John & Polly Sparks Foundation
Preselected recipients only
John & Polly Sparks Foundation is a private foundation in Pennington, New Jersey. In tax year 2024 it gave $3.1 million in 64 grants; the typical grant was $20,000 and the largest $500,000. 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$3.1 million
- Number of grants64
- Typical grant$20,000
- Largest grant$500,000
- Assets$101 million
- New grantees23%
Giving in 2024 was down from $3.3 million the year before.
23% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $3.7 million | 1 | $78.3 million |
| 2023 | $3.3 million | 67 | $92.0 million |
| 2024 | $3.1 million | 64 | $101 million |
How to apply
John & Polly Sparks 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 & Polly Sparks Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 9 states, the most to Georgia.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 49 | $2.6 million |
| New York | 4 | $310,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $75,000 |
| Florida | 5 | $70,000 |
| South Carolina | 1 | $25,000 |
| Maryland | 1 | $20,000 |
| New Jersey | 1 | $20,000 |
| Ohio | 1 | $20,000 |
| North Carolina | 1 | $10,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Childrens' Healthcare of Atlanta | Unrestricted general | $500,000 |
| Emory University | Unrestricted general | $387,302 |
| Christian City Inc | Unrestricted general | $300,000 |
| Grady Health Foundation | Unrestricted general | $250,000 |
| Narsad Brain & Behavior Research Fdn | Unrestricted general | $225,000 |
| The Morehouse School of Medicine | Unrestricted general | $200,000 |
| Families 4 Families | Unrestricted general | $85,000 |
| American Psychological Foundation | Unrestricted general | $75,000 |
| The Community Fdn for Greater Atlanta | Unrestricted general | $60,000 |
| Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church | Unrestricted general | $50,000 |
| 247 Gateway LLC | Unrestricted general | $50,000 |
| Youth for Christ | Unrestricted general | $40,000 |
| NAMI Georgia Inc | Unrestricted general | $40,000 |
| Resilient Georgia Inc | Unrestricted general | $35,000 |
| Passion for Haiti Foundation Inc | Unrestricted general | $30,000 |
| Georgia Works | Unrestricted general | $30,000 |
| Chris 180 Inc | Unrestricted general | $30,000 |
| Rainbow Village | Unrestricted general | $30,000 |
| Abba House | Unrestricted general | $30,000 |
| Encore Community | Unrestricted general | $25,000 |
| Caringworks Inc | Unrestricted general | $25,000 |
| Thornwell Home | Unrestricted general | $25,000 |
| Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities | Unrestricted general | $25,000 |
| Penfield Addiction Ministries Inc | Unrestricted general | $25,000 |
| Our House Inc | Unrestricted general | $25,000 |
| 3KEYS Inc | Unrestricted general | $25,000 |
| Hillside | Unrestricted general | $21,000 |
| Families and Work Institute Inc | Unrestricted general | $20,000 |
| Faithbridge Foster Care Inc | Unrestricted general | $20,000 |
| John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center | Unrestricted general | $20,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atl | Unrestricted general | $20,000 |
| Atlanta Community Food Bank Inc | Unrestricted general | $20,000 |
| Georgia Center for Child Advocacy Inc | Unrestricted general | $20,000 |
| Nicholas House Inc | Unrestricted general | $20,000 |
| Must Ministries | Unrestricted general | $20,000 |
| Solomon's Temple Foundation Inc | Unrestricted general | $20,000 |
| This Must Be the Place | Unrestricted general | $20,000 |
| Hope Atlanta | Unrestricted general | $15,000 |
| Atlanta Mission | Unrestricted general | $15,000 |
| Southwest Christian Care | Unrestricted general | $15,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Bank of America N A
- Richard W Hallock
- Kim Barronton Thornton
- Kathy Barronton Hall
- Brock Richard Peyer
- Palmer Peyer
- Deanna Peyer
- Brian Tyler Thornton
- Lisa Ann Hallock
Questions people ask
Does John & Polly Sparks Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does John & Polly Sparks Foundation give?
$3.1 million in tax year 2024, across 64 grants, with a typical grant of $20,000.
Who runs John & Polly Sparks Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Bank of America N A (Trustee), Richard W Hallock (Advisory Member), Kim Barronton Thornton (Advisory Member) and Kathy Barronton Hall (Advisory Member) among 9 officers and trustees.
What does John & Polly Sparks Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly health, education and youth programs.