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Illuminations Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$45.4M
Grant Range
Up to $23.4M00
00

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Illuminations Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $45,371,055 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only alliance)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (closed partnership)
  • Grant Range: Varies by partner organisation and project needs
  • Geographic Focus: International (Bible translation worldwide)
  • Total Grants Since 2020: $130,157,562 across grants to 10 partner organisations

Contact Details

Website: https://illuminations.bible
Phone: 404-252-0100
Address: PO Box 511, Alpharetta, GA 30009-0511
EIN: 83-3552306

Overview

Illuminations Foundation Inc (operating as illumiNations) was established in 2019, though the alliance itself began earlier through a Donor Advised Fund at National Christian Foundation in 2015. The foundation serves as a fundraising and grant-distributing intermediary for an alliance of Bible translation organisations working together to eradicate Bible poverty by 2033. With annual giving exceeding $45 million in 2023 and total grants of over $130 million since 2020, illumiNations channels donor contributions to 10 established Bible translation partner organisations. The foundation has received a 3-star (75%) rating from Charity Navigator. Founded by high-capacity Christian donors including Mart Green, Katherine Barnhart, and former NFL player Todd Peterson, illumiNations represents an unprecedented collaboration among organisations involved in 90% of the world's Bible translation work.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Illuminations Foundation does not operate traditional grant programmes open to public application. Instead, it functions as a collaborative funding mechanism for a fixed alliance of 10 Bible translation partner organisations:

  • American Bible Society
  • Biblica
  • Deaf Bible Society
  • Lutheran Bible Translators
  • Pioneer Bible Translators
  • Seed Company
  • SIL International
  • The Word for the World
  • United Bible Societies
  • Wycliffe Bible Translators USA

Grant amounts vary significantly based on organisational needs and projects. In 2023, the foundation distributed $45,371,055. Historical data shows that not all partner organisations receive grants every year - in 2022, three organisations (SIL, United Bible Societies, and The Word for the World) received no grants from the consortium.

Priority Areas

The foundation's singular focus is Bible translation with the goal of providing Scripture access to every language by 2033. Priority areas include:

  • Translation of Scripture into languages without any Bible access
  • Collaboration and reduced duplication among translation organisations
  • Projects where $35 translates approximately one verse of Scripture
  • Full Bible translations and portions for language communities worldwide

What They Don't Fund

  • Organisations outside the established 10-member alliance
  • Projects unrelated to Bible translation
  • Individual requests or non-organisational applications
  • General religious or charitable causes beyond Bible translation

Governance and Leadership

President: David H. Wills (serves without salary)

David Wills is also President Emeritus of the National Christian Foundation, one of the largest privately funded nonprofits in the United States, where he served as president since 1998. Wills has stated that "the dramatic shift toward collaboration has delighted givers who are looking for proven leadership, extraordinary vision, and clear momentum."

The foundation operates as a subordinate organisation under National Christian Foundation and maintains close ties with NCF infrastructure.

Founders: The alliance was founded by high-capacity Christian givers including Mart Green, Katherine Barnhart, and former NFL player Todd Peterson.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Illuminations Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation operates as a closed alliance of 10 established Bible translation organisations. It functions as a fundraising intermediary that receives donations from individual and institutional donors and distributes grants to its fixed group of partner organisations.

Organisations cannot apply to become grant recipients. The alliance consists of pre-established partnerships among major Bible translation agencies that together conduct approximately 90% of the world's Bible translation work.

Grants are distributed based on:

  • Partner organisation needs and active translation projects
  • Donor designations (donors can specify particular languages or general translation support)
  • Alliance decision-making processes (details not publicly disclosed)
  • Strategic priorities of the collaborative

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, the search results indicate that "illumiNations celebrates the growth of the movement through expanded partnerships" and that "many other organisations are rising up to join the movement." The alliance "first emerged among a collection of partners largely based in the west, but God seems to be expanding illumiNations globally."

However, no specific process for joining the alliance is publicly documented. Organisations interested in potential future partnership would need to:

  • Contact illumiNations directly through their website contact form
  • Demonstrate significant involvement in Bible translation work
  • Align with the collaborative model and 2033 goal
  • Note that the current 10-member structure appears relatively stable, with the same core partners since founding

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not operate on an application cycle. Grant distribution timing is determined internally based on partner needs and available funds.

Success Rates

Not applicable - there is no public application process. The foundation operates as a closed collaborative of established partners.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organisations cannot apply or reapply for partnership.

Application Success Factors

Since this is a closed alliance without a public application process, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, for organisations seeking to understand the foundation's model:

Alliance Partnership Criteria (inferred from current partners):

  • Established track record in Bible translation work
  • Organisational capacity to execute large-scale translation projects
  • Willingness to collaborate and reduce duplication with other agencies
  • Alignment with the 2033 goal to provide Scripture access to all languages
  • Participation in the majority of global Bible translation efforts

What the Foundation Values: According to President David Wills, the collaborative model appeals to donors seeking "proven leadership, extraordinary vision, and clear momentum." The foundation emphasises:

  • Unity and collaboration over competition
  • Elimination of redundancy in translation efforts
  • Transparent progress tracking towards measurable goals
  • Efficient use of donor funds with direct translation impact

The 12 Verse Challenge Model: The foundation's primary fundraising mechanism asks donors to commit $35 monthly to translate 12 verses of Scripture annually, with 100% of funds supporting direct translation work.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Not Open to Public Applications: Illuminations Foundation operates as a closed alliance. Organisations cannot submit grant applications to become funding recipients.
  • Intermediary Function: The foundation serves as a fundraising and distribution mechanism for a fixed group of 10 major Bible translation organisations.
  • Substantial Resources: Despite the closed structure, the foundation represents significant funding ($45+ million annually) demonstrating donor appetite for collaborative Bible translation efforts.
  • Possible Future Expansion: References to "expanded partnerships" and organisations "joining the movement" suggest the alliance may grow, though no formal process exists.
  • Direct Contact Required: Any organisation interested in potential future partnership would need to initiate direct contact through the foundation's website.
  • Focus on Collaboration: The entire model emphasises reducing duplication and competition in favour of unified effort towards the 2033 goal.
  • Donor-Designated Grants: Some grant distribution is influenced by donor preferences for specific languages or projects, though this is managed internally.

References

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