God's Light in the Darkness Foundation is a private foundation based in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Established in 2019, the foundation operates with a mission centered on charitable giving to support vulnerable populations and animal welfare causes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$67.8M
+102.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.5M
+52.7% YoY
Grant Count
43
-4.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$105K
+59.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, God's Light in the Darkness reported a distributable amount of $2.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary purpose is to provide relief to the poor, distressed, and underprivileged by conducting charitable activities to benefit the elderly, needy, handicapped, and low-income individuals.
The foundation supports three main program areas:
- Human Services & Poverty Relief: Assistance for the elderly, needy, handicapped, and low-income individuals
- Animal Welfare: Promotion of animal welfare and prevention of cruelty to animals
- Philanthropic Support: Support for other 501(c)(3) organizations
Grantmaking
The foundation is an active grantmaker with a significant portfolio. According to available records, God's Light in the Darkness Foundation has made 159 grants totaling $18.4 million since its establishment.
Grant Range
$11,000
Average Grant
$116,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Colorado and New Mexico.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Most Recent Filing (2024):
- Total Assets: $67,832,242
- Annual Income: $55.9 million
- Total Giving: $4,521,218
Historical Asset Growth:
- 2019: $37.8 million
- 2024: $67.8 million
2023 Financial Summary:
- Total Revenues: $5,857,606
- Total Expenses: $3,705,432
- Total Assets: $33,555,153
The foundation maintains no employees and operates as a staffed private foundation.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $67,832,242 | $33,555,153 | $31,575,923 |
| Revenue | $41,073,123 | $5,857,606 | $8,829,197 |
| Expenses | $5,336,919 | $3,705,432 | $7,572,026 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,521,218 | $2,960,385 | $6,893,187 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,629,399 | $944,626 | $1,708,868 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,299,174 | $1,564,862 | $1,015,638 |
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
202 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Noahs Ark Animal Rescue ($1,240,000), Carlsbad Prep Academy ($500,000), First Methodist Church ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2BLONDES ALL BREED RESCUE LOUVIERS, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $115,785 |
| 4 PAWS 4 LIFE ANIMAL RESCUE SEDALIA, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $30,500 |
| ALL ABOARD ANIMAL RESCUE FORT COLLINS, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $145,000 |
| ANIMAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM EXP CARLSBAD, NM | PREVENT CRUELTY TO ANIMALS | $14,892 |
| ANIMAL FRIENDS ALLIANCE FORT COLLINS, CO | GENERAL FUND | $11,200 |
| ANIMAL RESCUE OF THE ROCKIES AURORA, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST FONTANA, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $75,000 |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF CARLSBAD CARLSBAD, NM | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| BACK PACS CARLSBAD, NM | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF AMERICA CARLSBAD, NM | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Principal Officer: Linda J Wilson
The foundation is governed by 3 officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LINDA WILSON | PRESIDENT & | — | — |
| CLAY WILSON | VICE PRESIDE | — | — |
| TAMMY HAWLEY | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Contact Information
Mailing Address: PO Box 1479 Carlsbad, NM 88221-1479
Phone: (575) 302-7959
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does God's Light in the Darkness fund?
The foundation's primary purpose is to provide relief to the poor, distressed, and underprivileged by conducting charitable activities to benefit the elderly, needy, handicapped, and low-income individuals. The foundation supports three main program areas: • **Human Services & Poverty Relief**: Assistance for the elderly, needy, handicapped, and low-income individuals • **Animal Welfare**: Promotion of animal welfare and prevention of cruelty to animals • **Philanthropic Support**: Support for …
How do I apply for a grant from God's Light in the Darkness?
The foundation is an active grantmaker with a significant portfolio. According to available records, God's Light in the Darkness Foundation has made 159 grants totaling $18.4 million since its establishment. **Grant Characteristics:** • Median grant size: $11,000 • Average grant size: $116,000 • Grant range: $500 to $4.9 million • Number of unique organizations supported: 87 **Recent Grant Activity (2023):** The foundation made 23 grants in 2023, including: • Carlsbad Preparatory Academy: $535,…
Where does God's Light in the Darkness make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Colorado and New Mexico.
What size grants does God's Light in the Darkness award?
In 2024, God's Light in the Darkness awarded 43 grants totaling $4.5M — an average of about $105K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is God's Light in the Darkness required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, God's Light in the Darkness reported a distributable amount of $2.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is God's Light in the Darkness's EIN?
God's Light in the Darkness's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-1057698. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in God's Light in the Darkness'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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