George H and Estelle M Sands Foundation
Preselected recipients only
George H and Estelle M Sands Foundation is a private foundation in Princeton, New Jersey. In tax year 2025 it gave $4.2 million in 81 grants; the typical grant was $25,000 and the largest $470,000. 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$4.2 million
- Number of grants81
- Typical grant$25,000
- Largest grant$470,000
- Assets$91.1 million
- New grantees10%
Giving in 2025 was up from $4.0 million the year before.
10% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, so most of its money goes to organizations it already funds.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $4.1 million | 79 | $85.4 million |
| 2024 | $4.0 million | 80 | $85.8 million |
| 2025 | $4.2 million | 81 | $91.1 million |
How to apply
George H and Estelle M Sands 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 George H and Estelle M Sands Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 10 states, the most to New Jersey.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 58 | $2.9 million |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $500,000 |
| Colorado | 7 | $347,865 |
| Virginia | 1 | $110,000 |
| California | 5 | $90,000 |
| Florida | 3 | $80,000 |
| Nebraska | 1 | $40,000 |
| Illinois | 1 | $25,000 |
| Texas | 1 | $25,000 |
| New York | 1 | $10,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Kindersmile Foundation - Trenton | General | $470,000 |
| Bucks County Playhouse | General | $375,000 |
| The Watershed Institute | General | $301,667 |
| Princeton Medical Center Foundation | General | $180,000 |
| Princeton Public Library | General | $150,000 |
| C-Change Conversations | General | $150,000 |
| Warren Village | General | $127,865 |
| Fisherman's Mark | General | $125,000 |
| Sustainable Princeton | General | $120,000 |
| Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania | General | $120,000 |
| Weecycle | General | $110,000 |
| Princeton Family YMCA | General | $105,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club | General | $100,000 |
| Climate Central | General | $100,000 |
| Project Worthmore | General | $80,000 |
| Home Front NJ | General | $75,000 |
| Mercer Street Friends | General | $75,000 |
| Millhill Child and Family Development | General | $75,000 |
| Friends of Princeton Open Space | General | $70,000 |
| National Junior Tennis & Learning of Trenton | General | $60,000 |
| Sourland Conservacy | General | $60,000 |
| Trenton Circus Squad | General | $50,000 |
| Catholic Youth Organization | General | $50,000 |
| Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum | General | $50,000 |
| NJ Coalition to End Homelessness | General | $50,000 |
| Young Audiences of New Jersey | General | $40,000 |
| JRH Arts | General | $40,000 |
| Capital Harmony Works | General | $40,000 |
| We Dont Waste | General | $35,000 |
| Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network | General purpose | $35,000 |
| Food Forward | General | $30,000 |
| Rescue Mission of Trenton | General | $30,000 |
| Food Bank of the Rockies | General | $30,000 |
| Save | General | $25,000 |
| THE FATHER CENTER (PREVIOUSLY UIH Family Partners) | General | $25,000 |
| United Way | General | $25,000 |
| Calmatters | General | $25,000 |
| Sun Valley Youth Center | General | $25,000 |
| The Gathering Place | General | $25,000 |
| Capital Health Foundation | General | $25,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Jeffrey H Sands
- Elizabeth Sands
- Deborah Sands Gartenberg
Questions people ask
Does George H and Estelle M Sands Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does George H and Estelle M Sands Foundation give?
$4.2 million in tax year 2025, across 81 grants, with a typical grant of $25,000.
Who runs George H and Estelle M Sands Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Jeffrey H Sands (Trustee), Elizabeth Sands (Trustee) and Deborah Sands Gartenberg (Trustee).
What does George H and Estelle M Sands Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, education and youth programs.