Sargent Family Foundation
The Sargent Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Winnetka, Illinois. Its 2024 grants supported charitable organizations including schools, arts and cultural organizations, a wildlife society, and a children’s hospital.
Sargent Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Sargent Family Foundation gave $1.5M across 61 grants in 2024 (avg $25K), mostly in Illinois. 2% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,530,000
- +42.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 61
- -3.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $25,082
- +47.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $38,517,710
- +0.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 2% first-time grantees (1 of 61, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (76% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Sargent 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: P O Box 620, Winnetka, IL 60093
Phone: (847) 234-5000
Website: https://sargentfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Sargent Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Loyola Academy ($350K). Together the top 10 received $900K.
Grant Size Distribution
313 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 296 grants of 313 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 76% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois. Other recipient-state shares were New York, 8%; Florida, 7%; Wisconsin, 5%; and Iowa, 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 61 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Sargent Family Foundation open to new grantees?
2%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 61 grantees (2%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $25K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 98% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 80% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 69% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $725K (2020) to $1.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 61 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Loyola Academy Wilmette, IL | General Operations | $350,000 |
| League of American Orchestras New York, NY | General Operations | $125,000 |
| Chicago Symphony Orchestra Chicago, IL | General Operations | $120,000 |
| Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois Wilmette, IL | General Operations | $50,000 |
| Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Chicago, IL | General Operations | $50,000 |
| Ding' Darling Wildlife Society Sanibel, FL | General Operations | $50,000 |
| Lurie Children's Hospital Chicago, IL | General Operations | $45,000 |
| Merit School of Music Chicago, IL | General Operations | $40,000 |
| Peninsula School of Art Fish Creek, WI | General Operations | $40,000 |
| Chicago Maritime Society Chicago, IL | General Operations | $30,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Sargent Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $38,517,710 | $2,126,672 | $2,133,794 | $1,530,000 | 61 | $1,531,768 | $1,740,101 | $2,207,187 |
| 2023 | $38,352,864 | $21,168,455 | $1,494,248 | $1,075,000 | 63 | $1,075,000 | $951,257 | $1,436,080 |
| 2022 | $18,496,592 | $2,685,651 | $1,495,078 | $1,035,200 | 64 | $1,035,200 | $847,049 | $1,097,645 |
| 2021 | $16,102,374 | $3,501,520 | $1,236,219 | $848,000 | 65 | $848,000 | $989,078 | $1,059,902 |
| 2020 | $13,837,073 | $2,621,970 | $1,042,849 | $724,500 | 60 | — | $1,515,252 | $805,538 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sargent Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says its mission is to serve others in communities and to work with schools, churches, and civic organizations to help create better communities. Its 2024 grant recipients illustrate a range of supported work. For example, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association says its mission is to enrich, inspire, and transform lives through music, community engagement, and education. Merit School of Music says it helps young people access high-quality music education, while the Peninsula School of Art says it provides educational experiences in the visual arts for people of all ages and abilities.
Other 2024 recipients include organizations working in conservation and education, such as the Ding Darling Wildlife Society; early childhood education, such as Erikson Institute; and food assistance, such as the Greater Chicago Food Depository, which says its mission is to end hunger.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 61 grants totaling $1,530,000. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $350,000, with a median grant of $10,000. The largest grants included $350,000 to Loyola Academy, $125,000 to the League of American Orchestras, and $120,000 to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Each was listed for general operations. Other notable awards included $50,000 each to Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, and Ding Darling Wildlife Society, also for general operations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists George E. Sargent and Christina M. Sargent as directors.
Sargent Family Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
George E. Sargent
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christina M. Sargent
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Christina S. Donohue (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Cynthia M. Sargent (2020–2022) — 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.
Frequently asked questions about Sargent Family Foundation
How much does Sargent Family Foundation give each year?
Sargent Family Foundation gave $1.5M across 61 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 63 grants.
What is Sargent Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Sargent Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $25,082, across 61 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Sargent Family Foundation that year got $5K on average.
Where does Sargent Family Foundation give grants?
Sargent Family Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 76% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (8%) and Florida (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (34 grants), Sanibel, FL (4 grants), Wilmette, IL (3 grants) and Fish Creek, WI (3 grants).
Does Sargent Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Sargent Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (61 of 61) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Sargent Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Sargent Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Loyola Academy ($350,000), League of American Orchestras ($125,000) and Chicago Symphony Orchestra ($120,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Sargent Family Foundation?
Sargent Family Foundation reported $38.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.2M (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 Sargent Family Foundation fund?
The foundation says its mission is to serve others in communities and to work with schools, churches, and civic organizations to help create better communities. Its 2024 grant recipients illustrate a range of supported work. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Sargent 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 Sargent Family Foundation's EIN?
Sargent Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-7011349. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Sargent 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sargent Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
John H Hart Foundation
Chicago, IL
The John H Hart Foundation’s grants have supported arts and culture, education, food assistance, and health-related organizations, primarily in Illinois, with some funding in New Mexico and New York. In 2025, it awarded 41 grants ranging from $150 to $200,000, with a median grant of $10,000. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$8.8M
Grants
41
Total Given
$1.5M
The Siragusa Family Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Siragusa Family Foundation primarily supports youth development in Chicago, especially arts learning, academic enrichment, and wellness programs serving disinvested neighborhoods; its broader grantmaking includes arts, education, and health. In 2024, grants ranged from $370 to $22,500, with a median of $10,000. It does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$19.1M
Grants
105
Total Given
$1.1M
Alfredo and Ada Capitanini Foundati
Chicago, IL
The foundation supports charitable, educational, scientific, and religious organizations, including arts, schools, social services, preservation, and research; most of its giving goes to Illinois. In 2025, grants ranged from $250 to $25,000, with a median of $1,750. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.5M
Grants
44
Total Given
$124K
Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation
Chicago, IL
The foundation supports biomedical research, education, student access, the arts, health care, and other charitable work, with major giving to Northwestern University and many grants benefiting Illinois organizations. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,000 to $5.54 million, with a median of $25,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$108.8M
Grants
89
Total Given
$12.9M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Sargent Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/sargent-family-foundation-morg_81864c9efb5f481dbaec3eefcb1cb10b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_357011349_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Sargent Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/sargent-family-foundation-morg_81864c9efb5f481dbaec3eefcb1cb10b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Sargent Family Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Sargent Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?