Sanford Underground Research
The organization is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to and supporting the charitable, educational and scientific mission and program of the South Dakota science and technology authority.
Sanford Underground Research at a glance
In short: Sanford Underground Research gave $59K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $59K), mostly in South Dakota. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $58,512
- -91.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $58,512
- -91.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $58,512
- Total assets
- $15,607,091
- +19992.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- South Dakota (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Sanford Underground Research funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was South Dakota Science & Technology ($59K).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 2 grants of 5 (40%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Sanford Underground Research gives
- Giving fell 63% from 2022 to 2025. 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $25K (2023) to $655K (2024). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $59K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Science & Technology Lead, SD | Maintain SDSTA | $58,512 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $15,607,091 | $16,587,928 | $1,158,512 | $58,512 | 1 | — |
| 2024 | $77,675 | $93,207 | $655,202 | $654,714 | 1 | $367 |
| 2023 | $639,670 | $196,225 | $25,001 | $24,816 | 1 | $123 |
| 2022 | $468,446 | $243,566 | $159,984 | $158,095 | 1 | — |
| 2021 | $384,864 | $390,825 | $80,962 | $80,015 | 1 | — |
| 2020 | — | $97,842 | $22,841 | — | — | — |
About Sanford Underground Research
Based on IRS filings
Sanford Underground Research is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Lead, SD. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $15.6M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $59K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Sanford Underground Research is led by Beth Massa, Chair since 2024 (on filings since 2022); none of the 13 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Beth Massa
Chair
Treasurer & Secretary → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fred Romkema
Director
Director → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Szczerbinska
Director
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Justin Varland
Director
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linn Evans
Director
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Wilson
Director
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie Olson
Director
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Casey Peterson
Ex-Officio D
Director → Ex-Officio D, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Fall
Treasurer & Secretary
Director → Treasurer & Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Kane
Founder
Foundation D → Founder, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Annie Averitt
Founder
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Headley
Executive Di
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Terry Miller
CFO
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Adam Gollofon (2022–2024) — Vice Chair
- Former: Aurelia Giacometto (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Sandra Stash (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Priscilla Romkema (2023) — Foundation D
- Former: Dana Dykhouse (2020–2022) — Chair
- Former: Staci Miller (2020–2022) — Executive Di
- Former: Kay Jorgensen (2020–2021) — Treasurer & Secretary
- Former: Paul Christen (2020–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Ron Wheeler (2020) — Chair
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 Sanford Underground Research
How much does Sanford Underground Research give each year?
Sanford Underground Research gave $59K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $655K across 1 grant.
How large is Sanford Underground Research?
Sanford Underground Research reported $15.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $16.6M.
What is Sanford Underground Research?
Sanford Underground Research is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Lead, SD. It holds $15.6M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Sanford Underground Research operate?
Sanford Underground Research has awarded grants in South Dakota.
What is Sanford Underground Research's EIN?
Sanford Underground Research's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-2556473. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 22, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 1, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 31, 2026)
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