John & Polly Sparks Foundation
The John & Polly Sparks Foundation is a private foundation based in Pennington, New Jersey. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, primarily in Georgia, including organizations working in healthcare, behavioral health, housing, and family support.
John & Polly Sparks Foundation at a glance
In short: John & Polly Sparks Foundation gave $3.1M across 64 grants in 2025 (avg $49K), mostly in Georgia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,138,302
- -3.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 64
- -4.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $49,036
- +0.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $74,903,069
- +5.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Georgia (82% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to John & Polly Sparks Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests; it states that contributions are made only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 1532, Pennington, NJ 08534-0691
Phone: (888) 866-3275
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who John & Polly Sparks Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Childrens' Healthcare of Atlanta ($500K). Together the top 10 received $2.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
134 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 109 grants of 134 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, Georgia recipients accounted for 82% of grant dollars. New York accounted for 10%, Washington, DC, and Florida each accounted for 2%, and South Carolina accounted for 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 64 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How John & Polly Sparks Foundation gives
- 69% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−9%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 76% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.1M (2025) to $3.7M (2023). In 2025 it made 64 grants totaling $3.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Childrens' Healthcare of Atlanta Brookhaven, GA | Unrestricted General | $500,000 |
| Emory University Atlanta, GA | Unrestricted General | $387,302 |
| Christian City Inc Union City, GA | Unrestricted General | $300,000 |
| Grady Health Foundation Atlanta, GA | Unrestricted General | $250,000 |
| Narsad Brain & Behavior Research Fdn New York, NY | Unrestricted General | $225,000 |
| The Morehouse School of Medicine Atlanta, GA | Unrestricted General | $200,000 |
| Families 4 Families Loganville, GA | Unrestricted General | $85,000 |
| American Psychological Foundation Washington, DC | Unrestricted General | $75,000 |
| The Community Fdn for Greater Atlanta Atlanta, GA | Unrestricted General | $60,000 |
| Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church New York, NY | Unrestricted General | $50,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $74,903,069 | $7,936,275 | $3,885,052 | $3,138,302 | 64 | $3,476,417 | $7,525,274 | $4,583,573 |
| 2024 | $70,869,717 | $8,199,428 | $4,001,252 | $3,258,029 | 67 | $3,653,662 | $7,896,898 | $3,837,679 |
| 2023 | $66,720,746 | $3,578,217 | $4,321,392 | $3,725,325 | 1 | $4,087,195 | $3,183,026 | $3,823,099 |
| 2022 | $67,644,511 | $8,189,018 | $4,256,661 | $3,440,000 | 1 | $3,884,549 | $7,687,333 | $3,957,717 |
| 2021 | $63,628,782 | $7,541,827 | $4,449,217 | $3,703,660 | 1 | — | $7,049,730 | $4,139,619 |
| 2020 | $60,465,550 | $1,857,620 | $3,945,042 | $3,310,000 | 58 | — | $1,432,834 | $3,602,078 |
| 2019 | $62,546,282 | $3,701,934 | $3,923,827 | $3,263,122 | 50 | — | $3,196,429 | $3,638,015 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, John & Polly Sparks Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.6M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants include support for organizations with varied missions. For example, Christian City says it extends Christ’s call to love one’s neighbor through housing, healthcare, crisis intervention, and community-building for children, youth, families, and older adults. Families 4 Families describes its work as supporting families involved in Georgia’s foster care system. The American Psychological Foundation says it funds research and programs intended to advance psychology and human potential. NAMI Georgia says it supports advocacy, education, support, and public awareness for people and families affected by mental illness.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 64 grants totaling $3,138,302. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $500,000, with a median of $20,000. The largest reported grants included $500,000 to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, $387,302 to Emory University, $300,000 to Christian City, $250,000 to Grady Health Foundation, and $225,000 to NARSAD Brain & Behavior Research Foundation. The listed purposes for these grants were unrestricted general support.
The foundation states in its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Bank of America N.A. as trustee. Listed advisory members are Richard W. Hallock, Kim Barronton Thornton, Kathy Barronton Hall, Brock Richard Peyer, Palmer Peyer, and Deanna Peyer. Brian Tyler Thornton is listed as “Advisroy” on the filing, and Lisa Ann Hallock is listed as an advisory member.
John & Polly Sparks Foundation's 2025 filing lists 9 officers; all 9 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bank Of America N A
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$404K (2019) → $445K (2025)
Brock Richard Peyer
Advisory Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$7K (2019) → $15K (2025)
Kim Barronton Thornton
Advisory Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$7K (2019) → $15K (2025)
Richard W. Hallock
Advisory Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$7K (2019) → $15K (2025)
Kathy Barronton Hall
Advisory Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
$15K (2024) → $15K (2025)
Brian Tyler Thornton
Advisroy
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$10K (2025)
Deanna Peyer
Advisory Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$10K (2025)
Lisa Ann Hallock
Advisory Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$10K (2025)
Palmer Peyer
Advisory Memeber
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$10K (2025)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Valerie Shuping (2024) — Advisory Member
- Former: Kathy Barronton Thornton (2019–2023) — Advisory Member
- Former: S. Andrew Shuping (2019–2023) — Advisory Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $445K, to Bank of America N a (Trustee). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about John & Polly Sparks Foundation
How much does John & Polly Sparks Foundation give each year?
John & Polly Sparks Foundation gave $3.1M across 64 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $3.3M across 67 grants.
What is John & Polly Sparks Foundation's typical grant size?
John & Polly Sparks Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $49,036, across 64 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does John & Polly Sparks Foundation give grants?
John & Polly Sparks Foundation gives mostly in Georgia: 82% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Atlanta, GA (28 grants), New York, NY (3 grants), Decatur, GA (3 grants) and Brookhaven, GA (2 grants).
Does John & Polly Sparks Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of John & Polly Sparks Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (64 of 64) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are John & Polly Sparks Foundation's largest grantees?
John & Polly Sparks Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Childrens' Healthcare of Atlanta ($500,000), Emory University ($387,302) and Christian City Inc ($300,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is John & Polly Sparks Foundation?
John & Polly Sparks Foundation reported $74.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does John & Polly Sparks Foundation fund?
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants include support for organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from John & Polly Sparks Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests; it states that contributions are made only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is John & Polly Sparks Foundation's EIN?
John & Polly Sparks Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-2992779. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does John & Polly Sparks 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 11, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 29, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work John & Polly Sparks Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in John & Polly Sparks Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). John & Polly Sparks Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/john-and-polly-sparks-foundation-morg_e1fe9d59725f4266b279344b629b3aa8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_272992779_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{John \& Polly Sparks Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/john-and-polly-sparks-foundation-morg_e1fe9d59725f4266b279344b629b3aa8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 John & Polly Sparks 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.
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