The Sharp Foundation is a private, independent foundation established in 1947 and headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware. It is designated as a 501(c)(3) organization, making donations tax-deductible. The foundation operates as a grantmaking organization focused on supporting charitable causes across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.3M
+0.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$161K
-72.7% YoY
Grant Count
50
-35.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3K
-58.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sharp Foundation reported a distributable amount of $193K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Sharp Foundation's grantmaking priorities include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
Grantmaking
The foundation demonstrates consistent grantmaking capacity with expenses of $197,852 in 2024 against revenues of $201,492.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Sharp Foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on:
- Pennsylvania
- Delaware
- Maryland
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $3,291,509
- Total Revenue: $201,492
- Total Expenses: $197,852
- Net Income: $3,640
- Total Liabilities: $0
Historical Context: The foundation has demonstrated significant financial growth over recent years, with revenue increasing substantially through investment income and contributions.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,291,509 | $3,290,210 | $2,894,498 |
| Revenue | $201,492 | $1,029,089 | $855,303 |
| Expenses | $197,852 | $624,836 | $171,984 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $161,200 | $590,815 | $146,350 |
| Net Investment Income | $181,071 | $1,009,572 | $840,169 |
| Distributable Amount | $192,821 | $164,796 | $163,833 |
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
220 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Boca Grande United Methodist Church ($50,000), Historic Odessa Foundation ($12,000), Community Education Building ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN RED CROSS DELAWARE VALLEY CHAPTER WEST CHESTER, PA | ASSIST WITH FINANCIAL HELP IN THEIR NON-PROFIT NEEDS | $200 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS PHILADELPHIA, PA | ASSIST WITH FINANCIAL HELP IN THEIR NON-PROFIT NEEDS | $1,000 |
| BOCA GRANDE HEALTH CLINIC FOUNDATION INC BOCA GRANDE, FL | ASSIST WITH FINANCIAL HELP IN THEIR NON-PROFIT NEEDS | $500 |
| BOCA GRANDE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH BOCA GRANDE, FL | BOCA GRANDE DISASTER FUND | $50,000 |
| BRANDYWINE CONSERVANCY & MUSEUM OF ART CHADDS FORD, PA | ASSIST WITH FINANCIAL HELP IN THEIR NON-PROFIT NEEDS | $1,300 |
| BUDDIES FOR LIFE ORLANDO, FL | ASSIST WITH FINANCIAL HELP IN THEIR NON-PROFIT NEEDS | $500 |
| CARING HEARTS FOR CANINES SOUTHERN PINES, NC | ASSIST WITH FINANCIAL HELP IN THEIR NON-PROFIT NEEDS | $3,000 |
| CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION ANNAPOLIS, MD | ASSIST WITH FINANCIAL HELP IN THEIR NON-PROFIT NEEDS | $1,000 |
| CHRISTIANA CARE HOSPITAL SYSTEM NEWARK, DE | ASSIST WITH FINANCIAL HELP IN THEIR NON-PROFIT NEEDS | $1,000 |
| COEUR ACADEMY OLIVETTE, MO | ASSIST WITH FINANCIAL HELP IN THEIR NON-PROFIT NEEDS | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| H RODNEY SHARP III | PRESIDENT, TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| H DONNAN SHARP | VICE PRESIDENT, TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM M W SHARP | TREASURER, TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: PO Box 3779, Wilmington, DE 19807-0779
Telephone: 302-652-7729
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sharp Foundation fund?
The Sharp Foundation's grantmaking priorities include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services
How do I apply for a grant from Sharp Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $161,200 (2024) • Typical award range: $50,000–$100,000 • The foundation maintains an active grantmaking program with recent distributions in 2024 **Financial Position:** The foundation demonstrates consistent grantmaking capacity with expenses of $197,852 in 2024 against revenues of $201,492.
Where does Sharp Foundation make grants?
The Sharp Foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on: • Pennsylvania • Delaware • Maryland
What size grants does Sharp Foundation award?
In 2024, Sharp Foundation awarded 50 grants totaling $161K — an average of about $3K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Sharp Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Sharp Foundation reported a distributable amount of $193K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Sharp Foundation's EIN?
Sharp Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-6015093. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sharp 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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