The Ignite Foundation
The Ignite Foundation is a private foundation, based in Wilmington, DE. IRS filing data is available from 2022 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $242K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 6 grants totaling $285K. Net investment income was $97K.
The Ignite Foundation at a glance
In short: The Ignite Foundation gave $285K across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $47K), top state California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $284,500
- +39.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- -14.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $47,417
- +62.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $35,000
- Total assets
- $241,557
- -48.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (21% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Ignite Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Pelagios Kakunja Ac ($135K). Together the top 6 received $285K.
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 15 grants of 22 (68%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Ignite Foundation gives
- Giving grew 432% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above 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 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $53K (2022) to $285K (2025). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $285K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pelagios Kakunja Ac | General & Unrestricted | $135,000 |
| Earth Island Institute Inc Berkeley, CA | For Shark Stewards Projects: Ren Hampton Media and Marketing internship and Stop the Ocean Steal campaign, and Kahu Mano (Shark Keepers) II recut, marine protected area and shark bycatch reduction film and campaign | $50,000 |
| Silver Stallion Bicycle & Coffee Works Inc Gallup, NM | General & Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| Associacao Kapy Da Etnia Marubo Tamawavo Do Alto R | Kapyvanaway Association and the Indigenous Legends | $20,000 |
| Nkuringo Orphans Group | General & Unrestricted | $19,500 |
| Be Seen Foundation Inc Los Angeles, CA | Charitable Event | $10,000 |
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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 | $241,557 | $95,144 | $324,132 | $284,500 | 6 | $317,979 | $96,579 | $21,138 |
| 2024 | $470,545 | $46,529 | $262,586 | $204,259 | 7 | $255,123 | $47,613 | $32,218 |
| 2023 | $686,602 | $32,289 | $200,248 | $141,690 | 7 | $189,999 | $35,017 | $40,009 |
| 2022 | $857,997 | $917,878 | $63,317 | $53,436 | 2 | $63,302 | $146,899 | $1,249 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ignite Foundation reported a distributable amount of $21K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Ignite Foundation is led by Christopher G Bell, Director & President on every filing since 2022; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Christopher G Bell
Director & President
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Grace J Bell
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mackenzie J Bell
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Madeline J Bell
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle J Bell
Director, Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2025. "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 The Ignite Foundation
How much does The Ignite Foundation give each year?
The Ignite Foundation gave $285K across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $204K across 7 grants.
What is The Ignite Foundation's typical grant size?
The Ignite Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $35,000, and its average grant was $47,417, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Ignite Foundation give grants?
The Ignite Foundation's top state is California, with 21% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest state was New Mexico (18%).
Does The Ignite Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 50% of The Ignite Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Ignite Foundation's largest grantees?
The Ignite Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Pelagios Kakunja Ac ($135,000), Earth Island Institute Inc ($50,000) and Silver Stallion Bicycle & Coffee Works Inc ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 83% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Ignite Foundation?
The Ignite Foundation reported $242K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $318K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $21K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Ignite Foundation's EIN?
The Ignite Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-0845880. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 24, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 2, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024
Live grants for the work The Ignite Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Ignite Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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