The Future Standard Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Future Standard, a private markets investment firm based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The foundation operates as an independent 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing equitable opportunity across the communities where Future Standard operates.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$86K
+1180.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$815K
+4.2% YoY
Grant Count
138
+146.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
-57.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Future Standard Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation believes that leadership is multifaceted and gives back to communities through volunteerism, charitable support, and nonprofit board service. The organization focuses on incubating emerging organizations that are advancing a more just and equitable future.
Grantmaking
The foundation supports employee giving and charitable contributions to qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations through a one-to-one matching program. In the most recent reporting period, employees made 50 matched donations.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's primary geographic focus is Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the communities where Future Standard operates.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Future Standard, the parent organization, manages $93 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2025.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $86,457 | $6,751 | $142,371 |
| Revenue | $882,927 | $770,000 | $789,000 |
| Expenses | $819,065 | $782,320 | $800,786 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $815,446 | $782,320 | $677,487 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $3,051 | $4,020 | $2,411 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Child Mind Institute ($25,000), The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History ($25,000), Anti-defamation League ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| THE PRINT CENTER PHILADELPHIA, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| LITTLE SISTERS OF THE ASSUMPTION FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,250 |
| CHILD MIND INSTITUTE NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE PHILADELPHIA, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| JEWISH LEARNING VENTURE JENKINTOWN, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $500 |
| CAMP TECUMSEH MOULTONBOROUGH, NH | GENERAL SUPPORT | $150 |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY NASHVILLE, TN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $200 |
| BIG PICTURE PHILADELPHIA PHILADELPHIA, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $150 |
| ECOLE FRANCAISE INTERNATIONALE DE PHILADELPHIE BALA CYNWYD, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $500 |
| MAKE THE WORLD BETTER PHILADELPHIA, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Laura Sparks serves as Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and President of the Future Standard Foundation. In her role as President, she works to advance equitable opportunity across the firm's communities through civic engagement, philanthropy, and employee engagement initiatives. Sparks brings extensive experience from previous roles in financial services and civic leadership, including positions at Citi, Goldman Sachs, and UBS, as well as service as Executive Director of a major private foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL FORMAN | CHAIRMAN | 0.5 | — |
| MICHAEL GERBER | PRESIDENT (END 2024) | 0.5 | — |
| LAURA SPARKS | PRESIDENT (BEG 2024) | 0.5 | — |
| STEPHEN SYPHERD | SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| PHIL BROWNE | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 201 Rouse Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19112-1902
Telephone: 215-495-1150
EIN: 46-4111956
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Future Standard Foundation fund?
The foundation believes that leadership is multifaceted and gives back to communities through volunteerism, charitable support, and nonprofit board service. The organization focuses on incubating emerging organizations that are advancing a more just and equitable future.
How do I apply for a grant from Future Standard Foundation?
The foundation supports employee giving and charitable contributions to qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations through a one-to-one matching program. In the most recent reporting period, employees made 50 matched donations. The foundation also provides strategic philanthropic support through direct grants and sponsorships to nonprofit organizations aligned with its mission.
Where does Future Standard Foundation make grants?
The foundation's primary geographic focus is Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the communities where Future Standard operates.
What size grants does Future Standard Foundation award?
In 2024, Future Standard Foundation awarded 138 grants totaling $815K — an average of about $6K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Future Standard Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Future Standard Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Future Standard Foundation's EIN?
Future Standard Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-4111956. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Future Standard Foundation'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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