God's Light in the Darkness
God's Light in the Darkness is a private foundation based in New Mexico. It supports charitable activities for people in need, animal welfare, and housing assistance for specified groups in Carlsbad.
God's Light in the Darkness at a glance
In short: God's Light in the Darkness gave $4.5M across 43 grants in 2024 (avg $105K), mostly in New Mexico. 33% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,521,218
- +52.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 43
- -4.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $105,145
- +59.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $67,832,242
- +102.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (14 of 42, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New Mexico (77% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to God's Light in the Darkness
- How to Apply
-
Request an application form from Nansi Ikard. The filing states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations and that awards must be made on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis in accordance with its bylaws.
- Review Cycle
- No submission deadlines.
- Deadline
- No submission deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Nansi Ikard
Mailing address: PO Box 1479, Carlsbad, NM 88221
Phone: (575) 302-7959
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who God's Light in the Darkness funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Noahs Ark Animal Rescue ($1.2M). Together the top 10 received $3.7M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($49,181), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
202 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 146 grants of 202 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 77% of grant dollars went to recipients in New Mexico, 11% to Texas, 10% to Colorado, 2% to California, and less than 1% to Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
Cities
Is God's Light in the Darkness open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 42 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $60K; repeat grants $130K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $27K repeat.
- 60% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 118% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 197% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.1M (2021) to $6.9M (2022). In 2024 it made 43 grants totaling $4.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Noahs Ark Animal Rescue Carlsbad, NM | General Support | $1,240,000 |
| Carlsbad Prep Academy Carlsbad, NM | General Support | $500,000 |
| First Methodist Church Carlsbad, NM | General Support | $500,000 |
| God's Treasured Pets Carlsbad, NM | General Support | $400,000 |
| Rescue Pets Movement Houston, TX | Animal Rescue Support | $310,000 |
| Three Little Pitties Animal Rescue Friendswood, TX | General Fund | $175,089 |
| All Aboard Animal Rescue Fort Collins, CO | General Support | $145,000 |
| Community Support Carlsbad, NM | Community Support for Those in Need | $137,446 |
| Faith Hope and Love Foundation Carlsbad, NM | General Support | $127,500 |
| Discount Housing Carlsbad, NM | Housing for Those in Need | $121,000 |
Ready to take the next step with God's Light in the Darkness?
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 | $67,832,242 | $41,073,123 | $5,336,919 | $4,521,218 | 43 | $4,521,218 | $3,629,399 | $2,299,174 |
| 2023 | $33,555,153 | $5,857,606 | $3,705,432 | $2,960,385 | 45 | $2,960,385 | $944,626 | $1,564,862 |
| 2022 | $31,575,923 | $8,829,197 | $7,572,026 | $6,893,187 | 38 | $6,893,187 | $1,708,868 | $1,015,638 |
| 2021 | $31,413,156 | $3,865,835 | $2,789,281 | $2,073,673 | 42 | $3,408,153 | $2,291,873 | $1,426,762 |
| 2020 | $31,530,012 | $790,978 | $7,180,215 | $6,513,446 | 34 | — | $585,670 | $1,731,944 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that it conducts charitable activities to provide relief to poor, distressed, and underprivileged people, including elderly, needy, handicapped, and low-income individuals. It also states that it promotes animal welfare and prevents cruelty to animals.
Its reported direct activities include a housing assistance program for working low-income people, police officers, other first responders, and public school teachers in Carlsbad. The filing also lists grants to organizations working in animal rescue, community support, housing, education, and faith-related activities.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of grantees. LOLAS RESCUE describes its work as saving unwanted, abused, and abandoned cats and dogs. Special Pals Inc says it provides affordable pet care, rescues and rehomes companion animals, and educates the community about responsible pet care. Assistance League of Carlsbad describes its mission as philanthropic work in Carlsbad. Overland Missions Inc says it assists with establishing churches, mission trips, and global evangelism.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 43 grants totaling $4,521,218. Grants ranged from $500 to $1,240,000, with a median grant of $25,000. The largest awards included $1,240,000 to NOAHS ARK ANIMAL RESCUE for general support; $500,000 each to CARLSBAD PREP ACADEMY and FIRST METHODIST CHURCH for general support; and $400,000 to GOD'S TREASURED PETS for general support. Other notable grants included $310,000 to RESCUE PETS MOVEMENT for animal rescue support and $137,446 to COMMUNITY SUPPORT for community support for those in need.
The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Its filing says applicants may request an application form from Nansi Ikard. It states that awards are to be made on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis in accordance with the foundation’s bylaws.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Linda Wilson as president, Clay Wilson as vice president, and Tammy Hawley as director.
God's Light in the Darkness is led by Linda Wilson, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Linda Wilson
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Tammy Hawley
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Clay Wilson
Vice President
On filings since 2020
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 God's Light in the Darkness
How much does God's Light in the Darkness give each year?
God's Light in the Darkness gave $4.5M across 43 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.0M across 45 grants.
What is God's Light in the Darkness's typical grant size?
God's Light in the Darkness's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $105,145, across 43 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from God's Light in the Darkness that year got $60K on average.
Where does God's Light in the Darkness give grants?
God's Light in the Darkness gives mostly in New Mexico: 77% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Texas (11%) and Colorado (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Carlsbad, NM (18 grants), Houston, TX (2 grants), Fort Collins, CO (2 grants) and Evergreen, CO (2 grants).
Does God's Light in the Darkness give general operating support?
Yes: 86% of God's Light in the Darkness's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (37 of 43) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are God's Light in the Darkness's largest grantees?
God's Light in the Darkness's largest 2024 grantees include Noahs Ark Animal Rescue ($1,240,000), Carlsbad Prep Academy ($500,000) and First Methodist Church ($500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($49,181), which are not listed by name. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is God's Light in the Darkness?
God's Light in the Darkness reported $67.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does God's Light in the Darkness fund?
The foundation states that it conducts charitable activities to provide relief to poor, distressed, and underprivileged people, including elderly, needy, handicapped, and low-income individuals. It also states that it promotes animal welfare and prevents cruelty to animals. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from God's Light in the Darkness?
Request an application form from Nansi Ikard. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in God's Light in the Darkness's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in New Mexico
Colorado Gives Foundation
Arvada, CO
Colorado Gives Foundation funds nonprofits serving Jefferson County in areas including food security, early care and education, workforce development, housing, health and convenient neighborhoods; it also offers statewide nonprofit capacity-building support. Typical giving varies widely: its 2024 median grant was $17,814, while Thriving Jeffco Responsive Grant awards ranged from $2,500 to $100,000. It accepts applications through listed grant opportunities, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$527.1M
Grants
2,211
Total Given
$91.0M
Lauretta Boyd Charitable Trust
Arvada, CO
The Lauretta Boyd Charitable Trust funded 501(c)(3) organizations working in domestic animal welfare and care, including rescue, rehabilitation, veterinary services, and homeless-animal care, primarily in Colorado. In 2021, it made 16 grants of $1,000–$4,500 (median $4,500); its final return indicates it may have stopped grantmaking. That filing described a written-request process for potentially eligible organizations, but the process is historical and may no longer apply.
Assets
—
Grants
16
Total Given
$60K
Otter Cares Foundation
Fort Collins, CO
Assets
$9.7M
Grants
490
Total Given
$693K
BISSELL Pet Foundation
Grand Rapids, MI
BISSELL Pet Foundation funds U.S. animal welfare nonprofits and local-government entities working to reduce pet homelessness, including through adoption, spay/neuter, microchipping, transport, and crisis response. Its 2024 grants ranged from $157 to $30,000, with a median of $1,503, and its network spans all 50 states. Organizations must be approved Partners for Pets members in good standing for at least six months before applying; an online application is required during the submission window.
Assets
$2.8M
Grants
61
Total Given
$210K
Western Union Foundation
Denver, CO
The Western Union Foundation, which closed at the end of 2025, funded workforce readiness, education, job creation, and economic opportunity programs, including support for migrants and displaced people. Its 2024 grants ranged from $50,000 to $500,000, with a median of about $125,000, and went to organizations in multiple U.S. states and around the world. It accepted only requests from preselected organizations and did not accept unsolicited applications.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
21
Total Given
$3.9M
Dreamspring
Albuquerque, NM
DreamSpring primarily provides loans, training, and business support to underserved entrepreneurs and small businesses, rather than grants; recent filings report no grants, though a 2020 grant of $15,000 is recorded. It serves entrepreneurs in 27 states, and no typical grant size or process for unsolicited grant requests is stated.
Assets
$66.4M
Grants
356
Total Given
$4.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in New Mexico
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). God's Light in the Darkness funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/god-s-light-in-the-darkness-morg_2fbacefb317f4c56b5db03ea8c29898b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_831057698_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{God's Light in the Darkness funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/god-s-light-in-the-darkness-morg_2fbacefb317f4c56b5db03ea8c29898b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from God's Light in the Darkness's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
God's Light in the Darkness down — hundreds of funders to go?