The Robert and Rita Elmen Foundation
The Robert and Rita Elmen Foundation is a private foundation based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Established in 2006, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a focus on philanthropic grantmaking to charitable organizations across multiple states.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$86.4M
-1.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.4M
+26.4% YoY
Grant Count
57
+62.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$78K
-22.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grantmaking priorities include:
- Education
- Human Services and poverty alleviation
- Philanthropy and voluntarism
- Nursing home and social service support
Grantmaking
The foundation makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations only.
Grant Range
$500–$200,000
Average Grant
$31,000
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports organizations in South Dakota, with additional grantmaking in New York, California, and Texas. Grantmaking reaches organizations across seven states, with South Dakota, New York, and California accounting for 89% of all grants.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $86,428,076
- Total revenues: $20,026,745
- Total expenses: $5,087,047
- Total grants and contributions: $17,121,645
- Investment income and dividends: $2,292,965
- Net rental income: $435,724
Asset Growth: Total assets have grown from $6.7 million in 2011 to $86.4 million in 2024.
Staffing: The foundation operates with 1 employee and is governed by 4 officers and trustees.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $86,428,076 | $87,501,103 | $80,642,090 |
| Revenue | $20,026,745 | $13,109,432 | $16,575,811 |
| Expenses | $5,087,047 | $3,965,957 | $1,595,747 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,588,707 | $3,638,815 | $1,247,500 |
| Net Investment Income | $19,853,021 | $3,494,931 | $1,930,706 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,334,016 | $4,573,081 | $3,665,120 |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
183 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
Robert C Elmen serves as the principal officer of the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JULIE D ELMEN | PRESIDENT | 6 | $35,000 |
| THOMAS J WHALEN | TREASURER | 8 | $52,500 |
| VANCE GOLDAMMER | SECRETARY | 6 | $35,000 |
| SARAH KOPP | VICE PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| ALEX KOPP | MEMBER | 4 | $17,500 |
| SADIE KEUNING | MEMBER | 4 | $17,500 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2025, the Elmen family made a $2 million transformational gift to Augustana University to support the Elmen Center Revitalization Project.
Elman Family donates $2 million to Elmen Center Revitalization ProjectSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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