The Sparks Foundation
The Sparks Foundation is a private foundation based in Houston, Texas, that works in education in Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala. Founded in 2008, it partners with communities to support educational opportunity for children and young people there.
The Sparks Foundation at a glance
In short: The Sparks Foundation gave $70K across 72 grants in 2024 (avg $971.153). 19% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $69,923
- +24.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 72
- -5.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $971
- +31.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $873
- Total assets
- $366,288
- +65.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (14 of 72, 2024)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Sparks Foundation
- 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.
- Contact
Mailing address: 5850 Queensloch Dr, Houston, TX 77096
Phone: (717) 503-7777
Website: https://www.thesparksfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Sparks Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Manuel Damian Petzey ($8K). Together the top 10 received $18K.
Grant Size Distribution
492 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 492 grants of 492 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated program work is in Santiago Atitlán, a village in the highlands of Guatemala. It is based in Houston, Texas.
Is The Sparks Foundation open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 72 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $872; repeat grants $995. How we count
Medians: $889 first-time, $857 repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $53K (2021) to $70K (2024). In 2024 it made 72 grants totaling $70K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Manuel Damian Petzey | Educational | $7,700 |
| Elena Sojuel Culan | Educational | $1,494 |
| Juana Marcelina Sol Tuiz | Educational | $1,424 |
| Candelaria Raquel Pablo Quieju | Educational | $1,253 |
| Maria Chivilu Ajtujal | Educational | $1,169 |
| Samuel Reanda Rabinal | Educational | $1,130 |
| Maria Elizabeth Coche Petzey | Educational | $1,110 |
| Dolores Chiyal Cosigua | Educational | $1,072 |
| Nicolasa Chiyal Cosigua | Educational | $1,071 |
| Tomas Alvaro Simaj Sosof | Educational | $1,071 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $366,288 | $546,768 | $328,676 | $69,923 | 72 | $328,676 | $1 |
| 2023 | $222,046 | $278,679 | $156,920 | $56,121 | 76 | $156,920 | $1 |
| 2022 | $227,938 | $243,754 | $233,108 | $61,842 | 98 | $233,108 | $2 |
| 2021 | $232,103 | $160,507 | $196,690 | $53,171 | 110 | $196,690 | $44 |
| 2020 | $259,514 | $217,673 | $191,610 | $57,470 | 136 | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is “to partner with communities to create opportunity.” It supports education and related community programs in Santiago Atitlán, including scholarships for students at partnering schools, teen reading circles, a traveling library, art classes, and health and dental check-ups.
The foundation says it partners with educational institutions including early childhood centers, primary schools, and junior high schools. Its 2024 filing reports direct charitable activity funding oversight and student costs for La Escuela Chu’ul, Escuela Chacaya, and Escuela Panul II.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 72 grants totaling $69,923. Grants ranged from $136 to $7,700, with a median of $873. The largest listed award was $7,700 to Manuel Damian Petzey for educational purposes. Other large awards included $1,494 to Elena Sojuel Culan and $1,424 to Juana Marcelina Sol Tuiz, both for educational purposes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Elizabeth Sparks as president, David Sparks as secretary, and Andrew Sparks and Kathleen Sparks as board members. The foundation’s website identifies Liz and Dave Sparks as its founders.
The Sparks Foundation is led by Elizabeth Sparks, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Elizabeth Sparks
President
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Sparks
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Sparks
Secretary
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen Sparks
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/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 Sparks Foundation
How much does The Sparks Foundation give each year?
The Sparks Foundation gave $70K across 72 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $56K across 76 grants.
What is The Sparks Foundation's typical grant size?
The Sparks Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $873, and its average grant was $971, across 72 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Sparks Foundation that year got $872 on average.
Does The Sparks Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 72 grants with a stated purpose on The Sparks Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Educational" (72 grants).
Who are The Sparks Foundation's largest grantees?
The Sparks Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Manuel Damian Petzey ($7,700), Elena Sojuel Culan ($1,494) and Juana Marcelina Sol Tuiz ($1,424), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Sparks Foundation?
The Sparks Foundation reported $366K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $547K.
What does The Sparks Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is “to partner with communities to create opportunity.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Sparks 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 ↑
Where does The Sparks Foundation make grants?
The foundation’s stated program work is in Santiago Atitlán, a village in the highlands of Guatemala. It is based in Houston, Texas.
What is The Sparks Foundation's EIN?
The Sparks Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-3473292. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Sparks Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Figures come from The Sparks 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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