Sontag Foundation
The Sontag Foundation is a private foundation based in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. It supports brain cancer research by investing in scientists pursuing bold, innovative and transformative ideas.
Sontag Foundation at a glance
In short: Sontag Foundation gave $7.2M across 35 grants in 2024 (avg $204K), top state Florida. 20% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $7,153,332
- +26.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 35
- -27.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $204,381
- +73.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $112,500
- Total assets
- $219,583,987
- +17.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (7 of 35, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Florida (42% 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 Sontag Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Applicants should submit applications online in response to published requests for applications and consult the award information and FAQs for requirements and materials.
- Review Cycle
- For the 2026 cycle, the deadline was March 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The next portal is expected to open in January 2027.
- Deadline
- For the 2026 cycle, the deadline was March 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
- Contact
Application contact: The Sontag Foundation
Mailing address: 816 A1A North Suite 201, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Phone: (904) 273-8755
Website: https://sontagfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Sontag Foundation
Who Sontag Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Community Foundation of Ne FL ($3.0M). Together the top 10 received $5.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
164 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 79 grants of 164 (48%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation is based in Florida. In 2024, 42% of grant dollars went to recipients in Florida, followed by Massachusetts (15%), California (10%), Texas (8%) and Pennsylvania (6%). The award eligibility requirements allow qualifying institutions in the United States or an equivalent institution in Canada.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 35 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Sontag Foundation open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 35 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $90K; repeat grants $233K. How we count
Medians: $38K first-time, $141K repeat.
- 71% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 114% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $2.9M (2020) to $7.2M (2024). In 2024 it made 35 grants totaling $7.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation of Ne FL Jacksonville, FL | For the Exempt Purposes of This Organization | $3,000,000 |
| Brigham & Women's Hospital Somerville, MA | For the Exempt Purposes of This Organization | $362,500 |
| The Regents of the University of Michigan Troy, MI | For the Exempt Purposes of This Organization | $350,000 |
| Mark Foundation for Cancer Research New York, NY | For the Exempt Purposes of This Organization | $300,000 |
| Boston Children's Hospital Boston, MA | For the Exempt Purposes of This Organization | $262,500 |
| California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CA | For the Exempt Purposes of This Organization | $250,000 |
| Regents of Univ of CA-San Francisco San Francisco, CA | For the Exempt Purposes of This Organization | $187,500 |
| Yale University West Haven, CT | For the Exempt Purposes of This Organization | $150,000 |
| University of Texas Southwestern Houston, TX | For the Exempt Purposes of This Organization | $150,000 |
| University of Massachusetts Med School Worcester, MA | For the Exempt Purposes of This Organization | $150,000 |
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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 | $219,583,987 | $24,608,122 | $10,044,071 | $7,153,332 | 35 | $9,836,210 | $11,271,684 | $9,762,156 |
| 2023 | $187,565,405 | $6,862,500 | $9,190,581 | $5,648,007 | 48 | $9,358,430 | $4,449,831 | $8,640,591 |
| 2022 | $171,598,285 | $106,551,695 | $8,565,078 | $6,088,898 | 28 | $7,524,924 | $639,798 | $6,643,703 |
| 2021 | $96,972,459 | $6,956,061 | $5,038,565 | $3,343,549 | 27 | $4,021,391 | $5,669,580 | $4,412,331 |
| 2020 | $84,935,381 | $210,475 | $4,438,315 | $2,928,094 | 26 | — | $38,134 | $3,585,858 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sontag Foundation reported a distributable amount of $9.8M 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 Foundation states that it is dedicated to advancing brain cancer research. Its Distinguished Scientist Award supports research relevant to brain cancer, including basic science and related fields, and is intended for investigators at a critical career stage.
Its 2024 grants included support for hospitals, universities, cancer research organizations and a community foundation. The recipient community foundation describes its mission as enhancing quality of life in North Florida by promoting and supporting charitable giving. The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research describes its mission as partnering with scientists to accelerate cancer research in prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 35 grants totaling $7,153,332. Individual grants ranged from $3,000 to $3,000,000, with a median of $112,500. The largest listed grant was $3,000,000 to the Community Foundation of NE FL in Jacksonville, Florida. Other notable grants included $362,500 to Brigham & Women’s Hospital, $350,000 to the Regents of the University of Michigan, $300,000 to the Mark Foundation for Cancer Research, and $262,500 to Boston Children’s Hospital. The stated purpose for these grants was “for the exempt purposes of this organization.”
The Distinguished Scientist Award provides $750,000 over five years, paid at $150,000 per year. For the 2026 cycle, the application portal was scheduled to open January 12, with a March 18 deadline; awards were to be announced in fall 2026. The Foundation’s application page says the portal is closed and will reopen in January 2027. Applicants must hold a relevant doctoral degree and meet the stated requirements for a first independent faculty appointment at an eligible institution in the United States or Canada. Annual indirect costs are capped at $19,500 within the $150,000 annual payment; disbursements go to the sponsoring institution and are subject to annual progress review. Awardees must attend an annual scientific retreat.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists these directors: Frederick B. Sontag, Bradley D. Mottier, Grant M. Conway, Daniel M. Ryan, Jennifer H. Levinson, Jeffrey E. Bernardo, Ben Chatraw, Carolyn Mathis, Katherine Verble and Clay Tousey III.
Sontag Foundation's 2024 filing lists 10 officers; 9 of 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ben Chatraw
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $8K (2024)
Bradley D. Mottier
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2022) → $8K (2024)
Carolyn Mathis
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $8K (2024)
Daniel M. Ryan
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $8K (2024)
Grant M. Conway
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $8K (2024)
Jeffrey E. Bernardo
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $8K (2024)
Jennifer H. Levinson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $8K (2024)
Katherine Verble
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$16K (2021) → $8K (2024)
Clay Tousey III
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$4K (2022) → $8K (2024)
Frederick B. Sontag
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Cindy S. Hudgins (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jeffrey W. Hudgins (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Kay Verble (2020) — 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 $8K, to Bradley D Mottier (Director). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Sontag Foundation
How much does Sontag Foundation give each year?
Sontag Foundation gave $7.2M across 35 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $5.6M across 48 grants.
What is Sontag Foundation's typical grant size?
Sontag Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $112,500, and its average grant was $204,381, across 35 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Sontag Foundation that year got $90K on average.
Where does Sontag Foundation give grants?
Sontag Foundation's top state is Florida, with 42% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Massachusetts (15%) and California (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (5 grants), New York, NY (2 grants), Boston, MA (2 grants) and Philadelphia, PA (2 grants).
Who are Sontag Foundation's largest grantees?
Sontag Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Community Foundation of Ne FL ($3,000,000), Brigham & Women's Hospital ($362,500) and The Regents of the University of Michigan ($350,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Sontag Foundation?
Sontag Foundation reported $219.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $9.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $9.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Sontag Foundation fund?
The Foundation states that it is dedicated to advancing brain cancer research. Its Distinguished Scientist Award supports research relevant to brain cancer, including basic science and related fields, and is intended for investigators at a critical career stage. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Sontag Foundation?
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Sontag Foundation's EIN?
Sontag Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 59-3634325. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Sontag 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). Sontag Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/sontag-foundation-morg_162ba3406f4e4592b7b3f6f255590c7f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_593634325_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Sontag Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/sontag-foundation-morg_162ba3406f4e4592b7b3f6f255590c7f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Sontag 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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