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.
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
The foundation operates on a "preselected only" basis, indicating that grants are awarded to pre-selected organizations rather than through an open application process.
Grant Range
$1,000
Average Grant
amount: $9,700
How to Apply
**
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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
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 |
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 include Rheemah Hospital ($86,300), St Elizabeth Academy ($31,900), Today's the Day Foundation ($21,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ANDES EDUCATION FUND SANDY, UT | HUMANITARIAN AID IN PERU | $1,000 |
| NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WOMEN IN THE ARTS WASHINGTON, DC | MUSEUM DONATION | $2,000 |
| BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY-IDAHO REXBURG, ID | HOUSING/SUPPLIES FOR NEEDY STUDENTS | $6,078 |
| CAMBODIAN CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION SANTA MONICA, CA | EDUCATIONAL SUPPLIES | $1,800 |
| RADIOLOGY PARTNERS HOUSTON, TX | MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE NEEDY | $125 |
| CWS GLOBAL ELKHART, IN | HUMANITARIAN DONATION | $1,619 |
| DAYSTAR UNIVERSITY | SCHOOL FEES FOR NEEDY STUDENTS | $770 |
| MEMORIAL HERMANN HOUSTON, TX | MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE NEEDY | $614 |
| ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE RESEARCH CLARKSBURG, MD | RESEARCH DONATION | $100 |
| KCA UNIVERSITY | SCHOOL FEES FOR NEEDY STUDENTS | $275 |
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
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 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?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 34 grants totaling $330,729 in 2023 • Made 29 grants in 2024 • Median grant size: $1,000 • Grant range: $100 to $86,000 • Average grant amount: $9,700 **Application Process:** The foundation operates on a "preselected only" basis, indicating that grants are awarded to pre-selected organizations rather than through an open application process. **Staffing:** The foundation has limited staffing, relying primarily on board members and trustees who work on a volunteer basi…
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.
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