The Sparkplug Foundation
Accepts applications
The Sparkplug Foundation is a private foundation in New York, New York. In tax year 2024 it gave $667,576 in 43 grants; the typical grant was $15,000 and the largest $62,976. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$667,576
- Number of grants43
- Typical grant$15,000
- Largest grant$62,976
- Assets$11.0 million
- New grantees95%
Giving in 2024 was up from $508,758 the year before.
95% 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 | $508,758 | 36 | $10.5 million |
| 2024 | $667,576 | 43 | $11.0 million |
How to apply
| Contact | The Sparkplug Foundation PO Box 20956, New York, NY 10025 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (877) 866-8285, info@sparkplugfoundation.org |
| What to submit | Online contact is needed prior to actual grant application submission. Written proposals for grant are required to be submitted. Written proposal needs to be specific-- explaning steps used to accomplish goals, persons and materials needed, especially detailing the need or issue which the grant will address. Estimated costs for the work will be required with application. |
| Deadlines | Application date for fall 2024 cycle: 11/04/2024 |
| Restrictions | Sparkplug foundation makes grants only for seed money, or to launch new ideas within existing projects--there are also restictions on what type of expense which they will fund |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Sparkplug Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 16 states, the most to New York. It also paid $20,000 in 1 grant to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 13 | $190,056 |
| California | 10 | $149,700 |
| Pennsylvania | 5 | $85,000 |
| New Mexico | 2 | $35,000 |
| Hawaii | 1 | $20,000 |
| Illinois | 1 | $20,000 |
| Minnesota | 1 | $20,000 |
| Missouri | 1 | $20,000 |
| Tennessee | 1 | $20,000 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $17,820 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Institute for the Critical Study of Zionism | General support | $62,976 |
| Palestinian Christians for Justice | General support | $20,700 |
| 4DASOIL | General support | $20,000 |
| Alyssa Rodriguez Center for Gender Justice (Arc) | General support | $20,000 |
| Christians for A Free Palestine | General support | $20,000 |
| Co-Op Hudson Valley | General support | $20,000 |
| Decarcerate KC | General support | $20,000 |
| Foster Advocates | General support | $20,000 |
| Human Rights Defenders Fund | General support | $20,000 |
| Kokua NA Aina | General support | $20,000 |
| Memphis Tenants Union | General support | $20,000 |
| Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity (Masgd) | General support | $20,000 |
| Open Hearts Initiative | General support | $20,000 |
| Peace Development Fund | General support | $20,000 |
| Peopleshub | General support | $20,000 |
| Philly Black Worker Project | General support | $20,000 |
| The Black Out Collective | General support | $20,000 |
| Umuwi Ethnic Studies | General support | $20,000 |
| Union Maya | General support | $20,000 |
| Palestinian Feminist Collective | General support | $17,820 |
| ACADEMICS4PEACE | General support | $15,000 |
| Clean Air Baltimore Coalition | General support | $15,000 |
| House Out Neighbors Education Fund | General support | $15,000 |
| Housing Ours Neighbors | General support | $15,000 |
| Never Again Action | General support | $15,000 |
| New York Network of Worker Cooperatives (NYC Nowc) | General support | $15,000 |
| Progressive Technology Project | General support | $15,000 |
| Western Regional Advocacy Project | General support | $15,000 |
| Queen City Workers Center | General support | $10,500 |
| Act Up Philadelphia | General support | $10,000 |
| Circle Up Youth Restorative Justice Arts Inc | General support | $10,000 |
| Columbia Sanctuary Movement | General support | $10,000 |
| Project New Yorker | General support | $10,000 |
| The Black Butterfly Collective | General support | $10,000 |
| Tranforming Communities Initiative - Pontiac | General support | $10,000 |
| Middle East Children's Alliance | General support | $7,000 |
| Racial Justice for Santa Cruz | General support | $7,000 |
| De Gullah Shipp | General support | $5,000 |
| Unmute Humanity | General support | $5,000 |
| Wespac - Uscpn | General support | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Felice Gelman
- Yoram Gelman
- Emmaia Gelman
- John Francis Mulligan
Questions people ask
Does The Sparkplug Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Application date for fall 2024 cycle: 11/04/2024.
How much does The Sparkplug Foundation give?
$667,576 in tax year 2024, across 43 grants, with a typical grant of $15,000.
Who runs The Sparkplug Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Felice Gelman (Trustee), Yoram Gelman (Trustee), Emmaia Gelman (Trustee) and John Francis Mulligan (Director).
What does The Sparkplug Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education and youth programs.