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
**
Ready to take the next step with Sorenson Legacy Foundation?
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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Crocker Catalyst Foundation ($5,675,000), Thom & Gail Williamsen Family Foundation ($1,161,000), Elizabeth Academy ($1,030,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| GIRLS HOPE RESCUE MISSION CEDAR CITY, UT | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $25,000 |
| THOM & GAIL WILLIAMSEN FAMILY FOUNDATION SALT LAKE CITY, UT | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $1,161,000 |
| THE GOOD SAMARITAN FOUNDATION MIDVALE, UT | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $110,000 |
| CROCKER CATALYST FOUNDATION SALT LAKE CITY, UT | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $5,675,000 |
| ZION CANYON MESA SPRINGDALE, UT | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $30,000 |
| WILFORD WOODRUFF PAPERS FOUNDATION CEDAR HILLS, UT | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $50,000 |
| UTAH SYMPHONY AND OPERA SALT LAKE CITY, UT | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $100,000 |
| UTAH SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION PROVO, UT | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $15,000 |
| UTAH ROYAL KIDS SANDY, UT | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $25,000 |
| ST ANNE'S CENTER OGDEN, UT | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $50,000 |
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sorenson Legacy Foundation fund?
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 cau…
How do I apply for a grant from Sorenson Legacy Foundation?
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 • **Recent Major Grants (2023):** • Crocker Catalyst Foundation: $5,000,000 • Elizabeth Academy: $2,105,176 • Intermountain Healthcare Foundation: $1,810,000 • 212 additional grants totaling $18,345,778 **Total giving in 2023:** $28,012,367 across 215+ grants **Application Process:** • Application deadlines: December 1, Marc…
Where does Sorenson Legacy Foundation make 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.
What size grants does Sorenson Legacy Foundation award?
In 2024, Sorenson Legacy Foundation awarded 266 grants totaling $28.0M — an average of about $105K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Sorenson Legacy Foundation's EIN?
Sorenson Legacy Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-3240491. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sorenson Legacy Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Pacificfund14
KAYSVILLE, UT
Assets
$25K
Grants
1
Total Given
$21K
Animal Concepts Foundation Inc
OGDEN, UT
Assets
$295
Grants
1
Total Given
$25
One Against Childhood Hunger
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Assets
$235K
Grants
21
Total Given
$371K
MTC Foundation
CENTERVILLE, UT
Assets
$12K
Grants
3
Total Given
$70K
Northern Utah Charities
OGDEN, UT
Assets
$24K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Ryan Lee Foundation
SANDY, UT
Assets
$72K
Grants
15
Total Given
$116K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Sorenson Legacy Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Sorenson Legacy Foundation to a real strategy.