Sands Family Foundation
Sands Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Dedham, Massachusetts. In its 2025 filing, it reported making 35 grants totaling $32,142 to charitable organizations.
Sands Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Sands Family Foundation gave $32K across 35 grants in 2025 (avg $918.343), top state Massachusetts. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $32,142
- +130.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 35
- +337.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $918
- -47.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $100
- Total assets
- $1,011,063
- +4.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (49% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Sands Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 5301 Great Meadow Road, Dedham, MA 02026
Phone: (617) 965-2000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Sands Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was MHHS Foundation ($10K). Together the top 10 received $29K.
Grant Size Distribution
79 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 79 grants of 79 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, Massachusetts recipients received 49% of grant dollars and Washington recipients received 31%. Maryland received 8%, Pennsylvania 3%, and Tennessee 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 35 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Sands Family Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+0%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 46% 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $14K (2024) to $51K (2021). In 2025 it made 35 grants totaling $32K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MHHS Foundation Kent, WA | Unrestricted Gift | $10,000 |
| The Julie Fund Newton Lower Falls, MA | Unrestricted Gift | $5,300 |
| West End House Allston, MA | Unrestricted Gift | $5,080 |
| Temple Beth Shalom Needham Heights, MA | Unrestricted Gift | $2,652 |
| Sinai Hospital Baltimore, MD | Unrestricted Gift | $2,500 |
| Jefferson Foundation Philadelphia, PA | Unrestricted Gift | $1,000 |
| St Jude Hospital Memphis, TN | Unrestricted Gift | $800 |
| Home for Little Wanderers Boston, MA | Unrestricted Gift | $700 |
| Make-a-Wish Foundation Dedham, MA | Unrestricted Gift | $600 |
| Autism Speaks Princeton, NJ | Unrestricted Gift | $350 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,011,063 | $83,703 | $43,106 | $32,142 | 35 | $32,142 | $73,977 | $70,603 |
| 2024 | $970,549 | $54,024 | $23,891 | $13,947 | 8 | $13,947 | $44,515 | $64,696 |
| 2023 | $940,416 | $29,412 | $57,397 | $47,585 | 9 | $47,585 | $21,587 | $56,736 |
| 2022 | $968,401 | $35,116 | $41,041 | $32,055 | 11 | $32,055 | $26,319 | $56,940 |
| 2021 | $968,396 | $34,804 | $59,335 | $51,217 | 16 | $51,217 | $28,378 | $66,374 |
| 2020 | $992,927 | $50,925 | $43,530 | $37,627 | 29 | — | $45,500 | $55,441 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sands Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $71K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations with varied missions. For example, The Julie Fund says it works against women’s cancers through education and advocacy, research, and patient support; West End House says it helps young people realize their potential through youth development and college and career success; and Safe Passage says it supports survivors of domestic violence and relationship abuse and advocates for systemic change. The foundation also gave to food-assistance organizations, including the Greater Boston Food Bank, which describes distributing food through member agencies and direct distribution sites.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave $32,142 through 35 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $10,000, with a median of $100. Its largest grants included $10,000 to MHHS Foundation, $5,300 to The Julie Fund, $5,080 to West End House, $2,652 to Temple Beth Shalom, and $2,500 to Sinai Hospital. Each was listed as an unrestricted gift.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Gerald Sands, Lucille Sands, Steven J Sands, David Sands, and Donna Ramsdell as trustees.
Sands Family Foundation's 2025 filing lists 5 officers; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
David Sands
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donna Ramsdell
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gerald Sands
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lucille Sands
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven J. Sands
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Sands Family Foundation
How much does Sands Family Foundation give each year?
Sands Family Foundation gave $32K across 35 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $14K across 8 grants.
What is Sands Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Sands Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $100, and its average grant was $918, across 35 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Sands Family Foundation give grants?
Sands Family Foundation's top state is Massachusetts, with 49% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Washington (31%) and Maryland (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Dedham, MA (4 grants), Boston, MA (3 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants) and Tampa, FL (2 grants).
Does Sands Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Sands Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (35 of 35) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Sands Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Sands Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include MHHS Foundation ($10,000), The Julie Fund ($5,300) and West End House ($5,080), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Sands Family Foundation?
Sands Family Foundation reported $1.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $32K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $71K (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 does Sands Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Sands Family Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Sands Family Foundation's EIN?
Sands Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1034607. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Sands Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 28, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Sands Family Foundation funds
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