The Kess Foundation Inc
The Kess Foundation Inc is a private foundation, based in Jamesport, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $30K. Net investment income was $12K.
The Kess Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Kess Foundation Inc gave $30K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $30K), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $30,000
- +106.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- -50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $30,000
- +313.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $1,181,475
- +485.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Kess Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was St Judes Childrens Research Hospital ($30K).
Grant Size Distribution
27 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 27 grants of 27 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
How The Kess Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 146% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 97% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $12K (2022) to $30K (2025). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $30K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| St Judes Childrens Research Hospital Memphis, TN | General Operations | $30,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,181,475 | $1,015,985 | $36,338 | $30,000 | 1 | $30,000 | $12,144 | $30,883 |
| 2024 | $201,828 | $21,275 | $20,895 | $14,500 | 2 | $14,500 | $10,541 | $19,840 |
| 2023 | $201,448 | $15,019 | $16,895 | $12,200 | 8 | $12,200 | $11,019 | $15,129 |
| 2022 | $204,224 | $16,527 | $16,735 | $12,200 | 8 | $12,200 | $11,527 | $16,937 |
| 2021 | $204,432 | $17,951 | $17,040 | $12,575 | 8 | $12,575 | $12,066 | $17,005 |
| 2020 | $203,521 | $14,923 | $17,524 | $12,600 | 8 | — | $9,924 | $14,276 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Kess Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $31K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Kess Foundation Inc is led by Cheryl E. Janlewicz, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Cheryl E. Janlewicz
President
Treasurer → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Janlewicz
Treasurer & Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Juliette Janlewicz
Vice President & Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Lawrence Damato (2020–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Marie L. Schlegel (2020–2024) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Kess Foundation Inc
How much does The Kess Foundation Inc give each year?
The Kess Foundation Inc gave $30K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $15K across 2 grants.
How large is The Kess Foundation Inc?
The Kess Foundation Inc reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $30K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $31K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
Where does The Kess Foundation Inc operate?
The Kess Foundation Inc has awarded grants in New York, Tennessee.
What is The Kess Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Kess Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 11-2998128. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Kess Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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