Universal Sunlight Foundation
Universal Sunlight Foundation is a private foundation based in San Marino, California. Its 2024 filing reports seven charitable grants totaling $1,141,020, including grants to a medical center, Buddhist organizations, a charity foundation, a coastal research organization, and an individual recipient.
Universal Sunlight Foundation at a glance
In short: Universal Sunlight Foundation gave $1.1M across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $163K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,141,020
- -44.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- +16.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $163,003
- -52.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $32,417,458
- +28.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (92% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Universal Sunlight Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The filing states that giving is not restricted to preselected organizations. It directs applicants to contact Bin Fen Cheng and request in writing. Deadlines and award restrictions are listed as N/A.
- Contact
Application contact: Bin Fen Cheng
Mailing address: 530 S Lake Avenue 718, Pasadena, CA 91101
Phone: (626) 583-8288
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Universal Sunlight Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Cedars-Sinai Medical Center ($1.0M). Together the top 6 received $1.1M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($5,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
52 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 28 grants of 52 (54%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing reports that 92% of grant dollars went to California recipients, 1% to Massachusetts, and less than 1% to New York; 7% is listed with an unspecified recipient state. Listed recipients include organizations in Los Angeles, Arcadia, San Marino, and Hacienda Heights, California, and Provincetown, Massachusetts. One grant is listed for an individual recipient in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How Universal Sunlight Foundation gives
- Giving fell 40% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 90% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2024) to $2.2M (2022). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA | Charitable | $1,000,000 |
| Miao Fa Zentrum | Charitable | $80,000 |
| Namo Amitabha Society Arcadia, CA | Charitable | $30,000 |
| United Charity Foundation San Marino, CA | Charitable | $15,000 |
| Center for Coastal Studies Provincetown, MA | Charitable | $6,020 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $5,000 |
| Buddhas Light International Associa Hacienda Heights, CA | Charitable | $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 | $32,417,458 | $2,795,944 | $1,501,359 | $1,141,020 | 7 | $1,141,020 | $3,261,448 | $1,274,450 |
| 2023 | $25,204,312 | $8,797,602 | $2,586,164 | $2,062,076 | 6 | $2,062,076 | $2,858,066 | $746,579 |
| 2022 | $14,164,608 | $-15,592,431 | $2,285,547 | $2,187,550 | 9 | $2,187,550 | $45,929 | $1,250,350 |
| 2021 | $48,520,659 | $5,248,262 | $1,972,514 | $1,888,480 | 15 | $1,888,480 | $5,180,788 | $1,606,284 |
| 2020 | $29,248,558 | $24,469,224 | $1,768,728 | $1,441,710 | 15 | — | $21,459,287 | $684,291 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Universal Sunlight Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations with varied purposes. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center describes its mission as elevating the health status of the communities it serves through healthcare, research, and education. Center for Coastal Studies describes its mission as marine research and public education and policy to protect coastal and ocean resources.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported seven grants totaling $1,141,020. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $1,000,000, with a median of $15,000. The largest grants included $1,000,000 to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, $80,000 to Miao Fa Zentrum, $30,000 to Namo Amitabha Society, and $15,000 to United Charity Foundation. Other listed grants were $6,020 to Center for Coastal Studies, $5,000 to an individual recipient, and $5,000 to Buddhas Light International Association. The filing describes the grant purposes as charitable.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Bin Fen Cheng and Allen Yeh as trustees.
Universal Sunlight Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Allen Yeh
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bin Fen Cheng
Trustee
On filings since 2020
7 hrs/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 Universal Sunlight Foundation
How much does Universal Sunlight Foundation give each year?
Universal Sunlight Foundation gave $1.1M across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.1M across 6 grants.
What is Universal Sunlight Foundation's typical grant size?
Universal Sunlight Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $163,003, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Universal Sunlight Foundation give grants?
Universal Sunlight Foundation gives mostly in California: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does Universal Sunlight Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Universal Sunlight Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (7 grants).
Who are Universal Sunlight Foundation's largest grantees?
Universal Sunlight Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Cedars-Sinai Medical Center ($1,000,000), Miao Fa Zentrum ($80,000) and Namo Amitabha Society ($30,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($5,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 97% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Universal Sunlight Foundation?
Universal Sunlight Foundation reported $32.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Universal Sunlight Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations with varied purposes. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center describes its mission as elevating the health status of the communities it serves through healthcare, research, and education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Universal Sunlight Foundation?
The filing states that giving is not restricted to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Universal Sunlight Foundation's EIN?
Universal Sunlight Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-1016751. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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