Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation
The Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation is a private foundation based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including education, counseling, health, relief, and other causes.
Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation at a glance
In short: Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation gave $241K across 18 grants in 2024 (avg $13K), mostly in Minnesota. 33% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $241,000
- +2.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 18
- +28.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $13,389
- -20.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,500
- Total assets
- $11,613
- -93.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (6 of 18, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (67% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Thomas C and Lois L Sando 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: Co Barry Newman 50 S 6Th St 1500, Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
Phone: (612) 340-2600
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was American Indian College Fund ($50K). Together the top 10 received $230K.
Grant Size Distribution
82 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 74 grants of 82 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 67% of grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota and 21% to recipients in Colorado. Other reported recipient-state shares were Kentucky (5%), New York (2%), and Tennessee (2%). These figures describe the locations of 2024 grant recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 18 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $19K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 67% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 221% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $75K (2021) to $241K (2024). In 2024 it made 18 grants totaling $241K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Indian College Fund Denver, CO | Education | $50,000 |
| Carver County Historical Society Waconia, MN | Education | $50,000 |
| Minnehaha Academy Minneapolis, MN | Education | $50,000 |
| University of Minnesota-Food Science Minneapolis, MN | Education | $50,000 |
| Amherst H Wilder Foundation St. Paul, MN | Youth/Adult Counseling | $6,500 |
| Bridgehaven Mental Health Services Louisville, KY | Youth/Adult Counseling | $6,500 |
| Saint Xavier High School Louisville, KY | Education | $5,000 |
| Tunnel to Towers Foundation Staten Island, NY | General Operating | $5,000 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis, TN | General Operating | $4,000 |
| Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN | HEALTH | $3,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation?
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 | $11,613 | $66,075 | $245,886 | $241,000 | 18 | $241,025 | $65,185 | $10,302 |
| 2023 | $191,396 | $9,268 | $242,466 | $235,000 | 14 | $235,000 | $11,105 | $20,384 |
| 2022 | $421,621 | $-25,387 | $91,428 | $82,000 | 14 | $82,025 | $10,119 | $24,504 |
| 2021 | $537,993 | $359,958 | $81,282 | $75,000 | 14 | $75,025 | $357,636 | $23,635 |
| 2020 | $260,298 | $33,420 | $102,401 | $95,850 | 22 | — | $31,277 | $25,925 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation reported a distributable amount of $10K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support designated for education, youth and adult counseling, health, general operating costs, and relief. Among the recipients, the American Indian College Fund describes its mission as investing in Native students and tribal college education; Carver County Historical Society says it collects, preserves, and interprets local history; and Minnehaha Academy describes its purpose as providing a pre-school-to-grade-12 education integrating Christian faith and learning. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the foundation’s.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave $241,000 through 18 grants. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $50,000, with a median grant of $3,500.
Among the largest grants were $50,000 each to the American Indian College Fund, Carver County Historical Society, Minnehaha Academy, and the University of Minnesota-Food Science. Other notable grants included $6,500 each to Amherst H Wilder Foundation and Bridgehaven Mental Health Services, and $5,000 to Saint Xavier High School.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Thomas Sando as president and Lois Sando as vice president.
Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation is led by Thomas Sando, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Thomas Sando
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lois Sando
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation
How much does Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation give each year?
Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation gave $241K across 18 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $235K across 14 grants.
What is Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation's typical grant size?
Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $3,500, and its average grant was $13,389, across 18 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation that year got $3K on average.
Where does Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation give grants?
Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 67% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Colorado (21%). The most frequent recipient cities were Phoenix, AZ (3 grants), Minneapolis, MN (2 grants) and Louisville, KY (2 grants).
Does Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 22% of Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 18) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Education" (8 grants).
Who are Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation's largest grantees?
Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include American Indian College Fund ($50,000), Carver County Historical Society ($50,000) and Minnehaha Academy ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 62% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation?
Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation reported $12K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $241K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $10K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support designated for education, youth and adult counseling, health, general operating costs, and relief. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Thomas C and Lois L Sando 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 Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation's EIN?
Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1676820. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Thomas C and Lois L Sando 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 18, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
McKesson Foundation Inc
Dallas, TX
The McKesson Foundation funds cancer support and care, healthcare workforce pathways, and emergency response, with grants mainly supporting organizations in the United States and Canada. Its 2025 grants had a median of $100,000, though amounts ranged from $10,000 to about $2.47 million. Its filing says it does not accept unsolicited requests, while its application page describes an online application process with stated submission windows.
Assets
$1.6M
Grants
76
Total Given
$16.6M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
Synchrony Foundation
Stamford, CT
In 2024, Synchrony Foundation supported charitable organizations across workforce development, education, financial assistance, and giving, with grants ranging from $150 to $2.6 million and a median of $10,000. Its largest shares of grant funding went to Connecticut, New York, and South Carolina, followed by the District of Columbia and New Jersey; it does not accept unsolicited requests and funds preselected organizations only.
Assets
$72.3M
Grants
394
Total Given
$20.5M
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
St. Paul, MN
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation funds community-led work in areas including economic opportunity, health and human services, youth and education, housing, and organizational capacity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,000; listed programs offer up to $50,000 for eligible East Metro work and up to $15,000 for qualifying Minnesota organizations. It accepts applications through specific programs, including rolling application opportunities; the Community Solutions Grant Program serves Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington counties.
Assets
$1.7B
Grants
1,473
Total Given
$107.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Minnesota
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/thomas-c-and-lois-l-sando-foundation-morg_c89c6222691d4e97a5462a2817b5780d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_411676820_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/thomas-c-and-lois-l-sando-foundation-morg_c89c6222691d4e97a5462a2817b5780d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Thomas C and Lois L Sando 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.
Thomas C and Lois L Sando Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?