The Sunlight Foundation is a private independent foundation based in Nashville, Tennessee, established in 1999. As of September 2020, the organization is no longer active and its website is maintained as a static archive.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.7M
-1.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$414K
-15.4% YoY
Grant Count
22
-4.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$19K
-11.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Sunlight Foundation's mission was to make government and politics more accountable and transparent to all through civic technologies, open data, policy analysis, and journalism.
The organization's vision centered on enabling technology to support more complete, equitable, and effective democratic participation. A core goal was achieving changes in law to require real-time, online transparency for all government information.
While the organization's work began in 2006 with a focus on the U.S. Congress, it expanded to address open government issues at local, state, federal, and international levels. The foundation believed that disproportionate access to information represents a concentration of power and was committed to improving public access to public information by making it available online.
Grantmaking
Based on the most recent available data (2024), the Sunlight Foundation made 26 grants totaling $413,900. Notable grants included:
Ready to take the next step with Sunlight Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focused primarily on Tennessee, North Carolina, and Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $4,701,659
- Total Revenue: $452,992
- Total Expenses: $500,442
- Net Income: -$47,450
- Total Liabilities: $0
Revenue Breakdown (2024):
- Grants and contributions: $7,341
- Investment income and dividends: $175,590
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $270,061
The organization has been tax-exempt since December 2000 and holds 501(c)(3) status.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,701,659 | $4,750,760 | $4,843,527 |
| Revenue | $452,992 | $466,571 | $447,824 |
| Expenses | $500,442 | $559,338 | $526,093 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $419,816 | $492,071 | $456,868 |
| Net Investment Income | $365,025 | $396,655 | $94,250 |
| Distributable Amount | $502,457 | $446,312 | $442,958 |
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
116 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Deborah D Sherman is listed as a contact person for the organization.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timothy Siktberg | Secretary | 4 | — |
| Deborah D Sherman | President | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
As of September 2020, the Sunlight Foundation ceased active operations. The organization's website is maintained as a static archive containing historical content and publications from its operational period.
How We're Funded - Sunlight FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Maclellan Center for Global Christian Ed
CHATTANOOGA, TN
Assets
$592K
Grants
1
Total Given
$48K
Anne Bransford Wallace Foundation
NASHVILLE, TN
Assets
$553K
Grants
40
Total Given
$43K
Springplace Presbyterian Church 280-5019032
KNOXVILLE, TN
Assets
$140K
Grants
1
Total Given
$6K
United Way of East Tennessee
JOHNSON CITY, TN
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
12
Total Given
$202K
One Family Memphis
MEMPHIS, TN
Assets
$6.4M
Grants
0
Total Given
—
B & B Foundation
NASHVILLE, TN
Assets
—
Grants
9
Total Given
$2.1M
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Sunlight 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