The Spark Foundation Inc
The Spark Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Natick, Massachusetts. Its 2024 filing describes scholarship grants for Somerville High School students to attend summer programs, with award amounts based on program costs, other aid received, and the selection committee’s recommendation.
The Spark Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Spark Foundation Inc gave $23K across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $2K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $23,098
- -20.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- -9.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $2,310
- -12.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,478
- Total assets
- $15,167
- -5.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Spark Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The filing lists Kenneth W Rendell as the contact and describes selection through the Somerville High School teacher committee. The filing also states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
- Review Cycle
- February 15. The filing does not identify a year for this deadline, so its timing cannot be determined from the stated information.
- Deadline
- February 15.
- Contact
Application contact: Kenneth W Rendell
Mailing address: 21 Claybrook Rd, Dover, MA 02030
Phone: (508) 561-1009
Website: https://www.thesparkfoundationma.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Spark Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
48 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 48 grants of 48 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars listed for 2024 went to recipients in Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Spark Foundation Inc gives
- Giving fell 24% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $14K (2020) to $30K (2021). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $23K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 10 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $23,098 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $15,167 | $26,606 | $28,290 | $23,098 | 10 | — | $906 | — |
| 2023 | $15,976 | $2,254 | $31,906 | $28,944 | 11 | $28,944 | — | $1,429 |
| 2022 | $46,716 | $74,294 | $31,293 | $28,371 | 9 | $28,371 | $62,637 | $1,527 |
| 2021 | $3,715 | $17,000 | $31,929 | $30,423 | 11 | $30,423 | — | $642 |
| 2020 | $18,647 | $35,000 | $23,039 | $13,805 | 7 | — | — | $1,097 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave 10 grants totaling $23,098. Grant amounts ranged from $150 to $4,650, with a median of $2,478. The listed grants were for summer program tuition. The largest was $4,650 to an individual recipient; the next-largest were $4,195, $3,995, and $3,395, each to an individual recipient.
The 2024 filing states that students are selected by a teacher committee at Somerville High School in Somerville, Massachusetts. Listed qualifications include academic performance, leadership potential, resilience, demonstrated responsibility and follow-through, strong communication skills, and financial need. Award amounts depend on the cost of the summer program, aid the applicant receives to attend, and the selection committee’s recommendation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Kenneth W Rendell as president, Shirley McNerney as treasurer, and Julia Rendell as clerk.
The Spark Foundation Inc is led by Kenneth W. Rendell, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kenneth W. Rendell
President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julia Rendell
Clerk
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shirley McNerney
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Spark Foundation Inc
How much does The Spark Foundation Inc give each year?
The Spark Foundation Inc gave $23K across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2023 it gave $29K across 11 grants.
What is The Spark Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Spark Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $2,478, and its average grant was $2,310, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
Where does The Spark Foundation Inc give grants?
The Spark Foundation Inc gives mostly in Massachusetts: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing went to recipients there.
Does The Spark Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on The Spark Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 filing were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Summer Program Tuition" (10 grants).
How large is The Spark Foundation Inc?
The Spark Foundation Inc reported $15K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Its revenue that year was $27K.
How do I apply for a grant from The Spark Foundation Inc?
The filing lists Kenneth W Rendell as the contact and describes selection through the Somerville High School teacher committee. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Spark Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Spark Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1734642. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Spark Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Spark Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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