The Sprocket Foundation
The Sprocket Foundation is a private foundation based in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Its 2023 filing lists charitable grants to organizations, with the largest grants described as unrestricted charitable grants.
The Sprocket Foundation at a glance
In short: The Sprocket Foundation gave $2.0M across 25 grants in 2023 (avg $81K), top state California. 4% of 2023 grantees were new. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $2,020,000
- +2.3% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 25
- +0.0% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $80,800
- +2.3% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $55,000
- Total assets
- $20,501,130
- -9.7% vs 2022
- New grantees (estimate)
- 4% first-time grantees (1 of 25, 2023)
- Primary geography
- California (23% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Sprocket 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: PO Box 190, New Hope, PA 18938
Phone: (215) 297-8875
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Sprocket Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Borealis Philanthropy ($275K). Together the top 10 received $1.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
82 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 38 grants of 82 (46%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2023 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in multiple states. The largest shares went to California (23%), Massachusetts (17%), Minnesota (16%), New York (14%), and Pennsylvania (9%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Sprocket Foundation open to new grantees?
4%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 1 of 25 grantees (4%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $40K; repeat grants $83K. How we count
Medians: $40K first-time, $55K repeat.
- 96% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
- Giving grew 107% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2023 it paid out 191% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2023). 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 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $975K (2020) to $2.0M (2023). In 2023 it made 25 grants totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Borealis Philanthropy Minneapolis, MN | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $275,000 |
| Proteus Fund Amherst, MA | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $235,000 |
| Common Counsel Foundation Oakland, CA | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $165,000 |
| Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs Calabasas, CA | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $155,000 |
| Groundswell Fund Brooklyn, NY | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $110,000 |
| The Praxis Project Inc Oakland, CA | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $100,000 |
| Tides Foundation New York, NY | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $100,000 |
| Bread & Roses Philadelphia, PA | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $85,000 |
| Trans Queer Pueblo Phoenix, AZ | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $75,000 |
| Families for Justice Healing Roxbory, MA | Unrestricted Charitable Grant | $70,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $20,501,130 | $339,044 | $2,363,590 | $2,020,000 | 25 | $2,181,211 | $239,118 | $1,144,958 |
| 2022 | $22,706,294 | $-321,340 | $2,291,740 | $1,975,000 | 25 | $2,145,051 | $328,735 | $1,145,967 |
| 2021 | $24,266,768 | $2,710,968 | $2,366,548 | $1,955,000 | 24 | $2,109,115 | $549,668 | $1,499,337 |
| 2020 | $23,922,348 | $4,781,284 | $1,145,270 | $975,000 | 8 | — | $3,734,644 | $1,086,703 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sprocket Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s own mission is not stated in the available information. Its 2023 grantees include organizations whose stated work includes social justice, equity, environmental health, community organizing, and support for social and environmental projects. For example, Borealis Philanthropy says it directs resources to people building communities, with those most impacted by injustice leading the way. Proteus Fund says it connects philanthropy to the frontlines of social justice, including racial, gender, queer, and disability justice. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their work, not stated focus areas of the foundation.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation reported 25 grants totaling $2,020,000. Grant amounts ranged from $25,000 to $275,000, with a median of $55,000. The largest awards included $275,000 to Borealis Philanthropy, $235,000 to Proteus Fund, $165,000 to Common Counsel Foundation, $155,000 to Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs, and $110,000 to Groundswell Fund. These grants were listed as unrestricted charitable grants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Stephen McDonnell and Jill McDonnell as trustees.
The Sprocket Foundation's 2023 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Jill McDonnell
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen McDonnell
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/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.
Frequently asked questions about The Sprocket Foundation
How much does The Sprocket Foundation give each year?
The Sprocket Foundation gave $2.0M across 25 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $2.0M across 25 grants.
What is The Sprocket Foundation's typical grant size?
The Sprocket Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $55,000, and its average grant was $80,800, across 25 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Sprocket Foundation that year got $40K on average.
Where does The Sprocket Foundation give grants?
The Sprocket Foundation's top state is California, with 23% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Massachusetts (17%) and Minnesota (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (3 grants), Oakland, CA (2 grants), New York, NY (2 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does The Sprocket Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Sprocket Foundation's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (25 of 25) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Sprocket Foundation's largest grantees?
The Sprocket Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include Borealis Philanthropy ($275,000), Proteus Fund ($235,000) and Common Counsel Foundation ($165,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How large is The Sprocket Foundation?
The Sprocket Foundation reported $20.5M in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Sprocket Foundation fund?
The foundation’s own mission is not stated in the available information. Its 2023 grantees include organizations whose stated work includes social justice, equity, environmental health, community organizing, and support for social and environmental projects. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Sprocket 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 ↑
What is The Sprocket Foundation's EIN?
The Sprocket Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0669399. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Does The Sprocket 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 2020–2023
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Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Borealis Philanthropy
Minneapolis, MN
Borealis Philanthropy funds grassroots leaders, organizations, and movements advancing racial equity, disability justice, Black-led movements, and communities affected by policing. Its 2024 grants ranged from $6,000 to $1.28 million, with a median of $80,000, and went to recipients across multiple states, especially California. Some program listings invite applications or requests, including the Disability Inclusion Fund and the Fund for Trans Generations Rapid Response Fund.
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Proteus Fund Inc
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Proteus Fund supports social justice initiatives advancing racial, gender, queer, and disability justice and inclusive democracy, primarily through national grantmaking and collaborative funds. Its 2024 grants ranged from $25,000 to $2 million, with a median of $50,000. It does not accept unsolicited funding requests; its RISE Together Fund has a separate, time-limited open call.
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Silicon Valley Community Foundation
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Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
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Common Counsel Foundation
Oakland, CA
Common Counsel Foundation supports community-led social justice, organizing, movement building, and structural change, with national reach and some funds focused specifically on California. Its 2024 grants had a median of $30,000, while its Grassroots Exchange Fund typically awards $1,000; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
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The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
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NEO Philanthropy Inc
New York, NY
NEO Philanthropy funds social-justice movements and community organizations, including work on immigration, democracy, reproductive, racial and climate justice, and LGBTQ rights. In 2024, its 558 grants ranged from $5,000 to $23.58 million, with a median of $50,000; grants went mainly to Washington state, Washington, DC, North Carolina, California, and New York. It does not accept unsolicited requests or proposals; potential grantees are generally invited to apply.
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Grants
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Total Given
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The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Sprocket 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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