Shining Light Charitable Trust
Shining Light Charitable Trust is a private foundation based in El Cajon, California. Its 2024 filing lists 36 grants totaling $275,900, with the grants shown primarily supporting religious education and outreach.
Shining Light Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: Shining Light Charitable Trust gave $276K across 36 grants in 2024 (avg $8K), top state California. 8% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $275,900
- -7.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 36
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $7,664
- -7.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $6,000
- Total assets
- $5,331,180
- -2.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (3 of 36, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (35% 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 Shining Light Charitable Trust
- 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: 11149 Shining Light Way, El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-0130
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Shining Light Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Febc Russian Jewish Program ($19K). Together the top 10 received $136K.
Grant Size Distribution
199 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 198 grants of 199 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The trust’s 2024 grants went to organizations in multiple states. California received 35% of grant dollars, Tennessee and Florida 9% each, and Pennsylvania and Georgia 7% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Shining Light Charitable Trust open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 36 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $7K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $6K repeat.
- 92% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−5%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 97% 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 $149K (2020) to $298K (2022). In 2024 it made 36 grants totaling $276K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Febc Russian Jewish Program La Mirada, CA | Religious Education and Outreach | $19,200 |
| New Tribes Missions Sanford, FL | Religious Education and Outreach | $18,000 |
| Operation Mobilazation Tyrone, GA | Religious Education and Outreach | $18,000 |
| Mission Valley Community San Diego, CA | Religious Education and Outreach | $13,000 |
| Cord Ministries Int Littleton, CO | Religious Education and Outreach | $12,700 |
| Baptist Mid-Mission Cleveland, OH | Religious Education and Outreach | $12,000 |
| Israel Restoration Ministry Santee, CA | Religious Education and Outreach | $12,000 |
| Lighthouse Baptist Church Lemon Grove, CA | Religious Education and Outreach | $12,000 |
| Oaks International Wheaton, IL | Religious Education and Outreach | $10,000 |
| Tecate Mission International Tecate, CA | Religious Education and Outreach | $9,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Shining Light Charitable Trust?
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 | $5,331,180 | $177,343 | $299,258 | $275,900 | 36 | $277,289 | $49,574 | $285,014 |
| 2023 | $5,453,095 | $45,604 | $321,051 | $297,000 | 36 | $297,338 | $21,891 | $270,562 |
| 2022 | $5,728,542 | $-4,328 | $324,951 | $297,946 | 32 | $299,207 | $751 | $298,210 |
| 2021 | $6,057,821 | $18,922 | $322,943 | $291,554 | 34 | $292,823 | — | $314,032 |
| 2020 | $6,361,842 | $19,577 | $153,918 | $148,724 | 61 | — | $16,319 | $320,739 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Shining Light Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $285K 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 trust’s mission is not stated in the available information. Its 2024 grants include support for religious education and outreach. Among its grantees, Tentmakers Bible Mission says its mission is to plant and develop churches throughout the world; Global Training Network says it equips and trains indigenous church planters, pastors, and Christian leaders; and White Fields says it supports pastors planting local churches among their own people in other parts of the world.
Other grantees describe work in related areas: Perception Funding says it helps ministry partners engage donors and with fundraising, while Project Mercy describes work to address physical and spiritual poverty and strengthen communities in Ethiopia and beyond.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the trust made 36 grants totaling $275,900. Grant amounts ranged from $2,000 to $19,200, with a median of $6,000.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $19,200 to FEBC Russian Jewish Program for religious education and outreach; $18,000 each to New Tribes Missions and Operation Mobilization for that purpose; and $13,000 to Mission Valley Community. Other grants included $12,700 to Cord Ministries International and $12,000 each to Baptist Mid-Mission, Israel Restoration Ministry, and Lighthouse Baptist Church.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Thomas Cantor as trustee.
Shining Light Charitable Trust is led by Thomas Cantor, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Thomas Cantor
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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 Shining Light Charitable Trust
How much does Shining Light Charitable Trust give each year?
Shining Light Charitable Trust gave $276K across 36 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $297K across 36 grants.
What is Shining Light Charitable Trust's typical grant size?
Shining Light Charitable Trust's median grant in 2024 was $6,000, and its average grant was $7,664, across 36 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Shining Light Charitable Trust that year got $11K on average.
Where does Shining Light Charitable Trust give grants?
Shining Light Charitable Trust's top state is California, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Tennessee (9%) and Florida (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Lemon Grove, CA (2 grants) and Fort Wayne, IN (2 grants).
Does Shining Light Charitable Trust give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 36 grants with a stated purpose on Shining Light Charitable Trust's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Religious Education and Outreach" (36 grants).
Who are Shining Light Charitable Trust's largest grantees?
Shining Light Charitable Trust's largest 2024 grantees include Febc Russian Jewish Program ($19,200), New Tribes Missions ($18,000) and Operation Mobilazation ($18,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Shining Light Charitable Trust?
Shining Light Charitable Trust reported $5.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $277K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $285K (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 Shining Light Charitable Trust fund?
The trust’s mission is not stated in the available information. Its 2024 grants include support for religious education and outreach. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Shining Light Charitable Trust?
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 Shining Light Charitable Trust's EIN?
Shining Light Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-6374611. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Shining Light Charitable Trust 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 Shining Light Charitable Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in California
Dallas Seminary Foundation
Dallas, TX
Dallas Seminary Foundation primarily supports Dallas Theological Seminary, scholarships, theological education, ministry training, and related Christian ministries; in 2025, its grants ranged from $5,300 to $6.126 million, with a median of $17,100. Most 2025 grant dollars went to Texas, with additional funding in several other states. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$122.2M
Grants
125
Total Given
$14.8M
Triangle Community Foundation Inc
Durham, NC
The foundation supports nonprofits in cultural arts, education and youth, nonprofit capacity building, and sustainable communities, with grants also benefiting fields such as health, conservation, and human services. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000 and ranged from about $5,000 to $1.39 million; it primarily serves Durham, Orange, Wake, and Chatham Counties in North Carolina. It accepts applications for competitive discretionary programs during open grant cycles; donor-advised fund grants are also made.
Assets
$335.8M
Grants
599
Total Given
$26.7M
Smeenk Family Foundation Inc
Fairport, NY
Assets
$1.8M
Grants
38
Total Given
$82K
Christian Community Foundation Inc
Colorado Springs, CO
WaterStone supports domestic and international nonprofits, including Christian ministries and charitable and educational organizations, through donor-directed grants; eligible organizations must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3)s whose mission aligns with its Statement of Faith. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, with awards ranging from $5,028 to $11 million, and were concentrated in Texas and Colorado. Grant recommendations come from donor-advised fund holders; the profile does not state that it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$746.4M
Grants
1,651
Total Given
$161.8M
Christian Community Foundation of Memphis
Memphis, TN
The foundation supports a broad range of U.S. charities through donor-advised funds, with a particular focus on Christian ministries and community transformation in Memphis; its Hope for Memphis Fund serves eligible Gospel-centered nonprofits in the Memphis metro area. Its 2025 grants had a median of $22,050, and it accepts applications for the Hope for Memphis Fund during its stated application cycle.
Assets
$229.0M
Grants
636
Total Given
$109.7M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Shining Light Charitable Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/shining-light-charitable-trust-morg_4b43952873124deab5806dbf897a65d9
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_276374611_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Shining Light Charitable Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/shining-light-charitable-trust-morg_4b43952873124deab5806dbf897a65d9},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Shining Light Charitable Trust'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.
Shining Light Charitable Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?