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Foundations / Maryland

Chessie Foundation Inc

Preselected recipients only Chevy Chase, Maryland · EIN 204710139

Chessie Foundation Inc is a private foundation in Chevy Chase, Maryland. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.5 million in 8 grants; the typical grant was $72,500 and the largest $633,959. 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 up from $1.3 million the year before.

50% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.

Giving by year

Tax yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$569,5008$2.4 million
2024$1.3 million9$1.4 million
2025$1.5 million8$0

How to apply

Chessie Foundation Inc 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 Chessie Foundation Inc funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 7 states, the most to District of Columbia.

StateGrantsAmount
District of Columbia1$633,959
Pennsylvania1$420,000
Alabama1$150,000
Massachusetts2$120,000
Oregon1$75,000
Florida1$30,000
Maryland1$25,000

Grants paid in 2025

All 8 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
Washington Hebrew Congregation
Washington, DC
Charitable distribution$633,959
SS United States Conservancy
Philadelphia, PA
Charitable distribution$420,000
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, AL
Charitable distribution$150,000
Maayan Hatorah Day School
Lake Oswego, OR
Charitable distribution$75,000
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Boston, MA
Charitable distribution$70,000
Lander Grinspoon Academy
Northampton, MA
Charitable distribution$50,000
Make A Wish Foundation Southern Florida
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Charitable distribution$30,000
Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County
Annapolis, MD
Charitable distribution$25,000

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2025 filing.

Questions people ask

Does Chessie Foundation Inc accept grant applications?

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

How much does Chessie Foundation Inc give?

$1.5 million in tax year 2025, across 8 grants, with a typical grant of $72,500.

Who runs Chessie Foundation Inc?

Its 2025 filing lists James E Pollin (Director) and Ilene Ellenbogen (Director).

What does Chessie Foundation Inc fund?

Based on its grants, mainly education.

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