The Sage Foundation concentrates on supporting arts, culture and independent education, with particularly strong interest in music, folk/traditional arts, and creative training programs. Grants are large and targeted to a small set of cultural institutions and schools (both regional West Coast organizations and national cultural repositories), indicating a preference for substantial, project- or capacity-building gifts rather than many small awards.
A $1.5 million grant to Smithsonian Folkways Recordings in 2025 is one of the clearest markers of Sage Foundation C/o Edmund W Littlefield Jr’s priorities: music preservation, traditional arts, and cultural institutions that carry specialized knowledge. The foundation’s recent grants also show sustained support for arts education and folk/traditional arts organizations, including Cornish College of the Arts, Centrum Foundation, and Ojai Valley School. These are not small, one-off awards. The grants in the recent list are generally six- and seven-figure commitments, often directed to organizations that preserve recordings, train artists, host residencies, or support independent schools with arts-centered programs. The foundation’s giving pattern suggests a preference for concentrated support to a relatively small set of recipients rather than broad, scattered philanthropy. Across the recent list, the same organizations recur in multiple years, which points to ongoing relationships rather than isolated gifts. The result is a grant portfolio centered on arts infrastructure, creative training, and the institutions that maintain traditional and ethnographic forms of music and performance.
In music preservation, Sage Foundation C/o Edmund W Littlefield Jr gave $1.5 million to Smithsonian Folkways Recordings in 2025 and $400,000 to the Smithsonian Institution in 2024. Those grants place documented archives and recorded traditions near the center of its arts giving. Traditional and folk arts are another clear theme: the foundation awarded $500,000 and $250,000 to the National Council for Traditional Arts in 2024 and 2023, and supported the Celtic Arts Foundation with $260,000 in 2025 and $240,000 in 2024. Creative training and arts education also appear repeatedly. The foundation gave $1.5 million to Cornish College of the Arts in 2023 and another $250,000 in 2024, while Book-it Repertory Theatre received $160,000 in 2024. The Grabhorn Institute also received $500,000 in 2024 and $200,000 in 2024, extending the pattern into preservation-oriented cultural work.
Typical awards are large: the grant-size distribution sits at $100,000 at the 25th percentile, $200,000 at the median, and $300,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also shows repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years, including Centrum Foundation, Cornish College of the Arts, E-town, Ojai Valley School, The Steel Guitar Hall of Fame Inc, and the National Council for Traditional Arts. Sage Foundation C/o Edmund W Littlefield Jr is a regular funder rather than a pass-through vehicle, and it does not fund individuals. The pattern is consistent with direct institutional grants rather than many small awards.
$5.2M
$53.8M
$6.2M
$5.5M
Most grants fall between $100K and $300K, with a median of $200K.
25th Percentile
$100K
Median
$200K
75th Percentile
$300K
About 27% of grants go to recipients in CA.
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Concentrated giving: few but large grants (many in the $500K–$2.4M range), recurring support to some organizations, mix of regional West Coast beneficiaries and select national cultural institutions.
Notable grantees: Centrum Foundation, Cornish College of the Arts, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, Ojai Valley School, National Council for Traditional Arts
Grants are concentrated in the United States, with every recent grant in the US. Washington is especially prominent in the recipient list, including Seattle, Port Townsend, Mount Vernon, and Arlington, and 29% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state of Washington. Pennsylvania is the top state by grant count for giving overall, even though it is not the headquarters state. Other repeated recipient locations include Washington, DC; California cities such as Oakland, San Francisco, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Ojai, and Los Angeles-area institutions; and Boulder, Colorado.
The recent grants point to arts, culture, and independent education, especially music preservation, folk and traditional arts, and creative training. Named recipients include Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, the National Council for Traditional Arts, Cornish College of the Arts, and Ojai Valley School.
The grant-size distribution is $100,000 at the 25th percentile, $200,000 at the median, and $300,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes multiple seven-figure awards, such as $1.5 million grants.
Yes. The recent grants show repeated support across years for several recipients, including Centrum Foundation, Cornish College of the Arts, E-town, Ojai Valley School, The Steel Guitar Hall of Fame Inc, and the National Council for Traditional Arts.
All recent grants in the provided list went to US recipients. Washington receives a substantial share of grants, and 29% of grants go to recipients in Washington state. Pennsylvania is the top state by grant count overall.
No. The foundation is listed as not funding individuals and as not making program-related investments. Its recent activity is shown through direct grants to institutions and organizations.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS RECORDINGS | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,500,000 | 2025 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| E-TOWN | BOULDER, CO | $1,000,000 | 2025 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| CENTRUM FOUNDATION | PORT TOWNSEND, WA | $600,000 | 2025 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| MUSIC IS EXTRAORDINARY INC | OAKLAND, CA | $400,000 | 2025 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| OJAI VALLEY SCHOOL EQUESTRIAN PROGRAM | OJAI, CA | $277,226 | 2025 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| CELTIC ARTS FOUNDATION | MOUNT VERNON, WA | $260,000 | 2025 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| THE STEEL GUITAR HALL OF FAME INC | ST LOUIS, MO | $250,000 | 2025 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| BARMORAL SCHOOL OF PIPING | PITTSBURGH, PA | $155,000 | 2025 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| SING FOR AMERICA FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| LOS CENZONTIES MEXICAN ARTS CENTER | SAN PABLO, CA | $125,000 | 2025 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| ANGEL RESOURCE CONNECTION | LAKE STEVENS, WA | $122,000 | 2025 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| ARHOOLIE FOUNDATION | EL CERRITO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| UL LAYFAYETTE FOUNDATION | LAFAYETTE, LA | $60,000 | 2025 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| SEATTLE FOLKLORE SOCIETY | SEATTLE, WA | $56,000 | 2025 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN. |
| SUNSET FRENCH IMMERSION | SUNSET, LA | $50,000 | 2025 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12(FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| SAN FRANCISCO BOYS CHOIR | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| INTERMUSICSF | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $24,000 | 2025 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ACADIANA | LAFAYETTE, LA | $10,000 | 2025 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| CENTRUM FOUNDATION | PORT TOWNSEND, WA | $650,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR TRADITIONAL ARTS | SILVER SPRING, MD | $500,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| OJAI VALLEY SCHOOL | OJAI, CA | $500,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| THE GRABHORN INSTITUTE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $500,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION | WASHINGTON, DC | $400,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| BERKELEY SOCIETY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF TRADITIONAL MUSIC | BERKELEY, CA | $350,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| E-TOWN | BOULDER, CO | $300,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| ARHOOLIE FOUNDATION | EL CERRITO, CA | $300,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| CORNISH COLLEGE OF THE ARTS | SEATTLE, WA | $250,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12(FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| THE STEEL GUITAR HALL OF FAME INC | ST LOUIS, MO | $250,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| CELTIC ARTS FOUNDATION | MOUNT VERNON, WA | $240,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| THE GRABHORN INSTITUTE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $200,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| BOOK-IT REPERTORY THEATRE | SEATTLE, WA | $160,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| BALMORAL SCHOOL OF PIPING & DRUMMING | PITTSBURGH, PA | $155,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN. |
| PBS FOUNDATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $150,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| BOOK-IT REPERTORY THEATRE | SEATTLE, WA | $150,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| SING FOR AMERICA FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $150,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| LOS CENZONTLES MEXICAN ARTS CENTER | SAN PABLE, CA | $125,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| ARHOOLIE FOUNDATION | EL CERRITO, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| COUNTRY MUSIC FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $60,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| CINNABAR ARTS CORPORATION | PETALUMA, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| CENTRUM FOUNDATION | PORT TOWNSEND, WA | $50,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| LOUISIANA FOLK ROOTS | LAFAYETTE, LA | $30,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| BERKELEY SOCIETY FOR PRESERVATION OF TRADITIONAL MUSIC | BERKELEY, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| CORNISH COLLEGE OF THE ARTS | SEATTLE, WA | $1,500,000 | 2023 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| CENTRUM FOUNDATION | PORT TOWNSEND, WA | $1,131,153 | 2023 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| OJAI VALLEY SCHOOL | OJAI, CA | $1,000,000 | 2023 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| ASHOKAN CENTER | OLIVEBRIDGE, NY | $375,000 | 2023 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| BERKELEY SOCIETY FOR PRESERVATION OF MUSIC | BERKELEY, CA | $300,000 | 2023 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| ARHOOLIE FOUNDATION | EL CERRITO, CA | $300,000 | 2023 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| E-TOWN | BOULDER, CO | $300,000 | 2023 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN |
| NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR TRADITIONAL ARTS | SILVER SPRING, MD | $250,000 | 2023 | REFER TO STATEMENT 12 |
SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS RECORDINGS
$1,500,000REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
MUSIC IS EXTRAORDINARY INC
$400,000REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE OF THIS TAX RETURN
REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
THE STEEL GUITAR HALL OF FAME INC
$250,000REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
BARMORAL SCHOOL OF PIPING
$155,000REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
LOS CENZONTIES MEXICAN ARTS CENTER
$125,000REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
ANGEL RESOURCE CONNECTION
$122,000REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
UL LAYFAYETTE FOUNDATION
$60,000REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
SEATTLE FOLKLORE SOCIETY
$56,000REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN.
SUNSET FRENCH IMMERSION
$50,000REFER TO STATEMENT 12(FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
SAN FRANCISCO BOYS CHOIR
$30,000REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR TRADITIONAL ARTS
$500,000REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE OF THIS TAX RETURN
REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
REFER TO STATEMENT 12(FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
THE STEEL GUITAR HALL OF FAME INC
$250,000REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE OF THIS TAX RETURN
REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
BOOK-IT REPERTORY THEATRE
$160,000REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
BALMORAL SCHOOL OF PIPING & DRUMMING
$155,000REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN.
BOOK-IT REPERTORY THEATRE
$150,000REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE OF THIS TAX RETURN
REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE OF THIS TAX RETURN
REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
COUNTRY MUSIC FOUNDATION
$60,000REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE OF THIS TAX RETURN
CINNABAR ARTS CORPORATION
$50,000REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
LOUISIANA FOLK ROOTS
$30,000REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE OF THIS TAX RETURN
REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
ASHOKAN CENTER
$375,000REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
BERKELEY SOCIETY FOR PRESERVATION OF MUSIC
$300,000REFER TO STATEMENT 12 (FOOTNOTE) OF THIS TAX RETURN
NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR TRADITIONAL ARTS
$250,000REFER TO STATEMENT 12