So Hum Foundation
So Hum Foundation is a private foundation based in Portland, Oregon. Founded by Jerry Jones in 1999, it says it has supported more than 150 charitable organizations and currently partners with 63 charities. Its work spans international and U.S. organizations, with funding for health care, education, environmental and cultural preservation, and animal welfare.
So Hum Foundation at a glance
In short: So Hum Foundation gave $1.1M across 59 grants in 2025 (avg $19K), mostly in Oregon. 10% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,119,475
- +11.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 59
- -1.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $18,974
- +13.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $6,888,427
- -8.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (6 of 59, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Oregon (60% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to So Hum Foundation
- 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. Its website says it is not currently accepting new grant requests. Its stated eligibility criteria include having been formed and in operation for at least three years and being licensed by the appropriate governmental entities in the country where the organization was formed. Annual funding may not exceed 30% of an organization’s annual operating budget; capital projects may be considered separately, and the foundation generally does not fund corpus or endowments.
- Contact
Mailing address: 623 Se 46Th Avenue, Portland, OR 97215
Phone: (503) 894-4934
Website: https://www.so-humfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who So Hum Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Aravind Eye Foundation ($125K). Together the top 10 received $732K.
Grant Size Distribution
296 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 276 grants of 296 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says about two-thirds of its annual grants assist international work. Its website describes a historical focus on India, Nepal, Tibet, and Afghanistan, with recent expansion to countries in Africa and South America. It also supports U.S. organizations, most of which it describes as relatively small and based in Oregon and California.
In filing year 2025, 60% of grant dollars went to recipients in Oregon, 16% to California, and 15% to New York. Virginia and Ohio each accounted for 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 59 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is So Hum Foundation open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 59 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $14K; repeat grants $20K. How we count
Medians: $7K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 88% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+10%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 320% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.0M (2024) to $1.1M (2025). In 2025 it made 59 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Aravind Eye Foundation New York, NY | General Operating Support | $125,000 |
| Every Woman Treaty Portland, OR | General Operating Support | $125,000 |
| Bark Portland, OR | General Operating Support | $105,000 |
| Spoon Foundation Portland, OR | General Operating Support | $105,000 |
| American Service to India Diamond Bar, CA | General Operating Support | $75,700 |
| Neighbors for Kids Depoe Bay, OR | General Operating Support | $55,000 |
| Global Roots Portland, OR | General Operating Support | $50,000 |
| Self Enhancement Inc Portland, OR | General Operating Support | $35,000 |
| Social Venture Partners Portland Portland, OR | General Operating Support | $31,000 |
| BBH Eye Foundation Sacramento, CA | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with So Hum Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,888,427 | $580,530 | $1,208,322 | $1,119,475 | 59 | $1,158,332 | $531,494 | $362,064 |
| 2024 | $7,528,998 | $549,137 | $1,089,713 | $1,003,061 | 60 | $1,042,231 | $501,655 | $373,941 |
| 2023 | $7,710,956 | $205,921 | $1,121,337 | $1,028,678 | 58 | $1,056,781 | $156,966 | $392,180 |
| 2022 | $8,159,445 | $872,922 | $1,117,561 | $1,020,423 | 58 | $1,047,154 | $816,910 | $477,384 |
| 2021 | $10,638,880 | $873,964 | $1,185,433 | $1,070,500 | 61 | — | $820,381 | $488,288 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, So Hum Foundation reported a distributable amount of $362K for 2025 — 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 foundation’s website describes a funding approach centered on partnering with charities to support part of their annual operating expenses. It favors smaller, hands-on organizations and programs that promote self-reliance and self-sufficiency, use ecologically sound practices, and offer high value for donated funds. Its stated areas of support include health care and medical services—particularly surgeries to reverse blindness—children’s homes and schools, cultural and environmental preservation, and animal welfare. U.S. grants also support educational, environmental, animal welfare, health, and cultural work.
Examples of 2025 grantees illustrate the range of work supported. BARK describes its mission as restoring and preserving Mt. Hood National Forest so natural processes prevail and wildlife thrives. Neighbors for Kids says it provides after-school and summer programs for children in Lincoln County. Self Enhancement, Inc. says it supports young people’s personal and academic success. BBH Eye Foundation describes providing free comprehensive eye care to low-resource communities in underdeveloped countries, while L’Arche USA says it supports people with intellectual disabilities and works toward a more inclusive society.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, So Hum reported 59 grants totaling $1,119,475. Grant amounts ranged from $1,500 to $125,000, with a median of $5,000. The listed grants were generally designated for general operating support.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $125,000 each to Aravind Eye Foundation and Every Woman Treaty; $105,000 each to BARK and Spoon Foundation; $75,700 to American Service to India; $55,000 to Neighbors for Kids; and $50,000 to Global Roots. Other notable grants included $35,000 to Self Enhancement, Inc.; $31,000 to Social Venture Partners Portland; and $25,000 each to BBH Eye Foundation and Nomad Foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Shannon Jones as president and treasurer; Gary Hahn as vice-president and secretary; and John Bennett, Alan Morinis, and Jeremy Weber as directors. The foundation’s website identifies Jerry Jones as its founder.
So Hum Foundation is led by Shannon Jones, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2021; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Shannon Jones
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alan Morinis
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Bennett
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeremy Weber
Director
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gary Hahn
Vice President & Secretary
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Doraiswamy Nagarajan (2021–2023) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 So Hum Foundation
How much does So Hum Foundation give each year?
So Hum Foundation gave $1.1M across 59 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.0M across 60 grants.
What is So Hum Foundation's typical grant size?
So Hum Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $18,974, across 59 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from So Hum Foundation that year got $14K on average.
Where does So Hum Foundation give grants?
So Hum Foundation gives mostly in Oregon: 60% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (16%) and New York (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, OR (23 grants), Ojai, CA (5 grants), New York, NY (2 grants) and Brooklyn, NY (2 grants).
Does So Hum Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of So Hum Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (59 of 59) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are So Hum Foundation's largest grantees?
So Hum Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Aravind Eye Foundation ($125,000), Every Woman Treaty ($125,000) and Bark ($105,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is So Hum Foundation?
So Hum Foundation reported $6.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $362K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does So Hum Foundation fund?
The foundation’s website describes a funding approach centered on partnering with charities to support part of their annual operating expenses. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from So Hum Foundation?
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 So Hum Foundation's EIN?
So Hum Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1634639. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does So Hum 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 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in So Hum Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). So Hum Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/so-hum-foundation-morg_83df1cfb7c7c4a8898853f00f8df5b2c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_311634639_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{So Hum Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/so-hum-foundation-morg_83df1cfb7c7c4a8898853f00f8df5b2c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 So Hum 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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