10,000 each to Bravo Vail in Vail, Colorado, and Ocean Reef Chapel & Fellowship in Key Largo, Florida; $5,000 to Hadassah in New York, New York; and $137 to Flow Through from Baupost in Boston, Massachusetts. Each grant’s stated purpose was charitable.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Ernest Scheller Jr as chairman and Lisa Scheller as trustee.
Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr is led by Ernest Scheller Jr., Chairman on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ernest Scheller Jr.
Chairman
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Scheller
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Roberta Scheller (2020–2023) — Trustee
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 Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr
How much does Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr give each year?
Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr gave $502K across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $685K across 49 grants.
What is Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr's typical grant size?
Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr's median grant in 2024 was $34,575, and its average grant was $62,786, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr give grants?
Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 52% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Missouri (23%) and New York (21%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (2 grants).
Does Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (8 grants).
Who are Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr's largest grantees?
Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr's largest 2024 grantees include Fox Chase Cancer Center ($200,000), Fund for Israel's Tomorrow ($118,000) and Americans for Ben Gurion University ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 83% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr?
Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr reported $12.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $502K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $563K (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 Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for a cancer center, organizations connected with Israel and Jewish communities, a performing arts organization, a chapel and fellowship, and charitable recipients in Hazleton. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr's EIN?
Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7828732. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr 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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Pennsylvania
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
Tulsa Community Foundation
Tulsa, OK
Tulsa Community Foundation supports charitable causes through donor-advised grants and selected funds, including scholarships, emergency assistance, disaster relief, arts and humanities, healthcare, and financial literacy, primarily in the Tulsa metro area and eastern Oklahoma, with some giving elsewhere in the United States. Its 2024 median grant was $18,560; selected field-of-interest funds have application cycles, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,066
Total Given
$158.6M
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Pittsburgh, PA
The Pittsburgh Foundation funds nonprofits working in basic needs, equity and social justice, environmental action, arts and culture, and economic mobility, with most opportunities for organizations in Allegheny County or primarily serving its residents. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of about $18,600, though awards varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
1,132
Total Given
$64.0M
The William Penn Foundation
Philadelphia, PA
The William Penn Foundation funds arts and culture, children and families, civic participation, the environment and public spaces, and workforce training, primarily in the Philadelphia region. Its 2024 median grant was $50,000, though awards varied widely. It accepts unsolicited requests through limited open applications and invites letters of inquiry from public charities.
Assets
$3.4B
Grants
1,027
Total Given
$148.8M
Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation
Coraopolis, PA
DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation primarily funds youth sports participation in under-resourced communities, including equipment, registration costs and facilities, and also supports outdoor access and education. Its 2025 grants ranged from $626 to $2.5 million, with a median of $5,000, and Sports Matter funding has reached all 50 states. Sports Matter opportunities are by invitation only; the foundation says 501(c)(3) grant requests should be submitted in writing.
Assets
$34.5M
Grants
964
Total Given
$18.0M
Hillman Family Foundations
Pittsburgh, PA
The 18 independently operated foundations support projects in areas such as arts and culture, health, education, economic development, and community improvement, with a preference for Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania; each foundation has its own geographic focus. In 2024, grants ranged from $75 to $5 million, with a median of $20,000. The 2024 filing says unsolicited requests are accepted, beginning with a brief letter of intent through the online portal.
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
814
Total Given
$88.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in Pennsylvania
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr'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.
Roberta and Ernest Scheller Jr down — hundreds of funders to go?