Sorenson Legacy Foundation
The Sorenson Legacy Foundation is a private independent foundation established to implement the charitable interests of biotechnology pioneer James LeVoy Sorenson and his wife, education philanthropist Beverley Taylor Sorenson. Based in Midvale, Utah, the foundation promotes charitable, artistic, religious, educational, literary, and scientific endeavors with a primary focus on Utah communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$28.0M
+3.9% YoY
Grant Count
266
-12.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$105K
+18.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on providing assistance to build a better world. According to the founders' vision, "There is no greater joy in this life than the joy of helping others."
Primary funding areas include:
- Education and the Arts — The foundation nurtures arts education, reflecting founder Beverley's lifelong commitment to arts education in elementary schools and her belief that the arts are essential to broadening children's minds.
- Community Development — Supporting causes and organizations that strengthen Utah communities and individuals across all walks of life.
- Healthcare — Improving the standard of care and quality of healthcare through bespoke continuing education programs for teachers and their student communities, including training on the latest technology and pedagogical methods.
- Innovation — Supporting innovative thinking to solve problems and improve human life, reflecting founder James Sorenson's belief in innovation and his background holding 60 patents, including medical inventions.
Additional funding interests include environment, religion, and social and human services.
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants across a broad spectrum of philanthropic interests. Recent grant activity shows:
Grant Range
** Typical awards range from $600 to $5,675,000
Review Cycle
December 1, March 1, June 1, and September 1
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
While the foundation supports organizations nationwide, it prioritizes causes and organizations with impact on Utah communities, particularly the Salt Lake City area. The foundation's geographic focus is primarily Utah, though recent giving data indicates some activity in Virginia and Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $457,366,003
- Total Revenue: $12,184,915
- Total Expenses: $32,138,762
- Total Liabilities: $312,000
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) charitable organization, tax-exempt since October 2011
EIN: 45-3240491
The foundation is ranked 1,937 among the top 10,000 U.S. foundations by assets and ranks 7th among Utah foundations by assets.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Sorenson Legacy Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founders:
- James LeVoy Sorenson (1921–2008) — Biotechnology pioneer and entrepreneur who held 60 patents, including the disposable surgical mask and disposable venous catheter. He received an honorary degree from Sierra College in 2003 and the "Giant of Our City" award in Salt Lake City in 2006.
- Beverley Taylor Sorenson (1924–2013) — Education philanthropist and former teacher who championed arts education throughout her life.
Current Leadership:
- Terry Hodder — Listed as the officer to whose attention correspondence should be directed
The foundation operates with 8 employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANN CROCKER | DIRECTOR | 4 | $81,500 |
| GARY CROCKER | DIRECTOR | 4 | $78,500 |
| CHRISTINE HARRIS | DIRECTOR | 3 | $74,500 |
| DALE HARRIS | DIRECTOR | 5 | $84,500 |
| SHAUNA JOHNSON | DIRECTOR | 5 | $77,500 |
| RALPH JOHNSON | DIRECTOR | 6 | $92,000 |
| THOM WILLIAMSEN | DIRECTOR | 3 | $76,000 |
| GAIL WILLIAMSEN | DIRECTOR | 3 | $67,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues active grantmaking with multiple application deadlines throughout the year. The foundation has been recognized for significant grants in cancer treatment and childhood education initiatives. The foundation also administers the Sorenson Legacy Awards for Excellence in Arts Education, recognizing Utah educators for their contributions to arts education.
Sorenson Legacy FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Similar funders by location and focus area
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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