Spark NS Inc
Spark NS is dedicated to more efficiently advancing promising academic discoveries in neuroscience from the lab to the clinic.
Spark NS Inc at a glance
In short: Spark NS Inc gave $814K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $203K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $813,575
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- Average grant
- $203,394
- Median grant
- $141,186
- Total assets
- $3,912,988
- +592.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (53% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Spark NS Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania ($435K). Together the top 4 received $814K.
Grant Size Distribution
4 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 2 grants of 4 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $814K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA | Translational Research | $434,717 |
| The Trustees of Columbia University New York, NY | Translational Research | $183,725 |
| Regents of the University of California at Berkeley Berkeley, CA | Translational Research | $98,646 |
| University of Florida Board of Trustees Gainsville, FL | Translational Research | $96,487 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,912,988 | $9,000,000 | $6,368,774 | $813,575 | 4 |
| 2023 | $564,863 | $1,711,028 | $1,473,982 | — | — |
About Spark NS Inc
Based on IRS filings
Spark NS Inc is a public charity focused on Science & Technology, based in Menlo Park, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2023 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $3.9M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $814K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Spark NS Inc is led by Stephen Kargotich, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 9 of 13 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stephen Kargotich
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$205K (2023) → $360K (2024)
Michele Cucullu
Director & President
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daria Mochly-Rosen
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marcia Cohen
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adriana Garcia
Education Manager
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$152K (2024)
Charlene Chabata
Project Manager
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$116K (2024)
Jeyanthi Ramasubbu
Senior Project Manager
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$138K (2024)
Marisol Urbano
Program Operation Manager
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$228K (2024)
Monet Jimenez
Learning Experience Designer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$109K (2024)
Opher Kornfeld
Vice President
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$265K (2024)
Ravikumar Ponnusamy
Senior Project Manager
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$127K (2024)
Shadi Nasiri
Event Coordinator
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$102K (2024)
Tara Farnsworth
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023–2024. "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 $360K, to Stephen Kargotich (Executive Director). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Spark NS Inc
How much does Spark NS Inc give each year?
Spark NS Inc gave $814K across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990.
What is Spark NS Inc's typical grant size?
Spark NS Inc's median grant in 2024 was $141,186, and its average grant was $203,394, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Spark NS Inc give grants?
Spark NS Inc gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 53% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (23%) and California (12%).
Does Spark NS Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on Spark NS Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Translational Research" (4 grants).
How large is Spark NS Inc?
Spark NS Inc reported $3.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.0M.
What is Spark NS Inc?
Spark NS Inc is a public charity focused on Science & Technology, based in Menlo Park, CA. It holds $3.9M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Spark NS Inc's EIN?
Spark NS Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 92-2007188. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2023–2024
Live grants for the work Spark NS Inc funds
Science & Technology Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Spark NS Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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