Sally Mead Hands Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Sally Mead Hands Foundation is a private foundation in Madison, Wisconsin. In tax year 2025 it gave $2.2 million in 49 grants; the typical grant was $15,000 and the largest $320,000. 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$2.2 million
- Number of grants49
- Typical grant$15,000
- Largest grant$320,000
- Assets$43.4 million
- New grantees37%
Giving in 2025 was up from $2.0 million the year before.
37% of its 2025 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.0 million | 54 | $38.4 million |
| 2024 | $2.0 million | 44 | $40.9 million |
| 2025 | $2.2 million | 49 | $43.4 million |
How to apply
Sally Mead Hands 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 Sally Mead Hands Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 16 states, the most to Wisconsin.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 16 | $453,000 |
| California | 4 | $390,000 |
| Illinois | 8 | $319,000 |
| Michigan | 3 | $200,000 |
| Massachusetts | 3 | $190,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $147,500 |
| New York | 3 | $110,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $100,000 |
| Vermont | 1 | $100,000 |
| Maine | 3 | $97,500 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Citizens Climate Education Corp | Operating funds | $320,000 |
| Rocky Mountain Institute | Operating funds | $147,500 |
| Environmental Law & Policy Center | Operating funds | $110,000 |
| Ceres | Operating funds | $100,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of Illinois | Operating funds | $100,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of Michigan | Operating funds | $100,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of Northern New England | Operating funds | $100,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin | Operating funds | $100,000 |
| Project Drawdown | Operating funds | $100,000 |
| World Wildlife Fund | Operating funds | $100,000 |
| Transportation Riders United | Operating funds | $90,000 |
| Maine Coast Heritage Trust | Operating funds | $77,500 |
| Climate Xchange | Operating funds | $75,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of the Great Plains | Operating funds | $70,000 |
| Chicago Symphony Orchestra | Operating funds | $60,000 |
| Grid Alternatives | Operating funds | $50,000 |
| Midwest Renewable Energy Association | Operating funds | $50,000 |
| Renew Wisconsin | Operating funds | $50,000 |
| Savanna Institute | Operating funds | $50,000 |
| Wisconsin Academy of Sciences | Operating funds | $40,000 |
| Healthy Climate Wisconsin | Operating funds | $38,000 |
| Center for Neighborhood Technology | Operating funds | $35,000 |
| Common Threads | Operating funds | $20,000 |
| Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Public Broadcasting Corp | Operating funds | $20,000 |
| Appalachian Mountain Club | Operating funds | $15,000 |
| Friends of PBS Wisconsin Inc | Operating funds | $15,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity of Dane County Inc | Operating funds | $15,000 |
| Maine Public Broadcasting Corporation | Operating funds | $15,000 |
| Wisconsin Public Radio Association Inc | Operating funds | $15,000 |
| 1000 Friends of Wisconsin | Operating funds | $10,000 |
| Centro Hispano Inc | Operating funds | $10,000 |
| Conway Area Humane Society | Operating funds | $10,000 |
| Editorial Cartooning Initiative | Operating funds | $10,000 |
| Elevate Energy | Operating funds | $10,000 |
| Galin Scholars Inc | Operating funds | $10,000 |
| Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (Wisconsin Women in Conservation) | Operating funds | $10,000 |
| Michigan Environmental Council | Operating funds | $10,000 |
| Voces de la Frontera | Operating funds | $10,000 |
| Wisconsin Watch | Operating funds | $10,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Operating funds | $7,500 |
Officers and trustees
- Collier M Hands
- Helen M Hands
- John L Hands Jr
- Louise H Murphy
- Karen Kendrick-Hands
- Philip M K Hands
Questions people ask
Does Sally Mead Hands Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Sally Mead Hands Foundation give?
$2.2 million in tax year 2025, across 49 grants, with a typical grant of $15,000.
Who runs Sally Mead Hands Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Collier M Hands (Director), Helen M Hands (Treasurer), John L Hands Jr (President) and Louise H Murphy (Secretary) among 6 officers and trustees.
What does Sally Mead Hands Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, education and arts and culture.