Sargent Family Foundation
The Sargent Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2014 and based in Winnetka, Illinois. Operating as a 501(c)(3) organization, it functions as a named trust with a focus on philanthropic grantmaking. The foundation is supported by Cynthia Mead Sargent and operates with minimal staff.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$38.5M
+0.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.5M
+42.3% YoY
Grant Count
61
-3.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$25K
+47.0% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission emphasizes the value of generosity and charitable giving as a means to improve both individual well-being and community welfare. The foundation does not publicly disclose specific grant programs or detailed funding categories. However, based on recent grantmaking activity, the foundation supports organizations in the following areas:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Arts and Culture
Grantmaking
The foundation maintains a login portal for grant applicants on its website, suggesting a managed application system for preselected organizations. The foundation does not appear to accept unsolicited grant applications.
Grant Range
s and Activity:**
Average Grant
Approximately $17,000 (based on 2023 data)
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Illinois, Wisconsin, and Florida, though geographic focus is not publicly specified in detail.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $38,517,710
- Total Revenue: $2,130,000
- Total Expenses: $2,130,000
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $38,352,864
- Total Revenue: $21,168,455
- Total Expenses: $1,494,248
Revenue Sources (2023):
- Investment dividends: 70.5%
- Sales of assets: 28.5%
The foundation experienced significant growth in 2023 following a $20 million contribution, which substantially expanded its grantmaking capacity.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $38,517,710 | $38,352,864 | $18,496,592 |
| Revenue | $2,126,672 | $21,168,455 | $2,685,651 |
| Expenses | $2,133,794 | $1,494,248 | $1,495,078 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,531,768 | $1,075,000 | $1,035,200 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,740,101 | $951,257 | $847,049 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,207,187 | $1,436,080 | $1,097,645 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Loyola Academy ($350,000), League of American Orchestras ($125,000), Chicago Symphony Orchestra ($120,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACCESS LIVING CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
| ADLER PLANETARIUM CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN FUND FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS DES MOINES, IA | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $20,000 |
| ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
| BIRCH CREEK EGG HARBOR, WI | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
| BOYS HOPE GIRLS HOPE OF ILLINOIS WILMETTE, IL | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $50,000 |
| CROW SANIBEL, FL | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
| CHI ARTS CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Cynthia Mead Sargent - Trustee
- George E. Sargent - Executive Director
- Christina M. Sargent (also known as Christina S. Donohue) - Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEORGE E SARGENT | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CHRISTINA M SARGENT | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported various cultural and educational institutions, including major gifts to performing arts organizations and youth development programs. The foundation's grantmaking reflects a commitment to arts and culture, education, and human services across its primary geographic regions.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sargent Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission emphasizes the value of generosity and charitable giving as a means to improve both individual well-being and community welfare. The foundation does not publicly disclose specific grant programs or detailed funding categories. However, based on recent grantmaking activity, the foundation supports organizations in the following areas: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Arts and Culture
How do I apply for a grant from Sargent Family Foundation?
**Grant Sizes and Activity:** • Typical grant range: $5,000 to $350,000 • Average grant size: Approximately $17,000 (based on 2023 data) • Total grants distributed in 2023: $1,075,000 across 63 awards • Total grants distributed in 2024: $1,530,000 **Recent Grantees (2023):** • League of American Orchestras: $131,000 • Chicago Symphony Orchestra: $120,000 • Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois: $50,000 **Application Process:** The foundation maintains a login portal for grant applicants on its websi…
Where does Sargent Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Illinois, Wisconsin, and Florida, though geographic focus is not publicly specified in detail.
What size grants does Sargent Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Sargent Family Foundation awarded 61 grants totaling $1.5M — an average of about $25K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Sargent Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Sargent Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sargent Family 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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