Our Little Light Foundation
Our Little Light Foundation is a private family foundation based in Roseville, California. Founded in 2012 by the Carlsen Family of Sacramento, the foundation was established to give back to the community. The organization is dedicated to helping children and families across the country through strategic grantmaking.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$631K
+6.7% YoY
Grant Count
18
-21.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$35K
+36.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on supporting children and families. The organization funds foundations and programs aligned with this mission, though specific program focus areas are not detailed in available materials.
Grantmaking
Recent grants made by the foundation include:
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations across the United States, with demonstrated support for programs in California and beyond.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (Fiscal Year Ending June 2024)
- Total Assets: $9,063,506
- Total Revenue: $233,325
- Total Expenses: $630,515
- Investment Income and Dividends: $304,443
Staffing
The foundation operates with no employees.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
82 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Young Center Immigrant Children's R ($100,000), Yolo Crisis Nursery Inc ($100,000), The University Foundation at CSUS ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California CASA San Diego, CA | Support the expansion of outreach programs to reach a broader audience of child care providers and communities. | $50,000 |
| Powerhouse Ministry Folsom, CA | Enhance health, well-being and education of individuals as well as the Leadership College and Sunday night family services | $15,000 |
| Young Center Immigrant Children's R Chicago, IL | Guardian Scholars Program to support students who have experienced foster care | $100,000 |
| UC Regents Sacramento, CA | CIRCLE Clinic Director transition and expansion | $46,000 |
| Yolo Crisis Nursery Inc Davis, CA | Funding to support crisis overnight and respite care, wraparound services and specialized infant day care and preschool. | $100,000 |
| Alliance for Children's Rights Los Angeles, CA | Support teen self-improvement workshop series. | $5,000 |
| Inner-City Arts Los Angeles, CA | Support for school-day arts education program for K-8th grade students from underserved neighborhoods in LA | $25,000 |
| Academy STAY Sacramento, CA | Share the Warmth program | $20,000 |
| Child Advocates of Nevada County Nevada City, CA | Support the purchase of high-quality, durable furniture to serve residents | $10,000 |
| Fostering Success and Significance El Dorado Hills, CA | Used for local CASA programs to recruit and train more volunteers | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathryn W Carlsen | President | 4 | — |
| Dale R Carlsen | CFO | 1 | — |
| Beth M Carlsen | Secretary | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address 1400 Rocky Ridge Drive, Suite 280 Roseville, CA 95661
Phone 916-295-1633
Email ourlittlelight2011@gmail.com
Website www.ourlittlelightfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Our Little Light Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on supporting children and families. The organization funds foundations and programs aligned with this mission, though specific program focus areas are not detailed in available materials.
How do I apply for a grant from Our Little Light Foundation?
**Grant Activity & Amounts** Recent grants made by the foundation include: • Yolo Crisis Nursery: $100,000 (2024) for crisis overnight and respite care, wraparound services, and specialized infant day care and preschool • Upward Bound House: $50,000 (2024) for maternity group home program • Casa of Los Angeles: $50,000 (2024) for programs and services that improve the lives of system-impacted individuals The foundation made at least 16 grants in the fiscal year ending June 2024. **Application P…
Where does Our Little Light Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds organizations across the United States, with demonstrated support for programs in California and beyond.
What size grants does Our Little Light Foundation award?
In 2025, Our Little Light Foundation awarded 18 grants totaling $631K — an average of about $35K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Our Little Light Foundation's EIN?
Our Little Light Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-1544429. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Our Little Light Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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