Arata Brothers Trust
Arata Brothers Trust is a private independent foundation based in Carmichael, California. The trust was established following the passing of the last Arata brother in 1979, honoring the legacy of Andrew, Charles, and Frank Arata, who were pioneers of the Sacramento community through their renowned grocery enterprise, Arata Brothers Grocers, which operated from the early 1900s until 1967.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.0M
+95.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$348K
-0.7% YoY
Grant Count
8
-33.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$43K
+48.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Arata Brothers Trust reported a distributable amount of $166K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: To enhance the quality of life in the Sacramento area through innovative and effective educational youth programs.
Primary Funding Areas:
- Arts
- Health
- Education
- Youth and social services
The trust places significant emphasis on enriching the lives of children through educational programs, embodying the brothers' ethos of nurturing future generations.
Grantmaking
The trust has distributed over $16,000,000 in cumulative grant funding over the years.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The trust prioritizes beneficiaries within the Sacramento area, reflecting the roots from which its wealth grew. The foundation's dedication to supporting local endeavors is a defining characteristic of its grantmaking strategy.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,984,188 | $3,578,586 | $3,858,923 |
| Revenue | $3,812,662 | $389,149 | $1,190,581 |
| Expenses | $481,775 | $672,308 | $516,003 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $441,097 | $443,511 | $432,814 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,774,653 | $333,749 | $657,615 |
| Distributable Amount | $166,429 | $374,209 | $299,118 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
53 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Arata Brothers Trust
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Improve Your Tomorrow ($100,000), 916 Ink ($59,250), 916 Ink ($59,250).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 916 Ink Sacramento, CA | Read On! Reading tutor program support | $59,250 |
| Sierra Nevada Journeys Reno, NV | Grizzly Creek Ranch | $50,000 |
| 916 Ink Sacramento, CA | Read On! Reading tutor program support | $59,250 |
| Improve Your Tomorrow Sacramento, CA | IYT Scholars building redevelopment | $100,000 |
| Yolo Basin Foundation Davis, CA | Discover the Flyaway school program | $10,000 |
| Womens Empowerment Sacramento, CA | Workforce prep for homeless women | $25,000 |
| Soil Born Farms Rancho Cordova, CA | Support of school garden program in underserved schools in Sacramento | $30,000 |
| Marshall Foundation Placerville, CA | Reach out and Read pediatrician program launch at Marshall Medical Center | $14,025 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorothy Matson Sewell | Trustee | 50 | $50,000 |
| August Sewell | Trustee | 10 | $20,000 |
| Lisa Malvini | Trustee | 10 | $20,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Arata Brothers Trust fund?
**Mission Statement:** To enhance the quality of life in the Sacramento area through innovative and effective educational youth programs. **Primary Funding Areas:** • Arts • Health • Education • Youth and social services The trust places significant emphasis on enriching the lives of children through educational programs, embodying the brothers' ethos of nurturing future generations.
How do I apply for a grant from Arata Brothers Trust?
The trust has distributed over $16,000,000 in cumulative grant funding over the years. **Recent Grantees Include:** • Sierra Nevada Journey's - Grizzly Creek Ranch (delivering innovative outdoor, science-based education programs for youth to develop critical thinking skills and inspire natural resource stewardship) • 916 Ink (Sacramento's arts-based creative writing and literacy nonprofit providing workshops and tutoring to transform youth into strong readers, confident communicators, and publi…
Where does Arata Brothers Trust make grants?
The trust prioritizes beneficiaries within the Sacramento area, reflecting the roots from which its wealth grew. The foundation's dedication to supporting local endeavors is a defining characteristic of its grantmaking strategy.
What size grants does Arata Brothers Trust award?
In 2024, Arata Brothers Trust awarded 8 grants totaling $348K — an average of about $43K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Arata Brothers Trust required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Arata Brothers Trust reported a distributable amount of $166K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Arata Brothers Trust's EIN?
Arata Brothers Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7204615. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Arata Brothers Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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