Sage Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- Sage Foundation funds music, educational, health and environmental organisations, so a good fit depends on your work sitting within one of those fields; its geographic focus is the United States.
- A realistic request would be modest, as half of its 59 grants were $160,000 or less, though grants have ranged from $30,000 to $650,000 with a median of $160,000 and a largest grant of $1,500,000.
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organisations, so unsolicited applications should not be sent; it funds by invitation only.
- Just over half of its grant dollars went to organisations it had also funded in the previous two filings, suggesting it tends to maintain relationships with organisations it already supports rather than open significant new funding relationships each year.
- Given this, grant writers at organisations without an existing relationship may find limited scope to approach it directly.
Overview
Sage Foundation is a US private foundation based in Arlington, WA.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation states that it distributes funds and other assets to music, educational, health and environmental organisations. It makes grants to organisations in the Pacific Northwest and throughout the United States to benefit the arts, music, education, health and the environment. This describes a multi-field, organisation-focused programme, with both arts and music expressly identified and education, health and environmental work also included. Its stated geographic reach spans the Pacific Northwest and the United States. These are the fields and areas named by the foundation itself.
Themes
- Arts and music
- Education
- Health
- Environment
Geographic Focus
United States.
How to apply
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organisations. The filing gives no further steps for prospective applicants.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 52% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 59 grants to organisations were $160,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
5 other states: 7%
- The largest single recipient received 14% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 52% of grant dollars went to organisations Sage Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- <1% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 18 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $138k (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Smithsonian Folkways Recordings · Refer to statement 12 (footnote) of this tax return$1,500,0002024 tax year
- E-Town · Refer to statement 12 (footnote of this tax return$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Centrum Foundation · Refer to statement 12 (footnote) of this tax return$600,0002024 tax year
- Music Is Extraordinary · Refer to statement 12 (footnote) of this tax return$400,0002024 tax year
- Ojai Valley School Equestrian Program · Refer to statement 12 (footnote of this tax return$277,2262024 tax year
- Celtic Arts Foundation · Refer to statement 12 (footnote) of this tax return$260,0002024 tax year
- Steel Guitar Hall of Fame · Refer to statement 12 (footnote) of this tax return$250,0002024 tax year
- Barmoral School Of Piping · Refer to statement 12 (footnote) of this tax return$155,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- E W Littlefield Jr — President / Treasurer / Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $6,568,197 | $6,214,237 | $55,500,578 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $5,914,355 | $5,650,000 | $59,790,743 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $5,495,901 | $5,169,226 | $64,087,542 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Sage Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Arlington, WA
Applying to Sage Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Arlington, WA