Dawn's Light Foundation
Dawn's Light Foundation is a private foundation, based in Kirkland, WA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $5.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $261K. Net investment income was $142K.
Dawn's Light Foundation at a glance
In short: Dawn's Light Foundation gave $261K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $131K), mostly in Washington. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $261,200
- -5.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $130,600
- -5.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $130,600
- Total assets
- $5,033,019
- -2.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Washington (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Dawn's Light Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The University of Washington ($261K across 2 grants).
Grant Size Distribution
7 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 7 (57%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Dawn's Light Foundation gives
- Giving grew 2512% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 98% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $10K (2021) to $275K (2023). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $261K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The University of Washington Seattle, WA | Dawn's light foundation term fund for advancing ird research | $236,200 |
| The University of Washington Seattle, WA | Student Epidemic Action Leaders (Seal) Team Support Fund | $25,000 |
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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 | $5,033,019 | $182,252 | $308,841 | $261,200 | 2 | $261,245 | $142,290 | $266,377 |
| 2023 | $5,159,608 | $70,377 | $374,756 | $275,000 | 2 | $288,970 | $60,409 | $226,190 |
| 2022 | $5,547,712 | $63,728 | $344,556 | $264,540 | 2 | $287,180 | $120,392 | $293,338 |
| 2021 | $5,828,540 | $94,618 | $109,692 | $10,000 | 1 | $10,000 | $58,266 | $288,027 |
| 2020 | $5,843,614 | $5,843,882 | $268 | — | — | — | $3,653,450 | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Dawn's Light Foundation reported a distributable amount of $266K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Dawn's Light Foundation is led by Jennifer Scherer Carlson, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jennifer Scherer Carlson
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Scott Carlson
Vice President & Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Dawn's Light Foundation
How much does Dawn's Light Foundation give each year?
Dawn's Light Foundation gave $261K across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $275K across 2 grants.
How large is Dawn's Light Foundation?
Dawn's Light Foundation reported $5.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $261K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $266K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
Where does Dawn's Light Foundation operate?
Dawn's Light Foundation has awarded grants in New York, Washington.
What is Dawn's Light Foundation's EIN?
Dawn's Light Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-3988396. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Dawn's Light Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Alamo Kiwanis Club Charities Funding Request Due October 31, 2026
- Women's Health Fund Grants Circle of Friends: Up to $2,000; Women's Giving Circle: In excess of $2,000 · Due October 31, 2026
- Besse Johnson & George Blanton Allen Memorial Foundation Grant Average grant $1,000–$5,000 · Due October 31, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Dawn's Light Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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