The Sanders Foundation
The Sanders Foundation is a private foundation, based in El Paso, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.3M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $475K. Net investment income was $380K.
The Sanders Foundation at a glance
In short: The Sanders Foundation gave $475K across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $68K), mostly in New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $474,525
- +11.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $67,789
- +11.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $1,313,250
- +38.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New York (53% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Sanders Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Cornell University Foundation ($250K). Together the top 7 received $475K.
Grant Size Distribution
31 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 16 grants of 31 (52%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Sanders Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−16%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 939% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $215K (2021) to $565K (2022). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $475K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cornell University Foundation Ithaca, NY | General Support | $250,000 |
| Santa Fe Prep Santa Fe, NM | General Support | $89,525 |
| Paso Del Norte Community Foundation El Paso, TX | General Support | $50,000 |
| Williams College Williamstown, MA | General Support | $50,000 |
| Borderplex Bi-National Economic Alliance Foundation El Paso, TX | General Support | $25,000 |
| The EPC Meseum DBA La Nube El Paso, TX | General Support | $5,000 |
| Georgetown University Washington, DC | General Support | $5,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,313,250 | $889,612 | $487,635 | $474,525 | 7 | $474,525 | $379,787 | $50,530 |
| 2024 | $950,196 | $124,730 | $437,304 | $425,000 | 7 | $425,000 | $114,670 | $71,651 |
| 2023 | $1,575,483 | $95,916 | $494,975 | $485,000 | 6 | $485,000 | $85,941 | $82,838 |
| 2022 | $1,775,579 | $56,979 | $568,784 | $565,000 | 6 | $565,000 | $54,605 | $104,445 |
| 2021 | $2,909,042 | $106,655 | $219,272 | $215,000 | 5 | $215,000 | $101,453 | $131,980 |
| 2020 | $2,918,480 | $-187,979 | $225,269 | $220,000 | 5 | — | $58,062 | $129,541 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sanders Foundation reported a distributable amount of $51K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Sanders Foundation's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Barry A. Kobren
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Louann F. Sanders
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William D. Sanders
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 The Sanders Foundation
How much does The Sanders Foundation give each year?
The Sanders Foundation gave $475K across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $425K across 7 grants.
What is The Sanders Foundation's typical grant size?
The Sanders Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $67,789, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Sanders Foundation give grants?
The Sanders Foundation gives mostly in New York: 53% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New Mexico (19%) and Texas (17%). The most frequent recipient cities were El Paso, TX (3 grants).
Does The Sanders Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Sanders Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Sanders Foundation's largest grantees?
The Sanders Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Cornell University Foundation ($250,000), Santa Fe Prep ($89,525) and Paso Del Norte Community Foundation ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 82% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Sanders Foundation?
The Sanders Foundation reported $1.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $475K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $51K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Sanders Foundation's EIN?
The Sanders Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2698726. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Sanders Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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