The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc
The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Lebanon, Tennessee. Founded in 1996 by Doris Buffett, it invests in higher education in prison and community-based reentry programs in the United States.
The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc gave $2.1M across 25 grants in 2025 (avg $85K), top state California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,124,505
- +81.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 25
- +19.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $84,980
- +52.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $18,458,554
- -8.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (21% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Potential grantees must first complete an online inquiry form for an initial eligibility screening. The filing lists restrictions on awards as postsecondary in-prison education and community-based reentry programs.
- Review Cycle
- None listed.
- Deadline
- None listed.
- Contact
Application contact: The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc
Mailing address: 1055 Greenwood Rd, Lebanon, TN 37090
Phone: (615) 419-3677
Email: info@sunshineladyfoundation.org
Website: https://sunshineladyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was California State University ($455K). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
75 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 41 grants of 75 (55%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website describes its work as supporting programs in the United States. In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were California (21%), Pennsylvania (9%), Nebraska (9%), Ohio (7%), and Maine (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc gives
- 60% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 145% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 226% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $770K (2023) to $6.3M (2020). In 2025 it made 25 grants totaling $2.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California State University Fullerton, CA | Site Visit Honorarium | $455,000 |
| Southeast Communit College Lincoln, NE | Higher Education | $182,460 |
| Ohio State University Columbus, OH | Prison Education | $154,394 |
| Reentry Sisters Portland, ME | Higher Education for Women | $150,000 |
| Freedom Education Project Seattle, WA | Higher Education in Prison | $137,800 |
| Pennsylvania State Education Progra Harrisburg, PA | Higher Education | $135,000 |
| University of West Georgia Carrollton, GA | Prison Education | $107,000 |
| St Louis University St. Louis, MO | Prison Education | $100,000 |
| Portland State Prison Education Portland, OR | Prison Education | $80,000 |
| University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT | Prison Education | $80,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $18,458,554 | $398,623 | $2,599,887 | $2,124,505 | 25 | $2,151,453 | $398,623 | $952,000 |
| 2024 | $20,210,728 | $13,652,872 | $1,456,317 | $1,168,310 | 21 | $1,251,314 | $13,652,872 | $814,672 |
| 2023 | $17,882,736 | $2,046,671 | $1,045,342 | $770,252 | 27 | $862,547 | $2,046,671 | $837,501 |
| 2022 | $16,645,010 | $547,068 | $2,388,288 | $867,565 | 1 | $2,373,988 | $933,958 | — |
| 2021 | $18,426,319 | $1,888,098 | $4,181,850 | $3,702,979 | 1 | $4,162,348 | $3,872,940 | — |
| 2020 | $18,638,506 | $2,517,953 | $6,658,397 | $6,298,169 | 1 | — | $7,211,945 | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $952K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it invests in quality higher education in prison and reentry programs. Its priorities include on-site, for-credit postsecondary programs that lead to a credential during incarceration or after release, and community-based reentry programs that support continuation of postsecondary education. It welcomes inquiries from U.S. nonprofit organizations, including programs that meet some but not all of its current priorities.
The foundation describes eligible in-prison programs as affiliated with an accredited institution of higher education. It does not fund research, policy or advocacy, non-credit academic programs, statewide consortia, strategic planning, or projects that do not specifically concern the day-to-day operation of a higher education in prison or reentry program. Its website also lists exclusions including requests from individuals, organizations outside the United States, business investments, grants or loans to businesses, lobbying or policy work, animal protection, religious purposes, and the arts.
Examples of supported organizations include the Freedom Education Project Puget Sound, which describes its work as providing a college degree to incarcerated people and cultivating pathways to academic and professional opportunity after release. The Offender Alumni Association describes its mission as building a network of justice-impacted people to support one another and promote community, economic, social, and civic empowerment. Saint Louis University describes its mission as teaching, research, health care, and service to the community.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 25 grants totaling $2,124,505. Grants ranged from $2,405 to $455,000, with a median of $50,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $455,000 to California State University for a site visit honorarium, $182,460 to Southeast Community College for higher education, and $154,394 to Ohio State University for prison education. Other substantial awards included $150,000 to Reentry Sisters for higher education for women, $137,800 to Freedom Education Project for higher education in prison, and $135,000 to Pennsylvania State Education Program for higher education. The foundation also reported $107,000 to the University of West Georgia and $100,000 to Saint Louis University for prison education.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Diane Grimsley as president, Anne Ewing as treasurer, and Judy Wooten as secretary.
The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc is led by Diane Grimsley, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Diane Grimsley
President
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anne Ewing
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Judy Wooten
Secretary
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Mitty Beal (2020–2021) — Vice President
- Former: Rebecca Currie (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Judith Wooten (2021) — Office Manag
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Lady Foundation Inc
How much does The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc give each year?
The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc gave $2.1M across 25 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.2M across 21 grants.
What is The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $84,980, across 25 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc give grants?
The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc's top state is California, with 21% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (9%) and Nebraska (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (2 grants).
Does The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Prison Education" (10 grants), "Higher Education" (7 grants) and "Higher Education in Prison" (5 grants).
Who are The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include California State University ($455,000), Southeast Communit College ($182,460) and Ohio State University ($154,394), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc?
The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc reported $18.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $952K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation says it invests in quality higher education in prison and reentry programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-1977987. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 23, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
American Chemical Society
Washington, DC
The American Chemical Society funds chemistry research, education, scholarships, fellowships, student activities, and related projects through programs for researchers, institutions, educators, students, and ACS groups. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,200 to $504,691, with a median of $31,252; funding supports U.S. and international research, though some programs are limited to U.S.-based applicants. The profile does not state whether ACS accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.2B
Grants
341
Total Given
$22.4M
Ernst & Young Foundation
New York, NY
Ernst & Young Foundation supports higher education through employee and partner matching gifts, as well as educational and special-project grants, including research, education forums, and programs that expand educational opportunity. In 2025, it made 637 grants ranging from $5,056 to $316,005, with a median of $13,525, to recipients across multiple states; the largest shares went to New York, Texas, California, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$47.6M
Grants
637
Total Given
$16.7M
Tulsa Community Foundation
Tulsa, OK
Tulsa Community Foundation supports charitable causes through donor-advised grants and selected funds, including scholarships, emergency assistance, disaster relief, arts and humanities, healthcare, and financial literacy, primarily in the Tulsa metro area and eastern Oklahoma, with some giving elsewhere in the United States. Its 2024 median grant was $18,560; selected field-of-interest funds have application cycles, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,066
Total Given
$158.6M
Grant Thornton Foundation
Chicago, IL
In 2024, the Grant Thornton Foundation funded general support, educational institutions, and disaster relief, awarding 10 grants of $1,575 to $41,450 (median $19,060). It is based in Chicago, with 2024 grants concentrated in California, Arizona, and Florida. The foundation gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$224K
Grants
10
Total Given
$181K
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
Deloitte Foundation
Stamford, CT
The Deloitte Foundation funds U.S. education initiatives, including scholarships, curriculum and faculty support, mentoring, and grants to education nonprofits and universities, particularly through local programs in about 30 selected locations. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and it does not accept unsolicited requests for its Local Impact Grant Program.
Assets
$51.4M
Grants
121
Total Given
$32.5M
More similar funders
More Funders in Tennessee
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-sunshine-lady-foundation-inc-morg_89498bff54cd40b383b73f9f5e13f8e8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_561977987_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-sunshine-lady-foundation-inc-morg_89498bff54cd40b383b73f9f5e13f8e8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc'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.
The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?