Our Little Light Foundation
Accepts applications
Our Little Light Foundation is a private foundation in Roseville, California. In tax year 2024 it gave $631,000 in 18 grants; the typical grant was $20,000 and the largest $100,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$631,000
- Number of grants18
- Typical grant$20,000
- Largest grant$100,000
- Assets$13.2 million
- New grantees78%
Giving in 2024 was up from $591,146 the year before.
78% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $591,146 | 23 | $12.2 million |
| 2024 | $631,000 | 18 | $13.2 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Kathryn W Carlsen 1400 Rocky Ridge Drive 280, Roseville, CA 95661 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (916) 295-1633 |
| What to submit | Grant application form (provided by our little light foundation) including the following requested information: 1. Grant amount requested, including the percentage of funds used for direct services and/or program support, 2. Name, address, tax id#, contact information for the organization requesting the grant, 2. How the funds will help the health, well-being or education of children, youth, or families, and how many children/youth and families will be served by the grant.the grant application form should be accompanied by a full grant proposal including the following information: 1. A cover letter describing the organization, the proposed program or project and the amount requested, 2. Background information for the organization, including its history and purpose and the primary population served, 3. A description of the program, including a detailed description of the proposed project or program, its goals and objectives, an explanation of how the funds will be used and an evaluation |
| Deadlines | December 31 |
| Restrictions | Support is provided strictly for registered IRS qualified exempt organizations. Funds are intended to benefit programs that help promote the health, well-being, education of children, youth, families. A minimum of 90% of the funds must be allocated towards direct services with at most 10% used toward administration costs. The beneficiary mission must meet the expectations of the foundations focus to promote the health, well-being, education of children, youth, families. Support is primarily for existing and sustainable programs. New programs and programs that are not yet able to report measurable results may be considered on a case by case basis. Beneficiaries must have a procedure in place to ensure that the clients they serve meet certain criteria. Beneficiaries are required to submit an operating budget along with a proposal indicating how/when funding will be spent in order for funds to be distributed and must agree to submit periodic recaps. Variance from proposed use of funds mus |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Our Little Light Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 3 states, the most to California.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 16 | $521,000 |
| Illinois | 1 | $100,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $10,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Young Center Immigrant Children's R | Guardian Scholars Program to support students who have experienced foster care | $100,000 |
| Yolo Crisis Nursery Inc | Funding to support crisis overnight and respite care, wraparound services and specialized infant day care and preschool. | $100,000 |
| The University Foundation at CSUS | Guardian Scholars ($50K Scholarships, $50K Programs) | $100,000 |
| California CASA | Support the expansion of outreach programs to reach a broader audience of child care providers and communities. | $50,000 |
| Growth Factory | Student Founder Program | $50,000 |
| UC Regents | CIRCLE Clinic Director transition and expansion | $46,000 |
| Inner-City Arts | Support for school-day arts education program for K-8th grade students from underserved neighborhoods in LA | $25,000 |
| Academy STAY | Share the Warmth program | $20,000 |
| Standford Sierra Youth Families | Provide direct support and resources to families and children in San Gabriel Valley who are experiencing homelessness | $20,000 |
| The Eli Home for Abused Children | Provide support to help clean and support families in Oak Park | $20,000 |
| Union Station Homeless Services | To help cover Dr Hannah Snitzer as a new medical director in administrative duties to launch community outreach and growth as new leader in clinic | $20,000 |
| Powerhouse Ministry | Enhance health, well-being and education of individuals as well as the Leadership College and Sunday night family services | $15,000 |
| Me-One Foundation | Camp for families dealing with cancer in a loved one | $15,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sac | Series of workshops for foster youth attending UC Davis and CSUS | $15,000 |
| Child Advocates of Nevada County | Support the purchase of high-quality, durable furniture to serve residents | $10,000 |
| Fostering Success and Significance | Used for local CASA programs to recruit and train more volunteers | $10,000 |
| Hopecam Inc | "Champions of Hope" Initiative reaching 200 children with cancer connecting them to the classroom with technology | $10,000 |
| Alliance for Children's Rights | Support teen self-improvement workshop series. | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Kathryn W Carlsen
- Dale R Carlsen
- Beth M Carlsen
Questions people ask
Does Our Little Light Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: December 31.
How much does Our Little Light Foundation give?
$631,000 in tax year 2024, across 18 grants, with a typical grant of $20,000.
Who runs Our Little Light Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Kathryn W Carlsen (President), Dale R Carlsen (Cfo) and Beth M Carlsen (Secretary).
What does Our Little Light Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, human services and youth programs.