Spirit in Action

SANTA CRUZ, CA EIN: 93-1207351 Website

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

-16.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$4K

+12.2% YoY

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

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

How to Apply

Ready to take the next step with Spirit in Action?

Assess fit for your org Draft an LOI Find open RFPs

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

Florida $2K (100%)

States

California Florida

Cities

DunedinSanta Barbara

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

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

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

Human Services

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.