Sophia and Elmer Oerter
Sophia and Elmer Oerter is a private foundation based in Columbia, Illinois. Its 2025 filing reports grants to local civic, religious, educational, and community organizations for projects and activities including facility improvements, student awards, children’s camp activities, and historical books.
Sophia and Elmer Oerter at a glance
In short: Sophia and Elmer Oerter gave $152K across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $22K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $152,252
- -9.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- -46.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $21,750
- +68.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $18,600
- Total assets
- $3,871,373
- +6.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Sophia and Elmer Oerter
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. The 2024 filing says to submit a letter describing the request and intended use of the funds. It lists no application deadline and no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- None listed.
- Deadline
- None listed.
- Contact
Application contact: Theresa Gail Holcomb
Mailing address: 121 West Legion Avennue, Columbia, IL 62236
Phone: (618) 281-7111
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Sophia and Elmer Oerter funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Columbia American Legion Post 581 ($75K). Together the top 7 received $152K.
Grant Size Distribution
59 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 57 grants of 59 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in Illinois. The listed recipients were in Columbia, Waterloo, and Belleville.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How Sophia and Elmer Oerter gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−8%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 87% 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $152K (2025) to $181K (2023). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $152K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia American Legion Post 581 Columbia, IL | Parking Lot and Pavilion | $75,000 |
| Immaculate Conception Parish Columbia, IL | Capital Projects Grant | $26,250 |
| Regional Office of Education Waterloo, IL | High School Awards Expenses | $19,802 |
| Maple Grove Civic Association Columbia, IL | Parking Lot Paving | $18,600 |
| Boy Scouts of America Belleville, IL | Children's Camp Activities | $10,000 |
| Monroe County Illinois Waterloo, IL | Community Memorial Bench | $1,600 |
| Waterloo American Legion Post 6504 Waterloo, IL | Historical Books | $1,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,871,373 | $186,399 | $184,553 | $152,252 | 7 | $161,752 | $165,961 | $185,638 |
| 2024 | $3,625,710 | $77,230 | $204,311 | $167,738 | 13 | $177,098 | $78,837 | $171,747 |
| 2023 | $3,411,216 | $75,540 | $210,409 | $181,217 | 14 | $190,343 | $82,973 | $166,439 |
| 2022 | $3,331,059 | $236,383 | $199,890 | $165,638 | 12 | $174,413 | $213,549 | $186,163 |
| 2021 | $3,921,466 | $286,681 | $189,295 | $159,940 | 13 | — | $266,166 | $179,273 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sophia and Elmer Oerter reported a distributable amount of $186K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available filing information does not state a formal mission. The 2025 grants show support for organizations and projects involving community facilities, parish capital projects, high school awards, children’s activities, and local history.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave 7 grants totaling $152,252. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $75,000, with a median of $18,600. The largest awards were $75,000 to Columbia American Legion Post 581 for a parking lot and pavilion; $26,250 to Immaculate Conception Parish for capital projects; $19,802 to the Regional Office of Education for high school awards expenses; and $18,600 to Maple Grove Civic Association for parking lot paving. Other awards included $10,000 to Boy Scouts of America for children’s camp activities, $1,600 to Monroe County, Illinois, for a community memorial bench, and $1,000 to Waterloo American Legion Post 6504 for historical books.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Mark C. Scoggins, Keith G. Brinkmann, and Robert Niemietz as directors.
Sophia and Elmer Oerter's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Keith G. Brinkmann
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Mark C. Scoggins
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Robert Niemietz
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 Sophia and Elmer Oerter
How much does Sophia and Elmer Oerter give each year?
Sophia and Elmer Oerter gave $152K across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $168K across 13 grants.
What is Sophia and Elmer Oerter's typical grant size?
Sophia and Elmer Oerter's median grant in 2025 was $18,600, and its average grant was $21,750, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Sophia and Elmer Oerter give grants?
Sophia and Elmer Oerter gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Columbia, IL (3 grants) and Waterloo, IL (3 grants).
Does Sophia and Elmer Oerter give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Sophia and Elmer Oerter's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Sophia and Elmer Oerter's largest grantees?
Sophia and Elmer Oerter's largest 2025 grantees include Columbia American Legion Post 581 ($75,000), Immaculate Conception Parish ($26,250) and Regional Office of Education ($19,802), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 80% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Sophia and Elmer Oerter?
Sophia and Elmer Oerter reported $3.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $162K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $186K (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 Sophia and Elmer Oerter fund?
The available filing information does not state a formal mission. The 2025 grants show support for organizations and projects involving community facilities, parish capital projects, high school awards, children’s activities, and local history. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Sophia and Elmer Oerter?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Sophia and Elmer Oerter's EIN?
Sophia and Elmer Oerter's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 37-1213789. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Sophia and Elmer Oerter accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 2021–2025
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Figures come from Sophia and Elmer Oerter'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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