Saccomanno Higher Education Foundation
The Saccomanno Higher Education Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation established in 1991 and based in Grand Junction, Colorado. The foundation was created by Geno Saccomanno, a medical researcher at St. Mary's Medical Center who became a leading figure in lung cancer research, and his wife Virginia "Ginny" Saccomanno. The foundation operates as a family foundation dedicated to supporting higher education through need-based scholarships.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$14.6M
+2.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$888K
-8.3% YoY
Grant Count
52
+13.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
-18.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Saccomanno Higher Education Foundation reported a distributable amount of $965K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Saccomanno Higher Education Foundation was created to promote the educational pursuits of students in need of financial aid, enabling them to improve their lives, the lives of their families, and those of their community.
The foundation's primary focus is:
- Need-based scholarships for higher education
- Support for accredited institutions including colleges, universities, and vocational schools
- Educational access regardless of applicant age or academic achievement
Grantmaking
Review Cycle
- Students must reapply each year as financial situations may change
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily serves:
- Mesa County, Colorado
- Carbon County, Utah
These are the required residency areas for scholarship eligibility.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending June 2025:
- Total Assets: $14.6 million
- Total Revenue: $1.39 million
- Total Expenses: $1 million
- Net Income: $390,584
- Total Liabilities: $0
Revenue Composition (FY 2024):
- Investment income and dividends: $489,063
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $204,188
- Total grants and contributions: $13,600
Historical Context: The foundation has awarded nearly $20 million in scholarships since its establishment in 1992, celebrating this milestone at its 30-year anniversary.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $14,555,857 | $14,175,273 | $14,561,625 |
| Revenue | $1,391,428 | $706,851 | $540,403 |
| Expenses | $1,000,844 | $1,093,203 | $954,872 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $926,171 | $1,028,808 | $883,565 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,316,755 | $628,856 | $472,770 |
| Distributable Amount | $964,857 | $891,916 | $851,485 |
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
235 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Colorado Mesa University ($377,808), Utah State University ($62,183), University of Colorado Boulder ($35,750).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADAMS STATE UNIVERSITY ALAMOSA, CO | EDUCATION | $12,000 |
| AURORA UNIVERSITY AURORA, IL | EDUCATION | $13,000 |
| BAYLOR UNIVERSITY WACO, TX | EDUCATION | $5,000 |
| BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY PROVO, UT | EDUCATION | $9,000 |
| BROWN UNIVERSITY PROVIDENCE, RI | EDUCATION | $5,000 |
| CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSTIY RIVERSIDE, CA | EDUCATION | $6,000 |
| CANISIUS UNIVERSITY BUFFALO, NY | EDUCATION | $3,000 |
| COLORADO CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY LAKEWOOD, CO | EDUCATION | $23,000 |
| COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY GRAND JUNCTION, CO | EDUCATION | $377,808 |
| COLORADO NORTHWESTERN RANGELY, CO | EDUCATION | $7,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key Figure:
- Terrance Farina is mentioned in connection with the foundation's operations and milestone celebrations
The foundation's leadership team consists of a president, vice president, secretary-treasurer, and several directors, all of whom serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LENNA WATSON | PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| TERRANCE FARINA | VICE PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| GENA COOPER | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 5 | — |
| LINDA SIEDOW | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| BRYAN JOHNSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| NICOLE DARROW | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JAY SEATON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| KAREN BLAND | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JOHN MARSHALL | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DOUG MILLER PHD | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| BRIAN HILL | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2025:** The foundation awarded over $1 million in scholarships, marking its biggest year to date
Saccomanno Foundation awards over $1 million in scholarships in biggest year**2024:** The foundation made 69 grants totaling approximately $968,000
**2022:** The foundation celebrated its 30-year anniversary by awarding $1 million in scholarships
Saccomanno Foundation awards over $1 million in scholarships in biggest yearRecent grantees have included Utah State University ($50,250), University of Utah ($48,750), and Utah Tech University ($16,500), among others.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Saccomanno Higher Education Foundation fund?
The Saccomanno Higher Education Foundation was created to promote the educational pursuits of students in need of financial aid, enabling them to improve their lives, the lives of their families, and those of their community. The foundation's primary focus is: • **Need-based scholarships** for higher education • **Support for accredited institutions** including colleges, universities, and vocational schools • **Educational access** regardless of applicant age or academic achievement
How do I apply for a grant from Saccomanno Higher Education Foundation?
**Award Structure:** • Award amounts vary up to the costs of tuition, reasonable allowances for books and fees, and room and board expenses • The foundation awarded over $1 million in scholarships in its most recent fiscal year (2025), marking its biggest year to date • In fiscal year 2024, the foundation made 69 grants with a total of approximately $968,000 awarded **Application Process:** • Applications are accepted October 1 through April 30 annually • Applicants must create a login and comp…
Where does Saccomanno Higher Education Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily serves: • **Mesa County, Colorado** • **Carbon County, Utah** These are the required residency areas for scholarship eligibility.
What size grants does Saccomanno Higher Education Foundation award?
In 2025, Saccomanno Higher Education Foundation awarded 52 grants totaling $888K — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Saccomanno Higher Education Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Saccomanno Higher Education Foundation reported a distributable amount of $965K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Saccomanno Higher Education Foundation's EIN?
Saccomanno Higher Education Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1164982. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
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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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