John Sperling Foundation
Preselected recipients only
John Sperling Foundation is a private foundation in Litchfield Park, Arizona. In tax year 2024 it gave $3.8 million in 22 grants; the typical grant was $20,000 and the largest $1.5 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$3.8 million
- Number of grants22
- Typical grant$20,000
- Largest grant$1.5 million
- Assets$86.2 million
- New grantees42%
Giving in 2024 was up from $3.8 million the year before.
42% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $3.2 million | 20 | $73.6 million |
| 2023 | $3.8 million | 19 | $80.2 million |
| 2024 | $3.8 million | 22 | $86.2 million |
How to apply
John Sperling Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What John Sperling Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 8 states, the most to California.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 8 | $1.7 million |
| New York | 2 | $1.0 million |
| Oregon | 1 | $500,000 |
| District of Columbia | 5 | $480,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $75,000 |
| Arizona | 3 | $50,000 |
| Missouri | 1 | $5,000 |
| Tennessee | 1 | $1,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Earthjustice | First installment of a three-year grant for prevailing justice: fight back, fight forward | $1.5 million |
| American Civil Liberties Union Foundation | For the voting rights project | $500,000 |
| American Civil Liberties Union Foundation | To support work related to protection of abortion and reproductive health care | $500,000 |
| Western Environmental Law Center | Second installment of a two-year grant for defending public lands across the western u.s. | $500,000 |
| Center for Science in the Public Interest | Second installment of a two-year grant for advocating for a safer and more transparent food system | $300,000 |
| Los Padres Forest Watch | Second installment of a two-year grant for protecting the public lands of the central coast of california | $100,000 |
| World Central Kitchen | Restricted to efforts related to helene with a focus on nc, ga and tn | $75,000 |
| World Central Kitchen | Restricted to recovery efforts associated with the wildfires in southern california | $75,000 |
| Western Resource Advocates | First installment of a three-year grant to protect the colorado river | $75,000 |
| Gaviota Coast Conservancy | For general support | $20,000 |
| West Valley Arts Council | To support their endeavors in the west valley | $20,000 |
| PW Litchfield Heritage | For general support | $20,000 |
| Indivisible Civics | For general support | $20,000 |
| John Muir Land Trust | For general support of family harvest farm | $10,000 |
| Sustainable Lafayette | For lafayette community garden | $10,000 |
| Indivisible Civics | For general support | $10,000 |
| Grand Canyon Conservancy | For the grand canyon disaster recovery fund | $10,000 |
| Wikimedia Foundation | For general support | $10,000 |
| Oakland Zoo | For general support | $8,000 |
| Institute of Noetic Sciences | For general support | $7,000 |
| Project Linus | For support of the jackson county oregon chapter | $5,000 |
| St Jude Foundation | For general support | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Peter V Sperling
- Terri C Bishop
- Darby E Shupp
Questions people ask
Does John Sperling Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does John Sperling Foundation give?
$3.8 million in tax year 2024, across 22 grants, with a typical grant of $20,000.
Who runs John Sperling Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Peter V Sperling (VP & Director), Terri C Bishop (Chairman & Director) and Darby E Shupp (Secretary Treasurer Direct).
What does John Sperling Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, health and science and research.