Shards of Light Foundation
Shards of Light Foundation is a private foundation, based in Chevy Chase, MD. IRS filing data is available from 2022 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $126K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $53K. Net investment income was $2K.
Shards of Light Foundation at a glance
In short: Shards of Light Foundation gave $53K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $8K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $52,783
- -38.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- +16.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $7,540
- -47.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $500
- Total assets
- $125,735
- +64.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (95% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Shards of Light Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Friends of the Impj ($50K). Together the top 7 received $53K.
Grant Size Distribution
13 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 11 grants of 13 (85%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Shards of Light Foundation gives
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $53K (2024) to $86K (2023). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $53K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Friends of the Impj Pasadena, CA | Charitable Gift | $50,000 |
| Stars That Shine Charles Town, WV | Charitable Gift | $1,000 |
| Facing History in Ourselves Boston, MA | Charitable Gift | $500 |
| Resetting the Table New York, NY | Charitable Gift | $500 |
| Sinai Assisted Housing Foundation Washington, DC | Charitable Gift | $500 |
| Yachad Silver Spring, MD | Charitable Gift | $265 |
| Reconstructing Judaism Wyncote, PA | Charitable Gift | $18 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $125,735 | $238,290 | $188,949 | $52,783 | 7 | $188,940 | $2,171 | $6,019 |
| 2023 | $76,394 | $256,666 | $226,189 | $85,750 | 6 | $226,189 | $641 | $7,158 |
| 2022 | $45,917 | $86,551 | $40,634 | — | — | $40,634 | $83 | $977 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Shards of Light Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Shards of Light Foundation is led by Peri Smilow, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 1 of 2 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Peri Smilow
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
25 hrs/week
$36K (2022) → $78K (2024)
Isabel P. Dunst
Founder
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $78K, to Peri Smilow (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Shards of Light Foundation
How much does Shards of Light Foundation give each year?
Shards of Light Foundation gave $53K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $86K across 6 grants.
What is Shards of Light Foundation's typical grant size?
Shards of Light Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $500, and its average grant was $7,540, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Shards of Light Foundation give grants?
Shards of Light Foundation gives mostly in California: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does Shards of Light Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Shards of Light Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Gift" (7 grants).
Who are Shards of Light Foundation's largest grantees?
Shards of Light Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Friends of the Impj ($50,000), Stars That Shine ($1,000) and Facing History in Ourselves ($500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 98% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Shards of Light Foundation?
Shards of Light Foundation reported $126K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $189K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Shards of Light Foundation's EIN?
Shards of Light Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-6584360. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024
Live grants for the work Shards of Light Foundation funds
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