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Foundations / Tennessee

The Sparks Foundation

Preselected recipients only Columbia, Tennessee · EIN 237029788

The Sparks Foundation is a private foundation in Columbia, Tennessee. In tax year 2024 it gave $401,000 in 5 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $375,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.

Giving in 2024 was up from $326,791 the year before.

20% 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 yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$326,79121$6.4 million
2024$401,0005$7.3 million

How to apply

The 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.

IRS filings on ProPublica

What The Sparks Foundation funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 3 states, the most to District of Columbia.

StateGrantsAmount
District of Columbia1$375,000
Tennessee3$21,000
Arkansas1$5,000

Grants paid in 2024

All 5 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
America First Policy Institute
Washington, DC
To support the organizations mission.$375,000
Family Is Everything
Nashville, TN
To support the Organization's mission.$10,000
Operation Light Shine
Hermitage, TN
To support the Organization's mission.$10,000
Covenant Church of Heber Springs
Heber Springs, AR
To support the church's mission$5,000
Ambassador Services International
Franklin, TN
to support the organization's mission.$1,000

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2024 filing.

Questions people ask

Does The Sparks Foundation accept grant applications?

No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.

How much does The Sparks Foundation give?

$401,000 in tax year 2024, across 5 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.

Who runs The Sparks Foundation?

Its 2024 filing lists Robert D Sparks (Trustee).

What does The Sparks Foundation fund?

Based on its grants, mainly faith communities.

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