Spark Microgrants

Analysis

Spark Microgrants is a registered charity in United States, based in New York, NY. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in March 2012, 14 years ago. Its declared purposes cover international, foreign affairs and national security, which this site groups under overseas aid and international. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Spark Microgrants reported income of $10.3m and spending of $7.7m, leaving 25% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $2.4m to $10.3m (+324%), an average of +44% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2022, when income rose by 131%. Over the whole period it spent 56% of the income it received.

Among 10,317 United States charities whose main cause is overseas aid and international and that reported income, Spark Microgrants sits at the 96th percentile: it is larger than about 96% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 95th percentile, and in the 93rd percentile within NY. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Center for International Environmental Law Inc ($10.3m), Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island Inc ($10.4m) and Heifer International Foundation ($10.2m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 99% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $199k (2.6% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $1.9m. It paid $16k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $19.4m against liabilities of $1.8m, net assets of $17.6m. It reported 9 employees.