The Light Foundation
The mission of the organization is to create a generation of successful youth by providing life-changing opportunities.
The Light Foundation at a glance
In short: The Light Foundation gave $58K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), mostly in Missouri. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $57,950
- -57.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $14,488
- -57.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $9,350
- Total assets
- $1,866,702
- -34.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Missouri (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Light Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Walker Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders ($34K). Together the top 4 received $58K.
Grant Size Distribution
16 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 12 grants of 16 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Light Foundation gives
- Giving grew 70% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $29K (2020) to $136K (2023). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $58K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Walker Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorders Saint Louis, MO | General Support | $34,235 |
| Scottish Rite Foundation of Missouri Saint Louis, MO | General Support | $10,000 |
| Maryville University Saint Louis, MO | General Support | $8,700 |
| Haven of Grace Saint Louis, MO | General Support | $5,015 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,866,702 | $490,959 | $901,758 | $57,950 | 4 | $459,540 |
| 2023 | $2,844,758 | $322,146 | $1,100,580 | $135,705 | 4 | $220,382 |
| 2022 | $3,569,000 | $302,565 | $1,100,637 | $122,028 | 4 | $217,182 |
| 2021 | $5,323,293 | $1,750,959 | $852,619 | $34,101 | 2 | $483,237 |
| 2020 | $4,504,698 | $174,956 | $871,967 | $29,104 | 2 | $144,607 |
About The Light Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Light Foundation is a public charity focused on Youth Development, based in Saint Louis, MO. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.9M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $58K. Net investment income was $460K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Light Foundation is led by Sharon Mistretta, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 6 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sharon Mistretta
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$109K (2020) → $78K (2024)
Robert W. Cockerham
President
Director & President → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brandon Cockerham
Director
Light Box Productions → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$13K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Bret Akers
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Randall Wilson
Treasurer
Director & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stacia Cockerham
Vice President
Director & Secretary → Vice President, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Erika Cockerham (2020–2023) — Limelight Studio Director
- Former: Quentin Cockerham (2020–2023) — Demolay Youth
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $78K, to Sharon Mistretta (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Light Foundation
How much does The Light Foundation give each year?
The Light Foundation gave $58K across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $136K across 4 grants.
What is The Light Foundation's typical grant size?
The Light Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $9,350, and its average grant was $14,488, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Light Foundation give grants?
The Light Foundation gives mostly in Missouri: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Saint Louis, MO (4 grants).
Does The Light Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Light Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
How large is The Light Foundation?
The Light Foundation reported $1.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $491K.
What is The Light Foundation?
The Light Foundation is a public charity focused on Youth Development, based in Saint Louis, MO. It holds $1.9M in total assets as of 2024.
What is The Light Foundation's EIN?
The Light Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-3061830. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Light Foundation funds
Youth Development Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Light Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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