Private foundation · Columbia, TN

The Sparks Foundation

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Typical grant size
$4K – $5K – $15K
25th · median · 75th percentile
Unique recipients
10
Repeat grantees
4
funded 2+ years

Application procedures · from 2024 990-PF

DeadlinesMarch 31 and October 31
ContactRobert D Sparks · 9017664412
MaterialsOrganization information, contact, directors, tax status, project information, amount requested, tax-exempt certification, financial statements, project budget, list of donors
RestrictionsAREAS OF INTEREST INCLUDE EDUCATION, ARTS, HANDICAPPED, AND RELIGION; GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS INCLUDE TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI, TEXAS, ARIZONA, MONTANA, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS; TAX-EXEMPT, CURRENT ON ALL REPORTS FOR PRIOR GRANTS, WILL NOT CONSIDER REQUESTS FOR FEDERATED CAMPAIGNS, SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS, OR ORGANIZATIONS WHO DISCRIMINATE BASED ON RACE, ETHNIC ORIGIN, SEX, CREED, OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Leadership · from 2024 990-PF

Robert D Sparks
Trustee

Source: IRS Form 990-PF, Part VII. Officers, directors, and trustees as reported by the foundation.

Payout rate · TY 2024
5.5%
grants paid ÷ assets · ~5% IRS minimum
'17
'18
'19
'20
'21
'22
'23
'24
151
Total grants awarded
$11.2M
Total amount
$74K
Average grant
$4.0M
Largest grant

Giving by year

2024
$401K
5 grants
2023
$327K
21 grants
2022
$242K
23 grants
2021
$329K
32 grants
2020
$260K
12 grants
2019
$292K
13 grants
2018
$102K
12 grants
2017
$54
1 grants
2016
$24
1 grants
2014
$134K
15 grants
2013
$9.2M
16 grants

Top recipients

1 grant · TX · ≈ likely match
$4.0M
2 grants · TN · ✓ Exact match
$4.0M
120 grants · VA
$2.0M
Briarcrest Christian School
1 grant · TN
$800K
1 grant · OK · ✓ Exact match
$165K
The Orchard Fellowship
2 grants · TN
$85K
Mississippi State Bulldog Club
2 grants · MS
$29K
1 grant · TN · ≈ likely match
$25K
The Chickasaw Council
1 grant · TN
$25K
Gary Sinise Foundation
2 grants · CA
$21K

Recipient names are as reported on the 990-PF. ✓ Exact match = EIN matched to IRS records by exact name + state; ≈ likely match = EIN inferred from a closely similar name. The recipient EIN is never stated on the form — it is DoubleNine’s match.

Recent grants · most recent filings first

TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATIONS MISSION.
DC · TY 2024
$375K
To support the Organization's mission.
TN · TY 2024
$10K
To support the Organization's mission.
TN · TY 2024
$10K
TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH'S MISSION
AR · TY 2024
$5K
to support the organization's mission.
TN · TY 2024
$1K
TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS BOTH IN NEED AND DISADVANTAGED, WITH EMPOWERING OPPORTUNITI…
TN · TY 2023
$62K
TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO STRENGTHEN AND IMPROVE THE CITY OF MEMPHIS AND THE VICINITY THROUGH PHILANTHROP…
TN · TY 2023
$50K
TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATIONS MISSION.
DC · TY 2023
$50K
TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO EDUCATE STUDENTS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, FREE MARKETS, A…
IL · TY 2023
$25K
To supporth the organization's mission
TX · TY 2023
$25K
TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATIONS MISSION OF VOTER EDUCATION.
GA · TY 2023
$25K
TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH PROSTHESES.
TN · TY 2023
$10K
to support the organization's mission.
TN · TY 2023
$10K
TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH'S MISSION TO WORSHIP GOD TOGETHER AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST.
TN · TY 2023
$10K
To support the Organization's mission.
TN · TY 2023
$10K
To support the Organization's mission.
TN · TY 2023
$10K
TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK WITH CONGRESS TO ADVANCE HUNTING, ANGLING, RECREATIONAL SHOOTING AND TRAPPING
DC · TY 2023
$10K
To support the Organizations mission.
TN · TY 2023
$5K
TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH'S MISSION TO CHANGE THE WORLD BY HELPING PEOPLE FIND AND FOLLOW JESUS
FL · TY 2023
$5K
TO SUPPORT THE MINISTRY'S MISSION
MT · TY 2023
$5K
TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH'S MISSION TO CHANGE THE WORLD BY HELPING PEOPLE FIND AND FOLLOW JESUS
MT · TY 2023
$5K
TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH'S MISSION
AR · TY 2023
$5K
To support the Organization's mission.
TX · TY 2023
$3K
To support the Organization's mission.
TN · TY 2023
$1K
To support the Organization's mission.
OH · TY 2023
$750
Unknown
TN · TY 2023
$41
TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS BOTH IN NEED AND DISADVANTAGED, WITH EMPOWERING OPPORTUNITI…
TN · TY 2022
$50K
TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO STRENGTHEN AND IMPROVE THE CITY OF MEMPHIS AND THE VICINITY THROUGH PHILANTHROP…
TN · TY 2022
$50K
TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO EDUCATE STUDENTS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, FREE MARKETS, A…
IL · TY 2022
$25K
TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO SERVE THE NATION BY HONORING ITS DEFENDERS, VETERANS, 1ST RESPONDERS, THEIR FAM…
CA · TY 2022
$10K
TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK WITH CONGRESS TO ADVANCE HUNTING, ANGLING, RECREATIONAL SHOOTING AND TRAPPING
DC · TY 2022
$10K
TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH'S MISSION TO WORSHIP GOD TOGETHER AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST.
TN · TY 2022
$10K
TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH'S MISSION TO CHANGE THE WORLD BY HELPING PEOPLE FIND AND FOLLOW JESUS
MT · TY 2022
$10K
TO SUPPORT THE MINISTRY'S MISSION
MT · TY 2022
$8K
TO SUPPORT VANDERBILT INNOVATION CENTER.
TN · TY 2022
$7K
TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATIONS MISSION TO ACCELERATE BREAKTHROUGHTS TO CURE, PREVENT AND TREAT TYPE 1 DIABETES
NY · TY 2022
$5K
TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH PROSTHESES.
TN · TY 2022
$5K
TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S ADVOCACY FOR CHILDREN TO IMPROVE PROGRAMS, PRACTIVIES AND POLICY.
TX · TY 2022
$5K
TO SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S EFFORTS TO OVERCOME VIOLENCE, POVERTY, DISPLACEMENT AND INJUSTICE.
MD · TY 2022
$5K
TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO STRENGTHEN VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE FIGHT TO HEAL FROM TRAUMA AND LIV…
SC · TY 2022
$5K
TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH'S MISSION
AR · TY 2022
$5K
TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO HELP PEOPLE CREATE LASTING SOLUTIONS FOR ECONOMIC STABILITY.
NC · TY 2022
$5K
TO SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION TO ADVANCE BRAIN HEALTH CARE FOR MILITARY AND VETERANS.
IL · TY 2022
$5K
TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION THE HELP BOYS BUILD SKILLS NEEDED TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITY.
NE · TY 2022
$5K
TO SUPPORT ORGANZIATION'S GOAL TO UNIFTY THE COMMUNITY TO DOUBLE THE RATE OF COLLEGE GRADUATES IN NASHVILLE.
TN · TY 2022
$5K
TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF DISADVANTAGED AND FINANCIALLY UNDERPRIVILEDGED CHILDREN BY …
NV · TY 2022
$5K
TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH'S MISSION TO CHANGE THE WORLD BY HELPING PEOPLE FIND AND FOLLOW JESUS
FL · TY 2022
$3K
TO SUPPORT THE NETWORK'S MISSION TO FOSTER HEALTH, WELLNESS AND HEALING IN THE INNER-CITY.
GA · TY 2022
$3K
TO SUPPORT CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND ADVOCACY IN NASHVILLE'S MINORITY COMMUNIITIES INCLUDING VACCINE DRIVES AND SUPPORT NEW A…
TN · TY 2022
$3K
TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO STRENGTHEN AND IMPROVE THE CITY OF MEMPHIS AND THE VICINITY THROUGH PHILANTHROP…
TN · TY 2021
$50K

Source: IRS Form 990-PF, Part XV. Up to 50 most recent grants shown.