Private foundation · EIN 32-0284165 · Litchfield Pk, Arizona · Philanthropy & grantmaking

John Sperling Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2024 Form 990-PF: 22 grants paid, $3.8M total, median $20K. 14% of grants stayed in Arizona.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2024
22
$3.8M
Median grant
$20K
Stays in AZ
14%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$86M

Grants paid in 2024

22 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
EarthjusticeSan Francisco, CAFirst installment of a three-year grant for prevailing justice: fight back, fight forward$1.5M
American Civil Liberties Union FoundationNew York, NYFor the voting rights project$500K
American Civil Liberties Union FoundationNew York, NYTo support work related to protection of abortion and reproductive health care$500K
Western Environmental Law CenterEugene, ORSecond installment of a two-year grant for defending public lands across the western u.s.$500K
Center for Science in the Public InterestWashington, DCSecond installment of a two-year grant for advocating for a safer and more transparent food system$300K
Los Padres Forest WatchSanta Barbara, CASecond installment of a two-year grant for protecting the public lands of the central coast of california$100K
World Central KitchenWashington, DCRestricted to efforts related to helene with a focus on nc, ga and tn$75K
World Central KitchenWashington, DCRestricted to recovery efforts associated with the wildfires in southern california$75K
Western Resource AdvocatesBoulder, COFirst installment of a three-year grant to protect the colorado river$75K
Gaviota Coast ConservancyGoleta, CAFor general support$20K
West Valley Arts CouncilSurprise, AZTo support their endeavors in the west valley$20K
Pw Litchfield HeritageLitchfield Park, AZFor general support$20K
Indivisible CivicsWashington, DCFor general support$20K
John Muir Land TrustMartinez, CAFor general support of family harvest farm$10K
Sustainable LafayetteWalnut Creek, CAFor lafayette community garden$10K
Indivisible CivicsWashington, DCFor general support$10K
Grand Canyon ConservancyGrand Canyon, AZFor the grand canyon disaster recovery fund$10K
Wikimedia FoundationSan Francisco, CAFor general support$10K
Oakland ZooOakland, CAFor general support$8,000
Institute of Noetic SciencesNovato, CAFor general support$7,000
Project LinusBelton, MOFor support of the jackson county oregon chapter$5,000
St Jude FoundationMemphis, TNFor general support$1,000

By state: California 8 · New York 2 · Oregon 1 · District of Columbia 5 · Colorado 1 · Arizona 3

About this foundation

John Sperling Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Litchfield Pk, Arizona, tax-exempt since 2010. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does John Sperling Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2024 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does John Sperling Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2024 it paid $3.8M across 22 grants, a median of $20K.

Where does John Sperling Foundation give?

California (8 grants), New York (2 grants), Oregon (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Litchfield Pk that accept applications

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Virginia G Piper Charitable Trust 08-11-95since 1996 Phoenix, AZ $24M483 grants · 2024 $7,500Yes $430M
Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundationsince 2011 Scottsdale, AZ $16M38 grants · 2025 $250KPreselected only $315M
Flinn Foundationsince 2020 Phoenix, AZ $7.7M111 grants · 2024 $33KPreselected only $263M
Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundationsince 1991 Phoenix, AZ $14M1 grants · 2024 $14MPreselected only $250M
The Hickey Family Foundationsince 2004 Mesa, AZ $6.7M30 grants · 2024 $200KPreselected only $151M
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