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.
The Sunshine Foundation at a glance
In short: The Sunshine Foundation gave $90K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $15K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $90,000
- +50.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +20.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $15,000
- +25.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $12,500
- Total assets
- $1,576,580
- +10.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (89% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
Who The Sunshine Foundation funds
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%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
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.
Giving History
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).
Grants by year
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 |
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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 | $1,576,580 | $266,419 | $120,148 | $90,000 | 6 | $96,709 | $243,504 | $68,247 |
| 2023 | $1,430,309 | $-93,670 | $87,330 | $60,000 | 5 | $69,868 | $18,278 | $81,429 |
| 2022* | $1,611,378 | $33,554 | $119,721 | $100,000 | 4 | $106,153 | $33,271 | $118,662 |
| 2021 | $1,697,593 | $7,313 | $44,403 | $40,000 | 2 | — | $6,494 | $69,869 |
*2022: Covers 22 months (fiscal year-end changed).
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.
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.
Data update history
(5)
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
Live grants for the work The Sunshine Foundation funds
Religion Related Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Sunshine Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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