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
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
s:**
Review Cycle
.
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with The Jim and Billie Ellis Foundation?
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
No grants recorded for .
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
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Rhedcloud Foundation Inc
DECATUR, GA
Assets
$6K
Grants
1
Total Given
$13K
Atlanta Committee for Progress Inc
ATLANTA, GA
Assets
$2.1M
Grants
1
Total Given
$15K
Atlanta Postal Credit Union
ATLANTA, GA
Assets
$2.4B
Grants
4
Total Given
$308K
Justice for Children Foundation Inc
SAVANNAH, GA
Assets
$24K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Southeast Area Blood Bankers
PEACHTREE CITY, GA
Assets
$33K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Courts Foundation Inc
ATLANTA, GA
Assets
$38.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$1.6M
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Jim and Billie Ellis Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities