The John P Ellbogen Foundation
The John P. Ellbogen Foundation is a private foundation based in Laramie, Wyoming. It supports work primarily benefiting Wyoming residents, with interests spanning education, science, and charity.
The John P Ellbogen Foundation at a glance
In short: The John P Ellbogen Foundation gave $3.2M across 69 grants in 2024 (avg $46K), mostly in Wyoming. 41% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,207,870
- +9.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 69
- -12.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $46,491
- +25.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $61,182,627
- +9.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 41% first-time grantees (24 of 59, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Wyoming (95% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The John P Ellbogen Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it “does not accept unsolicited requests” and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Its website describes an LOI process for organizations seeking consideration; formal requests require an invitation. The filing names Rebecca Steinhoff as the contact for how to apply.
- Review Cycle
- The next grant-cycle LOI window is listed as 8:00 a.m. Monday, March 16, through 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 20. The year is not specified in the program listing.
- Deadline
- The next grant-cycle LOI window is listed as 8:00 a.m.
- Contact
Application contact: Rebecca Steinhoff
Mailing address: PO Box 253, Laramie, WY 82073
Phone: (307) 234-3360
Website: https://ellbogenfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The John P Ellbogen Foundation
Who The John P Ellbogen Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of WYO Foundation ($648K across 4 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
301 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 216 grants of 301 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds work benefiting Wyoming residents, emphasizing Wyoming-based organizations. It says grants to organizations outside Wyoming are rare and considered only when their work directly benefits the state. In 2024, 95% of grant dollars went to recipients in Wyoming, 4% to Texas, and 1% to Colorado; the reported shares for Nebraska and Montana were each 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 69 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The John P Ellbogen Foundation open to new grantees?
41%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 24 of 59 grantees (41%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $23K; repeat grants $76K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 59% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 48% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 106% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.2M (2021) to $3.7M (2020). In 2024 it made 69 grants totaling $3.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of WYO Foundation Laramie, WY | General Support | $335,000 |
| University of WYO Foundation Laramie, WY | General Support | $298,400 |
| Gillette College Foundation Gillette, WY | General Support | $250,000 |
| Leadership Wyoming Casper, WY | General Support | $250,000 |
| WYO Hunger Initiative Cheyenne, WY | General Support | $215,000 |
| WYO Community Foundation Laramie, WY | General Support | $140,500 |
| Food Bank of WYO Evanston, WY | General Support | $125,000 |
| Laramie Interfaith Laramie, WY | General Purpose | $100,000 |
| Paso Del Norte Community Foundation El Paso, TX | General Purpose | $100,000 |
| WYO Hunger Initiative Cheyenne, WY | General Support | $85,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The John P Ellbogen Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $61,182,627 | $9,777,560 | $4,516,969 | $3,207,870 | 69 | $3,490,190 | $8,750,782 | $3,278,947 |
| 2023 | $55,907,457 | $7,576,443 | $4,346,737 | $2,927,640 | 79 | $3,302,563 | $6,598,357 | $2,839,066 |
| 2022 | $52,990,137 | $8,407,687 | $3,790,907 | $2,502,715 | 66 | $2,728,900 | $7,330,677 | $2,793,896 |
| 2021 | $48,202,756 | $5,494,080 | $3,605,441 | $2,170,364 | 42 | $2,375,425 | $4,263,834 | $2,252,882 |
| 2020 | $46,423,424 | $5,451,826 | $4,487,224 | $3,731,391 | 45 | — | $4,796,504 | $1,908,880 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The John P Ellbogen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is “to create or cause change primarily for the benefit of the people of the State of Wyoming through the support of science, education, and charity.” Its vision is to empower Wyoming residents to lead healthy lives in thriving communities. The foundation describes education as a top priority, with particular emphasis on teacher quality and meaningful learning experiences. It also supports work addressing basic needs and strengthening family life and well-being.
The foundation’s initiatives include basic needs, family life and well-being, K–12 education, post-secondary education, Fund for Teachers, and the Wyoming We the People program. Its guidelines prioritize work serving all of Wyoming or large regions of the state.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of work among its grantees. Gillette College Foundation says its mission is to enhance the offerings and operations of the Gillette campus, including through student aid, equipment, and facilities. Leadership Wyoming describes its mission as inspiring Wyoming’s leaders through exploration and connection. Laramie Interfaith says it works with partners and neighbors to prevent and alleviate homelessness and food insecurity. Cathedral Home for Children describes its mission as enriching the well-being of youth and families so every child and family has resources to thrive.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 69 grants totaling $3,207,870. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $335,000, with a median of $15,000.
Among its largest 2024 grants were $335,000 and $298,400 to the University of Wyoming Foundation; $250,000 each to Gillette College Foundation and Leadership Wyoming; and $215,000 to Wyoming Hunger Initiative. Other notable grants included $140,500 to Wyoming Community Foundation, $125,000 to Food Bank of Wyoming, $100,000 each to Laramie Interfaith and Paso del Norte Community Foundation, $80,000 to Unaccompanied Student Initiative, and $75,000 to Cathedral Home for Children. The foundation’s stated purposes for these grants were generally “general support” or “general purpose.”
The foundation’s website describes a process that begins with an electronic letter of inquiry (LOI). LOIs are accepted through an online form during a designated five-day window before a Board meeting; the LOI includes general information, geographies and priorities, and a narrative, which may be written or submitted as a five-minute video. A Board committee decides whether to invite a full proposal, and formal requests are reviewed by the Board through a competitive process. The 2025 guidelines say single-community or single-county proposals are reviewed by invitation only. Capital campaigns are listed as ineligible in the current program description.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s website identifies Mary Ellbogen Garland as president and Becca Steinhoff as executive director. The 2024 filing lists Rebecca Steinhoff as foundation manager, and lists Bill Beasley, Jason Roesler, Mary E. Garland, Spencer Garland, Rae Lynn Job, Nancy Nease, Kent Noble, Sally Belcher, and Theresa A. Ellbogen as directors; Jason Roesler is also listed as treasurer.
The John P Ellbogen Foundation's 2024 filing lists 11 officers; 10 of 11 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bill Beasley
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$1K (2020) → $3K (2024)
James Garland
Director
On filings since 2020
$12K (2020) → $86K (2024)
Kent Noble
Director
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Mary E. Garland
Director
President → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$145K (2020) → $173K (2024)
Nancy Nease
Director
On filings since 2020
$1K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Rae Lynn Job
Director
On filings since 2020
$1K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Sally Belcher
Director
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Spencer Garland
Director
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Theresa A. Ellbogen
Director
On filings since 2020
$1K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Rebecca Steinhoff
Foundation M
On filings since 2021
$27K (2021) → $134K (2024)
Jason Roesler
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1.5 hrs/week
$1K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $173K, to Mary E Garland (Director). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The John P Ellbogen Foundation
How much does The John P Ellbogen Foundation give each year?
The John P Ellbogen Foundation gave $3.2M across 69 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.9M across 79 grants.
What is The John P Ellbogen Foundation's typical grant size?
The John P Ellbogen Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $46,491, across 69 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The John P Ellbogen Foundation that year got $23K on average.
Where does The John P Ellbogen Foundation give grants?
The John P Ellbogen Foundation gives mostly in Wyoming: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Laramie, WY (17 grants), Cheyenne, WY (12 grants), Casper, WY (11 grants) and Sheridan, WY (3 grants).
Does The John P Ellbogen Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 99% of The John P Ellbogen Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (68 of 69) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The John P Ellbogen Foundation's largest grantees?
The John P Ellbogen Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include University of WYO Foundation ($648,400 across 4 grants), WYO Hunger Initiative ($380,000 across 4 grants) and Gillette College Foundation ($250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The John P Ellbogen Foundation?
The John P Ellbogen Foundation reported $61.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The John P Ellbogen Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is “to create or cause change primarily for the benefit of the people of the State of Wyoming through the support of science, education, and charity.” Its vision is to empower Wyoming residents to lead healthy lives in thriving communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The John P Ellbogen Foundation?
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it “does not accept unsolicited requests” and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The John P Ellbogen Foundation's EIN?
The John P Ellbogen Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-0355691. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The John P Ellbogen Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Browse active grant opportunities in The John P Ellbogen Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The John P Ellbogen Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-john-p-ellbogen-foundation-morg_623ea93ac6be4c6cb70ee3876721b5d6
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_830355691_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The John P Ellbogen Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-john-p-ellbogen-foundation-morg_623ea93ac6be4c6cb70ee3876721b5d6},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The John P Ellbogen Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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