The Jim and Billie Ellis Foundation
The Jim and Billie Ellis Foundation is a private corporate foundation based in Atlanta, Georgia, established in 1999. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with no employees and focuses on supporting charitable organizations through grantmaking activities.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.7M
-14.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.9M
+70.1% YoY
Grant Count
29
+31.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$65K
+29.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Jim and Billie Ellis Foundation reported a distributable amount of $235K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation primarily supports local charitable organizations and community initiatives. Its funding interests center on:
- Social and Human Services (39% of giving)
- Religion (33% of giving)
- Health (14% of giving)
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
Grantmaking
The foundation made 18 grants in its most recent fiscal year (ending June 2025). Recent grants include:
Grant Range
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Review Cycle
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How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's giving is concentrated in Georgia, with 74% of grants staying within the state. Four other states receive a significant number of grants: North Carolina, Florida, Missouri, and Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Fiscal Year (ending June 2025):
- Total Assets: $4,718,836
- Total Revenues: $1,081,256
- Total Expenses: $1,895,100
- Total Giving: $1,892,000
- Grants and Contributions: $1,000,000
- Investment Income and Dividends: $81,256
Tax Status:
- EIN: 58-2500810
- Tax-exempt since May 2000
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,718,836 | $5,532,680 | $5,647,720 |
| Revenue | $1,081,256 | $1,000,226 | $1,092,644 |
| Expenses | $1,895,100 | $1,114,582 | $1,224,516 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,893,000 | $1,113,400 | $1,213,582 |
| Net Investment Income | $79,156 | — | $129,771 |
| Distributable Amount | $234,815 | $280,939 | $281,075 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
116 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Wellspring Living ($300,000), My Brother's Keeper ($225,000), Atlanta Mission ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SMASHERSON INC ROSWELL, GA | GENERALGENERAL | $15,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR CHRISTIAN MEDIA ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL | $20,000 |
| AMERICAN CARRIBEAN EXPERIENCE ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL | $25,000 |
| ATLANTA MISSION ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL | $150,000 |
| BILLY GRAHAM EVANGELISTIC CHARLOTTE, NC | GENERAL | $20,000 |
| BUCKHEAD CHRISTIAN MINISTRY ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL | $5,000 |
| CAMPUS CRUSADE ORLANDO, FL | GENERALGENERAL | $5,000 |
| CHILD EVANGELISM FELLOWSHIP WARRENTON, MO | GENERAL | $10,000 |
| COMMUNITY FRIENDSHIP INC ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL | $50,000 |
| EAGLE RANCH FLORERY BRANCH, GA | GENERAL | $125,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founders:
- James "Jim" Wesley Ellis Jr.
- Billie Jean Sammons Ellis
Current Leadership:
- Brooke E. Gatlin, Trustee Secretary/Treasurer
- Karen E. Black, Trustee Vice President
- Kristi E. Cohron, Trustee President
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BROOKE E GATLIN | TRUSTEE, SEC/TREASURER | — | — |
| KAREN E BLACK | TRUSTEE, VICE PRESIDENT | — | — |
| KRISTI E COHRON | TRUSTEE, PRESIDENT | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Billie Jean Ellis, the foundation's co-founder and Jim Ellis Automotive Group co-founder, passed away in January 2024. Mrs. Ellis had been a significant philanthropic force throughout her life, maintaining an extensive list of charitable interests beyond her involvement with the foundation. She and her husband Jim Ellis founded Jim Ellis Automotive in 1970, using her retirement savings from Georgia Tech along with their personal savings and assets to launch the venture, which grew into a 20-dealership and 17-brand automotive group.
Jim Ellis Foundation Inc - Full Filing - Nonprofit ExplorerSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Jim and Billie Ellis Foundation fund?
The foundation primarily supports local charitable organizations and community initiatives. Its funding interests center on: • Social and Human Services (39% of giving) • Religion (33% of giving) • Health (14% of giving) • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
How do I apply for a grant from The Jim and Billie Ellis Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** The foundation made 18 grants in its most recent fiscal year (ending June 2025). Recent grants include: • Wellspring Living: $300,000 • Atlanta Mission Support Corporation: $150,000 • Eagle Ranch: $125,000 • My Brother's Keeper: $205,000 • Salvation Army: $75,000 • Norcross Co-Op: $54,000 • Gwinnett Hospital Foundation: $50,000 **Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $3,000 to $300,000. **Application Process:** The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charit…
Where does The Jim and Billie Ellis Foundation make grants?
The foundation's giving is concentrated in Georgia, with 74% of grants staying within the state. Four other states receive a significant number of grants: North Carolina, Florida, Missouri, and Texas.
What size grants does The Jim and Billie Ellis Foundation award?
In 2025, The Jim and Billie Ellis Foundation awarded 29 grants totaling $1.9M — an average of about $65K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Jim and Billie Ellis Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, The Jim and Billie Ellis Foundation reported a distributable amount of $235K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Jim and Billie Ellis Foundation's EIN?
The Jim and Billie Ellis Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-2500810. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Jim and Billie Ellis Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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