The Lightweaver Foundation
The Lightweaver Foundation website is the official site for the 501(c)(3) private foundation started by Brandon and Emily Sanderson. It describes the mission “Feed bodies, fill minds, fuel hope,” lists supported causes, and operates donations, auctions and a shop to fund its work.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A small to mid-sized nonprofit working on food security, literacy/education, youth development, or community services with operations or a program presence in Utah (or an existing relationship to the foundation).
Good Fit
- • Programs addressing food banks, pantry support, or food insecurity in Utah.
- • Literacy, education, or youth development programming with measurable local impact.
- • Existing local reputation or introductions to the foundation's leadership.
- • Project budgets in the small-to-midsize grant range (few thousand up to ~$50K).
Geography
Observed giving is heavily concentrated in the foundation's home state, with roughly 79% of 2023 dollars going to Utah, though grants also reached organizations in five other states.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 22 distinct independent recipients (22 grants), including 14 new grantees, indicating a broad and diverse recipient set rather than a tiny closed circle.
New Applicants
The site and filings state grantmaking is by preselection rather than open application, which limits unsolicited entry, but the portfolio shows 14 new recipients in the latest year, suggesting newcomers can be added—likely via invitation, referrals, or outreach rather than a public application process.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
