Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP
Light A Single Candle Foundation NF is a private foundation based in Chesterfield, Missouri. It supports poverty relief through partnerships focused on food security, economic development, and helping individuals, families, and communities move toward self-determination and an improved standard of living.
Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP at a glance
In short: Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP gave $6K across 3 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), top state Missouri. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,200
- -98.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 3
- -81.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $2,067
- -94.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Total assets
- $4,976,550
- +28.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Missouri (48% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated November 2026.
How to apply to Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Its website invites prospective new partners to submit a Letter of Inquiry; first-time applicants must register and submit one before being advised about next steps. Established partners can log in to submit a request. For St. Louis-area proposals, first-time applicants are asked to contact the foundation before applying, and requests over $5,000 require a site visit. The website says St. Louis-area applicants must be U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charities with projects in the City of St. Louis or North St. Louis County. International applicants must be U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charities, have staff or partners on the ground, and involve the local community in project development and implementation. The website lists schools, churches, healthcare entities and initiatives, governments, for-profit organizations, individuals, and non-501(c)(3) organizations among those it does not fund. Separately, the foundation’s 2024 filing says awards are generally limited to organizations supporting work in developing countries, including churches, orphanages, schools, and healthcare facilities, and describes its geographic areas as international, Greater Metropolitan St. Louis, and West Central Illinois.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists June 27 and September 12, 2026, as past submission deadlines. The next listed deadline is January 9, 2027, for proposals to be reviewed in February. It says proposals received after a deadline will be reviewed at the following meeting.
- Deadline
- The website lists June 27 and September 12, 2026, as past submission deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Patrick J Smith
Mailing address: 17050 Baxter Road Suite 125, Chesterfield, MO 63005
Phone: (636) 778-3071
Email: info@lightasinglecandle.net
Website: https://lightasinglecandle.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP
Who Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Philanthropy Missouri ($3K). Together the top 3 received $6K.
Grant Size Distribution
56 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 32 grants of 56 (57%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation identifies three geographic areas: international, Greater Metropolitan St. Louis, and West Central Illinois. Its international grant guidelines list the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Its St. Louis guidelines specify projects in the City of St. Louis or North St. Louis County. The foundation’s 2024 grants went to recipients in Missouri, Florida, New Hampshire, Illinois, and California; 61% of grant dollars went to Missouri recipients, 14% to Florida, 13% to New Hampshire, 9% to Illinois, and 3% to California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP gives
- Giving fell 87% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 173% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $715 (2020) to $2.7M (2023). In 2025 it made 3 grants totaling $6K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Philanthropy Missouri St. Louis, MO | General Support | $3,000 |
| Food for All DC Washington, DC | General Support | $3,000 |
| Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce Columbus, IN | General Support | $200 |
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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 | $4,976,550 | $1,143,374 | $368,489 | $6,200 | 3 | $344,672 | $336,404 | $199,502 |
| 2024 | $3,879,911 | $110,770 | $835,660 | $549,984 | 16 | $820,675 | $94,948 | $190,733 |
| 2023 | $4,100,863 | $1,506,470 | $2,916,848 | $2,722,034 | 31 | $2,890,019 | $989,805 | $245,713 |
| 2022 | $5,467,782 | $577,576 | $690,581 | $48,836 | 4 | $665,332 | $75,718 | $288,603 |
| 2021 | $6,918,862 | $745,907 | $494,949 | $3,500 | 2 | $476,507 | $344,604 | $311,503 |
| 2020 | $5,822,738 | $871,158 | $369,218 | $715 | 1 | — | $582,124 | $232,986 |
| 2019 | $5,168,973 | $779,698 | $290,241 | $2,150 | 2 | — | $547,392 | $221,876 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP reported a distributable amount of $200K for 2025 — 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 describes its mission as keeping hope alive through sustainable solutions to poverty. Its stated focus areas include food support, food security and sustainability; microbusiness and economic development; and development of individuals, families, and communities toward self-determination and an improved standard of living.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate a range of work. Help for Haiti describes its mission as feeding and educating children and supporting them until they have employment skills. Northside Community Housing says it provides affordable housing for low- to moderate-income residents and opportunities to improve lives and revitalize the community. Prosperity Connection describes its work as promoting economic success through financial education and access to financial products and services. Lift for Life Gym says it offers St. Louis children a safe, enriching environment for physical, social, and personal development. Natun Guatemala describes its work as supporting Maya Indigenous communities through educational, nutritional, and sustainable development projects.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 16 grants totaling $549,984. Grants ranged from $400 to $100,000, with a median grant of $30,000. Notable awards included $100,000 to Fathers & Families Support Center for employment development and training; $78,084 to Cross International for “Children of La Hoye Seeds of Hope”; $72,000 to Help for Haiti for financial independence for Haitian youth; and $50,000 each to Northside Community Housing, Community Foundation of West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri, and Justine Petersen. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 3 grants totaling $6,200.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Patrick F Tracy as director/president; M Jane Tracy as director/secretary; Ryan P Tracy as director/vice president; Patrick J Smith as executive director; and Lauren Tracy Clough, Kimberly Plank, Kevin Bird, and Joseph Rupp as directors. The filing notes that Kimberly Plank left in December 2024.
Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP is led by Patrick F. Tracy, Director & President on every filing since 2019; 5 of 9 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Patrick F. Tracy
Director & President
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diana Tracy Bittner
Director
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$6K (2019) → $5K (2025)
Kevin Bird
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$6K (2021) → $6K (2025)
Lauren Tracy Clough
Director & Vice President
Director → Director & Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$6K (2021) → $6K (2025)
Joseph Rupp
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$5K (2023) → $6K (2025)
Ryan P. Tracy Left
Director & Vice President
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
$2K (2025)
M. Jane Tracy
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Jay Sullivan
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patrick J. Smith
Executive Di
On filings since 2019
36 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Ryan P. Tracy (2019–2024) — Director & Vice President
- Former: Kimberly Plank Left (2024) — Director
- Former: Kimberly Plank (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: William Metzinger (2019–2022) — Director & Treasurer
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 $6K, to Lauren Tracy Clough (Director/VP/). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP
How much does Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP give each year?
Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP gave $6K across 3 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $550K across 16 grants.
What is Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP's typical grant size?
Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP's median grant in 2025 was $3,000, and its average grant was $2,067, across 3 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP give grants?
Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP's top state is Missouri, with 48% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest state was District of Columbia (48%).
Does Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 3) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP?
Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP reported $5.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $345K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $200K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP fund?
The foundation describes its mission as keeping hope alive through sustainable solutions to poverty. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP's EIN?
Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1557485. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 8, 2026)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 30, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 5, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 21, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 9, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work Light a Single Candle Foundation NFP funds
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