Doris Buffett Legacy Foundation Inc
Doris Buffett Legacy Foundation Inc, formerly known as Sunshine Lady Humanitarian Grants Program, is a private family foundation based in Waltham, Massachusetts. The foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of Doris Buffett, operating under the principle of giving "until the last check bounces." The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that was granted tax-exempt status in February 2017.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.0M
-18.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$516K
+41.6% YoY
Grant Count
47
+193.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
-51.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grantmaking is conducted as a continuation of and tribute to Doris Buffett's history of giving. The foundation operates five distinct programs:
- Humanitarian Grants Program (HGP) — Works with nonprofit partners who continue work that Doris valued
- YOWIE Patrol — Focuses on reliable wireless access and closing the digital divide by working with the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology to challenge inaccurate broadband coverage data and unlock funding for underserved areas
- AMBCOPS — The Alliance for Mobile Broadband Communications for Public Safety, based in Vermont, dedicated to enhancing public safety through improved communication infrastructure in rural communities
- Vermont Covered — Initiatives related to healthcare advocacy
- Learning by Giving — Educational programming
Primary funding interests include education, philanthropy, voluntarism, grantmaking, and human services.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$8,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Massachusetts, Vermont, and California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Giving (2023):
- Total assets: $6,123,120
- Total revenues: $565,165
- Total expenses: $1,055,535
- Giving rate: 5.9% of assets
Assets and Giving (2022):
- Total assets: $4,600,000
- Total giving: $290,000
Staffing:
- 1 employee (as of 2023)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,964,521 | $6,123,120 | $4,581,180 |
| Revenue | $304,493 | $565,165 | $137,572 |
| Expenses | $1,465,982 | $1,055,535 | $783,590 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,169,861 | $919,760 | $672,356 |
| Net Investment Income | — | $431,390 | $41,902 |
| Distributable Amount | $180,877 | $256,868 | $345,201 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
93 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Alex Rozek — President
- Shanna O'Berry — Executive Director (as of 2022)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALEX ROZEK | PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| SARAH KRUEGER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ILLONA CAMPBELL | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported significant educational initiatives, including the opening of the Doris Buffett Higher Education Center at Maine State Prison in partnership with the University of Maine at Augusta and the Maine Department of Corrections. The foundation has also maintained funding for college programs at correctional facilities, including Coyote Ridge.
$1 Million Endowment Will Continue Doris Buffett\u2019s GiftSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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