The Sunshine Foundation
The Sunshine Foundation is a private foundation focused on religion, based in Palo Alto, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $90K. Net investment income was $244K.
Key facts about The Sunshine Foundation
In short: The Sunshine Foundation gave $90K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $15K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 36-3955558
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $90,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- Average grant
- $15,000
- Median grant
- $12,500
- Total assets
- $1,576,580
- Primary geography
- California (89% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.6M
+10.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$90K
+50.0% YoY
Grant Count
6
+20.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
+25.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sunshine Foundation reported a distributable amount of $68K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How The Sunshine Foundation gives
- Giving grew 125% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 142% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Ready to take the next step with The Sunshine Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $40K (2021) to $100K (2022, 22 months). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $90K.
*2022: Covers 22 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Stanford University Development Services ($30K across 2 grants). Together the top 5 received $90K.
Grant Size Distribution
17 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 16 grants of 17 (94%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto Partners in Education Palo Alto, CA | Exempt Purpose of Organization | $25,000 |
| Stanford University Development Services Stanford, CA | Exempt Purpose of Organization | $25,000 |
| Greene Middle School PTA Palo Alto, CA | Exempt Purpose of Organization | $12,500 |
| Escondido Elementary PTA Stanford, CA | Exempt Purpose of Organization | $12,500 |
| Giving Back Fund Boston, MA | Exempt Purpose of Organization | $10,000 |
| Stanford University Development Services Stanford, CA | Exempt Purpose of Organization | $5,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
*2022: Covers 22 months (fiscal year-end changed).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,576,580 | $1,430,309 | $1,611,378 |
| Revenue | $266,419 | $-93,670 | $33,554 |
| Expenses | $120,148 | $87,330 | $119,721 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $96,709 | $69,868 | $106,153 |
| Net Investment Income | $243,504 | $18,278 | $33,271 |
| Distributable Amount | $68,247 | $81,429 | $118,662 |
*2022: Covers 22 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 18, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 23, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Sunshine Foundation's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michael O. Hartz
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paula Saslow
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Saslow
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 Sunshine Foundation
How much does The Sunshine Foundation give each year?
The Sunshine Foundation gave $90K across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $60K across 5 grants.
What is The Sunshine Foundation's typical grant size?
The Sunshine Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $12,500, and its average grant was $15,000, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Sunshine Foundation give grants?
The Sunshine Foundation gives mostly in California: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Massachusetts (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Stanford, CA (3 grants) and Palo Alto, CA (2 grants).
Who are The Sunshine Foundation's largest grantees?
The Sunshine Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Stanford University Development Services ($30,000 across 2 grants), Palo Alto Partners in Education ($25,000) and Greene Middle School PTA ($12,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 75% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Sunshine Foundation?
The Sunshine Foundation reported $1.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $97K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $68K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Sunshine Foundation?
The Sunshine Foundation is a private foundation focused on religion, based in Palo Alto, CA. It holds $1.6M in total assets as of 2024.
What is The Sunshine Foundation's EIN?
The Sunshine Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3955558. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Here's the math on researching The Sunshine Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Sunshine Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in California
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
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.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
The Arthur M Blank Family Foundation
Atlanta, GA
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation funds work in Atlanta’s Westside, democracy, the environment, mental health and well-being, youth development, and founder initiatives, with a focus on Georgia and Montana and some national impact. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $20 million, with a median of $50,000. It makes grants by invitation and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$466.3M
Grants
586
Total Given
$212.1M
Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco the Peninsula Marin & Sonoma
San Francisco, CA
The Federation funds Jewish life and identity, antisemitism response, crisis relief, human services, and justice and inclusion, with work in the Bay Area, Israel, and beyond. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,050 to $2,405,915, with a median of $22,750. It frequently issues requests for proposals and welcomes inquiries about new Bay Area programs; no current organization grant opportunities were listed.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
1,032
Total Given
$94.5M
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Marin Community Foundation funds work in affordable housing and homelessness, community resilience and power, as well as social services, education, arts and conservation, with a focus on marginalized Marin County residents and some broader U.S. and international grantmaking. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
Direct Relief
Santa Barbara, CA
Direct Relief supports healthcare providers serving people affected by poverty or emergencies, including community health centers, clinics, and grassroots organizations, with medicines, supplies, and funding for health access and equity. In 2025, its grants had a median award of about $65,000, and its work spans all 50 U.S. states and countries around the world; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,367
Total Given
$337.4M
Conrad N Hilton Foundation
Westlake Village, CA
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation funds nonprofits working to improve lives and alleviate poverty, with initiatives including early childhood development, homelessness, refugees, safe water, and support for foster and opportunity youth. Its work is global, and its 2024 grants had a median award of $76,000. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, except through its Good Neighbor Program for eligible local nonprofits and Title 1 schools.
Assets
$7.4B
Grants
1,339
Total Given
$287.7M
The San Diego Foundation
San Diego, CA
The San Diego Foundation funds nonprofit work in family well-being, education, the environment, and housing, including projects, capacity building, and general support that advance equity and resilient communities. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely; applicants generally must be located in San Diego County and primarily serve county residents. It offers competitive grant opportunities through its online portal, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.7B
Grants
1,158
Total Given
$94.3M
The California Endowment
Los Angeles, CA
The California Endowment funds nonprofit, government, and eligible faith-based organizations working to advance health and racial equity, strengthen community power, and improve health systems and communities, primarily in California. Its 2024 median grant was $100,000, and funding is by invitation only; it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,125
Total Given
$215.9M
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals
Oakland, CA
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals funds health care access and services, community health, health education, and related work, with priorities including mental and behavioral health, housing, and income and employment. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely; most grant dollars went to California, with some going elsewhere. In Southern California, it says it does not accept unsolicited letters of inquiry or proposals and awards grants through competitive processes to pre-identified organizations.
Assets
$87.4B
Grants
1,122
Total Given
$225.4M
More Funders in California
The Sunshine Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?