John Sperling Foundation
Invitation OnlyLitchfield Park, Arizona · EIN 32-0284165 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$3.8M
Organizations funded22
Typical grant$20,000
Total assets$86.2M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $10,000 and $100,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2024 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
86% of grants went outside Arizona.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earthjustice | San Francisco, CA | First installment of a three-year grant for prevailing justice: fight back, fight forward | $1,500,000 |
| American Civil Liberties Union Foundation | New York, NY | For the voting rights project | $500,000 |
| American Civil Liberties Union Foundation | New York, NY | To support work related to protection of abortion and reproductive health care | $500,000 |
| Western Environmental Law Center | Eugene, OR | Second installment of a two-year grant for defending public lands across the western u.s. | $500,000 |
| Center for Science in the Public Interest | Washington, DC | Second installment of a two-year grant for advocating for a safer and more transparent food system | $300,000 |
| Los Padres Forest Watch | Santa Barbara, CA | Second installment of a two-year grant for protecting the public lands of the central coast of california | $100,000 |
| World Central Kitchen | Washington, DC | Restricted to efforts related to helene with a focus on nc, ga and tn | $75,000 |
| World Central Kitchen | Washington, DC | Restricted to recovery efforts associated with the wildfires in southern california | $75,000 |
| Western Resource Advocates | Boulder, CO | First installment of a three-year grant to protect the colorado river | $75,000 |
| Gaviota Coast Conservancy | Goleta, CA | For general support | $20,000 |
| West Valley Arts Council | Surprise, AZ | To support their endeavors in the west valley | $20,000 |
| Pw Litchfield Heritage | Litchfield Park, AZ | For general support | $20,000 |
| Indivisible Civics | Washington, DC | For general support | $20,000 |
| John Muir Land Trust | Martinez, CA | For general support of family harvest farm | $10,000 |
| Sustainable Lafayette | Walnut Creek, CA | For lafayette community garden | $10,000 |
| Indivisible Civics | Washington, DC | For general support | $10,000 |
| Grand Canyon Conservancy | Grand Canyon, AZ | For the grand canyon disaster recovery fund | $10,000 |
| Wikimedia Foundation | San Francisco, CA | For general support | $10,000 |
| Oakland Zoo | Oakland, CA | For general support | $8,000 |
| Institute of Noetic Sciences | Novato, CA | For general support | $7,000 |
| Project Linus | Belton, MO | For support of the jackson county oregon chapter | $5,000 |
| St Jude Foundation | Memphis, TN | For general support | $1,000 |
Grants approved for future payment
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earthjustice | San Francisco, CA | Second & third installment of a three-year grant for prevailing justice: fight back, fight forward | $3,000,000 |
| Western Resource Advocates | Boulder, CO | Second & third installment of a three-year grant to protect the colorado river | $150,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,776,000 | 24 |
| 2023 | $3,755,000 | 22 |
| 2022 | $3,180,000 | 24 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Jul 14, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202621959349100002
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 32-0284165
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.