The Sarah Ralston Foundation
The Sarah Ralston Foundation is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based public charity that supports organizations serving vulnerable and underserved older adults who reside in Philadelphia County. The foundation says it seeks transformative impact through general operating support and innovative project support.
The Sarah Ralston Foundation at a glance
In short: The Sarah Ralston Foundation gave $1.9M across 40 grants in 2025 (avg $47K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 30% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,865,000
- -47.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 40
- -24.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $46,625
- -31.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,125
- Total assets
- $63,479,319
- +5.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (12 of 40, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Sarah Ralston Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests from organizations that meet its eligibility requirements. Applicants use the online application process and select the relevant grant type. Organizations may apply to more than one grantmaking area if they meet the criteria for each.
- Review Cycle
- The published 2026 deadlines were April 1 for general operating support and September 1 for innovative project support; both dates had passed by September 28, 2026. The website lists decision notifications for May 31 and November 15, respectively.
- Deadline
- The published 2026 deadlines were April 1 for general operating support and September 1 for innovative project…
- Next open deadline
- April 1, 2027 (Sarah Ralston Foundation- General Operating Support Grants)
- Contact
Mailing address: 123 South Broad Street 2245, Philadelphia, PA 19109
Phone: (215) 386-2984
Website: https://sarahralstonfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Sarah Ralston Foundation
Innovative Project Support
The Sarah Ralston Foundation
Amount
US $25,000 - US $125,000
Deadline
Expected ~September
Based on past cycles
Sarah Ralston Foundation- General Operating Support Grants
The Sarah Ralston Foundation
Amount
US $5,000 - US $50,000
Deadline
Expected ~April
Based on past cycles
Who The Sarah Ralston Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Penn Asian Senior Services ($375K). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
140 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 73 grants of 140 (52%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses on services for older adults residing in Philadelphia County. Organizations may be based elsewhere, but must serve county residents; grants to organizations based outside the county are restricted to their Philadelphia County programs. In 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania and 1% to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 40 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Sarah Ralston Foundation open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 12 of 40 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $72K; repeat grants $36K. How we count
Medians: $33K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 65% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2023–2025). 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 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.9M (2025) to $3.6M (2024). In 2025 it made 40 grants totaling $1.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Penn Asian Senior Services Philadelphia, PA | Innovative Project Support | $375,000 |
| Broad Street Love Philadelphia, PA | Innovative project support grant; general operation support grant; emergency fund support | $190,000 |
| Urban Resources Development Corporation Philadelphia, PA | Innovative project support grant; general operation support grant; participation in peer collaboration luncheon | $165,250 |
| Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels Flourtown, PA | Innovative Project Support Grant; General Operation Support Grant | $105,000 |
| Ordinarie Heroes Philadelphia, PA | Innovative Project Support Grant | $79,000 |
| Visionlink Philadelphia, PA | Innovative Project Support Grant; General Operating Support Grant | $70,000 |
| Northern Living Center by North City Congress (PCA Philadelphia, PA | General Operation Support Grant; Emergency Fund Support | $63,000 |
| Caring People Alliance Philadelphia, PA | Emergency Funding Support | $55,000 |
| Face to Face Philadelphia, PA | General Operating Support Grant; Emergency Funding Grant | $55,000 |
| Center in the Park Inc Philadelphia, PA | General Operating Support; Strategic Networking Event Honorarium | $50,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $63,479,319 | $3,519,900 | $2,821,298 | $1,865,000 | 40 | $3,421,262 |
| 2024 | $60,333,987 | $4,583,549 | $4,654,332 | $3,581,678 | 53 | $4,498,056 |
| 2023 | $58,124,198 | $44,688,276 | $2,837,506 | $1,995,500 | 47 | $44,539,617 |
| 2022 | $15,325,954 | $1,322,100 | $1,052,735 | — | — | $463,802 |
| 2021 | $17,722,331 | $2,325,618 | $1,151,313 | — | — | $1,374,374 |
| 2020 | $16,451,188 | $1,664,612 | $1,604,002 | — | — | $632,459 |
| 2019 | $15,080,397 | $1,798,305 | $1,864,150 | — | — | $431,693 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to support and enhance the quality of life of vulnerable and underserved older adults residing in Philadelphia County. It defines older adults typically as people age 60 and older. Organizations may be based outside the county if they serve older adults who reside there.
Its two grantmaking areas are general operating support and innovative project support. Innovative project grants are for organizations developing, testing, or extending new approaches to improve service delivery. The foundation’s 2026 application lists eligible services such as adult day programs, behavioral and mental health services, care coordination, caregiver support, digital literacy, food security, housing, legal services, senior centers, and transportation.
The foundation’s 2025 recipients included organizations with varied missions. Penn Asian Senior Services says it promotes the well-being of Asian American seniors and other adults disadvantaged by language and cultural barriers. Urban Resources Development Corporation describes assisting low-to-moderate-income and senior-aged homeowners with home repairs. Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels says it delivers meals to neighbors challenged by illness, disability, or age. Center in the Park says it promotes positive aging and community connections for older adults.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 40 grants totaling $1,865,000. Grants ranged from $5,250 to $375,000, with a median of $25,125. The largest awards included $375,000 to Penn Asian Senior Services, $190,000 to Broad Street Love, $165,250 to Urban Resources Development Corporation, and $105,000 to Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels. The listed purposes included innovative project support, general operating support, and emergency support.
The foundation’s website describes separate application and review processes for its two grant areas. It says eligible organizations may apply without an invitation. Applications are submitted online; the 2026 general operating support application asks for eligibility confirmation and, for organizations that have not previously received foundation support, organizational history and mission. Newly established organizations may apply. General operating support is limited to organizations with operating budgets under $5 million; the innovative project program has no operating-budget limit. The foundation’s FAQ says 2026 grants in both categories are for one year, while its 2025 filing says several innovative grants in that year were multi-year.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing were Heather Finnegan, executive director; Benjamin T. Hoyle, president; Jerry C. Johnson, vice president; Larry Daniels, treasurer; and Therese DeVries Narzikul, secretary. Directors listed were Alexis Ahiagbe, Randall J. Braunfeld, Anne E. Callan, Margie Dubrow, and U. Tara Hayden.
The Sarah Ralston Foundation is led by Heather Finnegan, Executive Director on the 2025 filing; 1 of 13 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Heather Finnegan
Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$213K (2025)
Benjamin T. Hoyle Mga
President
Treasurer → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Nagel Esq.
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Randall J. Braunfeld Ma
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anne E. Callan Mph Cph
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael J. Wassil CPA
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
U. Tara Hayden Mhsa
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alexis Ahiagbe
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin Williams
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Margie Dubrow
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry Daniels MBA
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Therese Devries Narzikul MBA
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jerry C. Johnson MD
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Lynette M. Killen (2019–2024) — Executive Director
- Former: Elise Robinson Pizzi Msn Crnp (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Neville E. Strumpf Phd Faan (2022–2023) — President
- Former: Therese Devries Narzikul Mba Msn (2022–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Sharon Turner RN (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Mary Ann Forciea Md Facp (2022) — Secretary
- Former: Anne E. Callan (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Benjamin Hoyle (2019–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Elise Robinson Pizzi (2019–2021) — Vice President
- Former: Elizabeth K. Keech (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: James J. Scott (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Mary Ann Forciea (2019–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Mike Wassil CPA (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Neville E. Strumpf (2019–2021) — President & CEO
- Former: U. Tara Hayden (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Catherine H. Gillespie Esq. (2019–2020) — 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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $213K, to Heather Finnegan (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Sarah Ralston Foundation
How much does The Sarah Ralston Foundation give each year?
The Sarah Ralston Foundation gave $1.9M across 40 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.6M across 53 grants.
What is The Sarah Ralston Foundation's typical grant size?
The Sarah Ralston Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,125, and its average grant was $46,625, across 40 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Sarah Ralston Foundation that year got $72K on average.
Where does The Sarah Ralston Foundation give grants?
The Sarah Ralston Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (34 grants).
Does The Sarah Ralston Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 90% of The Sarah Ralston Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (36 of 40) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are The Sarah Ralston Foundation's largest grantees?
The Sarah Ralston Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Penn Asian Senior Services ($375,000), Broad Street Love ($190,000) and Urban Resources Development Corporation ($165,250), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Sarah Ralston Foundation?
The Sarah Ralston Foundation reported $63.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.5M.
What does The Sarah Ralston Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to support and enhance the quality of life of vulnerable and underserved older adults residing in Philadelphia County. It defines older adults typically as people age 60 and older. Organizations may be based outside the county if they serve older adults who reside there. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Sarah Ralston Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests from organizations that meet its eligibility requirements. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Sarah Ralston Foundation's EIN?
The Sarah Ralston Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-1387107. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The Sarah Ralston Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 4, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 4, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 9, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Sarah Ralston Foundation funds
Human Services Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Sarah Ralston Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Sarah Ralston Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-sarah-ralston-foundation-morg_b96c7ab1c9ce4149b9f8cb964e78d412
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_231387107_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Sarah Ralston Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-sarah-ralston-foundation-morg_b96c7ab1c9ce4149b9f8cb964e78d412},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 The Sarah Ralston 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.
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