The Jeffrey S. and Helen H. Cardon Foundation concentrates its giving on large institutional gifts, primarily supporting the University of Utah and channeling substantial philanthropic dollars through a donor-advised vehicle. Grants are few but sizable, suggesting strategic, high-impact investments in local higher-education and community initiatives while also using intermediary funds to support broader or donor-directed causes.
Highly concentrated: a small number of large grants with repeat support to the University of Utah and substantial use of a donor-advised fund intermediary; few grantees overall, favoring deep over broad engagement.
A large share of the Jeffrey S and Helen H Cardon Foundation’s recent giving has gone to the University of Utah, with charitable contributions of $535,500 in 2025, $431,256 in 2024, and $418,000 in 2023. That pattern points to a funder that favors major institutional support rather than a long list of small awards. The foundation also uses a donor-advised vehicle, with substantial transfers to Charles Schwab Charitable Fund in 2023 and 2024, indicating that some of its philanthropy is routed through an intermediary before reaching operating charities or other beneficiaries. Alongside university support, the foundation backs a mix of community institutions in Salt Lake City and nearby Utah communities. Neighborhood House, The Children’s Center, Catholic Community Services, Guadalupe School, Boys & Girls Club of Salt Lake City, Torrey House Press, Youth Sports Alliance, and Snow Basin Education Foundation all appear among its recent recipients. The grant list suggests a blend of higher education, child and family services, youth programming, and local cultural or educational support. The foundation’s recent record is also notably concentrated in Utah, with a strong local orientation across the recipient list.
The foundation’s clearest giving theme is higher education. The University of Utah received repeated charitable contributions of $535,500 in 2025, $431,256 in 2024, and $418,000 in 2023, showing sustained support over multiple years. Community and family services form another consistent thread. Neighborhood House received $65,000 in 2024, $62,000 in 2025, and $55,200 in 2023, while The Children’s Center received $57,000 in 2024, $55,000 in 2025, and $50,000 in 2023. Catholic Community Services also appears with grants of $50,000 in 2023, $40,000 in 2024, and $40,000 in 2025. The foundation also supports education and youth development outside the university setting. Guadalupe School received $40,000 in both 2024 and 2025, and Youth Sports Alliance received $40,000 in 2024 and $45,000 in 2025. Torrey House Press appears as a recipient as well, with grants of $30,000 in 2023, $35,000 in 2024, and $40,000 in 2025.
Typical awards are modest relative to the foundation’s larger institutional gifts: the p25 is $5,000, the median is $10,000, and the p75 is $25,000. The recent grant list also shows repeated giving to several recipients across multiple years, including the University of Utah, Neighborhood House, The Children’s Center, Catholic Community Services, Guadalupe School, Youth Sports Alliance, and Torrey House Press. That pattern points to recurring relationships rather than one-off grants. The foundation is not a private operating foundation; it makes charitable contribution-style grants and also channels funds through Charles Schwab Charitable Fund, suggesting a donor-advised structure in part.
$1.6M
$26.6M
$825K
$1.7M
Most grants fall between $5K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Notable grantees: The University of Utah, Charles Schwab Charitable Fund
Most of the foundation’s grants land in Utah, and 88% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Salt Lake City is the main center of activity, with grants to The University of Utah, Neighborhood House, Catholic Community Services, Guadalupe School, Boys & Girls Club of Salt Lake City, Torrey House Press, and the International Rescue Committee. Other Utah recipients include The Children’s Center in Kearns, Youth Sports Alliance in Park City, and Snow Basin Education Foundation in Huntsville. Outside Utah, the foundation has also given to The University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana, and Charles Schwab Charitable Fund in Orlando, Florida.
Its recent grant-size profile is centered on smaller awards, with a p25 of $5,000, a median of $10,000, and a p75 of $25,000. The recent list also includes much larger institutional gifts, especially to the University of Utah and Charles Schwab Charitable Fund.
Yes. Several recipients appear repeatedly across 2023, 2024, and 2025, including the University of Utah, Neighborhood House, The Children’s Center, Catholic Community Services, Guadalupe School, Youth Sports Alliance, and Torrey House Press.
Utah receives the overwhelming share of grants, with 88% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Within Utah, Salt Lake City appears most often among recent recipients.
Its recent grants include higher education, family and child services, youth programming, and cultural or educational organizations. Examples include the University of Utah, Neighborhood House, The Children’s Center, Youth Sports Alliance, and Torrey House Press.
Yes. Recent grants include substantial charitable contributions to Charles Schwab Charitable Fund in both 2023 and 2024, alongside direct gifts to operating charities and universities.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $535,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| SALT LAKE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $150,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME | NOTRE DAME, IN | $125,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $58,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| THE CHILDREN'S CENTER | KEARNS, UT | $46,550 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF SALT LAKE CITY | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $40,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| GUADALUPE SCHOOL | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $40,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| TORREY HOUSE PRESS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $40,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| SNOW BASIN EDUCATION FOUNDATION | HUNTSVILLE, UT | $32,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| YOUTH SPORTS ALLIANCE | PARK CITY, UT | $30,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| MALIHEH FREE CLINIC | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CACHE VALLEY LANGUAGE CENTER | LOGAN, UT | $25,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| PACE SLCC SCHOLARSHIP | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| UTAH MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $23,400 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE RENTAL AS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $20,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE CENTER | KETCHUM, ID | $20,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| ENCIRCLE FOR SALT LAKE CITY | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $16,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| UTAH YMCA | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| THE HAVEN | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $13,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| PROJECT EMBRACE | WEST JORDAN, UT | $12,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| RESCUE ROBERS | SANDY, UT | $12,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| RED BUTTE GARDEN | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,706 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| WOMEN OF THE WORLD | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY | OGDEN, UT | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| TRYALL FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| MORAN EYE CENTER | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| VALLEY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| UTAH NALAXONE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| THE OTHERSIDE VILLAGE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| TAYLOR HAGEN MEMORIAL INC | HOLLADAY, UT | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| COUNTRY CLUB CARES FOUNDATION | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| NATIONAL ABILITY CENTER | PARK CITY, UT | $8,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| SALT LAKE DONATED DENTAL | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $7,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| UTAH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COALITIO | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $6,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| UPLIFT COMMUNITY ALLIANCE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $6,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| WOMEN'S RETREAT HOUSE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| SHANNON J SCHOLARSHIP | ROY, UT | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| SAFE PROJECT | ARLINGTON, VA | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| PALESTINE CHILDREN'S RELIEF FUN | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| RAIN FOREST FOUNDATION | BROOKLYN, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF SEDONA | SEDONA, AZ | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| YOUTH IMPACT | OGDEN, UT | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| VALLEY CAMP | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| FAMILY PROMISE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| THE INN BETWEEN | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| SALT LAKE BICYCLE COLLECTIVE | SOUTH SALT LAKE, UT | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
$535,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$150,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
$125,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
THE CHILDREN'S CENTER
$46,550CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF SALT LAKE CITY
$40,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
GUADALUPE SCHOOL
$40,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
TORREY HOUSE PRESS
$40,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
SNOW BASIN EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$32,500CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
CACHE VALLEY LANGUAGE CENTER
$25,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
PACE SLCC SCHOLARSHIP
$25,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
UTAH MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
$23,400CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
UTAH YMCA
$15,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE
$15,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
THE HAVEN
$15,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
PROJECT EMBRACE
$12,500CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
RESCUE ROBERS
$12,500CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
RED BUTTE GARDEN
$10,706CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
WOMEN OF THE WORLD
$10,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY
$10,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
TRYALL FUND
$10,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
MORAN EYE CENTER
$10,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
VALLEY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
$10,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
UTAH NALAXONE
$10,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
THE OTHERSIDE VILLAGE
$10,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
TAYLOR HAGEN MEMORIAL INC
$10,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
COUNTRY CLUB CARES FOUNDATION
$10,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
SALT LAKE DONATED DENTAL
$7,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
UTAH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COALITIO
$6,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
UPLIFT COMMUNITY ALLIANCE
$6,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$5,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
WOMEN'S RETREAT HOUSE
$5,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
SHANNON J SCHOLARSHIP
$5,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
RAIN FOREST FOUNDATION
$5,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
HUMANE SOCIETY OF SEDONA
$5,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
YOUTH IMPACT
$5,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
VALLEY CAMP
$5,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
FAMILY PROMISE
$5,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
SALT LAKE BICYCLE COLLECTIVE
$5,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION