Project Purple Inc
The mission of Project Purple is to raise awareness and funds toward a cure of pancreatic cancer. In addition, Project Purple motivates people to run in world renowned marathons and half marathons to raise mission critical funds.
Project Purple Inc at a glance
In short: Project Purple Inc gave $1.0M across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $259K), top state Connecticut. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,035,024
- +130.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $258,756
- +130.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $237,500
- Total assets
- $2,234,680
- +14.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (47% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Project Purple Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Hartford Hospital ($485K). Together the top 4 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
13 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 7 grants of 13 (54%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How Project Purple Inc gives
- Giving grew 578% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 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 $125K (2020) to $1.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford Hospital Hartford, CT | Cancer Research | $485,024 |
| Duke University Durhan, NC | Cancer Research | $350,000 |
| Arbor Research Collaborative Ann Arbor, MI | Cancer Research | $125,000 |
| University of Illinois - Chicago Chicago, IL | Cancer Research | $75,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,234,680 | $2,996,848 | $3,149,439 | $1,035,024 | 4 | $43,728 |
| 2023 | $1,944,886 | $2,556,444 | $2,108,354 | $450,000 | 4 | $27,440 |
| 2022 | $1,495,812 | $1,765,053 | $1,420,478 | $200,000 | 2 | $5,874 |
| 2021 | $1,123,712 | $1,393,702 | $1,061,200 | $152,573 | 2 | $1,815 |
| 2020 | $739,904 | $933,835 | $788,298 | $125,000 | 1 | — |
About Project Purple Inc
Based on IRS filings
Project Purple Inc is a public charity focused on Medical Research, based in Seymour, CT. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.2M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $1.0M. Net investment income was $44K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Project Purple Inc is led by Bryan Lively, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bryan Lively
President
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bret Schipper
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tony Luongo
Director
Vice President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jay Buth
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Beckage
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sandino Verrelli
Founder
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$148K (2020) → $212K (2024)
Alex Palios
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen Balducci
Secretary
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brent Sheehan
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Brian Zellner - Outgoing (2023) — Director
- Former: Brian Zellner (2020–2022) — Vice President
- Former: Andrew Polio - Outgoing (2022) — Director
- Former: Andrew Polio (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Sara Polio - Outgoing (2021) — Secretary
- Former: Shawn Veronese - Outgoing (2021) — Director
- Former: Sara Polio (2020) — Secretary
- Former: Shawn Veronese (2020) — Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $212K, to Sandino Verrelli (Founder and).
Frequently asked questions about Project Purple Inc
How much does Project Purple Inc give each year?
Project Purple Inc gave $1.0M across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $450K across 4 grants.
What is Project Purple Inc's typical grant size?
Project Purple Inc's median grant in 2024 was $237,500, and its average grant was $258,756, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Project Purple Inc give grants?
Project Purple Inc's top state is Connecticut, with 47% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were North Carolina (34%) and Michigan (12%).
Does Project Purple Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on Project Purple Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Cancer Research" (4 grants).
How large is Project Purple Inc?
Project Purple Inc reported $2.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.0M.
What is Project Purple Inc?
Project Purple Inc is a public charity focused on Medical Research, based in Seymour, CT. It holds $2.2M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Project Purple Inc's EIN?
Project Purple Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-3492063. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 30, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 26, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 26, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Project Purple Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?