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Foundations / California

The Sam & Salwa Ellis Family Foundation

Preselected recipients only Calexico, California · EIN 760720990

The Sam & Salwa Ellis Family Foundation is a private foundation in Calexico, California. In tax year 2025 it gave $140,000 in 15 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $10,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.

Giving in 2025 was the same as $140,000 the year before.

0% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, so most of its money goes to organizations it already funds.

Giving by year

Tax yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$140,00015$2.4 million
2024$140,00015$2.4 million
2025$140,00015$2.3 million

How to apply

The Sam & Salwa Ellis Family Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.

IRS filings on ProPublica

What The Sam & Salwa Ellis Family Foundation funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 2 states, the most to California.

StateGrantsAmount
California14$130,000
Tennessee1$10,000

Grants paid in 2025

All 15 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
St Jude Children's Research Hospita
Memphis, TN
Research Program$10,000
Voice Incorporated-Kgba 1001
El Centro, CA
Christian program$10,000
Vincent Memorial High School
Calexico, CA
Scholarships$10,000
Saint Mary's Catholic School
El Centro, CA
Scholarships$10,000
Cancer Resource Center of the
El Centro, CA
Cancer awareness program$10,000
Grace and Truth Ministries
Holtville, CA
Charity programs$10,000
Christ Community Church
El Centro, CA
Charity programs$10,000
Individual
CA
Charity Programs$10,000
Turning Point Ministries
Holtville, CA
Charity Programs$10,000
Emilio Nares Foundation
San Diego, CA
Charity/Programs$10,000
Lay Brothers of the Poor
El Centro, CA
Charity/Programs$10,000
Youth for Christ Imperial Valley
El Centro, CA
Charity programs$7,500
Imperial County Historical Society
Imperial, CA
General Operations$7,500
Individual
CA
Charity/Programs$7,500
Hermanas Del Corazon De Jesus Sacra
Temecula, CA
Charity/programs$7,500

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2025 filing.

Questions people ask

Does The Sam & Salwa Ellis Family Foundation accept grant applications?

No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.

How much does The Sam & Salwa Ellis Family Foundation give?

$140,000 in tax year 2025, across 15 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.

Who runs The Sam & Salwa Ellis Family Foundation?

Its 2025 filing lists Karen Brundy (CFO/Secretary), Jean Seski (Director), Kenton Hems (Ceo) and Mark Holloway (Director) among 5 officers and trustees.

What does The Sam & Salwa Ellis Family Foundation fund?

Based on its grants, mainly faith communities, education and health.

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