Little Lamp of Jesus
Little Lamp of Jesus is a private foundation focused on Human Services, based in Mount Vernon, WA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $250K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $59K. Net investment income was $8K.
Little Lamp of Jesus at a glance
In short: Little Lamp of Jesus gave $59K across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $7K), mostly in Maryland. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $59,281
- +50.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- +60.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $7,410
- -5.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $4,766
- Total assets
- $249,517
- -4.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Maryland (51% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Little Lamp of Jesus funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Doctors without Borders ($30K). Together the top 8 received $59K.
Grant Size Distribution
78 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 78 grants of 78 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Little Lamp of Jesus gives
- Giving grew 54% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 536% 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $30K (2021) to $59K (2025). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $59K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Doctors without Borders Hagerstown, MD | International ministry | $29,500 |
| Covenant House New York, NY | International ministry | $10,500 |
| Three Angels Haiti Stevenson Ranch, CA | International ministry | $8,100 |
| Homeless and Destitutes Mount Vernon, WA | Cash and food handout to homeless people | $5,029 |
| Brothers of Mercy | Hospice for poor mentally disabled in the Philippines | $4,502 |
| Immaculate Conception Mount Vernon, WA | Church | $650 |
| CRS Baltimore, MD | International ministry | $500 |
| St Jude Childrens Research Memphis, TN | Children ministry | $500 |
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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 | $249,517 | $35,272 | $60,671 | $59,281 | 8 | $60,671 | $7,982 | $11,315 |
| 2024 | $260,416 | $35,728 | $39,704 | $39,343 | 5 | $39,704 | $10,667 | $11,643 |
| 2023 | $264,392 | $31,149 | $43,056 | $42,563 | 24 | $43,056 | $9,362 | $12,872 |
| 2022 | $276,299 | $18,953 | $38,922 | $38,432 | 20 | $38,922 | $7,750 | $13,485 |
| 2021 | $296,268 | $15,649 | $29,942 | $29,556 | 21 | — | $7,963 | $14,480 |
| 2020 | $310,561 | $11,410 | $42,469 | $42,120 | 21 | — | $8,461 | $17,743 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Little Lamp of Jesus reported a distributable amount of $11K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Little Lamp of Jesus's only listed officer is Virginia Spicer, Secretary Treasurer on every filing since 2020 (uncompensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
Virginia Spicer
Secretary Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Rose Zagar (2023) — Director
- Former: Stephanie Zarate (2023) — Director
- Former: Dominic Mtenga (2021) — President
- Former: Dominick Mtenga Ngayaku (2020) — President
- Former: Richard Spicer (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Little Lamp of Jesus
How much does Little Lamp of Jesus give each year?
Little Lamp of Jesus gave $59K across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $39K across 5 grants.
What is Little Lamp of Jesus's typical grant size?
Little Lamp of Jesus's median grant in 2025 was $4,766, and its average grant was $7,410, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Little Lamp of Jesus give grants?
Little Lamp of Jesus gives mostly in Maryland: 51% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (18%) and California (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Mount Vernon, WA (2 grants).
Does Little Lamp of Jesus give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on Little Lamp of Jesus's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "International ministry" (4 grants).
Who are Little Lamp of Jesus's largest grantees?
Little Lamp of Jesus's largest 2025 grantees include Doctors without Borders ($29,500), Covenant House ($10,500) and Three Angels Haiti ($8,100), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 81% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Little Lamp of Jesus?
Little Lamp of Jesus reported $250K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $61K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $11K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Little Lamp of Jesus?
Little Lamp of Jesus is a private foundation focused on Human Services, based in Mount Vernon, WA. It holds $250K in total assets as of 2025.
What is Little Lamp of Jesus's EIN?
Little Lamp of Jesus's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-0731177. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Little Lamp of Jesus funds
Human Services Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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