The Sarah Spencer Foundation | Foundation Profile
- Chicago , IL
- Key People
- Contact Info
- Open to Unsolicited Applications
GrantBay analyzes IRS Form 990-PF data to help grant seekers find fit funders like The Sarah Spencer Foundation. Data shown is extracted from Form 990-PF filings.
EIN: 36-3444748
Foundation Overview
Based in Chicago, IL, The Sarah Spencer Foundation has awarded 36 grants totaling $382,359 to organizations in Illinois, Virginia and 5 other states across the US. Individual grants range from $250 to $155,059, with a median award of $3,250.
Latest Form 990-PF Snapshot
Foundation Intelligence
Advanced analytics and strategic insights to help nonprofit organizations assess grant opportunities and optimize their application strategies
New Applicant Friendliness
1 total grant. Insufficient data for reliable pattern analysis. Foundation may be highly selective or recently established.
Geographic Focus
53% of grants are awarded in Illinois, with additional funding distributed across 6 other locations. The foundation balances regional focus with broader geographic diversity. Within Illinois, funding concentrates in Chicago (53%), Brookfield (11%), Lake Forest (11%).
Funding Trajectory
Declining funding trend with 15% decrease over 4 years may indicate reduced grant opportunities or shifting foundation priorities. This trajectory suggests more competitive application environment.
Program Areas
Highly focused on general purposes with 100% of funding dedicated to this sector. This specialization indicates deep expertise and committed investment in the field.
Where is The Money Going?
Grants & Funding
Analyzing past grantees provides valuable insights into The Sarah Spencer Foundation's funding preferences, organizational priorities, and grant making patterns. This historical data helps potential applicants understand the foundation's strategic focus and identify successful funding approaches.
| Name | Amount | Location | Purpose | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Zoological Society | $155,059 | Brookfield, IL, US | Charitable | 2022 |
| Chicago Zoological Society (brookfield Zoo) | $10,000 | Brookfield, IL, US | Unrestricted | 2020 |
| Historic Richmond Foundation | $5,000 | Richmond, VA, US | Unrestricted | 2020 |
| Maymont Foundation | $20,000 | Richmond, VA, US | Unrestricted | 2020 |
| Saint Catherine's School | $5,000 | Richmond, VA, US | Unrestricted | 2020 |
| Virginia Museum Of Fine Arts | $5,000 | Richmond, VA, US | Unrestricted | 2020 |
| A Just Harvest | $500 | Chicago, IL, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Aclu Foundation | $350 | New York, NY, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Adler Planetarium | $250 | Chicago, IL, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Bon Secours Richmond Health Care Foundation | $5,000 | Richmond, VA, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Chicago Botanic Gardens | $250 | Glencoe, IL, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Chicago Coalition For The Homeless | $500 | Chicago, IL, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Community Church Of Lake Forest & Lake Bluff | $1,500 | Lake Bluff, IL, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Deerfield Academy | $5,500 | Deerfield, MA, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Elawa Farms Foundation | $1,000 | Lake Forest, IL, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Evans Scholars Foundation | $250 | Golf, IL, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Field Museum Of Natural History | $300 | Chicago, IL, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Gorton Community Center | $250 | Lake Forest, IL, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Historic Richmond Foundation | $5,000 | Richmond, VA, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Ichthyosis Foundation | $250 | Colmar, PA, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| John F Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts | $12,000 | Washington, DC, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Maymont Foundation | $10,000 | Richmond, VA, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Menokin Foundation | $500 | Warsaw, VA, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Metro Squash | $250 | Chicago, IL, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Museum Of Science And Industry | $350 | Chicago, IL, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| National Public Radio | $250 | Washington, DC, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Nature Conservancy Of Illinois | $50,000 | Chicago, IL, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Opportunity International | $10,000 | Oak Brook, IL, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Princeton Foundation | $500 | Princeton, NJ, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Public Broadcasting System Foundation | $250 | Chicago, IL, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Reveille Weekday School | $10,000 | Richmond, VA, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Saint Catherine's School | $5,000 | Richmond, VA, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Shedd Aquarium | $300 | Chicago, IL, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| The First Tee | $50,000 | Lemont, IL, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Virginia Museum Of Fine Arts | $7,000 | Richmond, VA, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
| Ymca Of Metropolitan Chicago | $5,000 | Chicago, IL, US | Unrestricted | 2018 |
Foundations Similar to The Sarah Spencer Foundation
Discover 5 foundations with comparable assets ($0-$0), similar grant patterns, and geographic focus in IL that may also align with your organization's funding needs and grant seeking strategy.
| Foundation Name | Total Assets | Typical Grant Size | Service Area | Similarity Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Jenny & Alexander Darvodelsky Foundation
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Burdette E Snyder Foundation Xxxxx8008
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Krista Kosiek Educational Foundation Co Kimberly Lagerloef
EIN: 11-3770397 | 4 grants awarded |
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Couri Family Foundation
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Contact Information
Official contact details for The Sarah Spencer Foundation as registered with the IRS. These details are essential for grant applications, correspondence, and due diligence processes.
| EIN | 36-3444748 |
| Website | N/A |
| Address | 50 S LASALLE ST 3RD FLOOR Chicago, IL 60675-0001 |
Key People (3)
Board members, trustees, and key staff who oversee The Sarah Spencer Foundation's grant making decisions and strategic direction. Understanding leadership composition can provide insights into foundation priorities and potential networking opportunities.
| President | George S Trees Jr |
|---|---|
| Secretary/ Treasurer | Sarah Trees Bliley |
| Director | Barbara Trees |
Forms 990-PF
IRS Form 990-PF filings provide comprehensive financial information, grant details, and operational data. These documents are essential resources for understanding foundation capacity, giving patterns, and strategic priorities.
Form 990-PF Research Tips
- Review Part XV for detailed grant recipient information and funding purposes
- Check Part I for total assets, annual giving amounts, and payout requirements
- Examine Part VIII for key personnel compensation and board structure
- Look for trends across multiple years to understand giving patterns
About This Foundation Profile
This comprehensive foundation profile for The Sarah Spencer Foundation is powered by Grant Bay's advanced foundation research platform. Our system analyzes IRS Form 990-PF filings, grant histories, and philanthropic patterns to provide nonprofit organizations with actionable intelligence for grant seeking success.
Application Status
Based on its IRS Form 990-PF filings, this foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications, meaning eligible organizations can apply directly without a prior relationship.
Data Sources & Accuracy
All information is derived from official IRS filings and public records. Grant Bay processes thousands of Form 990-PF documents to extract grant details, financial data, and organizational information. Data accuracy depends on foundation reporting quality and IRS filing completeness.
Research Applications
Use this profile for prospect research, grant strategy development, application preparation, and relationship building. Combine this data with additional research on foundation priorities, application processes, and board member backgrounds for comprehensive grant seeking strategies.