The John E Sells Foundation

INCLINE VILLAGE, NV EIN: 88-0319741

The John E Sells Foundation is a private foundation focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in INCLINE VILLAGE, NV. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2023. As of 2023, the organization holds $164K in total assets. In 2023, it awarded 3 grants totaling $14K. Net investment income was $4K.

Financial Overview

From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$164K

-5.4% YoY

Annual Giving

$14K

+13400.0% YoY

Grant Count

3

+200.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$5K

+4400.0% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The John E Sells Foundation reported a distributable amount of $13K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About The John E Sells Foundation

Based on IRS filings

The John E Sells Foundation is a private foundation focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in INCLINE VILLAGE, NV. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2023. As of 2023, the organization holds $164K in total assets. In 2023, it awarded 3 grants totaling $14K. Net investment income was $4K.

Ready to take the next step with The John E Sells Foundation?

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

2states

Cities

Incline VillageLos AngelesReno

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$4K$9K$13K$17K2020202120222023
Metric202320222021
Total Assets$163,791$173,140$163,636
Revenue$5,910$13,062$5,585
Expenses$15,244$3,568$3,017
Qualifying Distributions$13,500$100
Net Investment Income$4,166$4,594$1,493
Distributable Amount$12,563$12,370$12,772

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$3K$7K$10K$14K6 grants20200 grants20211 grants20223 grants2023

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 3 recipients in 2023

CLASSICAL TAHOE$10KLAKE TAHOE SHAKESPEARE F…$3KSIERRA NEVADA BALLET$1K

Grant Size Distribution

10 grants across all recorded years

10<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2023 grants, the largest include Classical Tahoe ($10,000), Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival ($2,500), Sierra Nevada Ballet ($1,000).

RecipientPurposeAmount
CLASSICAL TAHOE INCLINE VILLAGE, NVSUPPORT CHARITY$10,000
LAKE TAHOE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL INCLINE VILLAGE, NVSUPPORT CHARITY$2,500
SIERRA NEVADA BALLET RENO, NVSUPPORT CHARITY$1,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2023 IRS filing

From 2023 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
JOHN E SELLSPRESIDENT AND SECRETARY0.5
CHRISTINE SCHARFF-SELLSTRUSTEE0.25

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The John E Sells Foundation?

The John E Sells Foundation is a private foundation focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in INCLINE VILLAGE, NV. It holds $164K in total assets as of 2023.

How large is The John E Sells Foundation?

As of 2023, The John E Sells Foundation holds $164K in total assets with $6K in annual revenue. It awarded 3 grants totaling $14K in 2023.

Where does The John E Sells Foundation operate?

The John E Sells Foundation has awarded grants in California, Nevada.

What size grants does The John E Sells Foundation award?

In 2023, The John E Sells Foundation awarded 3 grants totaling $14K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The John E Sells Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, The John E Sells Foundation reported a distributable amount of $13K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is The John E Sells Foundation's EIN?

The John E Sells Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-0319741. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The John E Sells Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

What could you do with The John E Sells 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

Go from researching The John E Sells Foundation to a real strategy.

Plan your approach