The SVS Foundation
The SVS Foundation is a private foundation based in Tarzana, California, that describes itself as dedicated to charitable activities and says it provides grants to students interested in the humanities and STEM fields. Its 2025 filing reports 36 grants totaling $22,770.
The SVS Foundation at a glance
In short: The SVS Foundation gave $23K across 36 grants in 2025 (avg $632.5), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $22,770
- -19.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 36
- +111.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $633
- -62.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $60
- Total assets
- $408,838
- +49.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (98% 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 SVS 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: 18375 Ventura Blvd No 755, Tarzana, CA 91255
Phone: (818) 424-7717
Website: https://www.thesvsfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The SVS Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Holy Martyrs ($14K). Together the top 10 received $21K.
Grant Size Distribution
94 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 94 grants of 94 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in California (98%) and Washington, DC (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.
Cities
How The SVS Foundation gives
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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $300 (2021) to $28K (2024). In 2025 it made 36 grants totaling $23K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Holy Martyrs Encino, CA | Church Charity | $13,900 |
| Armenian Cultural Foundationhamazkayin Glendale, CA | Charity | $1,500 |
| Western Diocese of the Armenian Church Burbank, CA | Charity | $1,000 |
| Charlie Keyan Armenian School (Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School) Clovis, CA | Charity | $1,000 |
| Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History Foundation Los Angeles, CA | Charity | $600 |
| Church of the Nazarene N Hollywood, CA | Charity | $600 |
| Los Angeles Zoo Los Angeles, CA | Charity | $530 |
| Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian School Los Angeles, CA | Charity | $500 |
| AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School (Demirjian High School) Canoga Park, CA | Charity | $500 |
| Griffith Observatory Los Angeles, CA | Charity | $400 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $408,838 | $164,467 | $37,617 | $22,770 | 36 |
| 2024 | $273,365 | $13,500 | $37,199 | $28,400 | 17 |
| 2023 | $290,288 | $75,000 | $11,279 | $2,900 | 17 |
| 2022 | $219,450 | $125,000 | $13,450 | $9,000 | 22 |
| 2021 | $107,900 | $112,000 | $4,100 | $300 | 2 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s website describes its aim as enhancing the humanities through charitable activities. Its listed projects include a high school chemistry scholarship program, support for cultural nonprofit organizations, a young professional entrepreneur scholarship program, a book lending program, and support for a California animal society nonprofit.
The 2025 grants include support for organizations with varied missions. The California Science Center Foundation says it aims to inspire science learning and make science experiences accessible and inclusive. Discovery Science Center of Los Angeles says it inspires and educates young minds through science-based programs and exhibits. Armenian Monument Council says it maintains and promotes a monument honoring victims of genocide, while Santa Barbara Botanic Garden says it conserves native plants and habitats.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave 36 grants totaling $22,770. Grant amounts ranged from $30 to $13,900, with a median of $60. The largest grants included $13,900 to Holy Martyrs for church charity; $1,500 to Armenian Cultural Foundation–Hamazkayin for charity; and $1,000 each to the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church and Charlie Keyan Armenian School for charity. Other recipients included the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History Foundation ($600), Los Angeles Zoo ($530), Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian School ($500), and ANCA Endowment ($350 for educational charity).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Sarmen Sarkissian as president.
The SVS Foundation is led by Sarmen Sarkissian, President on every filing since 2021 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sarmen Sarkissian
President
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 SVS Foundation
How much does The SVS Foundation give each year?
The SVS Foundation gave $23K across 36 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $28K across 17 grants.
What is The SVS Foundation's typical grant size?
The SVS Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $60, and its average grant was $633, across 36 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The SVS Foundation give grants?
The SVS Foundation gives mostly in California: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (8 grants), Pasadena, CA (3 grants), Canoga Park, CA (2 grants) and Mission Hills, CA (2 grants).
Does The SVS Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 36 grants with a stated purpose on The SVS Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charity" (32 grants).
Who are The SVS Foundation's largest grantees?
The SVS Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Holy Martyrs ($13,900), Armenian Cultural Foundationhamazkayin ($1,500) and Western Diocese of the Armenian Church ($1,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 72% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The SVS Foundation?
The SVS Foundation reported $409K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $164K.
What does The SVS Foundation fund?
The foundation’s website describes its aim as enhancing the humanities through charitable activities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The SVS 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 SVS Foundation's EIN?
The SVS Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-3732731. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does The SVS 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
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Live grants for the work The SVS Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in The SVS Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from The SVS 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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