The Signatry Charitable Trust
The Signatry Charitable Trust is a public charity based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Formed in 2018, it facilitates giving through donor-advised funds and other charitable tools, supporting qualified 501(c)(3) organizations in areas that include community development, Christian discipleship, education, humanitarian aid, justice and advocacy, and philanthropy and culture.
Key facts about The Signatry Charitable Trust
In short: The Signatry Charitable Trust gave $568.4M across 1,765 grants in 2024 (avg $322K), top state Colorado. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 82-5070897
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $568,430,890
- Grants made (2024)
- 1,765
- Average grant
- $322,057
- Median grant
- $14,700
- Total assets
- $816,185,056
- Primary geography
- Colorado (44% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$816.2M
+139.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$568.4M
+2104.8% YoY
Grant Count
1,765
+29316.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$322K
-92.5% YoY
How The Signatry Charitable Trust gives
- Giving grew 633% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Trust’s stated mission is “to inspire and facilitate revolutionary biblical generosity across generations to solve the world's greatest problems.” It says it supports qualified 501(c)(3) organizations through donor-advised funds and other charitable tools.
Examples of supported organizations reflect a range of work. Evangel University describes its mission as educating and equipping students to serve God and impact the church and society globally; PULSE Outreach says it seeks to bring Jesus to a generation through evangelism; and Vapor Ministries describes its work as establishing centers to alleviate poverty and multiply disciples in third-world environments. These are the organizations’ own descriptions of their missions.
Grantmaking
The Trust’s filing states that 1,732 organizations received support during the tax year.
The largest reported grants included $130,669,224 to Come Near Media Inc for community development; $55,009,000 to Come and See Foundation Inc for community development; $47,328,600 to Every Home for Christ for religious ministry; $36,912,683 to Servant Foundation for community development; and $35,200,674 to One Hope Inc for religious ministry. Other large grants included $31,532,088 to National Christian Foundation, $19,182,600 to Alliance Defending Freedom, and $18,436,650 to YouVersion Inc.
The Trust’s grant recommendation form describes recommendations as advisory and subject to its full and exclusive control and discretion. It says grants may be made only for charitable purposes and not for donors’ or donor advisors’ benefit. The form also excludes grants for membership dues, fees, tuition, benefit tickets, goods or services, or to fulfill a pre-existing binding pledge. It provides for grants to be recommended to charities, with a minimum request of $100 and a requested grant date at least one week after submission.
The Trust’s website describes donor-advised funds as a way for donors to contribute, hold funds, and recommend grants to nonprofits. Its charity-fund materials also describe a process for nonprofits to recommend grants from charity funds.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Trust’s 2024 grant dollars were distributed most heavily to recipients in Colorado (44%), followed by Oklahoma (9%), Kansas (8%), Florida (8%), and Georgia (6%). These figures describe recipient locations, not a stated geographic restriction.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 1,765 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $15.0M (2020) to $568.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 1,765 grants totaling $568.4M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Come Near Media Inc ($130.7M). Together the top 10 received $402.8M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($10,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,794 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,427 grants of 1,794 (80%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Come Near Media Inc Boulder, CO | Community Development | $130,669,224 |
| Come and See Foundation Inc Colorado Springs, CO | Community Development | $55,009,000 |
| Every Home for Christ (World Literature Crusade) Colorado Springs, CO | Religious Ministry | $47,328,600 |
| Servant Foundation Overland Park, KS | Community Development | $36,912,683 |
| One Hope Inc Pompano Beach, FL | Religious Ministry | $35,200,674 |
| National Christian Foundation Alpharetta, GA | Community Development | $31,532,088 |
| Alliance Defending Freedom Scottsdale, AZ | Community Development | $19,182,600 |
| YouVersion Inc Edmond, OK | Community Development | $18,436,650 |
| Highlands College Birmingham, AL | Education | $17,510,000 |
| WaterStone (Christian Community Foundation Inc) Colorado Springs, CO | Community Development | $11,000,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $816,185,056 | $1,038,691,653 | $577,321,357 | $566,795,879 |
| 2023 | $340,612,633 | $145,393,838 | $29,094,402 | $25,781,570 |
| 2022 | $219,158,362 | $137,477,167 | $53,423,220 | $48,111,908 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $816,185,056 | $340,612,633 | $219,158,362 |
| Revenue | $1,038,691,653 | $145,393,838 | $137,477,167 |
| Expenses | $577,321,357 | $29,094,402 | $53,423,220 |
| Net Investment Income | $22,664,534 | $1,931,133 | $15,143,114 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 26, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Stephen A. French as president; Mark W. Klinger as chief financial officer and treasurer; Dane A. Frazier as secretary and chief legal officer beginning November 1, 2024, after serving as chief tax officer through October 31; and Jason P. Yakelis as chief operating officer beginning December 12, 2024. The filing also lists First Covenant TR Adv LLC as trustee and identifies Erik J. Schartner and Lawrence Scott as former officers.
The Signatry Charitable Trust is led by Stephen A French, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stephen A French
President
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
First Covenant TR ADV LLC
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
$200K (2024)
Dane A Frazier
Chief Tax Officer, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary
Vice President & Secretary → Vice President, Secretary & Chief Tax Officer, 2023
Vice President, Secretary & Chief Tax Officer → Chief Tax Officer, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lawrence J Scott
Former Vice President
Vice President → Former Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Mark W Klinger
Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
Vice President, Treasurer & CFO → CFO & Treasurer, 2022
CFO & Treasurer → Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erik J SCHARTNER
Former Vice President & Former Secretary
Vice President → Vice President & Secretary, 2023
Vice President & Secretary → Former Vice President & Former Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Jason P Yakelis
Chief Operating Officer
Vice President → Vice President of Operations, 2023
Vice President of Operations → Chief Operating Officer, 2024
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: The Signatry Corporation (2020–2023) — Trustee · Filing note: Until 11/17/2023
- Former: First Covenant Trust and Advisors LLC (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Evan M. Lange (2020) — Vice President · Filing note: Until 72020
- Former: Lucas J. Cherry (2020) — Vice President · Filing note: Until 122020
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 $200K, to First Covenant Tr ADV LLC (Trustee).
Contact
Mailing address: 315 N Main Ave Suite 305, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: (913) 310-0279
Website: https://thesignatry.com
Frequently asked questions about The Signatry Charitable Trust
How much does The Signatry Charitable Trust give each year?
The Signatry Charitable Trust gave $568.4M across 1,765 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $25.8M across 6 grants.
What is The Signatry Charitable Trust's typical grant size?
The Signatry Charitable Trust's median grant in 2024 was $14,700, and its average grant was $322,057, across 1,765 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Signatry Charitable Trust give grants?
The Signatry Charitable Trust's top state is Colorado, with 44% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Oklahoma (9%) and Florida (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Oklahoma City, OK (52 grants), Dallas, TX (44 grants), Kansas City, MO (41 grants) and Wichita, KS (36 grants).
Does The Signatry Charitable Trust give general operating support?
Occasionally: 0% of The Signatry Charitable Trust's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 1,765) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Religious Ministry" (941 grants), "Community Development" (697 grants) and "Education" (123 grants).
Who are The Signatry Charitable Trust's largest grantees?
The Signatry Charitable Trust's largest 2024 grantees include Come Near Media Inc ($130,669,224), Come and See Foundation Inc ($55,009,000) and Every Home for Christ (World Literature Crusade) ($47,328,600), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($10,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 41% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Signatry Charitable Trust?
The Signatry Charitable Trust reported $816.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.0B.
What does The Signatry Charitable Trust fund?
The Trust’s stated mission is “to inspire and facilitate revolutionary biblical generosity across generations to solve the world's greatest problems.” It says it supports qualified 501(c)(3) organizations through donor-advised funds and other charitable tools. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Signatry Charitable Trust?
The Signatry Charitable Trust has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check thesignatry.com for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Signatry Charitable Trust's EIN?
The Signatry Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-5070897. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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