TBS Spark Foundation
TBS Spark Foundation is a private foundation based in Houma, Louisiana. Its 2025 filing lists grants to charitable organizations, primarily in Louisiana, supporting activities that include education, homelessness services, domestic-violence survivor safety, disability services, health care, and community programs.
TBS Spark Foundation at a glance
In short: TBS Spark Foundation gave $15K across 15 grants in 2025 (avg $966.733), mostly in Louisiana. 47% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $14,501
- +20.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 15
- +36.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $967
- -12.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $635
- Total assets
- $24,670
- -20.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (7 of 15, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (94% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to TBS Spark Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 412 South Vane Avenue, Houma, LA 70363
Phone: (985) 223-9259
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who TBS Spark Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Tfae Run for Excellence ($3K). Together the top 10 received $13K.
Grant Size Distribution
49 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 49 grants of 49 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in Louisiana, 4% to recipients in Tennessee, and 1% to recipients in Texas. The listed grants show substantial support for organizations in Houma and elsewhere in Louisiana.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
Cities
Is TBS Spark Foundation open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 15 grantees (47%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $832; repeat grants $1K. How we count
Medians: $500 first-time, $666 repeat.
- 40% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 73% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $7K (2021) to $20K (2020). In 2025 it made 15 grants totaling $15K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tfae Run for Excellence Houma, LA | Supports Education Programs in Terrebonne Public Schools | $2,500 |
| Firm Foundation of Houma Houma, LA | To Assisting Individuals Experiencing Homelessness in Terrebonne Parish | $2,152 |
| Catholic Charities of Acadiana Lafayette, LA | To provide support in caring for the sacred gift of life | $1,877 |
| The Haven Houma, LA | Provides Safety to Survivors of Domestic Violence | $1,665 |
| Lafourche Arc Thibodaux, LA | To Help Meet Needs of People with Disabilities | $1,150 |
| Texas Children's Hospital Houston, LA | To Support Children in Hospitalization | $1,000 |
| Angels' Place Metairie, LA | To Provide Support to Adults with Developmental Disabilities. | $696 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana Baton Rouge, LA | For Holiday Giving | $635 |
| St Jude Childrens Research Hospital Memphis, TN | Provides Care for Children with Cancer | $600 |
| Knights of Columbus 13397 Thibodaux, LA | To Support Community Activities | $500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $24,670 | $11,565 | $18,018 | $14,501 | 15 | $18,018 | $1,301 |
| 2024 | $31,123 | $31,267 | $14,519 | $12,081 | 11 | $14,519 | $907 |
| 2023 | $14,375 | $19,074 | $8,314 | $7,154 | 8 | $8,314 | $143 |
| 2022 | $3,615 | $9,250 | $9,382 | $8,367 | 7 | $9,382 | $880 |
| 2021 | $3,747 | $6,672 | $7,937 | $6,922 | 8 | $7,937 | $275 |
| 2020 | $5,012 | $20,572 | $21,336 | $20,308 | 11 | — | $276 |
| 2019 | $5,776 | $12,088 | $10,677 | $9,098 | 12 | — | $243 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, TBS Spark Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for organizations working in education, homelessness, domestic-violence services, care for people with disabilities, children’s health, tribal education and assistance, and community activities.
Grantees describe their own missions in varied terms. Lafourche ARC says it provides habilitation, care, and housing for people with intellectual disabilities. Angels’ Place says it provides respite care and support to children with progressive life-threatening illnesses and their families. Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana says it helps young people reach their potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. United Houma Nation says it provides vocational rehabilitation, tribal education and assistance, disaster relief, and promotes tribal identity and unity.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 15 grants totaling $14,501. Grant amounts ranged from $200 to $2,500, with a median of $635.
Notable 2025 grants included $2,500 to TFAE Run for Excellence for education programs in Terrebonne Public Schools; $2,152 to Firm Foundation of Houma to assist individuals experiencing homelessness in Terrebonne Parish; $1,877 to Catholic Charities of Acadiana for support in caring for the sacred gift of life; and $1,665 to The Haven to provide safety to survivors of domestic violence. Other grants included $1,150 to Lafourche ARC, $1,000 to Texas Children’s Hospital, $696 to Angels’ Place, $635 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana, and $600 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Kenneth W. Smith as chairman and treasurer; Sheri Smith as president and secretary; and Angele Smith Baugh, Jennifer Smith Chiasson, Caley Smith Krug, and Sara Smith as directors.
TBS Spark Foundation is led by Sheri Smith, President & Secretary on every filing since 2019; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sheri Smith
President & Secretary
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth W. Smith
Chairman & Treasurer
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Angele Smith Baugh
Director
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Caley Smith Krug
Director
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sara Smith
Director
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Smith Chiasson
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Jennifer Smith (2019–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 TBS Spark Foundation
How much does TBS Spark Foundation give each year?
TBS Spark Foundation gave $15K across 15 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $12K across 11 grants.
What is TBS Spark Foundation's typical grant size?
TBS Spark Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $635, and its average grant was $967, across 15 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from TBS Spark Foundation that year got $832 on average.
Where does TBS Spark Foundation give grants?
TBS Spark Foundation gives mostly in Louisiana: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Houma, LA (4 grants) and Thibodaux, LA (2 grants).
Does TBS Spark Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on TBS Spark Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are TBS Spark Foundation's largest grantees?
TBS Spark Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Tfae Run for Excellence ($2,500), Firm Foundation of Houma ($2,152) and Catholic Charities of Acadiana ($1,877), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 45% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is TBS Spark Foundation?
TBS Spark Foundation reported $25K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $18K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does TBS Spark Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for organizations working in education, homelessness, domestic-violence services, care for people with disabilities, children’s health, tribal education and assistance, and community activities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from TBS Spark Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is TBS Spark Foundation's EIN?
TBS Spark Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-3021603. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does TBS Spark Foundation 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 26, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 23, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 25, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 26, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 15, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 25, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Live grants for the work TBS Spark Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in TBS Spark Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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