The Elm Foundation
The ELM Foundation is a private foundation based in Huntsville, Alabama. It supports individuals through education and workforce-development grants intended to help them become self-sufficient.
The Elm Foundation at a glance
In short: The Elm Foundation gave $75K across 25 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), mostly in Alabama. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $75,053
- +22.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 25
- +47.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,002
- -17.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Total assets
- $1,231,533
- +15.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Alabama (63% 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 The Elm Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing says the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. It describes a referral process in which individuals are referred by charitable organizations, primarily in North Alabama, and first meet with a grant counselor. If the counselor considers a person a suitable candidate, the counselor presents the case to the grant committee, which determines the grant amount and duration. Required materials listed in the filing are an educational grant information sheet, a FAFSA/Pell Grant application, and two recommendation letters from an employer, faculty member, or other unrelated professional. The website also says self-referrals are not accepted and that a referral through CharityTracker or a completed, signed referral form is required.
- Review Cycle
- Referrals are accepted year-round, and grants are awarded based on available funding.
- Deadline
- Referrals are accepted year-round, and grants are awarded based on available funding.
- Contact
Application contact: Missy Hanks
Mailing address: 6515 Whitesburg Drive, Huntsville, AL 35802
Phone: (256) 217-7141
Website: https://elmhsv.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Elm Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
115 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 115 grants of 115 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 filing reports that 63% of grant dollars went to recipients in Alabama, 36% to recipients in Idaho, and 1% to recipients in Kentucky. Its filing says participants are referred primarily by charitable organizations in North Alabama.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Elm Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−18%). 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $62K (2023) to $119K (2019). In 2024 it made 25 grants totaling $75K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 25 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $75,053 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,231,533 | $421,654 | $337,463 | $75,053 | 25 | $75,053 | $10,449 |
| 2023 | $1,062,474 | $405,381 | $315,717 | $61,500 | 17 | $61,500 | — |
| 2022 | $939,252 | $446,360 | $334,267 | $87,722 | 25 | $87,722 | $15,237 |
| 2021 | $831,696 | $470,928 | $261,082 | $91,887 | 26 | $91,887 | — |
| 2020 | $619,596 | $267,117 | $255,252 | $78,970 | 22 | — | — |
| 2019 | $606,869 | $545,285 | $261,630 | $119,106 | 33 | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to make purposeful investments that foster self-sufficiency, accountability, and a commitment to service. Its website describes support through higher education and workforce-development programs. The foundation’s 2024 filing says education grants may help cover gaps in degree programs at two- and four-year colleges, trade certifications, and missionary training programs. It also reports tuition and book assistance, work-related training, and childcare assistance for recipients.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 25 grants totaling $75,053. Grant amounts ranged from $351 to $6,319, with a median of $3,000. The listed recipients were individuals. Among the largest grants were $6,319 for missionary training in Alabama, $6,305 for a “Manchester Grant” in Idaho, $5,250 for a missionary grant in Idaho, and $5,000 for workforce development in Alabama.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists John Anthony Nolan III as board chair, Ryan John Lindow as board president, Jennie Robinson as secretary, Aaron Biggs as treasurer, Helen Conway Nolan as vice president, and Donna Messervy and Alexis Lindow as directors.
The Elm Foundation is led by Ryan John Lindow, Board President on every filing since 2019; none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ryan John Lindow
Board President
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Anthony Nolan III
Board Chair
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alexis Lindow
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Donna Messervy
Director
Board Member → Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Biggs
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Helen Conway Nolan
Vice President
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennie Robinson
Secretary
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 The Elm Foundation
How much does The Elm Foundation give each year?
The Elm Foundation gave $75K across 25 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $62K across 17 grants.
What is The Elm Foundation's typical grant size?
The Elm Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $3,000, and its average grant was $3,002, across 25 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Elm Foundation give grants?
The Elm Foundation gives mostly in Alabama: 63% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Idaho (36%).
Does The Elm Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on The Elm Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (11 grants), "Workforce Development" (4 grants) and "Missionary Grant" (4 grants).
How large is The Elm Foundation?
The Elm Foundation reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $422K.
What does The Elm Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to make purposeful investments that foster self-sufficiency, accountability, and a commitment to service. Its website describes support through higher education and workforce-development programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Elm Foundation?
The 2024 filing says the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and 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 The Elm Foundation's EIN?
The Elm Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-0921239. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Does The Elm Foundation 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 13, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 20, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 9, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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