Sunnyside Foundation Inc.

Sunnyside Foundation Inc. is one of Texas's oldest private foundations — established in 1928 by the estates of Isaac and Katherine Jalonick and her half-sister Mary Victoria Keating, who were moved by the orphaned children of the 1900 Galveston Hurricane. For nearly a century, it has operated as a denominational welfare fund exclusively serving practicing Christian Scientists residing in Texas. This makes it unlike nearly every other private foundation: it does not fund general nonprofits, secular programs, or open-competition grant cycles.

The foundation's giving philosophy is direct, needs-based, and community-specific. The overwhelming majority of its $2.18M in annual grants (FY2023) flows to individuals — covering nursing care, education, general assistance, and summer camp — rather than to organizations. When it does fund institutions, those organizations are either CS-specific (care facilities, camps, media, provider networks) or serve as direct conduits for CS individual needs. Adventure Unlimited Foundation (recurring $22,500 annual grants for CS outdoor/camp programming in Colorado) and the Christian Science Broadcast Committee ($200,000 in matching grants across three cycles) illustrate the institutional archetype: clear CS identity, serving the CS community's specific needs.

First-time applicants should approach this funder as a relationship first, a transaction second. The Executive Director, Jane McLane — in her role for over a decade — is the primary point of contact and the functional decision-maker for intake. There is no RFP cycle, no public application portal, and no LOI process. The process begins with a direct call or email to describe your situation; the foundation then routes you to the appropriate form among its four categories (Education, Summer Camp, Nursing Care, General Assistance).

For organizational applicants, the key is demonstrating an unambiguous Christian Science identity. Membership in First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston or a recognized branch church, documented service to CS individuals in Texas, and relationships with CS church leadership are the threshold criteria — not organizational capacity, not program innovation. The foundation has maintained its same core priorities since 1928 and shows no sign of pivoting toward broader secular philanthropy. Applicants who frame their work in CS community benefit language, backed by current CS references, are best positioned for success.

Sunnyside Foundation Inc. has grown its annual giving substantially over the past decade. Total giving rose from $1,515,239 in FY2015 to $2,484,778 in FY2023 — a 64% increase over eight years. Grants paid (cash disbursements) climbed from $1,183,381 (FY2015) to $2,180,672 (FY2023). FY2024 data shows revenue of $1,522,505 against total expenses of $2,031,247, meaning the foundation is drawing down assets to maintain elevated giving levels as investment returns moderate. The primary revenue source is investment income — approximately 60% from dividends and 19% from asset sales.

Grant sizes span an enormous range: median $40,200; minimum $435; maximum $1,103,592; average $183,784. The average is heavily skewed by the long-term nursing care category. Breaking down the 39 tracked grants totaling $6,549,606:

• Long-term nursing care (59% of total, $3,855,041): 4 tracked grants averaging $963,760 each. These are recurring, multi-year commitments to cover placement costs at CS nursing facilities. This is the foundation's dominant use of capital.
• Education (18%, $1,198,956): 4 grants averaging $299,739. Covers tuition, living expenses, and possibly grants to CS educational institutions.
• General assistance (15%, $957,182): 8 grants averaging $119,648. Broad living support for CS community members in hardship — housing, basic needs, ongoing care.
• Camperships and summer programming (1.8%, $115,851): 4 grants averaging $28,963. Annual support for CS summer camp participation.
• CS institutions — Adventure Unlimited, Broadcasting, Provider Network (5%, $331,000): 9 grants averaging $36,778. Includes $200,000 in matching grants to Christian Science Broadcast Committee and $90,000 to Adventure Unlimited Foundation.
• Individual medical/mobility needs (<1%, $19,081): Wheelchairs, van lifts, and practitioner support.

Geographically, Texas recipients account for 30 of 39 grants (77%). Colorado (4 grants, primarily Adventure Unlimited), Kansas (2), Massachusetts (2, likely national CS organizations), and California (1) round out the balance. The foundation will fund out-of-state CS institutions that serve Texas beneficiaries or operate within the broader CS organizational network.

The Christian Science philanthropic landscape is small, largely self-referential, and opaque — most CS foundations do not publish detailed giving data. Sunnyside Foundation Inc., with $23.9M in assets and $2.18M in annual grants, is among the larger state-focused CS welfare foundations in the United States. The table below compares it to the closest available peers based on public 990 data and organizational profiles:

Note: Peer figures for CS foundations are estimated from available public 990 data and may not reflect current fiscal years. The Albert Baker Fund is the closest functional peer — both serve CS individuals with financial need, but Albert Baker focuses on national educational assistance while Sunnyside provides broader welfare support limited to Texas. Sunnyside's larger asset base and significantly higher per-grant amounts (median $40,200 vs. Albert Baker's typical loan amounts) reflect its longer history and endowment size. Uniquely among these peers, Sunnyside funds all four major CS welfare categories simultaneously, making it the most comprehensive single-funder option for Texas-based CS individuals and institutions.

No public announcements, press releases, or media coverage were found for Sunnyside Foundation Inc. in 2025 or 2026. The foundation does not maintain active social media accounts, does not publish an annual report, and has no presence in philanthropic news outlets — this is characteristic of its identity as a closed, faith-community welfare fund.

The most significant observable development is financial: the foundation's net assets have declined from a peak of $28,489,955 in FY2021 to $23,857,443 in FY2024 — a drawdown of approximately $4.6M over three years. FY2024 expenses ($2,031,247) exceeded revenue ($1,522,505) by roughly $509,000. Investment income remains the foundation's lifeblood, representing approximately 80% of total revenue in recent years. The moderate-return investment environment post-2021 has pressured the asset base.

Leadership is stable. Jane McLane has served as Executive Director continuously since at least FY2012 — her compensation growth from $43,750 to $69,292 reflects tenure and sustained institutional trust. The board has evolved: Honor Hill now serves as President (previously Robert Woodard held that role), and Pereari Aboro has transitioned between Treasurer and Trustee roles. None of the board members receive compensation, which is standard for a foundation of this size.

The last major confirmed grant was a nursing care commitment at or near the $1,103,592 maximum recorded in the foundation's grant size profile. The Christian Science Broadcast Committee's $200,000 in matching grant support across three award cycles remains the largest publicly confirmed organizational grant series.

Sunnyside Foundation's process is informal, direct, and deliberately relationship-gated. The following advice is specific to this funder and not generic grant-writing counsel:

Call or email before anything else. The first step is always a direct inquiry — phone (214) 663-8844, toll-free (888) 293-6918, or email marcia@sunnysidetexas.org. You describe your situation and category of need; the foundation sends you the correct form. Unsolicited full proposals or cold letters will not advance your application.

Lead with CS identity, not program quality. The threshold question for this foundation is not 'Is your program excellent?' but 'Are you serving practicing Christian Scientists?' Establish church membership, regular attendance, and current CS practice first and most prominently. Attach documentation of CS community participation alongside financial materials.

Secure current CS references before applying. References from Christian Science practitioners, nurses, or church leaders are required and are among the most influential factors in the review. These are not character references in a general sense — they must speak specifically to the applicant's or beneficiary organization's active CS practice and community standing. Build these relationships before you need them.

Provide complete financial documentation on first submission. The foundation requires tax returns, W2s, 1099s, and/or pay stubs. For organizations: audited financials or Form 990. Incomplete packages will delay or stall review.

For nursing care applications, move promptly. Nursing care is the foundation's largest category — $963,760 average per grant — and the foundation has demonstrated willingness to make large, multi-year commitments for CS members requiring long-term care placement. Applicants with care facility placement needs should not delay, as these decisions are often time-sensitive.

For organizational applicants, emphasize Texas beneficiary impact. While the foundation does fund out-of-state CS institutions (CO, KS, CA, MA), the connection to Texas-based CS individuals must be explicit. Adventure Unlimited's sustained $22,500 annual grants succeed because they demonstrably serve Texas families sending children to CS camp programs.

Apply for matching grants where eligible. The Christian Science Broadcast Committee received $200,000 in matching grants — if your organization is raising funds from the broader CS community, framing a matching request may align with the foundation's demonstrated willingness to incentivize fundraising.