Spirit in Action is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, founded in 1996. The organization brings together people who envision a world where everyone has enough food, security, and prosperity. Spirit in Action invests in local solutions and builds long-term relationships with grassroots partners, connecting donations to people working toward economic development and food security in Eastern Africa.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$923K
-9.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$141K
-6.1% YoY
Grant Count
36
-16.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$4K
+12.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: Spirit in Action seeks to fulfill God's promise for abundant life for all the world by supporting people in following their dreams of building a self-sufficient, sustainable future for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Approach: The organization employs a holistic approach that includes providing micro grants and funding for larger projects, listening to partners, and building relationships. Spirit in Action recognizes that its partners know best what they need and can create the change they envision. The organization emphasizes that personal self-worth and collective power are essential elements leading to food security, economic development, and social justice.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Community and economic development programs
- Food insecurity initiatives
- International relief work
- Small business support
Grantmaking
Spirit in Action provides small community grants and a small business fund to grassroots partners. The organization has made relationship-building the centerpiece of its grantmaking strategy since 1996.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Spirit in Action funds in Eastern Africa, with a stated geographic focus on:
- Kenya
- Malawi
- Uganda
- Burundi
- Rwanda
The organization maintains both North American and African Boards that contribute time, knowledge, and vision to work with grassroots organizations in these regions.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Annual Revenue: $4,961,740 (as of most recent reporting)
- Total Assets: $1.02M (2024)
- Total Liabilities: $0 (2024)
- Employees: 4 staff members (with 20% year-over-year growth)
- Tax Status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt since January 1997
- EIN: 93-1207351
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $922,791 | $1,016,161 | $1,061,257 |
| Revenue | $130,416 | $188,230 | $194,015 |
| Expenses | $223,786 | $233,326 | $230,733 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $217,592 | $227,366 | $224,161 |
| Net Investment Income | $19,103 | $15,336 | $13,156 |
| 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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
212 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Flaming Chalice International ($13,153), Cap Aids Uganda ($11,790), Apdei ($10,300).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADOLESCENT PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT AND RESOURCE CENTRE (APSARC) | SUPPORT FOR SALARIES AND OFFICE RENT, AND RUNNING MENTAL HEALTH AND LIVELIHOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS | $6,500 |
| APDEI | OFFICE SUPPORT AND ORGANIC GARDEN PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES | $10,300 |
| BLESSED HANDS | TO START A FRUIT SEEDLING FARMING PROJECT FOR YOUNG WOMEN | $1,800 |
| BRIDGE OF SOLIDARITY | TO IMPLEMENT A COMPUTER/SOCIAL MEDIA SKILLS EMPOWERMENT PROJECT FOR REFUGEES IN KAMPALA. | $1,800 |
| BROTHERS OF ST JOSEPH (CENTRE DE FORMATION RURAL DE GIHETA) | TO CONTINUE THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN AGRO-FOOD PROCESSING WORKSHOP AND TRAINING ROOM. | $1,300 |
| BURUNDI BRIDGES TO JUSTICE | PROVIDE LEGAL SUPPORT TO VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY AND RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT ACCESS TO JUSTICE. | $3,800 |
| CAP AIDS UGANDA | SUPPORT FOR EIGHTY 7TH GRADE STUDENTS FROM VULNERABLE FAMILIES IN RURAL UGANDA, AND SUPPORT FOR THE CAP-AIDS UGANDA OFFICE | $11,790 |
| CERCLE DES DUCATEURS SPCIALISS AMI DE LA PERSONNE HANDICAPE (CESAPH) | SEWING TRAINING PROGRAM FOR DISABLED WOMEN AND GIRLS. | $2,800 |
| CHARITE SANS FRONTIER (CSF) | TO IMPLEMENT A SOAP MANUFACTURING BUSINESS ENABLING THOSE WITH DISABILITIES LIVING IN POVERTY TO SELF-FINANCE THEIR NEEDS. THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE 50 WOMEN AND MEN LIVING WITH DISABILITIES. | $3,300 |
| COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT (CIFORD) | SEWING PROGRAM FOR YOUNG MOTHERS | $3,800 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Executive Director: Tanya Cothran
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIANE BUSH | VICE PRESIDENT | 3 | — |
| KATHLEEN KING | PRESIDENT | 3 | — |
| TERRY SILVERTHORN | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 3 | — |
| TANYA COTHRAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 30 | $45,006 |
| BECKY SUTHERLAND | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DANNY THOMAS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GREG COLEMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TAWANDA MUTASAH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| AMBER PICOU | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: PO Box 3384, Santa Cruz, CA 95063
- Phone: 831-706-2742
- Email: info@spiritinaction.org
- Website: spiritinaction.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Spirit in Action fund?
**Mission Statement:** Spirit in Action seeks to fulfill God's promise for abundant life for all the world by supporting people in following their dreams of building a self-sufficient, sustainable future for themselves, their families, and their communities. **Approach:** The organization employs a holistic approach that includes providing micro grants and funding for larger projects, listening to partners, and building relationships. Spirit in Action recognizes that its partners know best what…
How do I apply for a grant from Spirit in Action?
Spirit in Action provides small community grants and a small business fund to grassroots partners. The organization has made relationship-building the centerpiece of its grantmaking strategy since 1996. **Ideal Applicants:** Small grassroots or community-based organizations seeking small community or small-business support. Applicants should have a clear operating presence in a developing country (particularly Eastern Africa) with grassroots programming, and ideally a local endorsement or relat…
Where does Spirit in Action make grants?
Spirit in Action funds in Eastern Africa, with a stated geographic focus on: • Kenya • Malawi • Uganda • Burundi • Rwanda The organization maintains both North American and African Boards that contribute time, knowledge, and vision to work with grassroots organizations in these regions.
What size grants does Spirit in Action award?
In 2025, Spirit in Action awarded 36 grants totaling $141K — an average of about $4K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Spirit in Action's EIN?
Spirit in Action's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-1207351. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Spirit in Action's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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