Mentors
Preselected recipients only
Mentors is a private foundation in Incline Village, Nevada. In tax year 2025 it gave $631,465 in 66 grants; the typical grant was $8,000 and the largest $35,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$631,465
- Number of grants66
- Typical grant$8,000
- Largest grant$35,000
- Assets$26.5 million
- New grantees87%
Giving in 2025 was up from $492,643 the year before.
87% 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 year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $282,517 | 36 | $17.5 million |
| 2024 | $492,643 | 40 | $22.7 million |
| 2025 | $631,465 | 66 | $26.5 million |
How to apply
Mentors 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.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Mentors funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 24 states, the most to Nevada. It also paid $61,111 in 6 grants to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 15 | $111,686 |
| Nebraska | 10 | $92,599 |
| California | 3 | $63,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 4 | $55,000 |
| Missouri | 3 | $26,751 |
| Florida | 2 | $25,074 |
| Washington | 1 | $25,000 |
| Arizona | 2 | $24,860 |
| Texas | 2 | $21,544 |
| Oklahoma | 2 | $20,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Surf and Turf Therapy | Jillian stewart, scholarship | $35,000 |
| English Language Learners at Home | Florence phillips, 100 $250 scholarships | $25,000 |
| University of Pennsylvania | Madeline pendleton, scholarship | $20,000 |
| Individual | Ciara bryne, scholarships | $20,000 |
| Inner City Arts | Alma villegas, 20 internships | $20,000 |
| Dress for Success | Jessica stack, 20 scholarships | $20,000 |
| Children's Cabinet | Michael brazier, 1000 scholarships | $20,000 |
| University of Miami | Brayden king, scholarship | $19,721 |
| Europea Universidad | Helga bregu, scholarship | $16,940 |
| Arizona State University | Samara tello de meneses garduno, scholarship | $16,813 |
| Shippensburg University | Logan lombardi, scholarship | $16,500 |
| Individual | Amy williams, scholarships | $15,225 |
| Slippery Rock University | Sadie henry, scholarship | $15,000 |
| College of Biomedical Equipment Technology | Nicholas mcdonald, scholarship | $15,000 |
| United Action for Children | Orock eyong, scholarships | $15,000 |
| Individual | Kelly ross, scholarships | $15,000 |
| The Sewing Labs | Robyn kerkaert, scholarships | $15,000 |
| John's Hopkins University | Billy presume, scholarship | $15,000 |
| Berklee College of Music | Paige hinkel, scholarship | $11,461 |
| William Jewell College | Jude pierre, scholarship | $10,843 |
| Oklahoma City University | Wendy nguabenemutu samani, scholarship | $10,000 |
| Oklahoma City University | Nnenne ben ekechukwu, scholarship | $10,000 |
| University College London | Eleanore hamilton, scholarship | $10,000 |
| University College London | Cooper foushee, scholarship | $10,000 |
| Messiah University | Gabriel henry scholarship | $10,000 |
| Calibraska | Erica larsen, internships and scholarships | $10,000 |
| University of Montana | Eliza fuller, scholarship | $10,000 |
| George Washington University | Ava noel, scholarship | $10,000 |
| Debate Kansas City | Jane rinehart, 50 $200 scholarships | $10,000 |
| Individual | Tracey odenwelder, 100 scholarships | $10,000 |
| University of Nebraska at Kearney | Tarek koelsch, scholarship | $9,000 |
| Arizona State University | Mikella ravina, scholarship | $8,047 |
| Capital Humane Society | Miranda kahn, internship | $8,000 |
| Capital Humane Society | Emma vazquez, internship | $8,000 |
| Capital Humane Society | Julie slattery, internship | $8,000 |
| Capital Humane Society | Kaitlyn lilly, internship | $8,000 |
| University of San Diego | Veronica hernandez, scholarship | $8,000 |
| Boise State University | Luis lopez, scholarship | $7,207 |
| University of New York in Prague | Fernanda tello de meneses, scholarship | $6,769 |
| Weber State University | Jaymie graham dunckhorst, scholarship | $6,600 |
Officers and trustees
- Annalee Burns
- Sarah Whitesage Newman
- Junko Nishida
- Gabija Harnish
Questions people ask
Does Mentors accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Mentors give?
$631,465 in tax year 2025, across 66 grants, with a typical grant of $8,000.
Who runs Mentors?
Its 2025 filing lists Annalee Burns (President/Secretary/Treasurer), Sarah Whitesage Newman (Director), Junko Nishida (Director) and Gabija Harnish (Director).
What does Mentors fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, international and youth programs.