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Sargent Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.1M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,075,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Estimated $5,000 - $50,000 based on average grant size
  • Geographic Focus: Not publicly specified
  • Number of Grants: 63 awards (2023)

Contact Details

Address: P.O. Box 620, Winnetka, IL 60093

Phone: (847) 234-5000

Website: https://sargentfamilyfoundation.org/

Note: The foundation maintains a login portal for grant applicants on their website, suggesting some form of managed application system for preselected organizations.

Overview

The Sargent Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2014 and based in Winnetka, Illinois. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with total assets of approximately $38.5 million as of 2024. In 2023, the foundation experienced significant growth following a $20 million contribution, dramatically expanding its grantmaking capacity. The foundation distributed $1,075,000 across 63 awards in 2023, with an average grant size of approximately $17,000. The foundation operates as a named trust with Cynthia Mead Sargent serving as trustee, alongside directors George E. Sargent and Christina M. Sargent (also known as Christina S. Donohue). The foundation's revenue primarily comes from investment dividends (70.5%) and sales of assets (28.5%).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Sargent Family Foundation does not publicly disclose specific grant programs or funding categories. Based on available data:

  • Average Grant Size: Approximately $17,000 (based on 2023 data of $1,075,000 distributed across 63 awards)
  • Estimated Range: $5,000 - $50,000 per grant

Priority Areas

The foundation has not publicly disclosed specific priority areas or funding focuses. Detailed information about grant recipients and funding categories would be available in the foundation's Form 990-PF filings.

What They Don't Fund

No specific exclusions are publicly documented.

Governance and Leadership

Trustee:

  • Cynthia Mead Sargent - Trustee

Directors:

  • George E. Sargent - Director and Executive Director
  • Christina M. Sargent / Christina S. Donohue - Director

George Sargent is based in Winnetka and serves as the Executive Director of the foundation. The foundation operates as a private non-operating foundation, meaning it primarily makes grants rather than operating its own charitable programs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Sargent Family Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, making grants to organizations that have been identified and selected by the trustees and directors.

The foundation's website includes a login portal for grant applicants, indicating that they maintain a managed system for organizations that have been invited to apply or that have existing relationships with the foundation.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Organizations that have been invited to apply would receive timeline information directly from the foundation.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation works with preselected organizations rather than accepting open applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Organizations with existing relationships with the foundation should inquire directly about reapplication opportunities.

Application Success Factors

Since the Sargent Family Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, the traditional application success factors do not apply. However, for organizations hoping to eventually work with the foundation:

  • Preselection is Required: The foundation exclusively works with organizations it has identified and selected. There is no open application process.

  • Relationship-Based Grantmaking: The foundation's approach suggests that grants are made based on existing relationships and trustee knowledge of organizations rather than through competitive application processes.

  • Consistent Grantmaking: With 63 awards in 2023, 64 in 2022, 65 in 2021, and 60 in 2020, the foundation maintains relatively consistent grantmaking activity year over year.

  • Geographic Connection: Based in Winnetka, Illinois, the foundation may have geographic preferences, though this is not publicly confirmed.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Applications: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or applications from organizations that have not been preselected.

  • Invitation Only: Grants are made exclusively to organizations identified and selected by the foundation's trustees and directors.

  • Moderate Grant Sizes: With an average grant of approximately $17,000, this foundation provides moderate-level funding across a relatively large number of organizations (60+ annually).

  • Stable Grantmaking: The foundation has maintained consistent grantmaking activity, distributing between 60-65 grants annually over the past four years.

  • Growing Foundation: Following a significant $20 million contribution in 2023, the foundation has substantially increased its asset base to $38.5 million, which may lead to increased grantmaking capacity in future years.

  • Limited Public Information: The foundation maintains a low public profile with minimal information available about funding priorities or specific grant recipients without accessing detailed Form 990-PF filings.

  • Managed Portal Access: The presence of a login portal on their website suggests they maintain some form of application or reporting system for organizations they work with.

References

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