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Foundations / Utah

James Lee Sorenson Family Foundation

Preselected recipients only Salt Lake City, Utah · EIN 456794415

James Lee Sorenson Family Foundation is a private foundation in Salt Lake City, Utah. In tax year 2024 it gave $2.6 million in 31 grants; the typical grant was $500 and the largest $1.6 million. 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 $1.5 million the year before.

75% 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 yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$1.5 million29$61.7 million
2024$2.6 million31$64.9 million

How to apply

James Lee Sorenson Family 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 James Lee Sorenson Family Foundation funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 8 states, the most to Utah.

StateGrantsAmount
Utah19$2.5 million
District of Columbia1$100,000
New York4$2,500
California3$1,500
Minnesota1$1,000
Arkansas1$500
Illinois1$500
Tennessee1$500

Grants paid in 2024

All 31 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
The Church of Jesus Christ of LDS
Salt Lake City, UT
General support$1.6 million
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Epicenter buildling capital campaign$250,000
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Epicenter buildling capital campaign$250,000
Utah Sports Commission Foundation
Salt Lake City, UT
Promotion of amateur sports/Olympics$200,000
The Church of Jesus Christ of LDS
Salt Lake City, UT
General support$150,000
New Venture Fund
Washington, DC
Economic innovation research$100,000
Religious Family History Corp
Draper, UT
Genealogy research$15,000
Choice Humanitarian
Draper, UT
Charitable event fundraising$5,000
Junior Achievement of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Financial literacy educational programs$3,000
Choice Humanitarian
Draper, UT
Fundraising Event Sponsorship$2,500
Huntsman Cancer Institute University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Cancer research$1,000
International Rescue Committee
Albert Lea, MN
Services for refugees$1,000
UNICEF USA
New York, NY
Israeli assistance fund, services for children$1,000
826 Valencia
San Francisco, CA
Education assistance for underserved populations$500
Amanaki Fo'ou
Holladay, UT
Diabetes education and prevention$500
Amnesty International
New York, NY
Support for human rights issues$500
Best Friends Animal Society
Salt Lake City, UT
Rescue and foster services for animals$500
Danielle Byron Henry Migraine Foundation
Salt Lake City, UT
Research and support for migraine prgrams$500
Educate Girls
Forest Hills, NY
Equitable access to quality education$500
Friends of the Coalition
Provo, UT
Alleviation of hunger and poverty for unhoused populations$500
Habitat for Humanity
Salt Lake City, UT
General support for housing needs$500
Hillcrest High School
Midvale, UT
Student athletic events$500
Margie's Haven House
Heber Springs, AR
Shelter and essential services for domestic abuse victims$500
Primary Children's Hospital
Salt Lake City, UT
Medical care$500
Russian Childrens Welfare Society
New York, NY
Educational and other services for at-risk children$500
St Jude Research Hospital
Memphis, TN
Medical research$500
The Christmas Box International
Salt Lake City, UT
Services for abused and neglected children$500
The Shelter Box
Pasadena, CA
Emergency shelter for disaster recoveries$500
The Skatepark Project
Vista, CA
Helping underserved communities create safe and inclusive public spaces$500
Utah Food Bank
South Salt Lake, UT
General support$500
Water Org Inc
Chicago, IL
Providing clean water and sanitation to needy communities$500

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2024 filing.

Questions people ask

Does James Lee Sorenson Family Foundation accept grant applications?

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

How much does James Lee Sorenson Family Foundation give?

$2.6 million in tax year 2024, across 31 grants, with a typical grant of $500.

Who runs James Lee Sorenson Family Foundation?

Its 2024 filing lists James Lee Sorenson (Trustee).

What does James Lee Sorenson Family Foundation fund?

Based on its grants, mainly faith communities, education and science and research.

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