Make It Happen Foundation
Make It Happen Foundation is a private independent foundation based in Sandy, Utah, designated as a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation has been tax-exempt since July 2009 and operates as a grantmaking foundation focused on youth empowerment and community support.
Key facts about Make It Happen Foundation
- EIN
- 26-2008261
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $200,300
- Grants made (2024)
- 29
- Average grant
- $6,907
- Median grant
- $1,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 41% first-time grantees (12 of 29, 2024)
- Total assets
- $8,749
- Primary geography
- Utah (19% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation operates on a "preselected only" basis, indicating that grants are awarded to pre-selected organizations rather than through an open application process. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Make It Happen Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Make It Happen Foundation's 29 itemized 2024 grants were Utah (19%) and California (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Sandy, UT (4 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants), Houston, TX (2 grants) and Salt Lake City, UT (2 grants). 14% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "School Fees for Needy Students" (4 grants) and "Medical Assistance for the Needy" (3 grants).
Is Make It Happen Foundation open to new grantees?
41%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 12 of 29 grantees (41%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $238 first-time, $2K repeat.
- 48% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 43% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Make It Happen Foundation
- How to evaluate Make It Happen Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9K
-82.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$200K
-39.4% YoY
Grant Count
29
-14.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
-29.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Make It Happen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on helping young people gain the confidence, skills, and support they need to grow, lead, and thrive.
Primary funding areas include:
- Arts and Culture
- Community Development
- Education
- Faith-Based initiatives
- Health and Well-Being
- Human Services
- Hunger and Food Insecurity
- Veterans support
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$1,000
Average Grant
amount: $9,700
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Make It Happen Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation awards grants across multiple states, with notable activity in:
- Utah (Salt Lake City, Sandy)
- California (Huntington Beach, Redwood City, Santa Monica)
- Connecticut (Westport)
- Florida (Belleview)
- Hawaii (Wailuku)
- Idaho (Rexburg)
- Illinois (Chicago)
- Washington, D.C.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 29 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $8,749
- Total Revenue: $159,000
- Total Expenses: $201,000
- Total Liabilities: $0
Historical Assets:
- 2021: $351,009
The foundation's assets have decreased significantly from 2021 to 2024, reflecting active grantmaking and distribution of funds.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,749 | $51,009 | $83,073 |
| Revenue | $159,000 | $300,000 | $250,000 |
| Expenses | $201,260 | $332,064 | $251,839 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $201,260 | $332,064 | $251,839 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $1,799 | $6,653 | $2,753 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
154 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Rheemah Hospital ($86,300), St Elizabeth Academy ($31,900), Today's the Day Foundation ($21,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| RHEEMAH HOSPITAL | SUPPLIES AND SUPPORT FOR HOSPITAL | $86,300 |
| ST ELIZABETH ACADEMY | SCHOOL FEES FOR NEEDY STUDENTS | $31,900 |
| TODAY'S THE DAY FOUNDATION Sandy, UT | GENERAL DONATION | $21,000 |
| STEVEN R GRECCO Irvine, CA | LEGAL SERVICES FOR NEEDY INDIVIDUAL | $14,239 |
| ORANGE COUCH FOUNDATION Sandy, UT | HUMANITARIAN AID | $11,000 |
| TAIFA SACCO SOCIETY | SCHOOL FEES FOR NEEDY STUDENTS | $6,680 |
| BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY-IDAHO Rexburg, ID | HOUSING/SUPPLIES FOR NEEDY STUDENTS | $6,078 |
| MOCA WESTPORT Westport, CT | MUSEUM DONATION | $5,517 |
| MIDVALE FAMILY DENTISTRY Midvale, UT | DENTAL WORK FOR A NEEDY INDIVIDUAL | $3,505 |
| NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WOMEN IN THE ARTS Washington, DC | MUSEUM DONATION | $2,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is governed by six trustees, all serving without compensation:
- Susan Steiner – President/Trustee
- Elaine E. Turley – Trustee
- Derek J. Turley – Trustee
- Kathryn T. Sonne – Trustee
- Harold E. Turley III – Trustee
- Kalei T. Wyatt – Trustee
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elaine E Turley | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Derek J Turley | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Kathryn T Sonne | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Harold E Turley III | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Kalei T Wyatt | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Susan Steiner | Trustee | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 2857 Willow Creek Drive, Sandy, UT 84093-2048
Phone: (801) 566-2600
Fiscal Year End: December
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Make It Happen Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on helping young people gain the confidence, skills, and support they need to grow, lead, and thrive. Primary funding areas include: • Arts and Culture • Community Development • Education • Faith-Based initiatives • Health and Well-Being • Human Services • Hunger and Food Insecurity • Veterans support
How do I apply for a grant from Make It Happen Foundation?
The foundation operates on a "preselected only" basis, indicating that grants are awarded to pre-selected organizations rather than through an open application process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Make It Happen Foundation make grants?
The foundation awards grants across multiple states, with notable activity in: • Utah (Salt Lake City, Sandy) • California (Huntington Beach, Redwood City, Santa Monica) • Connecticut (Westport) • Florida (Belleview) • Hawaii (Wailuku) • Idaho (Rexburg) • Illinois (Chicago) • Washington, D.C.
What size grants does Make It Happen Foundation award?
In 2024, Make It Happen Foundation awarded 29 grants totaling $200K — an average of about $7K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Make It Happen Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Make It Happen Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Make It Happen Foundation's EIN?
Make It Happen Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-2008261. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.