Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation
Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation is a private foundation, based in Henderson, CO. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $4.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $235K. Net investment income was $96K.
Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation at a glance
In short: Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation gave $235K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $34K), mostly in Colorado. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $235,000
- -13.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- -22.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $33,571
- +11.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $4,327,342
- -3.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Colorado (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Aspen Historical Society ($75K). Together the top 6 received $235K.
Grant Size Distribution
42 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 33 grants of 42 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−15%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 96% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $200K (2020) to $275K (2021). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $235K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Aspen Historical Society Aspen, CO | Zupancis & Holden-Marolt | $75,000 |
| Caruso Family Charities Lakewood, CO | General Operating Support | $50,000 |
| Denver Rescue Mission Denver, CO | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Emmaus Catholic Hospice Denver, CO | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Catholic Health Intitavies Lakewood, CO | Flight for Life Program | $20,000 |
| Catholic Health Intitavies Lakewood, CO | Scholarship Program | $20,000 |
| Lutheran Medical Center Foundation Wheat Ridge, CO | Collier Hospice | $20,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,327,342 | $130,284 | $296,242 | $235,000 | 7 | $235,000 | $95,900 | $244,632 |
| 2023 | $4,493,300 | $234,787 | $329,215 | $270,000 | 9 | $270,000 | $179,375 | $227,051 |
| 2022 | $4,587,728 | $105,627 | $283,161 | $225,000 | 8 | $225,000 | $89,739 | $238,058 |
| 2021 | $4,776,137 | $491,594 | $336,192 | $275,000 | 10 | $275,000 | $433,831 | $267,664 |
| 2020 | $4,622,274 | $1,132,405 | $251,892 | $200,000 | 8 | — | $84,981 | $208,858 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation reported a distributable amount of $245K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation is led by Sandy D. Spano, Officer & Director on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sandy D. Spano
Officer & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation
How much does Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation give each year?
Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation gave $235K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $270K across 9 grants.
What is Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation's typical grant size?
Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $33,571, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation give grants?
Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lakewood, CO (3 grants) and Denver, CO (2 grants).
Does Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 43% of Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation's largest grantees?
Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Aspen Historical Society ($75,000), Caruso Family Charities ($50,000) and Catholic Health Intitavies ($40,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 70% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation?
Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation reported $4.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $235K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $245K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation's EIN?
Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-4487318. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation funds
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