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
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Robert and Rita Elmen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Sd Parks and Wildlife Fdn ($960,000), Augustana College ($721,707), Alzheimer's Disease Res Fdn ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SD PARKS AND WILDLIFE FDN PIERRE, SD | BUILDING PROJECT | $960,000 |
| UNITED WAY SIOUX FALLS, SD | OPERATING | $10,000 |
| AUGUSTANA COLLEGE SIOUX FALLS, SD | BUILDING | $721,707 |
| SIOUX FALLS CARE SIOUX FALLS, SD | OPERATING | $25,000 |
| THE BANQUET SIOUX FALLS, SD | FEEDING MEALS | $25,000 |
| ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE RES FDN WELLESLEY HILLS, MA | RESERACH | $150,000 |
| SD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SIOUX FALLS, SD | OPERATING | $101,000 |
| GREAT PLAINS ZOO SIOUX FALLS, SD | ZOO FOR EVERYONE | $15,000 |
| BRAIN & BEHAVIOR RESERACH COUNCIL NEW YORK, NY | RESERACH | $150,000 |
| ST FRANCIS HOUSE SIOUX FALLS, SD | SHELTER TRAININGFOR THOSE IN NEED | $25,000 |
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Robert and Rita Elmen Foundation fund?
The foundation's grantmaking priorities include: • Education • Human Services and poverty alleviation • Philanthropy and voluntarism • Nursing home and social service support
How do I apply for a grant from The Robert and Rita Elmen Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $4,428,707 (most recent fiscal year) • Typical award range: $815–$1,625,000 • Historical grant range: $500–$200,000 • Median grant: $15,000 • Average grant: $31,000 • Number of grants made: 31 grants in the most recent year; 130 grants total across available records **Recent Grants (2024):** • Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium: $750,000 (New Exhibits) • Abbott House: $100,000 (Foster Care) • Feeding South Dakota: $90,000 (Food for the Needy) **Application Process:…
Where does The Robert and Rita Elmen Foundation make 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.
What size grants does The Robert and Rita Elmen Foundation award?
In 2024, The Robert and Rita Elmen Foundation awarded 57 grants totaling $4.4M — an average of about $78K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Robert and Rita Elmen Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Robert and Rita Elmen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Robert and Rita Elmen Foundation's EIN?
The Robert and Rita Elmen Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-5767798. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Robert and Rita Elmen Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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