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Sorenson Legacy Foundation

Annual Giving
$26.9M
Grant Range
$1K - $5.0M
Decision Time
2mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $26,898,553 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $457,366,003
  • Number of Grants: 305 awards (2023)
  • Decision Time: Approximately 60 days (quarterly review)
  • Grant Range: $600 - $5,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Utah (primary), with some support in Virginia and District of Columbia

Contact Details

Website: https://www.sorensonlegacyfoundation.org

Address: 6900 S. 900 E. Suite 230, Midvale, Utah 84047

Phone: 801-461-9771

Email: lisa@sdihq.com

Contact for New Applicants: Lisa Meiling (first-time applicants should email before applying)

Overview

The Sorenson Legacy Foundation was established in 2007 by the late biotechnology pioneer and entrepreneur James LeVoy Sorenson (1921-2008) and his wife, education philanthropist Beverley Taylor Sorenson (1924-2013), to promote charitable, artistic, religious, educational, literary, and scientific endeavors in the state of Utah. With total assets exceeding $457 million, the foundation distributed nearly $27 million in grants across 305 awards in 2023. The foundation carries forward the founders' deep commitment to improving lives through innovation, education, healthcare, and community development. James LeVoy Sorenson, who held 60 patents in medical inventions and donated his entire personal fortune to charity, believed that "There is no greater joy in this life than the joy of helping others." Beverley Taylor Sorenson championed arts education in elementary schools, establishing endowments at seven Utah universities and inspiring the state's Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation supports four primary areas with grants ranging from $600 to $5,000,000:

  • Education: Focus on arts education at the elementary level, teacher training, job training programs. The foundation continues to support seven major universities in the development of elementary arts studies. Includes the Sorenson Legacy Awards for Excellence in Arts Education ($2,500 to educators, $500 to schools, $5,000 for Lifetime Achievement Award).

  • Innovation: Grants for technological advances that can change lives for the better, open to any sector where innovative ideas can improve quality of life. Inspired by James Sorenson's passion for patents and technological improvement.

  • Healthcare: Support for medical facilities, research, medical technologies, and innovations that provide safe healthcare and quick recoveries, with the goal of saving lives and alleviating pain and suffering. Previous major gifts include the J. L. Sorenson Patient Tower.

  • Community Development: Programs that protect and preserve the environment, assist disenfranchised members of society, promote understanding and tolerance, provide youth alternatives to gangs and crime, and support family programs.

Priority Areas

  • Arts education and integration into elementary curriculum
  • Medical research and innovative medical technologies
  • Quality of life improvements through science and environment
  • Youth programs and family support services
  • Environmental protection and preservation
  • Programs supporting underserved communities

What They Don't Fund

While the foundation has a broad spectrum of philanthropic interests, specific exclusions are not publicly listed. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or municipalities/public schools. The foundation shows strong preference for Utah-based organizations and projects with impact on Utah communities.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a board of directors that meets quarterly to review grant applications and make funding decisions. Investments and charitable contributions are approved by a majority vote of a quorum of the board of directors.

Founders' Legacy:

James LeVoy Sorenson was born in Rexburg, Idaho in 1921, never completed college, yet went on to hold 60 patents, primarily in medical inventions. He founded Sorenson Companies, a family of enterprises including real estate development, information technology, genetic research, environmental testing, and pharmaceutical endeavors. He helped create the first computerized heart monitoring system and developed innovations including the first disposable paper surgical mask and the first blood-recycling system for trauma and surgical procedures. He received the "Giant of Our City" award in 2006 and was Utah's richest man with an estimated net worth of $4.5 billion, all of which he donated to charity.

Beverley Taylor Sorenson was born in Salt Lake City in 1924, graduated from the University of Utah with an education degree, and raised eight children while promoting arts education causes. She donated $45 million to support fine arts instruction for children and teachers and established endowments for elementary arts education at seven universities. In 2008, the Utah State Legislature honored her by naming their arts-focused teaching model the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important: First-time applicants must email lisa@sdihq.com before submitting an application.

The foundation uses the SurveyMonkey Apply platform for grant submissions. Applicants should:

  1. Review the "What We Fund" page and eligibility guidelines to ensure alignment with foundation priorities
  2. Contact Lisa Meiling at lisa@sdihq.com before submitting a new inquiry
  3. Create a login on SurveyMonkey Apply at https://slf.smapply.org/
  4. Complete the multi-page application with all required documentation
  5. Applications can be saved and completed over time, but must be fully submitted by the deadline to be processed

Application Deadlines (Quarterly):

  • First Quarter: December 1st
  • Second Quarter: March 1st
  • Third Quarter: June 1st
  • Fourth Quarter: September 1st

Decision Timeline

Applications are reviewed quarterly by the board of directors. The review process takes approximately 60 days from submission deadline. All applications are first screened by the foundation's administrative manager to ensure appropriateness with the foundation's charter and verification of 501(c)(3) status.

Success Rates

The foundation made 305 awards in 2023, 329 awards in 2022, and 309 awards in 2021, indicating consistent grant-making activity averaging over 300 grants per year. Specific acceptance rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly stated. Given the quarterly deadlines, organizations may apply in subsequent quarters.

Application Success Factors

The foundation emphasizes alignment with their four core funding areas and strong preference for Utah-based organizations. Based on the founders' values and the foundation's stated priorities:

  • Geographic connection to Utah: The foundation focuses efforts in their home state and prioritizes projects with impact on Utah communities. While they support some organizations in Virginia and District of Columbia, Utah-based projects have clear preference.

  • Arts education emphasis: Given Beverley Sorenson's legacy, elementary arts education projects, teacher training programs, and integration of arts into curriculum are particularly aligned with foundation values. Projects supporting the seven universities with Sorenson endowments may have strategic advantage.

  • Innovation and medical technology: James Sorenson's background as an inventor and medical device pioneer suggests the foundation values innovative solutions, particularly in healthcare technology, medical research, and inventions that improve patient outcomes.

  • Measurable impact on underserved communities: Programs that assist "disenfranchised" members of society, provide alternatives to gangs and crime for youth, and promote tolerance align with stated priorities.

  • Environmental preservation: Community projects focused on protecting and preserving the environment fit within the foundation's community development focus.

  • Mission alignment with founders' values: The foundation seeks to "improve the lives of others and the world in which we live." Applications should demonstrate how projects embody the principle that "There is no greater joy in this life than the joy of helping others."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Contact first: First-time applicants must email lisa@sdihq.com before submitting applications—this is a required step
  • Utah focus is critical: While the foundation supports some out-of-state organizations, strong preference goes to Utah-based projects with community impact
  • Plan for quarterly cycles: With four annual deadlines and approximately 60-day review periods, build sufficient lead time into funding timelines
  • Broad grant range: Awards from $600 to $5,000,000 indicate the foundation funds both small community projects and major institutional initiatives
  • Arts education sweet spot: Elementary arts education projects, particularly those involving teacher training or university partnerships, align with Beverley Sorenson's core legacy
  • Innovation valued: Healthcare technology, medical research, and innovative solutions to quality-of-life challenges reflect James Sorenson's inventor background
  • Volume of grants: With 305 annual awards, the foundation maintains active grant-making across diverse projects, suggesting openness to varied proposals within their four focus areas

References

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