SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation
The SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation is a private foundation based in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 2024, it reported 49 grants totaling $4,254,500 to charitable organizations, including universities, arts organizations, health organizations, and other nonprofits.
SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation at a glance
In short: SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation gave $4.3M across 49 grants in 2024 (avg $87K), mostly in Utah. 31% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,254,500
- +31.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 49
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $86,827
- +31.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $68,730,042
- +3.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (15 of 49, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Utah (66% 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 SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 45385, Salt Lake City, UT 84145-0385
Phone: (801) 532-1500
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Renaissance Charitable Foundation ($1.4M). Together the top 10 received $3.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
226 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 198 grants of 226 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 66% of grant dollars went to recipients in Utah, 33% to recipients in Indiana, and 1% to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 49 itemized grants.
Cities
Is SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 15 of 49 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $124K; repeat grants $70K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 69% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 22% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 99% 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 $2.2M (2020) to $5.5M (2021). In 2024 it made 49 grants totaling $4.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Renaissance Charitable Foundation Indianapolis, IN | General Financial Support | $1,395,000 |
| Utah State University - LWA Institute Logan, UT | General Financial Support | $1,000,000 |
| Utah State University - Quinney College of Natural Resources Logan, UT | General Financial Support | $575,000 |
| Intermountain Medical Foundation for Primary Childrens Hospital Salt Lake City, UT | General Financial Support | $250,000 |
| University of Utah SJ Quinney College of Law Salt Lake City, UT | General Financial Support | $150,000 |
| University of Utah - University Development Office Salt Lake City, UT | General Financial Support | $136,000 |
| Ballet West Salt Lake City, UT | General Financial Support | $130,000 |
| Huntsman Mental Health Institute Salt Lake City, UT | General Financial Support | $100,000 |
| Utah Symphony and Opera Salt Lake City, UT | General Financial Support | $55,000 |
| The Salt Lake Tribune Salt Lake City, UT | General Financial Support | $50,000 |
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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 | $68,730,042 | $7,219,858 | $5,064,030 | $4,254,500 | 49 | $4,284,993 | $6,500,821 | $4,337,360 |
| 2023 | $66,642,395 | $3,017,985 | $4,014,060 | $3,234,122 | 49 | $3,273,762 | $2,306,696 | $3,950,170 |
| 2022 | $63,592,539 | $3,761,200 | $4,298,309 | $3,398,500 | 58 | $3,438,312 | $3,066,808 | $3,869,219 |
| 2021 | $62,648,612 | $20,289,804 | $6,708,351 | $5,475,572 | 48 | $5,519,090 | $19,485,543 | $4,208,365 |
| 2020 | $47,455,362 | $2,701,123 | $2,846,015 | $2,156,000 | 22 | — | $2,105,787 | $3,154,724 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.3M 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for higher education and natural resources, law, health care, the arts, journalism, and education.
Grantees describe their own work in varied terms. Ballet West says it inspires and empowers communities through ballet exposure, training, and education. The Salt Lake Tribune describes its work as independent, watchdog journalism aimed at engaging and empowering readers. The McGillis School says it helps children become enthusiastic learners and ethical, active citizens. Planned Parenthood Association of Utah says it works to support informed sexual-health choices, access to health care and education, and related rights.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 49 grants totaling $4,254,500. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $1,395,000, with a median grant of $10,000.
The largest awards included $1,395,000 to Renaissance Charitable Foundation for general financial support; $1,000,000 to Utah State University - LWA Institute; and $575,000 to Utah State University - Quinney College of Natural Resources. Other notable grants included $250,000 to Intermountain Medical Foundation for Primary Childrens Hospital, $150,000 to University of Utah SJ Quinney College of Law, and $130,000 to Ballet West. The foundation also awarded $50,000 to The Salt Lake Tribune, $35,000 to The McGillis School, and $31,000 to Planned Parenthood Association of Utah.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Frederick Q Lawson, David E Quinney Jr, Peter Q Lawson, Ellen E Rossi, David E Quinney III, Charles H Livsey, Ira B Rubinfeld, Gary Longmore, Jason Tholen, and Sally B McMinimee as directors. David E Quinney Jr and Charles H Livsey are identified as trustee/directors.
SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation's 2024 filing lists 10 officers; all 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Charles H Livsey
Trustee & Director
On filings since 2020
2.5 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
David E Quinney III
Director
Trustee & Director → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
David E Quinney Jr.
Trustee & Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Ellen E Rossi
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Frederick Q Lawson
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Ira B Rubinfeld
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Peter Q Lawson
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Gary Longmore
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$5K (2021) → $5K (2024)
Jason Tholen
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
$5K (2023) → $5K (2024)
Sally B McMinimee
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
$5K (2024)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Clark P Giles (2020–2023) — Trustee & Director
- Former: Herbert C Livsey (2020–2023) — Trustee & Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $5K, to Frederick Q Lawson (Director). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation
How much does SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation give each year?
SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation gave $4.3M across 49 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.2M across 49 grants.
What is SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation's typical grant size?
SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $86,827, across 49 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation that year got $124K on average.
Where does SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation give grants?
SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation gives mostly in Utah: 66% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Indiana (33%). The most frequent recipient cities were Salt Lake City, UT (26 grants), Logan, UT (3 grants), Moab, UT (2 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (49 of 49) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation's largest grantees?
SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Renaissance Charitable Foundation ($1,395,000), Utah State University - LWA Institute ($1,000,000) and Utah State University - Quinney College of Natural Resources ($575,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 70% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation?
SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation reported $68.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.3M (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 SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for higher education and natural resources, law, health care, the arts, journalism, and education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation's EIN?
SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-0389312. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation 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
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/sj-and-jessie-e-quinney-foundation-morg_90222fb875764b719b6462d8f61ca586
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_870389312_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/sj-and-jessie-e-quinney-foundation-morg_90222fb875764b719b6462d8f61ca586},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 SJ and Jessie E Quinney Foundation'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.
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