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Sterling & Shelli Gardner Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Sterling & Shelli Gardner Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$64k
Granted FY2024still arriving
9
Grants FY2024still arriving
3
States reached
$25k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0199% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2024.

Health$445kRecreation & Sports$398kEducation$111kArts & Culture$66kHuman Services$42kPhilanthropy$36kCrime & Legal$35kInternational$35kOther$0
02FY2024 · 9 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k7 grants · $29k
  • $10k–50k2 grants · $35k
$5,000
Median grant
3
States reached
$3.1M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
COURAGE REINS$25,000
GIVE KIDS A SMILE$10,000
THE POLICY PROJECT$5,000
Individual grant recipient$5,000
ELIZABETH SMART FOUNDATION$5,000
5 FOR THE FIGHT FOUNDATION$5,000
FIVE 12 FOUNDATION$5,000
HAPPY FACTORY$2,500
NEW HOPE CALVARY CHAPEL$1,250
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY20–24, $72k) land where the poverty rate runs at 9%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 27% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Its grants skew toward lower-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%COEUR COMMUNITY CLOSET: $5k → 10%THORN: $5k → 14%A CHILD'S HOPE FOUNDATION: $5k → 8%HAPPY FACTORY: $3k → 13%TRI-CITIES CHAPLANCY: $10k → 11%HAPPY FACTORY: $2k → 13%TABITHA'S WAY: $3k → 8%STAND WITH UKRAINE: $15k → 8%ENCIRCLE FAMILY AND YOUTH RESOURCE: $5k → 8%ENCIRCLE FAMILY AND YOUTH RESOURCE: $5k → 8%THE ROAD HOME: $10k → 8%ELIZABETH SMART FOUNDATION: $5k → 8%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

WA
ID
IL
NY
OH
CA
UT
VA
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

84%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$1.1M · 12 repeat orgs$209k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +67% since the first grant, against +23% for those funded once.

12 repeat relationships: 3 still active in FY2024, 9 since wound down; 6 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

12
25

Total granted

$1.1M
$177k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+67%
+23%

Still filing today

75%
64%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 51% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $31k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’22’23’24
Human ServicesHealthEducationArts & CulturePhilanthropyAnimalsOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • CR
    Courage Reins
    7× · 2017–2024 · $425k · revenue +86%
  • AH
    American Heritage Schools Inc
    5× · 2017–2023 · $68k · revenue +77%
  • F1
    FIVE 12 FOUNDATION
    4× · 2020–2024 · $36k · revenue +250%

Funded once

  • KC
    KANE COUNTY CHILDREN'S JUSTICE CENT
    one grant, 2019 · $25k
  • SW
    Stand With Ukraine Inc dba To Ukraine With Love
    one grant, 2023 · $15k · revenue -90%
  • TR
    THE ROAD HOMEgraduated
    one grant, 2022 · $10k · revenue +57%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
She Is Safe Inc

She Is Safe prevents, rescues and restores women and girls from abuse and exploitation in high risk communities across the globe, equipping them to build lives of freedom and faith for a strong future. We accomplish our work in partnership…

International
2
Family Promise - Salt Lake

We help families experiencing homelessness find lasting independence and security.

Housing & Shelter
3
Courage Worldwide Inc

To provide homes and resources for children who have been recovered from sex trafficking worldwide so they begin their unique journey of healing and be a courageous leader in the global anti-trafficking movement.

Human Services
4
Utah Domestic Violence Legal Services

Utah Homicide Survivors provides holistic legal representation to families of homicide victims.

Crime & Legal
5
Utah Valley Family Support Center Inc

Provide services to victims and potential victims of child abuse and neglect.

—
6
HOPE4UTAH

Increase suicide awareness and prevention

Health
7
Every Shelter Inc

Every Shelter's mission is to build a localized refugee-aid ecosystem centered around the needs, preferences, and aspirations of refugees.

Education
8
United States Association for Unhcr

USA for UNHCR protects and supports refugees by mobilizing resources, elevating awareness, and driving action through a network of engaged supporters.

International
9
Thrive Rescue

Providing care to rescue children from sex slavery, and to build a loving home environment for children to recover.

—
10
Redemption Ridge

Redemption Ridge is dedicated to bringing hope and healing to young girls rescued from the horrendous world of sex trafficking. We are committed to redeeming lives, restoring dignity and placing purpose in hearts of these precious children.

—
11
Clean Slate Utah

To help people clear their criminal records and access opportunities. we will do this by: 1) spreading the word about utah's clean slate law to individuals with records, so they are aware of the law and its positive impact on their lives;…

Crime & Legal
12
Childrens House International

Children's house international provides ethical adoption services, child focused recruitment, and family support. we support disadvantaged children with humanitarian aid in countries worldwide.

—
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is The Center for Women and Children in Crisis; the most unlike its peers is Coeur Community Closet Inc. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

28 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 28 of the 43 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

1
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
5
Early backer (in before they grew)
27/28
Grantees still filing
18/28
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

Individual grant recipient: $390,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipientCITIZENS AGAINST PHYSICAL & SEXUAL: $25,000 · OtherKANE COUNTY CHILDREN'S JUSTICE CENT: $25,000 · OtherLDS CHURCH: $20,000 · Other+16 more: $81,000 · Other+16 moreCourage Reins: $425,000 · HealthCourage Reins+4 more: $32,000 · Health+4 moreAmerican Heritage Schools Inc: $68,000 · EducationAmerican …HOUSE OF CHAMPIONS: $10,000 · EducationHOUSE OF …Spectrum Academy: $10,000 · EducationSpectrum …STELLA H OAKS FOUNDATION: $10,000 · EducationSTELLA H …STEPHEN SILLER TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION: $5,000 · EducationStand With Ukraine Inc dba To Ukraine With Love: $15,000 · Human ServicesTHE ROAD HOME: $10,000 · Human ServicesTri-Cities Chaplaincy: $10,000 · Human ServicesEncircle Family and Youth Resource Center: $10,000 · Human ServicesElizabeth Smart Foundation: $5,000 · Human ServicesTHORN: $5,000 · Human ServicesCOEUR COMMUNITY CLOSET INC: $5,000 · Human ServicesA CHILD'S HOPE FOUNDATION: $5,000 · Human ServicesHAPPY FACTORY INC: $4,500 · Human ServicesTABITHA'S WAY: $2,500 · Human ServicesOUR RESCUE: $66,000 · Arts & CultureFIVE 12 FOUNDATION: $36,000 · PhilanthropyFUR SISTERS FUREVER URS RESCUE INC: $20,000 · Animals
Other$541,000Health$457,000Education$103,000Human Services$72,000Arts & Culture$66,000Philanthropy$36,000Animals$20,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetCourage Reins: $425,000 over 7y, 19% of budgetAmerican Heritage Schools Inc: $68,000 over 5y, 0.1% of budgetOUR RESCUE: $66,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetFIVE 12 FOUNDATION: $36,000 over 4y, 13% of budgetStand With Ukraine Inc dba To Ukraine With Love: $15,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetThe Center for Women and Children in Crisis: $12,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetTHE ROAD HOME: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTri-Cities Chaplaincy: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBEACHES GO GREEN INC: $10,000 over 1y, 4.7% of budgetHOUSE OF CHAMPIONS: $10,000 over 1y, 3.4% of budgetINTERMOUNTAIN HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetEncircle Family and Youth Resource Center: $10,000 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetSpectrum Academy: $10,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetSTELLA H OAKS FOUNDATION: $10,000 over 1y, 2.4% of budgetMEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetElizabeth Smart Foundation: $5,000 over 1y, 1.2% of budgetFight the New Drug Inc: $5,000 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetTHORN: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCOEUR COMMUNITY CLOSET INC: $5,000 over 1y, 52% of budgetTHE POLICY PROJECT: $5,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetSTEPHEN SILLER TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetA CHILD'S HOPE FOUNDATION: $5,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetTOURETTE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetInternational Rescue Committee INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHAPPY FACTORY INC: $4,500 over 2y, 2.0% of budgetTABITHA'S WAY: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

The Ashton Family Fou…Sorenson Legacy Found…The Community Foundat…University ImpactdoTERRA Healing Hands…Beesley Family Founda…The Miner FoundationGeorge S and Dolores …Derek and Shelaine Ma…Neal and Sherrie Sava…Wheelwright Family Ch…Thom & Gail Williamse…
The Ashton Family FoundationUT22× affinity8 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Ashton Family Foundation · Sorenson Legacy Foundation · The Community Foundation of Utah · University Impact · doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation · Beesley Family Foundation · The Miner Foundation · George S and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation · Derek and Shelaine Maxfield Family Found · Neal and Sherrie Savage Family Foundation · Wheelwright Family Charitable Foundation · Thom & Gail Williamsen Family Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Sterling & Shelli Gardner Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Sterling & Shelli Gardner Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 20%4%15%34%60%funder's share of their income ↑0%10%20%30%40%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    2get no government money at all
    5report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–40%
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to Sterling & Shelli Gardner Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to Sterling & Shelli Gardner Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 43 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Sterling & Shelli Gardner’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home