Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation
The Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation is a private foundation based in Latham, New York. It supports nonprofit organizations through financial contributions, in-kind services, and volunteer assistance, following the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.”
Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation at a glance
In short: Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation gave $161K across 43 grants in 2024 (avg $4K), mostly in New York. 40% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $160,921
- +37.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 43
- +19.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,742
- +14.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $81,731
- -18.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (17 of 43, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (100% 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 Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests from eligible nonprofits. Applicants are directed to complete the donation or sponsorship request form and submit a written request with contact details, the purpose and amount requested, and any applicable Sunmark branch, employee, or member information, as well as information about any acknowledgement offered. The foundation’s website says requests are reviewed quarterly. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations serving within the stated service area. The foundation does not fund sponsorships of individuals, school field trips, tours, clubs or sports activities, or projects whose primary purpose is religious or political.
- Review Cycle
- The 2024 filing says requests must be received at least 60 days before the deadline. The website’s request page asks that applications be submitted at least 90 days before an event or deadline.
- Deadline
- The 2024 filing says requests must be received at least 60 days before the deadline.
- Contact
Application contact: Sunmark Charitable Community Founda
Mailing address: 1187 Troy Schenectady Rd, Latham, NY 12110
Phone: (518) 382-2597
Email: foundation@sunmark.org
Website: https://www.sunmark.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region ($52K). Together the top 10 received $106K.
Grant Size Distribution
165 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 164 grants of 165 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website describes its service area as 23 New York counties. Its 2024 filing’s eligibility criteria list 14 counties: Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, and Westchester. In 2024, all reported grant dollars went to recipients in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 17 of 43 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 49% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 203% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $53K (2021) to $161K (2024). In 2024 it made 43 grants totaling $161K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region Albany, NY | To Fund Organization's Activities | $51,571 |
| Hood's House of Hoops Albany, NY | To Fund Organization's Activities | $10,305 |
| Best Buddies International Inc Waterford, NY | To Fund Organization's Activities | $7,500 |
| Special Olympics of New York Albany, NY | To Fund Organization's Activities | $6,025 |
| Mom Starts Here Troy, NY | To Fund Organization's Activities | $5,501 |
| American Red Cross Albany, NY | To Fund Organization's Activities | $5,000 |
| Kelly's Angels Inc Wilton, NY | To Fund Organization's Activities | $5,000 |
| Lifesong Inc Clifton Park, NY | To Fund Organization's Activities | $5,000 |
| Mr Mo Project Clifton Park, NY | To Fund Organization's Activities | $5,000 |
| Young Parents United Schenectady, NY | To Fund Organization's Activities | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $81,731 | $132,478 | $191,606 | $160,921 | 43 | $160,921 | $3,462 |
| 2023 | $99,649 | $182,954 | $166,801 | $117,361 | 36 | $117,361 | $3,315 |
| 2022 | $84,957 | $167,597 | $121,745 | $75,571 | 33 | $75,571 | $4,274 |
| 2021 | $32,017 | $86,047 | $79,560 | $53,173 | 25 | $53,173 | $1,499 |
| 2020 | $22,553 | $50,949 | $65,647 | $62,155 | 28 | — | $1,198 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3K 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
The foundation describes its guiding philosophy as “people helping people.” Its stated giving pillars include financial education, community development, diversity and inclusion, affordable housing, and food accessibility. It also identifies family support and improving quality of life for people in need as areas of focus.
The foundation funds nonprofit organizations. Examples of grantees’ work include Best Buddies International, whose mission is to create opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through friendship, employment, and leadership; Lifesong, which provides day habilitation services for people with disabilities; and Mom Starts Here, which connects women in unplanned pregnancies, young mothers, and families in need with resources. Other 2024 grantees include Kelly’s Angels, which supports children who have lost a parent to cancer, and Young Parents United, which works with adolescent parents and their children.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 43 grants totaling $160,921. Grants ranged from $250 to $51,571, with a median of $2,000. Its largest award was $51,571 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region. Other notable awards included $10,305 to Hood’s House of Hoops, $7,500 to Best Buddies International, $6,025 to Special Olympics of New York, and $5,501 to Mom Starts Here.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Amber Cooleen as president and board member; Audrey Stone as vice president and board member; Christina Coons as treasurer and board member; and Lauren DeMarco as secretary and board member. It also lists Brittney Campbell, Tony Cardona, Rachael Bolle, and Matt Rhodes as board members.
Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation is led by Amber Cooleen, President & Board Member since 2022 (on filings since 2020); none of the 8 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Amber Cooleen
President & Board Member
Board Member → President & Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Audrey Stone
Vice President & Board Member
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christina Coons
Treasurer & Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brittney Campbell
Board Member
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Demarco
Secretary & Board Member
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rachael Bolle
Board Member
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matt Rhodes
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tony Cardona
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Brian Hugick (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Bryan Delehanty (2020–2022) — President -
- Former: Nereida Stewart (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Ralph Lebarron (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Samantha Vandeusen (2020–2021) — Secretary & Board Member
- Former: Anthony Cardona (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Zach Hasselbarth (2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation
How much does Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation give each year?
Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation gave $161K across 43 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $117K across 36 grants.
What is Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,000, and its average grant was $3,742, across 43 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation that year got $5K on average.
Where does Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation give grants?
Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation gives mostly in New York: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Albany, NY (11 grants), Schenectady, NY (7 grants), Latham, NY (4 grants) and Troy, NY (3 grants).
Does Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 43 grants with a stated purpose on Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Fund Organization's Activities" (42 grants).
Who are Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region ($51,571), Hood's House of Hoops ($10,305) and Best Buddies International Inc ($7,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 43% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation?
Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation reported $82K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $161K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation fund?
The foundation describes its guiding philosophy as “people helping people.” Its stated giving pillars include financial education, community development, diversity and inclusion, affordable housing, and food accessibility. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests from eligible nonprofits. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation's EIN?
Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-3713204. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region Inc
Albany, NY
The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region supports nonprofits and students in areas including human services, education, arts and culture, housing, and community improvement, primarily across New York’s ten-county Greater Capital Region. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of $10,175 and ranged from $5,000 to $180,000. Whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$119.8M
Grants
286
Total Given
$5.3M
Price Chopper's Golub Foundation
Schenectady, NY
Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation supports 501(c)(3) nonprofits in health and human services, arts and culture, education, and youth activities within its store marketing areas in New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. Recent grants ranged from $200 to $7,500, with a median of $1,000. It accepts requests through an online application process, allowing one request per fiscal year.
Assets
$420K
Grants
218
Total Given
$318K
Capital District Physicians' Health Plan Inc
Latham, NY
Through its affiliated Foundation, Capital District Physicians’ Health supports health care access, community health and wellness, social services, education, and cultural arts, with priority given to projects addressing barriers to care. Its 2024 filing lists a $60,000 grant, but typical award amounts are not stated; support is for communities in its service area in New York. The Foundation considers funding inquiries from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations.
Assets
$530.3M
Grants
2
Total Given
$90K
JM McDonald Foundation Inc
Wilmington, DE
The JM McDonald Foundation supports organizations working in areas such as community, arts and culture, the environment, health, education, preservation, and recreation, primarily in upstate New York. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $75,000, with a median of $5,000. It accepts online applications and considers grants beyond preselected organizations.
Assets
$35.0M
Grants
203
Total Given
$1.7M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Inc
New York, NY
Mother Cabrini Health Foundation funds healthcare access and related services, basic needs, workforce development, mental and behavioral health, and other projects improving the wellbeing of vulnerable New Yorkers. It gives throughout New York State, with a typical grant around $200,000 (2024 median; awards ranged from $100 to $4.2 million). It accepts Letters of Inquiry through an application process, but the 2026 process is closed.
Assets
$3.9B
Grants
601
Total Given
$172.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in New York
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/sunmark-charitable-community-foundation-morg_f3892ed2194a48999972c47eba3d7209
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_473713204_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/sunmark-charitable-community-foundation-morg_f3892ed2194a48999972c47eba3d7209},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation'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.
Sunmark Charitable Community Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?