The Ellen Fund
Support global conservation efforts for endangered species.
The Ellen Fund at a glance
In short: The Ellen Fund reported $2K in grants paid in 2023 (a total; its filing lists no individual grants). Source: 2023 IRS Form 990.
- Grants paid (2023)
- $2,000 — reported as a total on the IRS filing, without an itemized list
- -89.5% vs 2022
- Revenue (2023)
- $86,838
- -58.3% vs 2022
- Net investment income (2023)
- $26,296
- +151.8% vs 2022
- Expenses (2023)
- $243,427
- -55.9% vs 2022
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2023; updated September 2026.
Who The Ellen Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 4 grants of 10 (40%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $2K (2023) to $2.2M (2021). In 2023 it reported $2K in grants paid, as a total without an itemized list.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Atlanta, GA | To construct a permanent facility in rwanda to provide additional space to support the gorilla protection activities of the dian fossey gorilla fund international, to increase scientific research capabilities, to provide increased educational programming and opportunities, to provide public exhibit space promoting gorilla protection and conservation, and to provide support facilities. | $1,612,727 |
| Rewild Austin, TX | Grant to support clouded leopard working group & impact madagascar's lemur conservation work | $160,000 |
| Mass Design Group Ltd Boston, MA | The ellen degeneres campus of the dian fossey gorilla fund international campus media project | $105,000 |
| Mote Marine Laboratory Inc Sarasota, FL | Grant payment to support shark conservation activities in belize led by the grantee | $100,000 |
| University of Nevada Reno Reno, NV | Grant for Amphibian Conservation Training Workshops | $70,100 |
| Friends of Imbuto Foundation USA Inc Boston, MA | To source & administer covid-19 vaccinations for population of rwanda | $50,000 |
| African Parks Foundation of America New York, NY | Support for the Bangwuelu Wetlands Reporductive Health Program | $50,000 |
| Giraffe Conservation Foundation USA Orlando, FL | Support the savannah landscape ecology and education centre in namibia | $30,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Ellen Fund?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | $86,838 | $243,427 | $2,000 | Total only | $26,296 |
| 2022 | $674,209 | $208,314 | $551,836 | $19,000 | Total only | $10,444 |
| 2021 | $1,078,676 | $1,336,533 | $2,895,195 | $2,177,827 | 8 | $6,621 |
| 2020 | $2,549,533 | $565,353 | $2,617,070 | $2,163,736 | 2 | $32,144 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About The Ellen Fund
Based on IRS filings
The Ellen Fund is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Encino, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2023. In 2023, it reported $2K in grants paid as a total on its IRS filing, without an itemized list. Net investment income was $26K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Ellen Fund is led by Portia De Rossi, Board Member & President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Portia De Rossi
Board Member & President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ellen Degeneres
Board Member & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Casey Rogers
Board Member & Executive Di
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$88K (2020) → $0 (2023)
Harley Neuman
Board Member & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2022 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2022 filing was $180K, to Casey Rogers (Board Member, Executive Di).
Frequently asked questions about The Ellen Fund
How much does The Ellen Fund give each year?
The Ellen Fund reported $2K in grants paid in 2023 on its 2023 IRS Form 990, as a total without an itemized list of grants. In 2022 it reported $19K in grants paid.
What is The Ellen Fund?
The Ellen Fund is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Encino, CA.
Where does The Ellen Fund operate?
The Ellen Fund has awarded grants in Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Texas.
What is The Ellen Fund's EIN?
The Ellen Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-4122811. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 4, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
Live grants for the work The Ellen Fund funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Ellen Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in California
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Marin Community Foundation funds work in affordable housing and homelessness, community resilience and power, as well as social services, education, arts and conservation, with a focus on marginalized Marin County residents and some broader U.S. and international grantmaking. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
Direct Relief
Santa Barbara, CA
Direct Relief supports healthcare providers serving people affected by poverty or emergencies, including community health centers, clinics, and grassroots organizations, with medicines, supplies, and funding for health access and equity. In 2025, its grants had a median award of about $65,000, and its work spans all 50 U.S. states and countries around the world; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,367
Total Given
$337.4M
Conrad N Hilton Foundation
Westlake Village, CA
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation funds nonprofits working to improve lives and alleviate poverty, with initiatives including early childhood development, homelessness, refugees, safe water, and support for foster and opportunity youth. Its work is global, and its 2024 grants had a median award of $76,000. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, except through its Good Neighbor Program for eligible local nonprofits and Title 1 schools.
Assets
$7.4B
Grants
1,339
Total Given
$287.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Ellen Fund'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.
The Ellen Fund down — hundreds of funders to go?