Sunlight Giving
Sunlight Giving is a private foundation based in Palo Alto, California, that supports nonprofits serving young children and families living in poverty in greater Silicon Valley. Its work focuses on helping families access essential resources, including food, housing, health care, family support resources, and safe spaces.
Sunlight Giving at a glance
In short: Sunlight Giving gave $23.0M across 332 grants in 2024 (avg $69K), mostly in California. 1% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $23,013,500
- -2.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 332
- -7.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $69,318
- +5.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $55,000
- Total assets
- $502,457,393
- +6.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 1% first-time grantees (3 of 293, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Sunlight Giving
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and **does not accept unsolicited requests**. Its website also welcomes inquiries from prospective partners and provides an online interest form; it says it will respond within 15 business days about whether an organization will move forward to the next step. Application instructions describe an online portal, an application overview, and required fields and documents.
- Contact
Mailing address: 855 El Camino Real Bldg 4 Suite 2, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Phone: (650) 235-4883
Website: https://sunlightgiving.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Sunlight Giving
Who Sunlight Giving funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Lifemoves ($350K). Together the top 10 received $3.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
2,648 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,402 grants of 2,648 (53%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Sunlight Giving’s stated geographic footprint includes Alameda, Contra Costa, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Stanislaus counties. It also makes select grants to state and national advocacy efforts on behalf of its program areas. In 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in California and 1% to recipients in Washington, D.C.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 332 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Sunlight Giving open to new grantees?
1%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 293 grantees (1%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $33K; repeat grants $79K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $65K repeat.
- 99% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 45% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 102% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $22.9M (2019) to $41.5M (2021). In 2024 it made 332 grants totaling $23.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lifemoves Santa Clara, CA | General Support, $350,000 per Year for Three Years | $350,000 |
| Second Harvest of Silicon Valley San Jose, CA | General Support, $350,000 per Year for Three Years | $350,000 |
| The Alameda County Community Food Bank Inc Oakland, CA | General Support, $300,000 per Year for Three Years | $300,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Mar Monte Inc San Jose, CA | General Support, $275,000 per Year for Three Years | $275,000 |
| Valley Health Foundation San Jose, CA | General Support, $275,000 per Year for Three Years | $275,000 |
| Abode Services Fremont, CA | General Support, $250,000 per Year for Three Years | $250,000 |
| First 5 Santa Clara County San Jose, CA | Family resource centers, $250,000 per year for two years | $250,000 |
| Food Bank for Monterey County Salinas, CA | General Support, $250,000 per Year for Three Years | $250,000 |
| Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Concord, CA | General Support, $250,000 per Year for Three Years | $250,000 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County Watsonville, CA | General Support, $250,000 per Year for Three Years | $250,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Sunlight Giving?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $502,457,393 | $35,482,887 | $27,870,238 | $23,013,500 | 332 | $25,337,521 | $25,563,723 | $24,762,182 |
| 2023 | $471,220,977 | $39,853,035 | $31,914,307 | $23,502,415 | 357 | $25,511,836 | $24,896,493 | $22,624,951 |
| 2022 | $453,425,991 | $19,688,426 | $32,303,749 | $26,570,465 | 459 | $28,721,346 | $7,741,774 | $23,702,640 |
| 2021 | $535,791,594 | $47,112,763 | $47,484,710 | $41,531,250 | 800 | $43,505,947 | $54,715,538 | $27,253,470 |
| 2020 | $510,624,261 | $22,845,227 | $39,986,027 | $33,184,225 | 700 | — | $19,500,929 | $25,109,328 |
| 2019 | $484,237,387 | $29,821,285 | $30,794,209 | $22,874,000 | 308 | — | $27,354,276 | $24,825,489 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sunlight Giving reported a distributable amount of $24.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Sunlight Giving’s mission is to support nonprofits that ensure young children and families living in poverty in greater Silicon Valley can access resources such as safe and affordable housing, healthy food, quality health care, and safe spaces. The foundation also describes its priorities as including safety-net services and family support resources. It aims to center BIPOC, immigrants, women, and people living in poverty, and partners with organizations committed to racial, gender, and economic justice.
Examples of supported organizations include LifeMoves, which describes its mission as providing interim housing and supportive services to help homeless families and individuals return to stable housing; Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, which aims to provide more healthy food and better access to food; and Kidango, which says it works to inspire children, empower families, and build stronger communities.
Grantmaking
Sunlight Giving reported 332 grants totaling $23,013,500 in 2024. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $350,000, with a median of $55,000. Its largest grants included $350,000 each to LifeMoves and Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, and $300,000 to the Alameda County Community Food Bank. Many listed awards were for general support over multiple years.
The foundation says it typically provides flexible funding in the form of general support, offers multi-year support to most Core Partners, and may provide short-term funding for targeted opportunities. It determines grant amounts internally based on factors including mission alignment, reach, approach, budget, and population served; it does not ask applicants to request a specific amount. Its team meets multiple times a year to make grant decisions, with key docket dates in February and October. For most organizations under consideration, research and pre-award due diligence are conducted internally; when the foundation reaches out, the process may include an introductory conversation and a request for additional information.
Eligibility guidance includes having 501(c)(3) status, being a fiscally sponsored project, or being a public agency; serving families with children aged 0–5 in a giving area; and working in and serving residents of the specified counties or through select regional efforts. The foundation typically does not fund lobbying or activities to influence specific legislation, medical research, endowments, or individuals. It also does not support organizations that discriminate or require participation in religious activities to receive services.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Tegan Acton as president and Brian Acton as secretary.
Sunlight Giving is led by Tegan Acton, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Tegan Acton
President
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Acton
Secretary
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Sunlight Giving
How much does Sunlight Giving give each year?
Sunlight Giving gave $23.0M across 332 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $23.5M across 357 grants.
What is Sunlight Giving's typical grant size?
Sunlight Giving's median grant in 2024 was $55,000, and its average grant was $69,318, across 332 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Sunlight Giving that year got $33K on average.
Where does Sunlight Giving give grants?
Sunlight Giving gives mostly in California: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Oakland, CA (46 grants), San Jose, CA (33 grants), San Francisco, CA (23 grants) and Stockton, CA (16 grants).
Does Sunlight Giving give general operating support?
Yes: 82% of Sunlight Giving's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (271 of 332) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Sunlight Giving's largest grantees?
Sunlight Giving's largest 2024 grantees include Lifemoves ($350,000), Second Harvest of Silicon Valley ($350,000) and The Alameda County Community Food Bank Inc ($350,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 5% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Sunlight Giving?
Sunlight Giving reported $502.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $25.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $24.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Sunlight Giving fund?
Sunlight Giving’s mission is to support nonprofits that ensure young children and families living in poverty in greater Silicon Valley can access resources such as safe and affordable housing, healthy food, quality health care, and safe spaces. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Sunlight Giving?
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Sunlight Giving's EIN?
Sunlight Giving's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-1820379. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Does Sunlight Giving accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 22, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sunlight Giving's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
United Way of the Bay Area
San Francisco, CA
United Way of the Bay Area funds programs addressing poverty, including housing, employment, financial stability, and basic needs, primarily in the Bay Area and California. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,050 to $745,000, with a median of $15,454; it does not accept unsolicited funding requests, though occasional specific community funds may be open to eligible organizations.
Assets
$24.2M
Grants
130
Total Given
$5.3M
East Bay Community Foundation
Oakland, CA
East Bay Community Foundation funds arts and culture for social justice, racial-equity capacity building, community organizing and movement building, and inclusive economic models, prioritizing communities affected by structural inequities. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely, and generally support organizations in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Most strategy-guided grants are by invitation, with applications opened periodically; donor-advised fund grants may also be made without an application.
Assets
$514.0M
Grants
842
Total Given
$62.8M
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals
Oakland, CA
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals funds health care access and services, community health, health education, and related work, with priorities including mental and behavioral health, housing, and income and employment. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely; most grant dollars went to California, with some going elsewhere. In Southern California, it says it does not accept unsolicited letters of inquiry or proposals and awards grants through competitive processes to pre-identified organizations.
Assets
$87.4B
Grants
1,122
Total Given
$225.4M
Women's Foundation of California
Oakland, CA
The Women’s Foundation of California funds community-led work advancing racial, economic, environmental, and gender justice, including organizing, policy advocacy, civic engagement, and culture change, with priority for California organizations led by women of color and gender-expansive people. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $500,000, with a median of $17,500; it is open to inquiries and asks prospective partners to review its guidelines and complete a questionnaire.
Assets
$18.1M
Grants
60
Total Given
$2.0M
Tipping Point Community
San Francisco, CA
Tipping Point Community funds poverty-fighting organizations and projects in housing, early childhood, education, employment, and related initiatives, with a priority for organizations led by people of color. It focuses on the Bay Area, with early-childhood funding prioritizing Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara counties; its 2025 grants ranged from $10,000 to $2.45 million, with a median of $203,000.
Assets
$86.6M
Grants
108
Total Given
$26.3M
Sutter Bay Hospitals
Sacramento, CA
Sutter Bay Hospitals primarily funds community health and social-service programs, including care for underserved communities, mental health, and health equity. In 2024, it made 173 grants ranging from $6,000 to $930,250, with a median of $50,000; nearly all funding went to California, with a small share in Washington. Its separate community sponsorship program accepts online applications from eligible nonprofits; the information does not state whether its other grantmaking accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$5.8B
Grants
173
Total Given
$14.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Sunlight Giving funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/sunlight-giving-morg_a5c04fa5d5a14f7eb321b2bdadb68fa0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_471820379_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Sunlight Giving funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/sunlight-giving-morg_a5c04fa5d5a14f7eb321b2bdadb68fa0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Sunlight Giving's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Sunlight Giving down — hundreds of funders to go?