Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Henderson, CO EIN: 81-4487318

Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, 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.

Key facts about Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation

EIN: 81-4487318
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $235,000
Grants made (2024): 7
Average grant: $33,571
Median grant: $25,000
Total assets: $4,327,342
Primary geography: Colorado (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Who Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation's 7 itemized 2024 grants were Colorado (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Lakewood, CO (3 grants) and Denver, CO (2 grants). 43% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

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.

Next steps with Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation

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Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$4.3M

-3.7% YoY

Annual Giving

$235K

-13.0% YoY

Grant Count

-22.2% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$34K

+11.9% YoY

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.

About Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation

Based on IRS filings

Focus Areas

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

Colorado $235K (100%)

Share of all 7 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

Colorado

Cities

LakewoodDenverAspenWheat RidgeAuroraDevnerThornton

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$4,327,342	$4,493,300	$4,587,728
Revenue	$130,284	$234,787	$105,627
Expenses	$296,242	$329,215	$283,161
Qualifying Distributions	$235,000	$270,000	$225,000
Net Investment Income	$95,900	$179,375	$89,739
Distributable Amount	$244,632	$227,051	$238,058

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

March 3, 2026 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 6 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

42 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Aspen Historical Society ($75,000), Caruso Family Charities ($50,000), Catholic Health Intitavies ($40,000 across 2 grants).

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

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.

From 2024 IRS filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
Sandy D Spano	Officer/Dire	—	—

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation?

Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Henderson, CO. It holds $4.3M in total assets as of 2024.

How large is Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation?

As of 2024, Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation holds $4.3M in total assets with $130K in annual revenue. It awarded 7 grants totaling $235K in 2024.

Where does Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation operate?

Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation has awarded grants in Colorado.

What size grants does Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation award?

In 2024, Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation awarded 7 grants totaling $235K — an average of about $34K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Phil and Ruth Spano Foundation reported a distributable amount of $245K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

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.