The Sassafras Foundation
The Sassafras Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Its 2023 filing is marked as the organization’s final return, indicating that it appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking.
Key facts about The Sassafras Foundation
In short: The Sassafras Foundation gave $24K across 14 grants in 2023 (avg $2K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 36-4120772
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023
- Annual giving (2023)
- $24,357
- Grants made (2023)
- 14
- Average grant
- $1,740
- Median grant
- $500
- Primary geography
- Illinois (87% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- 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. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$24K
+400.1% YoY
Grant Count
14
+40.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$2K
+257.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sassafras Foundation reported a distributable amount of $929 for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How The Sassafras Foundation gives
- 21% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
- Giving grew 144% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2023). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2023 grants show support for a range of organizations. The Selfhelp Home describes its mission as providing nursing, healthcare, and related activities for older adults. Feeding America says its mission is to advance change by ensuring equitable access to nutritious food. Shirley Heinze Land Trust describes its work as preserving and restoring natural lands and waters in northwestern Indiana and engaging people in nature and conservation. Facing History & Ourselves says it uses lessons of history to equip teachers and students to stand up to racism, antisemitism, and other forms of bigotry and hate.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation gave 14 grants totaling $24,357. Grant amounts ranged from $75 to $18,000, with a median of $500. The largest grants included $18,000 to Lend A Hand Across America, $2,000 to The Selfhelp Home, and $1,000 to Feeding America; each was listed for general support. Other grants included $700 to Concern Worldwide and $500 each to Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Beverly Shores Depot Museum and Art Gallery, J Street, and Shirley Heinze Land Trust.
How to Apply
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Its 2023 filing is marked as its final return, so this should not be treated as a current application process.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2023, 87% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois. The reported shares for other recipient states were New York 5%, Indiana 5%, and Washington, DC 3%; Massachusetts was reported as 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $4K (2021) to $24K (2023). In 2023 it made 14 grants totaling $24K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Lend a Hand Across America ($18K). Together the top 10 received $24K.
Grant Size Distribution
31 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 31 grants of 31 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lend a Hand Across America Chicago, IL | General Support | $18,000 |
| The Selfhelp Home Chicago, IL | General Support | $2,000 |
| Feeding America Chicago, IL | General Support | $1,000 |
| Concern Worldwide New York, NY | General Support | $700 |
| Cornell Lab of Ornithology Ithaca, NY | General Support | $500 |
| Beverly Shores Depot Museum and Art Gallery Beverly Shores, IN | General Support | $500 |
| J Street Washington, DC | General Support | $500 |
| Shirley Heinze Land Trust Valparaiso, IN | General Support | $500 |
| World Wildlife Fund Washington, DC | General Support | $152 |
| Lubeznik Center for the Arts Michigan City, IN | General Support | $125 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grants | Grant total |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 14 | $24,357 |
| 2022 | 10 | $4,870 |
| 2021 | 6 | $3,625 |
| Metric | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $9,218 | $13,950 |
| Revenue | $20,165 | $3,735 | $2,528 |
| Expenses | $28,053 | $6,192 | $4,821 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $24,357 | $4,870 | $3,625 |
| Net Investment Income | $18,020 | $2,993 | $1,912 |
| Distributable Amount | $929 | $1,482 | $1,813 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 30, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Steven F Schwab, Nancy Ruther Schwab, and Melinda J Metzger as directors.
The Sassafras Foundation's 2023 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Melinda J. Metzger
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Ruther Schwab
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven F. Schwab
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 1622 W Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 226-2000
Frequently asked questions about The Sassafras Foundation
How much does The Sassafras Foundation give each year?
The Sassafras Foundation gave $24K across 14 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $5K across 10 grants.
What is The Sassafras Foundation's typical grant size?
The Sassafras Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $500, and its average grant was $1,740, across 14 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Sassafras Foundation give grants?
The Sassafras Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 87% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (5%) and Indiana (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (3 grants), New York, NY (2 grants), Washington, DC (2 grants) and Beverly Shores, IN (2 grants).
Does The Sassafras Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Sassafras Foundation's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (14 of 14) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Sassafras Foundation's largest grantees?
The Sassafras Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include Lend a Hand Across America ($18,000), The Selfhelp Home ($2,000) and Feeding America ($1,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 86% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
What does The Sassafras Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2023 grants show support for a range of organizations. The Selfhelp Home describes its mission as providing nursing, healthcare, and related activities for older adults. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Sassafras 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 ↑
How much is The Sassafras Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, The Sassafras Foundation reported a distributable amount of $929 on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Sassafras Foundation's EIN?
The Sassafras Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4120772. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Does The Sassafras Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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