Speramus Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker HILLSBOROUGH, CA EIN: 94-3181132

Speramus Foundation is a private foundation based in Hillsborough, California. The foundation provides general support funding to various organizations across multiple sectors.

Key facts about Speramus Foundation

EIN: 94-3181132
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $145,715
Grants made (2024): 31
Average grant: $4,700
Median grant: $2,000
Total assets: $698,626
Primary geography: Massachusetts (27% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026.

Who Speramus Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Speramus Foundation's 31 itemized 2024 grants were Massachusetts (27%), California (24%) and Texas (21%). The most frequent recipient cities were Dallas, TX (4 grants), San Francisco, CA (4 grants), Worcester, MA (2 grants) and Atherton, CA (2 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$699K

-6.7% YoY

Annual Giving

$146K

+12.1% YoY

Grant Count

+24.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$5K

-9.6% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Speramus Foundation reported a distributable amount of $124K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's stated purpose is giving for education and hospitals. The foundation provides general support grants to its chosen beneficiaries.

Grantmaking

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation funds organizations primarily in California and beyond, with documented grants to institutions in Massachusetts (Boston College) and California-based organizations.

Grant Distribution by State

California $286K (41%)

Massachusetts $179K (26%)

Texas $97K (14%)

Nevada $27K (4%)

District of Columbia $20K (3%)

Iowa $16K (2%)

Florida $14K (2%)

Wisconsin $14K (2%)

+9 more states

States

California Connecticut District of Columbia Florida Georgia Iowa Illinois Massachusetts Maine New Hampshire Nevada New York Tennessee Texas Virginia Washington Wisconsin

Cities

San FranciscoDallasBurlingameSan MateoAthertonMenlo ParkChestnut HillRedwood CityWorcesterBostonEast Palo AltoHillsboroughSanta ClaraWashingtonMemphisBooneCarson CityLos AngelesMountain ViewNew York

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of December 2024:

Total assets: $698,626
Total revenues: $45,983
Total expenses: $154,253
Investment income and dividends: $45,983
Number of employees: 0

As of December 2023:

Total assets: $748,485
Total giving: $129,976
Investment income and dividends: $41,525

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$698,626	$748,485	$751,375
Revenue	$45,983	$84,275	$153,016
Expenses	$154,253	$140,071	$136,150
Qualifying Distributions	$145,715	$129,976	$131,100
Net Investment Income	$44,317	$83,011	$136,401
Distributable Amount	$124,368	$111,879	$115,378

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

158 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Boston College ($21,131), Call Primrose ($19,973), Glenbrook Underground Inc ($14,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
BOSTON COLLEGE CHESTNUT HILL, MA	GENERAL SUPPORT	$21,131
CALL PRIMROSE BURLINGAME, CA	GENERAL SUPPORT	$19,973
GLENBROOK UNDERGROUND INC CARSON CITY, NV	GENERAL SUPPORT	$14,000
HOLY CROSS WORCESTER, MA	GENERAL SUPPORT	$11,873
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA BOONE, IA	GENERAL SUPPORT	$11,002
BOLD IDEA INC DALLAS, TX	GENERAL SUPPORT	$10,000
UNITED WAY AUSTIN, TX	GENERAL SUPPORT	$10,000
URSULINE ACADEMY DALLAS, TX	GENERAL SUPPORT	$6,007
BREWSTER ACADEMY WOLFEBORO, NH	GENERAL SUPPORT	$4,987
PEACE PLAYERS INTERNATIONAL WASHINGTON, DC	GENERAL SUPPORT	$4,810

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Sheila Burns McWilliams is listed as a member associated with the foundation.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
SHEILA BURNS MCWILLIAMS	PRESIDENT	0.3	—
SEAN R BURNS	VICE-PRESIDENT	0.12	—
RODERICK O BURNS	SECRETARY	0.12	—

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Speramus Foundation fund?

The foundation's stated purpose is giving for education and hospitals. The foundation provides general support grants to its chosen beneficiaries.

How do I apply for a grant from Speramus Foundation?

**Grant Activity:** • Made 25 grants in 2024 • Total giving in 2024: $129,976 • Recent notable grants include: • Boston College: $21,131 (general support) • Call Primrose: $19,973 (general support) • Glenbrook Underground: $14,000 (general support) • Santa Clara Tennis Club: $2,000 (general support) **Grant Type:** General support

Where does Speramus Foundation make grants?

The foundation funds organizations primarily in California and beyond, with documented grants to institutions in Massachusetts (Boston College) and California-based organizations.

What size grants does Speramus Foundation award?

In 2024, Speramus Foundation awarded 31 grants totaling $146K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Speramus Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Speramus Foundation reported a distributable amount of $124K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.