Illuminated Foundation
Illuminated Foundation is a private foundation based in Cave Creek, Arizona. Its 2024 filing states that it makes grants to organizations addressing arts, social justice, environment, health and welfare, education, and community development.
Illuminated Foundation at a glance
In short: Illuminated Foundation gave $155K across 17 grants in 2024 (avg $9K), top state Arizona. 35% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $155,000
- +41.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 17
- +41.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $9,118
- -0.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $2,341,176
- +82.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 35% first-time grantees (6 of 17, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Arizona (35% 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 Illuminated Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 7950, Cave Creek, AZ 85327
Phone: (480) 488-8690
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Illuminated Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was ACLU of Arizona ($15K). Together the top 10 received $115K.
Grant Size Distribution
70 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 70 grants of 70 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars went to recipients in Arizona (35%), Washington (29%), New York (26%), and the District of Columbia (10%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Illuminated Foundation open to new grantees?
35%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 17 grantees (35%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 65% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 55% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 141% 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 $63K (2022) to $155K (2024). In 2024 it made 17 grants totaling $155K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACLU of Arizona Phoenix, AZ | Funding Donation | $15,000 |
| Friends of Public Radio Arizona Tempe, AZ | Funding Donation | $15,000 |
| Northwest Children's Foundation Seattle, WA | Funding Donation | $15,000 |
| Family Works Seattle, WA | Funding Donation | $10,000 |
| Joyce Theatre New York, NY | Funding Donation | $10,000 |
| Phoenix Art Museum Phoenix, AZ | Funding Donation | $10,000 |
| Seattle Parks Foundation Seattle, WA | Funding Donation | $10,000 |
| Westside Campaign Against Hunger New York, NY | Funding Donation | $10,000 |
| Wild Bird Fund New York, NY | Funding Donation | $10,000 |
| Homeless Id Project Phoenix, AZ | Funding Donation | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Illuminated Foundation?
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 | $2,341,176 | $1,217,619 | $156,990 | $155,000 | 17 | $155,000 | $34,818 | $109,833 |
| 2023 | $1,280,547 | $155,596 | $111,440 | $109,500 | 12 | $109,500 | $28,656 | $82,432 |
| 2022 | $1,236,391 | $152,390 | $67,336 | $62,500 | 10 | $62,500 | $22,554 | $70,718 |
| 2021 | $1,151,337 | $244,445 | $102,117 | $100,000 | 19 | $100,000 | $110,068 | — |
| 2020 | $1,009,009 | $1,080,234 | $71,225 | $71,000 | 12 | — | $18,863 | $12,115 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Illuminated Foundation reported a distributable amount of $110K 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’s stated mission is to support organizations that address issues and advance ideas in arts, social justice, environment, health and welfare, education, and community development. Its 2024 filing says grantmaking is its only charitable activity.
The grantees’ own descriptions show examples of the work supported. Friends of Public Radio Arizona says it works to ensure the vitality of KJZZ and KBAQ and broaden their support. Wild Bird Fund describes providing veterinary care and rehabilitation for New York City wildlife and educating New Yorkers about wildlife. Homeless ID Project says it helps individuals and families overcome homelessness by providing replacement identification documents. Seattle Parks Foundation says it partners with the community to champion thriving and equitable parks and public spaces. Phoenix Art Museum describes creating spaces of exchange and belonging through art. Reproductive Freedom for All describes building a constituency that uses the political process to protect reproductive decision-making.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation made 17 grants totaling $155,000. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $15,000, with a median of $10,000. Notable grants included $15,000 each to ACLU of Arizona, Friends of Public Radio Arizona, and Northwest Children’s Foundation; and $10,000 each to Family Works, Joyce Theatre, Phoenix Art Museum, Seattle Parks Foundation, Westside Campaign Against Hunger, Wild Bird Fund, Homeless ID Project, and Planned Parenthood of America. The filing lists the grant purposes as “funding donation.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists James Lincoln as Secretary Treasurer, Elizabeth Lincoln as Vice President, Avery Lincoln as Board Member, and S Quinn Lincoln as President and CEO.
Illuminated Foundation is led by S. Quinn Lincoln, President on the 2024 filing; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
S. Quinn Lincoln
President
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Avery Lincoln
Board Member
President → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Lincoln
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Lincoln
Secretary Tr
Secretary & Treasurer → Secretary Tr, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Quinn Lincoln (2020–2023) — Board Member
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 Illuminated Foundation
How much does Illuminated Foundation give each year?
Illuminated Foundation gave $155K across 17 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $110K across 12 grants.
What is Illuminated Foundation's typical grant size?
Illuminated Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $9,118, across 17 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Illuminated Foundation that year got $8K on average.
Where does Illuminated Foundation give grants?
Illuminated Foundation's top state is Arizona, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Washington (29%) and New York (26%). The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (4 grants), New York, NY (4 grants), Phoenix, AZ (3 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Illuminated Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on Illuminated Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Funding Donation" (17 grants).
Who are Illuminated Foundation's largest grantees?
Illuminated Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include ACLU of Arizona ($15,000), Friends of Public Radio Arizona ($15,000) and Northwest Children's Foundation ($15,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Illuminated Foundation?
Illuminated Foundation reported $2.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $155K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $110K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Illuminated Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to support organizations that address issues and advance ideas in arts, social justice, environment, health and welfare, education, and community development. Its 2024 filing says grantmaking is its only charitable activity. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Illuminated Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Illuminated Foundation's EIN?
Illuminated Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-3587601. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Illuminated Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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 Illuminated Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
John F Long Foundation Inc
Phoenix, AZ
John F Long Foundation supports Arizona charities, schools, education programs, and community needs, including efforts that strengthen neighborhoods and help people help themselves. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $50,000, with a median of $3,000; nearly all grant dollars went to Arizona, with a small share going to Idaho. It accepts requests with no stated deadline from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations.
Assets
$7.9M
Grants
96
Total Given
$385K
United Way of King County
Seattle, WA
United Way of King County funds community organizations working on housing, food security, education, financial stability, racial equity, and systems change, primarily in King County, Washington. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1,674,650, with a median of about $47,836. It lists an open Food System Stability Fund for anti-hunger organizations, but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$54.9M
Grants
196
Total Given
$24.7M
Eric & Simone Lang Foundation
Pennington, NJ
The foundation supports charitable organizations in areas including health, arts and music, education, food assistance, and gender justice, with 2025 grants ranging from $5,000 to $90,000 and a median of $25,000. Its giving is concentrated in New York, California, and Maine, with additional grants elsewhere; it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$59.5M
Grants
104
Total Given
$2.2M
The Seidler Foundation
Des Moines, IA
The Seidler Foundation funds need-based postsecondary scholarships for students in specified Iowa school districts, along with selected arts and culture projects and efforts to reduce childhood hunger and improve food access. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $300,000, with a median of $10,000; giving is concentrated in Iowa, Wyoming, Missouri, and Kansas. It accepts written requests, and its filing says grants are not restricted to preselected organizations.
Assets
$88.0M
Grants
175
Total Given
$4.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Arizona
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Illuminated Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/illuminated-foundation-morg_cbbb4e603c2f4c828aa614608f27d379
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_843587601_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Illuminated Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/illuminated-foundation-morg_cbbb4e603c2f4c828aa614608f27d379},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Illuminated Foundation'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.
Illuminated Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?