John and Margaret Sagan Foundation
Preselected recipients only
John and Margaret Sagan Foundation is a private foundation in Evanston, Illinois. In tax year 2025 it gave $156,000 in 48 grants; the typical grant was $1,750 and the largest $28,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$156,000
- Number of grants48
- Typical grant$1,750
- Largest grant$28,000
- Assets$4.2 million
- New grantees42%
Giving in 2025 was down from $156,500 the year before.
42% of its 2025 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 | $140,000 | 35 | $3.0 million |
| 2024 | $156,500 | 42 | $3.5 million |
| 2025 | $156,000 | 48 | $4.2 million |
How to apply
John and Margaret Sagan 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 and Margaret Sagan Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 14 states, the most to Illinois.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 25 | $56,000 |
| California | 3 | $35,000 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $19,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $10,000 |
| Wyoming | 2 | $9,000 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $7,000 |
| Kansas | 3 | $6,500 |
| New York | 3 | $4,000 |
| Minnesota | 2 | $3,000 |
| Connecticut | 2 | $2,500 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Stanford University | General purpose grant | $28,000 |
| Friends of the Grenadines Initiative | General purpose grant | $15,000 |
| University of Wisconsin Law School | General purpose grant | $10,000 |
| World Pediatric Project | General purpose grant | $10,000 |
| Lawrence University | General purpose grant | $9,000 |
| Grand Teton Music Festival | General purpose grant | $7,000 |
| Millsaps College | General purpose grant | $7,000 |
| First United Methodist Church | General purpose grant | $5,000 |
| Moran Center for Youth Advocacy | General purpose grant | $5,000 |
| Ploughshares Fund | General purpose grant | $5,000 |
| Thresholds | General purpose grant | $5,000 |
| Bulletin of Atomic Scientists | General purpose grant | $3,000 |
| Cordley Elementary School | General purpose grant | $3,000 |
| Black Ensemble Theater | General purpose grant | $2,000 |
| Dap Health | General purpose grant | $2,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders | General purpose grant | $2,000 |
| Evanston Round Table | General purpose grant | $2,000 |
| Feeding America | General purpose grant | $2,000 |
| Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum | General purpose grant | $2,000 |
| Kansas Public Radio | General purpose grant | $2,000 |
| Salvation Army | General purpose grant | $2,000 |
| South Asia Institute | General purpose grant | $2,000 |
| Springfield Area Food Shelf | General purpose grant | $2,000 |
| The Taft School | General purpose grant | $2,000 |
| Kansas Land Trust | General purpose grant | $1,500 |
| Art Institute of Chicago | General purpose grant | $1,000 |
| Callen-Lorde Community Health Center | General purpose grant | $1,000 |
| Days for Girls International | General purpose grant | $1,000 |
| Episcopal Charities | General purpose grant | $1,000 |
| Evanston Public Library | General purpose grant | $1,000 |
| First United Methodist Church - Bundled Blessings | General purpose grant | $1,000 |
| Friends of Judson - Mi Talalli | General purpose grant | $1,000 |
| Gichigamlin Indian Museum | General purpose grant | $1,000 |
| Grace Institute | General purpose grant | $1,000 |
| Institute of Therapy Through the Art | General purpose grant | $1,000 |
| Literacy Works | General purpose grant | $1,000 |
| Ohio Wesleyan University | General purpose grant | $1,000 |
| Springfield Community Theater | General purpose grant | $1,000 |
| St Mark's Episcopal Church | General purpose grant | $1,000 |
| Wbez | General purpose grant | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- John R Sagan
- Scott D Sagan
- Linda Sagan Harrier
Questions people ask
Does John and Margaret Sagan Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does John and Margaret Sagan Foundation give?
$156,000 in tax year 2025, across 48 grants, with a typical grant of $1,750.
Who runs John and Margaret Sagan Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists John R Sagan (President, Sec, Treasurer), Scott D Sagan (Vice President) and Linda Sagan Harrier (Vice President).
What does John and Margaret Sagan Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, arts and culture and health.