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. 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.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2023
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
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).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CLASSICAL TAHOE INCLINE VILLAGE, NV | SUPPORT CHARITY | $10,000 |
| LAKE TAHOE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL INCLINE VILLAGE, NV | SUPPORT CHARITY | $2,500 |
| SIERRA NEVADA BALLET RENO, NV | SUPPORT CHARITY | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
From 2023 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN E SELLS | PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| CHRISTINE SCHARFF-SELLS | TRUSTEE | 0.25 | — |
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
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.