A Glimmer of Hope Foundation
A Glimmer of Hope Foundation is a private foundation based in Cedar Park, Texas. Founded in 2000, it supports community initiatives in Ethiopia and Austin, with its Ethiopia work centered on locally led grants for vulnerable communities and its Austin work supporting organizations addressing essential community needs.
A Glimmer of Hope Foundation at a glance
In short: A Glimmer of Hope Foundation gave $5.8M across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $523K), top state Texas. 20% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,755,393
- -6.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- +10.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $523,218
- -15.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $67,942,562
- +22.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (2 of 10, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Texas (16% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to A Glimmer of Hope Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 579, Cedar Park, TX 78630
Phone: (512) 328-9944
Website: https://glimmer.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who A Glimmer of Hope Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Guraghe Development and Cultural Association ($2.1M). Together the top 10 received $5.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
47 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 12 grants of 47 (26%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes work in rural Ethiopia and Austin, Texas. Its 2024 filing reports that 16% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas and 2% to recipients in Delaware; the state associated with the remaining 82% is not specified in the filing data provided.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
Is A Glimmer of Hope Foundation open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 10 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $75K; repeat grants $701K. How we count
Medians: $75K first-time, $289K repeat.
- 80% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+13%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 330% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5.1M (2021) to $8.8M (2022). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $5.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Guraghe Development and Cultural Association | To Fund Organization's Exempt Purpose | $2,051,266 |
| Oromia Development Association | To Fund Organization's Exempt Purpose | $1,896,841 |
| A Glimmer of Hope Foundation Austin Cedar Park, TX | To Fund Organization's Exempt Purpose | $898,000 |
| Relief Society of Tigray | To Fund Organization's Exempt Purpose | $345,143 |
| Self Help Africa | To Fund Organization's Exempt Purpose | $231,928 |
| Home Project USA Dover, DE | To Support Refugee Children in Greece | $100,000 |
| Amhara Development Association | To Fund Organization's Exempt Purpose | $55,513 |
| Organization for Rehabilitation & Development in Amhara | To Fund Organization's Exempt Purpose | $51,702 |
| Smartaid International | Israel Relief Efforts | $50,000 |
| Austin Community Foundation Austin, TX | To Support the Organization's Housing Affordability Program | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with A Glimmer of Hope Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $67,942,562 | $6,313,058 | $9,490,594 | $5,755,393 | 11 | $9,116,062 | $5,463,542 | $2,762,419 |
| 2023 | $55,466,865 | $7,335,592 | $9,536,708 | $6,164,020 | 10 | $9,266,195 | $1,073,162 | $2,463,619 |
| 2022 | $48,919,053 | $7,473,986 | $11,950,354 | $8,790,783 | 9 | $11,861,178 | $6,335,957 | $2,690,715 |
| 2021 | $76,849,646 | $2,449,456 | $9,015,761 | $5,096,529 | 9 | $7,519,029 | $1,998,909 | $3,838,901 |
| 2020 | $87,480,411 | $5,415,626 | $8,316,951 | $5,219,810 | 8 | — | $4,132,881 | $3,261,774 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, A Glimmer of Hope Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation describes its mission as improving lives in Ethiopia. Its stated areas of work there have included water, education, healthcare, microfinance, agriculture, and enterprise. Its current Ethiopia focus emphasizes women and children with critical needs, including women’s recovery and economic empowerment in conflict-affected areas. The Women’s Recovery and Transformation Program works with local partners on business skills, trauma healing, technical training, and support for women’s livelihoods.
In Austin, the foundation says it supports local nonprofit leaders and organizations addressing hunger, abuse of women, addiction, and skills training. One 2024 recipient, Austin Community Foundation, describes its own mission as strengthening Central Texas and closing the opportunity gap through economic mobility and housing affordability.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 11 grants totaling $5,755,393. Grant amounts ranged from $25,000 to $2,051,266, with a median of $100,000. The largest grants were $2,051,266 to Guraghe Development and Cultural Association and $1,896,841 to Oromia Development Association, both listed as supporting the recipient organization’s exempt purpose. Other notable grants included $898,000 to A Glimmer of Hope Foundation Austin, $345,143 to Relief Society of Tigray, and $231,928 to Self Help Africa. The filing also lists $100,000 to Home Project USA to support refugee children in Greece, and two grants to Smartaid International: $50,000 for Israel relief efforts and $25,000 for clean water access in Gaza.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Alicyn Yarbrough as CEO; Donna Berber as director and president; Philip Berber as chairman and co-founder; Shane Berber, Ryan Berber, and Jake Berber as directors; and Santiago Montoya as director and chief investment officer. The foundation’s website identifies Donna Berber as founder and Philip Berber as co-founder.
A Glimmer of Hope Foundation is led by Alicyn Yarbrough, CEO since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Alicyn Yarbrough
CEO
Chief Development Officer → CEO, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$177K (2020) → $230K (2024)
Donna Berber
Director & President
Director, President & CEO → Director & President, 2021
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$600 (2020) → $600 (2024)
Philip Berber
Chairman & Co-Founder
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Santiago Montoya
Director & Chief Investment Officer
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$500 (2021) → $500 (2024)
Jake Berber
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Berber
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shane Berber
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Stephanie Fast (2020) — Chief Financial Officer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $230K, to Alicyn Yarbrough (CEO). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about A Glimmer of Hope Foundation
How much does A Glimmer of Hope Foundation give each year?
A Glimmer of Hope Foundation gave $5.8M across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $6.2M across 10 grants.
What is A Glimmer of Hope Foundation's typical grant size?
A Glimmer of Hope Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $100,000, and its average grant was $523,218, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from A Glimmer of Hope Foundation that year got $75K on average.
Where does A Glimmer of Hope Foundation give grants?
A Glimmer of Hope Foundation's top state is Texas, with 16% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are A Glimmer of Hope Foundation's largest grantees?
A Glimmer of Hope Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Guraghe Development and Cultural Association ($2,051,266), Oromia Development Association ($1,896,841) and A Glimmer of Hope Foundation Austin ($898,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 84% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is A Glimmer of Hope Foundation?
A Glimmer of Hope Foundation reported $67.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $9.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does A Glimmer of Hope Foundation fund?
The foundation describes its mission as improving lives in Ethiopia. Its stated areas of work there have included water, education, healthcare, microfinance, agriculture, and enterprise. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from A Glimmer of Hope Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is A Glimmer of Hope Foundation's EIN?
A Glimmer of Hope Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1758218. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does A Glimmer of Hope Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in A Glimmer of Hope Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Aragona Family Foundation
Austin, TX
Assets
$3.3M
Grants
8
Total Given
$328K
Zuckerman Klein Family Support Foundation
Bloomfield Hills, MI
To support the jewish community and the community as a whole.
Assets
$6.3M
Grants
4
Total Given
$275K
Ephraim Block Family Charitable Trust
Milwaukee, WI
Assets
$4.3M
Grants
8
Total Given
$239K
Amos and Ruth Wilnai Foundation
Palo Alto, CA
The foundation’s 2025 grants supported organizations connected to Israel, higher education, democracy, and community media, with most grant dollars going to recipients in New York, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $710,000, though the median was $3,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$26.2M
Grants
10
Total Given
$1.1M
Jill & David Krischer Family
Atlanta, GA
The foundation supports charitable organizations, including Jewish community and religious groups, schools, and health-related organizations, primarily in Georgia. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100 to $36,000, with a median of $1,800. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$930K
Grants
13
Total Given
$93K
The Ruth and Akiva Foundation
Miami Beach, FL
The Ruth and Akiva Foundation supports charitable organizations, with 2025 grants benefiting arts and culture, religious and educational groups, food assistance, and refugee services. Its grants ranged from $1,000 to $35,615, with a median of $10,000; 96% of grant dollars went to Florida organizations. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5M
Grants
13
Total Given
$166K
More similar funders
More Funders in Texas
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). A Glimmer of Hope Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/a-glimmer-of-hope-foundation-morg_87699e9db47f4a6091eb387da3ffcd62
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_311758218_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{A Glimmer of Hope Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/a-glimmer-of-hope-foundation-morg_87699e9db47f4a6091eb387da3ffcd62},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from A Glimmer of Hope Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
A Glimmer of Hope Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?