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Sparkplug Foundation is a private trust based in NEW YORK, NY. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 2003. The principal officer is Felice Gelman. It holds total assets of $7.6M. Annual income is reported at $3.8M. Total assets have grown from $5.5M in 2011 to $7.6M in 2024. The foundation is governed by 4 officers and trustees. Sparking Ideas into Action - guided by community voices, prioritizing grassroots organizing and innovation. Communities are best qualified to say how funds should be used. Tax records are available from 2016 to 2024. The foundation primarily funds organizations in United States and Palestine/Israel (limited to projects with Palestinian community involvement and leadership). According to available records, Sparkplug Foundation has made 204 grants totaling $2.7M, with a median grant of $12K. Annual giving has decreased from $644K in 2020 to $509K in 2023. Grantmaking activity was highest in 2022 with $962K distributed across 74 grants. Individual grants have ranged from $1K to $50K, with an average award of $13K. The foundation has supported 161 unique organizations. The foundation primarily supports organizations in New York, California, Illinois, which account for 40% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 35 states. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
Projects created and led by affected communities to shift power and create systemic change. Excludes service provision.
Community-based programs addressing race, gender, and class disparities; curriculum development. Excludes formal school systems.
Emerging musicians developing new work, collaborative performances, workshops. Excludes budget replacement for school programs.
Sparking Ideas into Action - guided by community voices, prioritizing grassroots organizing and innovation. Communities are best qualified to say how funds should be used. Based on available records, the foundation has funded 204 grants. Its grantmaking reaches organizations primarily in NY, CA, IL.
Sparkplug Foundation has distributed a total of $2.7M across 204 grants. The median grant size is $12K, with an average of $13K. Individual grants have ranged from $1K to $50K.
The application deadline is May 22, 2026. No general operating expenses (except new organizations); no lobbying or election campaigns; no technology equipment; no religious projects; no visual arts, films, medical research, dance, animal rescue, athletics, tuition/scholarships; no university-based projects; no multi-year requests. One-year grants only. An application form is available on the foundation's website.
Sparkplug Foundation is headquartered in NEW YORK, NY. While based in NY, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 35 states.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Francis Mulligan | DIRECTOR | $80K | $6K | $86K |
| Emmaia Gelman | TRUSTEE | $34K | $0 | $34K |
| Yoram Gelman | TRUSTEE | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Felice Gelman | TRUSTEE | $0 | $0 | N/A |
Total Giving
N/A
Total Assets
$7.6M
Fair Market Value
N/A
Net Worth
$7.6M
Grants Paid
N/A
Contributions
N/A
Net Investment Income
N/A
Distribution Amount
N/A
Total Grants
204
Total Giving
$2.7M
Average Grant
$13K
Median Grant
$12K
Unique Recipients
161
Most Common Grant
$10K
of 2023 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Institute For The Critical Study OfGENERAL SUPPORT | New York, NY | $27K | 2023 |
| Poder Emma Community OwnershipGENERAL SUPPORT | Asheville, NC | $20K | 2023 |
| About Face Veterans Against The WarGENERAL SUPPORT | Arvada, CO | $20K | 2023 |
| All Of Us Community Action GroupGENERAL SUPPORT | Schenectady, NY | $20K | 2023 |
| Ya-Ya NetworkGENERAL SUPPORT | New York, NY | $20K | 2023 |
| Bushwick Housing IndependenceGENERAL SUPPORT | Brooklyn, NY | $20K | 2023 |
| Xicanx Institute Of Teaching AndGENERAL SUPPORT | Tucson, AZ | $20K | 2023 |
| Friends Of Friendship ParkGENERAL SUPPORT | San Diego, CA | $20K | 2023 |
| Wollman - Brea - Baitel TrioGENERAL SUPPORT | Mishawaka, IN | $20K | 2023 |
| Bach Collegium San DiegoGENERAL SUPPORT | San Diego, CA | $20K | 2023 |
| HeardGENERAL SUPPORT | Washington, DC | $20K | 2023 |
| Web Du Bois Movement School ForGENERAL SUPPORT | Philadelphia, PA | $20K | 2023 |
| Laundry Workers CenterGENERAL SUPPORT | New York, NY | $20K | 2023 |
| Social Justice PoliticorpsGENERAL SUPPORT | Antelope, CA | $20K | 2023 |
| Encampment For CitizenshipGENERAL SUPPORT | Aptos, CA | $15K | 2023 |
| DecrimsexworkcaGENERAL SUPPORT | San Francisco, CA | $15K | 2023 |
| Fare Food Access Raises EveryoneGENERAL SUPPORT | Cleveland, OH | $15K | 2023 |
| Be A Hero Education FundGENERAL SUPPORT | New York, NY | $15K | 2023 |
| The Colorado Springs Pro-HousingGENERAL SUPPORT | Colorado Springs, CO | $15K | 2023 |
| If Not Now Education FundGENERAL SUPPORT | Washington, DC | $15K | 2023 |
| Mosquito Fleet PdxGENERAL SUPPORT | Seattle, WA | $12K | 2023 |
| Palestinian American ResearchGENERAL SUPPORT | Washington, DC | $12K | 2023 |
| Udw Resource CenterGENERAL SUPPORT | San Diego, CA | $10K | 2023 |
| Middle East Children'S AllianceGENERAL SUPPORT | Berkeley, CA | $10K | 2023 |
| Land In CommonGENERAL SUPPORT | Greene, ME | $10K | 2023 |
| Song2seaGENERAL SUPPORT | Fremont, WA | $10K | 2023 |
| Sos WorcesterGENERAL SUPPORT | Warren, MA | $10K | 2023 |
| The Vanguard Incarcerated Press OfGENERAL SUPPORT | Davis, CA | $10K | 2023 |
| Hindus For Human RightsGENERAL SUPPORT | Brooklyn, NY | $10K | 2023 |
| Charlottesville Public HousingGENERAL SUPPORT | Charlottesville, VA | $10K | 2023 |
| Hidden VoicesGENERAL SUPPORT | Cedar Grove, NC | $8K | 2023 |
| Black Families Love & UniteGENERAL SUPPORT | Bronx, NY | $7K | 2023 |
| Release Aging Pople In PrisonGENERAL SUPPORT | New York, NY | $5K | 2023 |
| Equality For FlatbushGENERAL SUPPORT | Brooklyn, NY | $5K | 2023 |
| National Arab American Women'SGENERAL SUPPORT | Falls Church, VA | $3K | 2023 |
| Parole Preparation ProjectGENERAL SUPPORT | New York, NY | $1K | 2023 |
| Interfaith Peace BuildersGENERAL SUPPORT | Takoma Park, MD | $30K | 2022 |
| Health Justice CommonsGENERAL SUPPORT | Richmond, CA | $20K | 2022 |
| Alabama Coalition Immigrant JusticeGENERAL SUPPORT | Irondale, AL | $20K | 2022 |
| Urbe Apie IncGENERAL SUPPORT | Caguas, PR | $20K | 2022 |
| Grass Roots FundCOMUNIDADES ENRAIZADAS COMMUNITY LAN | Newmarket, NH | $20K | 2022 |
| Wespac - National Students For JustGENERAL SUPPORT | White Plains, NY | $20K | 2022 |
| Tucson Alliance For Housing JusticeGENERAL SUPPORT | Tucson, AZ | $15K | 2022 |
| Fang CollectiveGENERAL SUPPORT | Pawtucket, RI | $15K | 2022 |