Lightspark Foundation is a private foundation focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in SALT LAKE CTY, UT. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $6.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 38 grants totaling $328K. Net investment income was $222K.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.5M
+1.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$328K
+3.3% YoY
Grant Count
38
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$9K
+3.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lightspark Foundation reported a distributable amount of $314K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About Lightspark Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Lightspark Foundation is a private foundation focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in SALT LAKE CTY, UT. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $6.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 38 grants totaling $328K. Net investment income was $222K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,508,252 | $6,384,000 | $6,154,978 |
| Revenue | $564,953 | $563,419 | $-32,959 |
| Expenses | $439,993 | $338,218 | $371,204 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $365,499 | $320,205 | $345,835 |
| Net Investment Income | $222,271 | $200,250 | $68,306 |
| Distributable Amount | $314,340 | $311,441 | $302,184 |
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
107 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ashlee Preston ($42,500), Boys and Girls Club ($25,000), Focus on Democracy Fund ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACLU of Utah Salt Lake City, UT | Civil liberties legal aid | $2,500 |
| And Justice for All Salt Lake City, UT | Legal aid services | $2,500 |
| Boys and Girls Club Murray, UT | Youth services | $25,000 |
| Catholic Community Services of Utah Salt Lake City, UT | Social services | $2,500 |
| Columbus House Salt Lake City, UT | Homeless services | $5,000 |
| Comunidades Unidas West Valley City, UT | Community support | $2,500 |
| Fourth Street Clinic Salt Lake City, UT | Healthcare for homeless | $3,500 |
| Guadalupe School Salt Lake City, UT | Education | $2,500 |
| Heal Utah Salt Lake City, UT | Environmental advocacy | $2,500 |
| Immigrant Legal Services Millcreek, UT | Legal aid | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan M Ruga | Director | 5 | — |
| Scott F Young | Director | 1 | — |
| Jared M Ruga | Director | 5 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lightspark Foundation?
Lightspark Foundation is a private foundation focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in SALT LAKE CTY, UT. It holds $6.5M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Lightspark Foundation?
As of 2024, Lightspark Foundation holds $6.5M in total assets with $565K in annual revenue. It awarded 38 grants totaling $328K in 2024.
Where does Lightspark Foundation operate?
Lightspark Foundation has awarded grants in California, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia.
What size grants does Lightspark Foundation award?
In 2024, Lightspark Foundation awarded 38 grants totaling $328K — an average of about $9K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Lightspark Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Lightspark Foundation reported a distributable amount of $314K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Lightspark Foundation's EIN?
Lightspark Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-3990658. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lightspark Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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