The Sunwater Institute
The Sunwater Institute's mission is to strengthen the foundations of democracy through interdisciplinary science, technology, and open dialogue to foster a society built on individual liberty reaching its maximum potential.
The Sunwater Institute at a glance
In short: The Sunwater Institute gave $82K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $82K), mostly in Connecticut. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $81,873
- -19.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $81,873
- -19.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $81,873
- Total assets
- $4,657,027
- +11.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Sunwater Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Yale University ($82K).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 3 grants of 5 (60%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
How The Sunwater Institute gives
- Giving grew 118% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 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 $38K (2021) to $101K (2023). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $82K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Yale University New Haven, CT | Sponsorship to fund research program in the fields of group decision making and evolutionary perspectives on rights and liberties. | $81,873 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,657,027 | $415,017 | $3,171,343 | $81,873 | 1 | — |
| 2023 | $4,181,600 | $1,092,449 | $3,006,653 | $101,422 | 1 | — |
| 2022 | $3,055,340 | $33,736 | $1,232,468 | $43,805 | 1 | — |
| 2021 | $127,358 | $96,181 | $771,317 | $37,500 | 2 | $25 |
| 2020 | $71,002 | $300,009 | $492,251 | — | — | — |
About The Sunwater Institute
Based on IRS filings
The Sunwater Institute is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in North Bethesda, MD. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $4.7M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $82K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Sunwater Institute is led by Matthew M. Chervenak, Chairman on every filing since 2020; 5 of 12 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Matthew M. Chervenak
Chairman
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alexander Lyte
Director of Product
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$144K (2024)
Carter Laughlin
Director of Development
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$125K (2024)
Irfan Hussain
Director, Data Science & Operations
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$158K (2024)
Michael K. Hickey
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric McAndrews
Director
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jon Zifferblatt
Director
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ani Harutyunyan
Scholar
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$114K (2021) → $154K (2024)
Matthew Barnes
Sales & Operatings Manager
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$111K (2023) → $126K (2024)
Aric Lavinthal
Secretary
Treasurer & Secretary → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephany N. Yu
Vice Chairman
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Gualino
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: John Rackey (2023) — Director of Legislative Studies
- Former: James Eric McAndrew (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jonathan Zifferblatt (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Holly Pitt Young (2021) — Director of Development
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $158K, to Irfan Hussain (Director, Data Science and Operations). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Sunwater Institute
How much does The Sunwater Institute give each year?
The Sunwater Institute gave $82K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $101K across 1 grant.
How large is The Sunwater Institute?
The Sunwater Institute reported $4.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $415K.
What is The Sunwater Institute?
The Sunwater Institute is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in North Bethesda, MD. It holds $4.7M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does The Sunwater Institute operate?
The Sunwater Institute has awarded grants in California, Connecticut, Michigan.
What is The Sunwater Institute's EIN?
The Sunwater Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-3170835. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 22, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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