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
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Doris Buffett Legacy Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $181K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Share Winter ($100,000), Red Sox Foundation ($98,399), Neighborhood Villages ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 3 INDIVIDUAL GRANT RECIPIENTS MARSHFIELD, MA | INDIVIDUALS IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE | $7,888 |
| 65 ALIVE WEST MONROE, LA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $2,500 |
| ANGEL FACES ENCINITAS, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ARTISTREE SOUTH POMFRET, VT | RED SOX TICKETS - 4 TICKETS - $380 EACH FMV FOR GENERAL USE | $1,520 |
| BARNARTS BARNARD, VT | RED SOX TICKETS - 8 TICKETS - $380 EACH FMV FOR GENERAL USE | $3,040 |
| BAY CHAMBER CONCERTS AND MUSIC SCHOOL CAMDEN, ME | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY BINGHAMTON, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| BURLINGTON COMMUNITY LAND TRUST BURLINGTON, NC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| CHILDREN'S CRISIS TREATMENT CENTER PHILADELPHIA, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,000 |
| CLARK UNIVERSITY WORCESTER, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $7,000 |
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Doris Buffett Legacy Foundation Inc fund?
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 underser…
How do I apply for a grant from Doris Buffett Legacy Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity (2023):** • Total giving: $364,040 • Number of grants: 15 • Median grant size: $8,000 • Grant range: $3,000 - $106,000 **Grant Activity (2022):** • Total giving: $290,000 • Number of grants: 14 • Median grant size: $7,000 **Recent Grant Recipients (2023):** • The Red Sox Foundation — $93,052 • Neighborhood Villages — $49,909 • Woodstock Community Trust — $39,919 **Application Policy:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is by invitation only.
Where does Doris Buffett Legacy Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Massachusetts, Vermont, and California.
What size grants does Doris Buffett Legacy Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Doris Buffett Legacy Foundation Inc awarded 47 grants totaling $516K — an average of about $11K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Doris Buffett Legacy Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Doris Buffett Legacy Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $181K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Doris Buffett Legacy Foundation Inc's EIN?
Doris Buffett Legacy Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-3868962. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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