Saga Foundation is a private foundation based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, established in 1993. The organization operates as a grantmaking foundation with a focus on strategic philanthropy and collaborative approaches to social impact.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.6M
-9.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.9M
+6.2% YoY
Grant Count
38
+2.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$51K
+3.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Saga Foundation reported a distributable amount of $953K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Saga Foundation was founded in the shadow of 9/11 as a vehicle for founder Bill Laughlin to expand his life-long mission of giving. The foundation's early work was dedicated to creating models for awareness and action to increase nuclear safety and security.
In 2018, the foundation expanded its mission to include three additional focus areas:
- Leadership
- The Underserved
- Global Peace
The foundation's primary funding areas include Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services.
Grantmaking
Since 2018, the foundation has employed a collaborative grantmaking strategy with grantees and peer foundations through an initiative called "Convene, Collaborate, Create." This approach has resulted in the implementation of over 30 initiatives.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily in California, New York, and Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $13,928,245
- Total revenues: $635,681
- Total expenses: $2,275,015
- Number of employees: 0
Funding Source: The foundation is supported by the WPL Foundation, which provided $2,178,615 in operating support (2021 tax period).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,585,303 | $13,928,245 | $15,806,078 |
| Revenue | $1,093,645 | $635,681 | $413,328 |
| Expenses | $2,209,755 | $2,275,015 | $2,746,875 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,357,832 | $2,242,935 | $2,668,419 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,054,417 | $594,908 | $368,832 |
| Distributable Amount | $953,244 | $795,933 | $894,475 |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
176 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Jobtrain Inc ($310,000), Henry L Stimson Center ($250,000), Pga Tour First Tee Foundation Inc ($125,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CHILDHELP INC PHOENIX, AZ | OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| ABOUT-FACE SAN FRANCISCO, CA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF ST HELENA & CALISTOGA ST HELENA, CA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $35,000 |
| JOBTRAIN INC MENLO PARK, CA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $310,000 |
| THE FIRST TEE OF COACHELLA VALLEY INDIO, CA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| WARRIOR CANINE CONNECTION INC BOYDS, MD | OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| HILLER AVIATION MUSEUM SAN CARLOS, CA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION CHICAGO, IL | OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| REDWOOD CITY POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE REDWOOD CITY, CA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $102,000 |
| HENRY L STIMSON CENTER WASHINGTON, DC | OPERATING SUPPORT | $250,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
David J. Bartoshuk — President and Trustee (since 2006) Director and President with over 40 years of business and philanthropic experience. Originally from Michigan, he is an entrepreneur and real estate broker who has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1978. He has served on several nonprofit boards and is the founder of Summit Asset Management Corporation.
Sherie Berger — Vice-President and Grantor Committee Member
James C Melvin — Vice President
The foundation also previously included Julie Johnson as a Director and Vice President since 2006, who worked closely with the founder for over 40 years before her passing.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID J BARTOSHUK | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 40 | $179,181 |
| JAMES C MELVIN | VICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRADLEY E WELLER | TREASURER/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LOYAL A ELDRIDGE III | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| SHERIE BERGER | DIRECTOR | 1 | $31,199 |
Contact
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Saga Foundation fund?
Saga Foundation was founded in the shadow of 9/11 as a vehicle for founder Bill Laughlin to expand his life-long mission of giving. The foundation's early work was dedicated to creating models for awareness and action to increase nuclear safety and security. In 2018, the foundation expanded its mission to include three additional focus areas: • Leadership • The Underserved • Global Peace The foundation's primary funding areas include Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human…
How do I apply for a grant from Saga Foundation?
**Grant Activity & Amounts:** • Made 28 grants in 2023 • Total giving in 2023: $1,834,000 • Typical award range: $200,000–$355,000 **Recent Grants (2023):** • PGA Tour First Tee Foundation: $310,000 (Operating Support) • Stimson Center: $225,000 (Operating Support) • JobTrain: $110,000 (Operating Support) **Collaborative Approach:** Since 2018, the foundation has employed a collaborative grantmaking strategy with grantees and peer foundations through an initiative called "Convene, Collaborate, …
Where does Saga Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily in California, New York, and Michigan.
What size grants does Saga Foundation award?
In 2024, Saga Foundation awarded 38 grants totaling $1.9M — an average of about $51K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Saga Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Saga Foundation reported a distributable amount of $953K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Saga Foundation's EIN?
Saga Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3097160. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Saga 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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