Sofi Tucker Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $13.9 million (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Rolling basis
• Grant Range: Up to $25,000 for first-time grants
• Geographic Focus: United States and Africa

Contact Details

• Website: www.sofitucker.org
• Location: New York, NY
• EIN: 46-1604854

Overview

Established in 2012 by the founders of Sundial Brands, the Sofi Tucker Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity with approximately $17.6 million in assets. Named after Sofi Tucker, a young widow who sold African Black Soap and Shea Butter products in Sierra Leone in 1912, the foundation honors her legacy by empowering women economically. The foundation focuses on disbursing grants to organizations that support economic and educational opportunities for economically and socially disadvantaged women and their children in the United States and throughout Africa.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• General Grants: Up to $25,000 for first-time applicants
• Applications accepted on a rolling basis
• Recent grant activity shows selective funding (3 awards in 2024, 2 awards in 2023)

Priority Areas

The foundation funds tax-exempt nonprofits and qualified international organizations in three key categories:

• Education: Organizations expanding educational opportunities for women and girls in underserved communities
• Entrepreneurship: Programs supporting entrepreneurship as a path to economic empowerment in disenfranchised communities
• Environmental Awareness & Wellness: Programs infusing environmental awareness and wellness into direct services for underserved communities

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated in available documentation

Governance and Leadership

Board Members and Officers:

• Sean Hall - Executive Director
• Mary B Dennis - Secretary
• Martha Dennis - Director
• Richelieu W Dennis Jr - Director

The foundation operates with minimal overhead, reporting no executive compensation in recent filings.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the foundation's website at www.sofitucker.org/apply/. The foundation considers requests for a variety of purposes aligned with their mission.

Decision Timeline

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with no fixed decision timeline publicly available.

Success Rates

The foundation has significantly reduced its number of grants in recent years:

• 2024: 3 awards
• 2023: 2 awards
• 2021: 2 awards
• 2020: 6 awards
• 2019: 9 awards
• 2018: 15 awards

This suggests an increasingly selective process.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's funding patterns and priorities:

• Strong alignment with women's economic empowerment mission
• Focus on underserved communities in the US or Africa
• Clear demonstration of impact on women and children
• Programs that combine education with economic opportunity
• Environmental and wellness components can strengthen applications
• Organizations serving communities similar to Sofi Tucker's Sierra Leone roots may resonate

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation has become increasingly selective, awarding fewer but potentially larger grants
• Strong mission alignment with women's economic empowerment is essential
• Rolling applications provide flexibility but may mean variable decision times
• The foundation's connection to Sundial Brands (SheaMoisture, Nubian Heritage) suggests appreciation for entrepreneurship and community commerce models
• Despite $17.6 million in assets, the foundation maintains focused giving to select organizations
• International organizations, particularly those working in Africa, are eligible and encouraged to apply

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Sofi Tucker Foundation Profile and 990 Filings (accessed February 2025)
• Charity Navigator - Sofi Tucker Foundation Rating (accessed February 2025)
• Candid Foundation Directory - The Sofi Tucker Foundation Profile (accessed February 2025)
• Cause IQ - The Sofi Tucker Foundation Overview (accessed February 2025)
• The Borgen Project - SheaMoisture's Philanthropic Efforts in Africa (accessed February 2025)
• Sofi Tucker Foundation Website - www.sofitucker.org (connection issues during research)