Sign Research Foundation logo

Sign Research Foundation

Grantmaker Alexandria, VA EIN: 54-2091972 Website

To educate the public about the social, economic and aesthetic value of signage to communities and businesses the foundation focuses on bringing education to sign users and to those who interact with sign users, including advertising agencies, lenders, appraisers, attorneys, regulators, businesses, franchisers, and designers.

Key facts about Sign Research Foundation

In short: Sign Research Foundation gave $13K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $13K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.

EIN
54-2091972
Latest 990 filing
Form 990 filing, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$13,000
Grants made (2024)
1
Average grant
$13,000
Median grant
$13,000
Total assets
$783,471
Primary geography
Pennsylvania (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing

Total Assets

$783K

+14.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$13K

+113.1% YoY

Grant Count

1

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$13K

+113.1% YoY

How Sign Research Foundation gives

  • Giving fell 73% from 2021 to 2024. Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.

About Sign Research Foundation

Based on IRS filings

Sign Research Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Alexandria, VA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $783K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $13K. Net investment income was $15K.

Open Grants

1 open opportunity from Sign Research Foundation

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Sign Research Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

4states

Share of all 1 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

Cities

DavisCharlestonChester SpringsLees Summit

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$20K$40K$60K0 grants20202 grants20211 grants20221 grants20231 grants2024

From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $6K (2023) to $47K (2021). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $13K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 1 recipients in 2024

KRD Design: $13KKRD Design$13K

The largest 2024 recipient was KRD Design ($13K).

Grant Size Distribution

5 grants across all recorded years

5<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 5 grants of 5 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
KRD Design Chester Springs, PAOn Premise Signage: Situations, Legibility, and Visibility Research$13,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$100K$200K$300K20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$783,471$687,067$616,435
Revenue$155,025$223,203$148,510
Expenses$66,729$145,262$80,632
Qualifying Distributions———
Net Investment Income$15,173$11,414—
Distributable Amount———

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Sign Research Foundation is led by Lori Anderson, Isa President & CEO on every filing since 2020; none of the 9 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Lori Anderson

    Isa President & CEO

    On filings since 2020

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Sapna Budev

    Executive Director

    On filings since 2020

    35 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Matthew Shad

    Chairman

    Trustee → Chairman, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Sarah Wexler

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Brenda Velasquez

    Trustee

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Manish Jaisinghani

    Trustee

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Stacey Brown

    Trustee

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Max Fulton

    Secretary & Treasurer

    Trustee → Secretary & Treasurer, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Wendell Pierre

    Isa Vice President & Finance

    On filings since 2023

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (6)
  • Former: Lisa Queeney (2020–2023) — Isa Vice President & Finance
  • Former: Anne Depalma (2020–2022) — Outgoing Trustee
  • Former: Judy Walton (2020–2022) — Outgoing Trustee
  • Former: Keith Davis (2020–2022) — Trustee
  • Former: Ted Kiper (2020–2022) — Outgoing Chairman
  • Former: Mandy Wisner (2021–2022) — Outgoing Trustee

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 Sign Research Foundation

How much does Sign Research Foundation give each year?

Sign Research Foundation gave $13K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2023 it gave $6K across 1 grant.

How large is Sign Research Foundation?

Sign Research Foundation reported $783K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Its revenue that year was $155K.

What is Sign Research Foundation?

Sign Research Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Alexandria, VA. It holds $783K in total assets as of 2024.

Where does Sign Research Foundation operate?

Sign Research Foundation has awarded grants in California, Missouri, Pennsylvania, South Carolina.

What is Sign Research Foundation's EIN?

Sign Research Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-2091972. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Sign Research Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Sign Research Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Lansdowne, VA

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation funds education for exceptionally promising students with financial need, through student scholarships and grants to organizations serving them. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6 to $515,000, with a median of $7,702; 86% of grant dollars went to Virginia recipients, with others across multiple states and Washington, D.C. The available information does not state whether it accepts unsolicited organizational requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$940.1M

Grants

1,419

Total Given

$25.1M

Donors Trust Inc

Alexandria, VA

Donors Trust supports charities and programs in social welfare, health, the environment, economics, governance, foreign relations, and arts and culture, with a strong emphasis on conservative and libertarian policy and education groups. Its 2024 grants had a median of $50,000, though awards ranged from $5,038 to $35 million, and recipients were concentrated in Washington, D.C., Virginia, New York, Texas, and California. It does not accept unsolicited requests; donor-advisors recommend grants through their accounts.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.4B

Grants

919

Total Given

$282.1M

The Community Foundation Inc

Richmond, VA

The Community Foundation funds health and wellness, education, economic prosperity, and community vibrancy, as well as other causes through donor-advised and field-of-interest funds. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, with awards ranging from $5,100 to $1.795 million; most funding went to Virginia, especially the Richmond area. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$852.4M

Grants

917

Total Given

$61.8M

America's Charities

Chantilly, VA

America’s Charities distributes workplace-giving contributions to member nonprofits working in areas such as education, health, hunger, human rights, and disaster relief; it also manages emergency assistance for eligible employees. In 2024, reported grants ranged from $5,017 to $1,379,226, with a median of $9,674, and recipients were concentrated in California, Virginia, D.C., Maryland, and Pennsylvania. These disbursements are donor-directed contributions rather than competitive grants; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$36.2M

Grants

808

Total Given

$16.4M

Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation

Richmond, VA

Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation funds eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in health and human services, education, arts and culture, civic and community development, and the environment within Dominion’s operating area. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $1 million, with a median of $5,000. It accepts online applications during spring and fall grant cycles.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

—

Grants

773

Total Given

$16.4M

The Nature Conservancy

Arlington, VA

The Nature Conservancy funds conservation activities, including land and water protection, climate resilience, and conservation partnerships, with grants reaching organizations and projects in many locations worldwide. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $31,000, while its New York Climate Resilience program offered grants of up to $50,000 for acquisition and $25,000 for planning and capacity; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$10.1B

Grants

671

Total Given

$67.8M

Foster Foundation

Brookneal, VA

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$18.6M

Grants

686

Total Given

$1.3M

Charlottesville Area Community

Charlottesville, VA

Charlottesville Area Community funds nonprofits, schools, and government agencies working in areas such as youth development, essential needs, housing, the environment, arts, and racial equity across Charlottesville and surrounding counties. Its 2024 itemized grants ranged from $5,300 to $1,217,019, with a median of $20,100. It offers application-based grants through several funds; the profile describes application procedures but does not explicitly state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$292.3M

Grants

437

Total Given

$27.9M

JT-Minnie Maude Charitable Trust

Danville, VA

The J.T.–Minnie Maude Charitable Trust funds tax-exempt organizations and government agencies for a wide range of projects that improve quality of life for residents of Danville and/or Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Its 2025 grants had a median of $2,000 and ranged from $500 to $220,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through an online application, with an annual August 1 deadline.

Assets

$51.2M

Grants

678

Total Given

$2.3M

Fauquier Health Foundation

Warrenton, VA

The foundation funds health care access, childhood wellness, mental health, senior services, and community needs such as food access, housing, and nonprofit capacity building, primarily in Fauquier, Rappahannock, and northern Culpeper counties in Virginia. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $538,778, with a median of $10,000; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Health

Assets

$302.1M

Grants

369

Total Given

$9.4M

Hampton Roads Community Foundation

Norfolk, VA

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation funds nonprofits working in areas including education, arts and culture, the environment, disaster relief, and human services in southeastern Virginia. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, while its open Community Leadership Partners program offers $2,500–$25,000 awards for work in Hampton Roads. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$524.1M

Grants

329

Total Given

$31.1M

More Funders in Virginia

Sign Research Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?