The Joseph and Kathleen Sorenson Legacy Foundation concentrates its giving into a small number of relatively large grants that mix regional health care and rehabilitation with international humanitarian and community/civic causes. Major support goes to Utah-based medical institutions and specialized neurological rehabilitation, while a secondary strand of funding supports international development and faith‑based charitable relief. The foundation tends to make repeat, sizable awards to a handful of organizations rather than many small gifts.
A $1,000,000 grant to Intermountain Healthcare Foundation stands out in the Joseph and Kathleen Sorenson Legacy Foun’s recent record, and it points to the scale of the foundation’s support for Utah health care. The foundation has also made repeated major awards to NeuroWorx, including $500,000 in 2025 and $324,234 in 2023, showing a pattern of substantial backing for neurological rehabilitation and assistive-technology work. Alongside those health-focused gifts, the foundation supports community and humanitarian organizations through large general-support grants, including to The Zahra Charity Inc and Thrive Gulu Inc. Its grantmaking also reaches local civic and cultural causes such as cemetery preservation, arts councils, and community foundations, usually through flexible awards rather than tightly restricted program grants. The overall picture is of a donor that concentrates on a relatively small set of organizations, often revisiting the same recipients over multiple years with sizable general-support funding. That combination of repeat giving and large awards shapes the foundation’s profile more than a broad scatter of small grants.
Health care is a core theme in the foundation’s giving. In 2024, it gave $1,000,000 to Intermountain Healthcare Foundation for general support, and it also backed Seager Memorial Clinic with $125,000 in 2024. Neurological rehabilitation is another clear strand: Neuroworx received $500,000 in 2025 and $150,000 in 2024 for general support. The foundation also funds international development and recovery work through Thrive Gulu Inc, which received $350,000 in 2025 and $180,000 in 2024. Community and civic support appears in awards such as $256,887 to Leamington Town Cemetry in 2023 and $150,000 to Golden Spike Foundation in 2024.
Typical grant size clusters around a median of $20,000, with a lower quartile of $7,250 and an upper quartile of $65,000, even though the foundation also makes several much larger awards. The grant list shows repeated support to the same recipients across multiple years, including Intermountain Healthcare Foundation, Neuroworx, Thrive Gulu Inc, Mentors International, and National Ability Center. That repeated pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated one-off gifts. The foundation is a private family foundation, and the grants shown are largely general support, with flexible use for organizational needs rather than narrowly restricted projects.
$3.7M
$101.2M
$5.5M
$5M
Most grants fall between $7K and $65K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$7K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$65K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated giving: a small portfolio of large, often repeat grants (multiple 6‑figure awards) split between local/regional health care and select international/faith‑based projects.
Notable grantees: Intermountain Healthcare Foundation, NeuroWorx, Thrive Gulu Inc, The Zahra Charity Inc, Leamington Town Cemetery
The foundation’s giving is heavily concentrated in Utah, which accounts for 94% of grants and is the top state by grant count. Within Utah, Salt Lake City, Sandy, Draper, Park City, Ogden, Leamington, Highland, Heber City, Bluff, and St. George all appear as recipient locations. Outside Utah, a smaller set of grants goes to recipients in Marlborough, Massachusetts, and Beaverton, Oregon. All recorded grants in the data go to U.S. recipients.
The foundation gives general support to nonprofit organizations and community fundraising events. Recent recipients include health systems, rehabilitation providers, international development groups, faith-based charities, arts organizations, cemeteries, and community foundations.
Its grant size distribution centers on a median of $20,000, with p25 at $7,250 and p75 at $65,000. The recent list also includes several six- and seven-figure awards, so the foundation combines many mid-sized grants with a smaller number of much larger ones.
Yes. Utah is the top state by grant count, and 94% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent Utah recipients include organizations in Salt Lake City, Sandy, Draper, Park City, Ogden, Leamington, Highland, Heber City, Bluff, and St. George.
The recent grants are labeled general support, and the topic taxonomy also notes general operating funding, unrestricted support, and flexible use for administration, overhead, and programming. That points to broad operating support rather than tightly designated project-only funding.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Intermountain Healthcare Foundation, Neuroworx, Thrive Gulu Inc, Mentors International, and National Ability Center. That repeated pattern suggests the foundation often renews support over time.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INTERMOUNTAIN HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEUROWORX | SANDY, UT | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE ZAHRA CHARITY INC | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $385,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THRIVE GULU INC | MARLBOROUGH, MA | $350,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WORLD WIDE ADDICTION RECOVERY | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $175,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MENTORS INTERNATIONAL | KAYSVILLE, UT | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL ABILITY CENTER | PARK CITY, UT | $140,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RISE AND REBUILD FOUNDATION | SANDY, UT | $140,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TENNIS FOR LIFE | ST GEORGE, UT | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KOSTOPULOS DREAM FOUNDATION | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LOVELAND PLANET AQUARIUM | DRAPER, UT | $80,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SKYLINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE | ALPINE, UT | $80,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| US FRIENDS OF AMAR | SANDY, UT | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UTAH FRIENDS OF AMAR | SANDY, UT | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOLE IN THE ROCK FOUNDATION | BLUFF, UT | $67,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FREEDOM FOUNDATION AT VALLEY FORGE | MURRAY, UT | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BALLET WEST | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE ACADEMY FOR CREATING ENTERPRISE | LEHI, UT | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE INTERPRETER FOUNDATION | OREM, UT | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TIMPANOGOS LEGAL CENTER | PROVO, UT | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE BECKET FUND | WASHINGTON DC, DC | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HALE CENTER THEATERE | SANDY, UT | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE ASSOCIATION | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIV ATHLETICS SCHOLARSHIPS | PROVO, UT | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SUTHERLAND INSTITUTE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TENNIS & TUTORING PROGRAM | SANDY, UT | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE BRENT & CHERI ANDURS CHARITABLE TRUST | PARK CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF LIAHONA | PLEASANT GROVE, UT | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MAKING STRIDES | DRAPER, UT | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER SALT LAKE | MURRAY, UT | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FIGHT AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE CHRISTMAS BOX INTERNATIONAL | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UTAH SYMPHONY & OPERA | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WASATCH COMMUNITY GARDENS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SALT LAKE CITY MISSION | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN - UTAH | KEARNS, UT | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WORLD PEACE PARENTS FOUNDATION | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BIG BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF UTAH | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE SHARING PLACE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RITECARE OF UTAH | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GIRLS HOPE RESCUE MISSION | CEDAR CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UTAH SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF AND THE BLIND | OGDEN, UT | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE CHORAL ARTS SOCIETY OF UTAH | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PARK CITY TOTS | PARK CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREAT SALT LAKE USBC | SOUTH SALT LAKE, UT | $7,000 | 2025 | BOWL FOR THE CURE |
| SOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY | CEDAR CITY, UT | $6,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SALT LAKE CITY POLICE FOUNDATION | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STAND4KIND | DRAPER, UT | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
NEUROWORX
$500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE ZAHRA CHARITY INC
$385,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THRIVE GULU INC
$350,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WORLD WIDE ADDICTION RECOVERY
$175,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GENERAL SUPPORT
TENNIS FOR LIFE
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
KOSTOPULOS DREAM FOUNDATION
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LOVELAND PLANET AQUARIUM
$80,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SKYLINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
$80,000GENERAL SUPPORT
US FRIENDS OF AMAR
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UTAH FRIENDS OF AMAR
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HOLE IN THE ROCK FOUNDATION
$67,500GENERAL SUPPORT
FREEDOM FOUNDATION AT VALLEY FORGE
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE ACADEMY FOR CREATING ENTERPRISE
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE INTERPRETER FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HALE CENTER THEATERE
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIV ATHLETICS SCHOLARSHIPS
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TENNIS & TUTORING PROGRAM
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE BRENT & CHERI ANDURS CHARITABLE TRUST
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF LIAHONA
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MAKING STRIDES
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FIGHT AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SALT LAKE CITY MISSION
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WORLD PEACE PARENTS FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BIG BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF UTAH
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE SHARING PLACE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
RITECARE OF UTAH
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GIRLS HOPE RESCUE MISSION
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UTAH SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF AND THE BLIND
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE CHORAL ARTS SOCIETY OF UTAH
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GREAT SALT LAKE USBC
$7,000BOWL FOR THE CURE
SOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY
$6,500GENERAL SUPPORT
SALT LAKE CITY POLICE FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
STAND4KIND
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT