Bay Area & Northern California Grants for Nonprofits
Learn about grants to nonprofits in Northern California and the Bay Area by browsing our curated list of top funders below. Members can also research funding opportunities in Northern California and the Bay Area using the search tool for GrantFinder. Become a member.
Funding Trends
Northern California is a vast, complex region that encompasses both the Bay Area (including Silicon Valley) and the more rural North Coast and Shasta Cascade counties. It is a region that holds extreme wealth, but also extreme inequality. The region faces several overlapping challenges, including wildfires and other negative impacts of climate change, as well as a shortage of affordable housing and high rates of poverty and homelessness. The Bay Area and NorCal is also a vibrant, dynamic region that has been a national leader in climate innovations, social justice movements, and more. The regional philanthropic sector is large, wealthy and diverse, encompassing some of the nation’s wealthiest foundations and ultra-capacity major donors, influential community foundations, and well-established philanthropies giving alongside brand new ones.
Large institutions focused on health and education receive the most funding in this region in terms of dollar amounts.
Leading grantmakers also give to address inequities, poverty, gaps in social services and basic needs, wildfire response, and other climate-change impacts. There are also many funders of all sizes supporting organizations across the region’s large and vibrant nonprofit ecosystem that are working on everything from community organizing to arts and culture. A number of ambitious collaborations among private, community and corporate funders are aiming to address pressing issues around housing as well as climate resilience.
Philanthropic support for movements and movement-building seems to be growing. The Bay Area’s deeply rooted movements for racial, economic and social justice have influenced the region’s nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, which makes for a philanthropic sector that has been addressing issues of equity since long before DEI became a mainstream national conversation. Participatory grantmaking, trust-based philanthropy and prioritization of equity in philanthropy have roots here, and grew stronger as philanthropists responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, many major donors in the region hail from the entrepreneurial tech industry and tend to bring that sector’s values to their philanthropy, focusing on innovation, measurable outcomes, and individual impact.
It’s important to know that while there is tremendous wealth in this region, reflected in philanthropy from private foundations, mega-donor LLCs and donor-advised funds at some of the nation’s largest community foundations, not all of the philanthropic giving that happens from Northern California goes to Northern California nonprofits. Much of it flows out of the region, and local community organizations have had to advocate and agitate for more giving in the region where the wealth was created, especially in Silicon Valley.
Fundraisers in Northern California tend to have experiences that are all over the map — some are breaking fundraising records, while others are struggling to keep their organizations afloat. Where a nonprofit is located, the size of the organization (and its fundraising staff), and the issues the nonprofit focuses on can all affect fundraising outcomes. The more a grantseeker knows about which funders support the specific kind of work they are fundraising for, the better.
Foundations for the Bay Area and NorCal
Bay Area | Northern California | Bay Area & NorCal At-Large
Bay Area
49ERS FOUNDATION
This funder supports underserved youth in the Greater Bay Area to keep kids safe and in school. Grants are made on an invitation-only basis.
RICHARD AND IRIS ABRONS FOUNDATION
The Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to human services, education, youth, health, the arts, the environment, policy, and Jewish causes.
AHRENDTS-COUCH FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Ahrendts-Couch Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to Christian causes, education, youth, health, human services, and global causes.
AKONADI FOUNDATION
This funder is solely focused on racial justice in Oakland, California. Unsolicited applications are accepted for some programs, but not for others.
ISABEL ALLENDE FOUNDATION
The philanthropic vehicle of writer Isabel Allende advocates for women and youth, funding grants for education, reproductive rights, healthcare, and more.
ARRILLAGA FOUNDATION
The foundation of Silicon Valley real estate mogul John Arrillaga. The foundation’s annual giving is modest, with funds often going to local health and human services.
AWESOME FOUNDATION SAN FRANCISCO CHAPTER
This organization funds LGBTQ, technology, human needs, and other interests, in the San Francisco area.
NANCY AND JOACHIM BECHTLE FOUNDATION
The Nancy and Joachim Bechtle Foundation primarily funds arts, education, and health.
BELLA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The Bella Charitable Foundation supports education and youth in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.
MAGIC CABINET
Magic Cabinet, formerly the Ken Birdwell Foundation, supports capacity building and nonprofit sustainability in the San Francisco Bay Area of Northern California.
WILLIAM K. BOWES Jr. FOUNDATION
This active but low-profile foundation awards grants for museums, higher education, healthcare, cancer research, medical research, and youth programs.
CALIFORNIA BLACK FREEDOM FUND
The California Black Freedom Fund supports racial equity through grants for Black-led organizations throughout the state of California.
CALIFORNIA HUMANITIES
California Humanities supports arts and culture, film, libraries and other humanities topics throughout the state of California.
CALIFORNIA WELLNESS FOUNDATION
The California Wellness Foundation works in the area of health and limits its giving to the state of California.
CATHAY BANK FOUNDATION
The Bay Area is one of the largest regional beneficiaries of the bank’s charitable arm, which supports community programs serving at-risk and low/middle-income populations.
CHAMBERLIN FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Chamberlin Family Foundation’s Bay Area grantmaking focuses on Richmond and West Contra Costa County. The foundation has a particular interest in improving education systems.
CHENWU FOUNDATION
The Chenwu Foundation’s grantmaking funds education, human services, and religious causes.
CHRISTENSEN FUND
Christensen’s San Francisco Bay Area Program supports the area’s native people, land, diaspora communities and cultural diversity programs.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SONOMA COUNTY
The Community Foundation Sonoma County awards grants in Sonoma County, California in the areas of arts and culture, health and human services, environment, and education.
CRANKSTART FOUNDATION
The charitable outfit of the venture capitalist Michael Mortiz and his wife Harriet. The couple’s philanthropy in the Bay Area is mainly focused on education and arts and culture, but they also support parks and human services.
CROCKETT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Crockett Community Foundation supports community development, arts and culture, human services, public safety and education in Northern California.
HELEN DILLER FAMILY FOUNDATION
This funder supports education, science, and the arts largely in the Bay Area, but also in Israel. Jewish causes are very important to this foundation.
MATT AND GRETCHEN DINAPOLI FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Matt and Gretchen DiNapoli Family Foundation’s grantmaking supports local religious schools and arts institutions, among other interests.
J. PHILIP AND JENNIFER DINAPOLI FOUNDATION
The J. Philip DiNapoli Foundation funds grantmaking related to education, the arts, human services, and religious organizations.
DORSEY & WHITNEY FOUNDATION
This funder is the philanthropic arm of a corporate law firm. It supports cultural, civic, educational and general welfare organizations and programs.
DREW FOUNDATION
The Drew Foundation invests in cancer research, human services, and the arts.
DSEA WONG FOUNDATION
The Wong Foundation invests in health, education, human services and arts and culture across the Bay Area.
EAST BAY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
East Bay is focused almost exclusively on economic development and early childhood education. Other kinds of nonprofits in Alameda and Contra Costa have a shot if work touches on these concerns.
EL DORADO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The El Dorado Community Foundation supports animal welfare, community, culture, environment, physical and mental health, poverty, housing, basic needs, seniors, veterans, youth and education in California.
ENLIGHT FOUNDATION
The Enlight Foundation’s grantmaking supports education in developing countries and social entrepreneurship.
ERTZ FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Ertz Family Foundation supports sports opportunities, youth, education, and families in Philadelphia, the Bay Area of California, and Haiti.
EUSTACE-KWAN FAMILY FOUNDATION
Almost all grants are made in the Bay Area, focusing in on the mid-Peninsula area. The couple focuses on educational issues and social support.
FAT TIRE FOUNDATION
The Krause Foundation’s grantmaking supports health, education, and environmental causes.
CHARLES N. FELTON AND CHARLOTTE ASHLEY FELTON ENDOWMENT
The Charles N. Felton and Charlotte Ashley Felton Endowment supports arts and culture, education, health, human services and public and society benefit in San Francisco, California.
FLEISHHACKER FOUNDATION
This focused funder gives to visual and performing arts nonprofits and education groups focused on K-5 literacy in the Bay Area.
TULLY AND ELISE FRIEDMAN FUND
Bay Area giving from the fund established by financier Tully Friedman and his wife Elise has given to human services and health, education and youth, and particularly to arts and culture.
FULL CIRCLE FUND
This funding network of Bay Area professionals supports local nonprofits working in health, education, economic opportunity, and environment and energy.
GAMBLE FOUNDATION
The foundation focuses on K-12 and environmental education, and youth development for underserved kids in the Bay Area. Notable for its willingness to fund general operations and to support grantees’ capacity, long-term growth and fiscal health.
CARL GELLERT AND CELIA BERTA GELLERT FOUNDATION
This funder supports local social services, homelessness, affordable, low-income housing, and religious/public/private education in the nine-county Bay Area region. Grant applications are welcomed in August.
WALLACE ALEXANDER GERBODE FOUNDATION
This funder began reorganizing in March 2016. Assets were split to allow the next generation to pursue their funding interests. Half of the Gerbode funds are creating three separate private foundations.
LISA AND DOUGLAS GOLDMAN FUND
The Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund supports a variety of causes in the San Francisco Bay Area. Grant applications are accepted throughout the year and grants are made for many different types of support.
GREENLIGHT FUND SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
The GreenLight Fund San Francisco Bay Area supports anti-poverty efforts, children and youth, education and workforce development in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.
GROVE FOUNDATION
Bay Area grantmaking by the foundation of former Intel Chairman Andrew Grove and his family involves support of education, health, human services, and more.
GRUBER FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Gruber Family Foundation’s Bay Area grantmaking includes support of progressive and investigative journalism, education, the arts and women’s issues.
GINNIE AND PETER HAAS JR. FUND
The Ginnie and Peter Haas Jr. Fund supports education, immigration, health, human services, and youth in the Bay Area of California.
EAT. LEARN. PLAY. FOUNDATION
Eat. Learn. Play. is the philanthropic foundation of the basketball star Steph Curry and his wife, Ayesha. The organization supports food systems, education and recreation for Oakland’s underserved children and youth.
WALTER & ELISE HAAS FUND
The Walter and Elise Haas Fund was established by the president and founder of Levi Strauss and Co. in 1952, and support arts, education, economic security, and Jewish life in the Bay Area.
EVELYN AND WALTER HAAS JR., FUND
Haas funds organizations working in the areas of immigration, LGBT rights, education, nonprofit leadership development and community partnerships.
HARBOR POINT CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The Harbor Point Charitable Foundation supports health, education, arts, athletic programs and nutrition in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.
MIMI AND PETER HAAS FUND
The Mimi and Peter Haas Fund mainly focuses on early childhood education and care for San Francisco’s underserved communities. To a lesser extent, the foundation supports K-12 and higher education, arts and culture, health and the environment.
HEISING-SIMONS FOUNDATION
The Heising-Simons Foundation supports climate and clean energy, education, human rights, local and emerging opportunities, and science in the Bay Area of California.
HELLMAN FOUNDATION
This funder supports local Bay Area organizations in the areas of education and youth development, health access, and basic needs. Music and dance were passions of the founders and still receive support today.
HOEFER FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Hoefer Family Foundation’s grantmaking invests in educational and arts organizations.
HORIZONS FOUNDATION
The Horizons Foundation is a premiere LGBTQ funder in the Bay Area that shares an expansive interest in issues effecting the LGBTQ community.
HUB FOUNDATION
The Hub Foundation supports education, food, housing and other community needs in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.
HYMOWITZ FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Hymowitz Family Foundation invests in education and Jewish causes, among other interests.
SHIMON BEN (JIM) JOSEPH FOUNDATION
This funder supports Jewish learning, educator training, and research with special focus on the Bay Area. Nonprofits that benefit Jewish communities nationwide are considered for grants.
RUPERT H. JOHNSON JR. FOUNDATION
Rupert H. Johnson Jr. Foundation primarily funds grantmaking for education and the arts. It also earmarks funds for areas like policy and health.
KNIGHT FOUNDATION
San Joes is one of Knight’s focus communities. Foundation grants in the region are limited, but can be pretty substantial.
KORET FOUNDATION
The Koret Foundation engages in grantmaking in areas such as education, arts and culture, and Jewish causes. Most of its funding stays in the Bay Area.
KRAUSE FOUNDATION
The Krause Foundation supports organizations that seek to create systemic change in education and youth development.
JEAN & E. FLOYD KVAMME FOUNDATION
The Jean & E. Floyd Kvamme Foundation’s grantmaking supports religious organizations, cultural, educational and medical organizations.
LATINO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
This San Francisco-based funder oversees over a dozen giving circles composed of Latinos who support Latino-led organizations. LCF awards grants to grassroots groups for community and civic engagement.
LAURA AND GARY LAUDER FAMILY VENTURE PHILANTHROPY FUND
This funder invests in visionary leaders and projects that have the potential to create lasting impact.
LAUREL FOUNDATION
Grantmaking focuses on health, education, and other select causes. A key component for this funder is bankrolling Lyme disease research, a personal cause.
RICHARD AND EMILY LEVIN FOUNDATION
The Richard and Emily Levin Foundation’s grantmaking funds education, preservation, and the arts.
LIBRA FOUNDATION
The Libra Foundation supports criminal justice, social justice, environmental and climate justice and gender justice in San Francisco.
LS FOUNDATION
The LS Foundation’s grantmaking supports education, medical research, and the arts.
GEORGE AND JUDY MARCUS FOUNDATION
This philanthropic vehicle of real estate investor George M. Marcus and his wife Judith. Support has gone to education, health, human services, and the arts.
MARGOES FOUNDATION
The Margoes Foundation supports education, college access and completion, mental health and youth in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.
MARINI FAMILY TRUST
The Marini Family Trust supports education, health, human services and religion in San Francisco, California.
MARINO FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The Marino Family Charitable Foundation supports health and human services in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.
MCMURTY FAMILY FOUNDATION
This is the philanthropic vehicle of veteran venture capitalist Burt McMurtry and family. Grantmaking touches local schools, arts and culture organizations, and more.
MILAGRO FOUNDATION
The Milagro Foundation works in the arts, education and health, prioritizing vulnerable children and youth around the world and the Bay Area.
MILTON AND SOPHIE MEYER FUND
The Milton and Sophie Meyer Fund supports Jewish charities in the areas of arts and culture, education, environment, animal welfare, health, human services, public and society benefit and religion in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.
JAMES AND REBECCA MORGAN FAMILY FOUNDATION
This funder supports causes for youth, education, the environment, and stewardship. Most funding stays in Santa Clara County and San Mateo County.
BILL AND SUSAN OBERNDORF FOUNDATION
Much of the Oberndorfs’ philanthropy is focused in on the Bay Area, where the couple has interests in education reform, health, policy, and more
ROBERT STEWART ODELL AND HELEN PFEIFFER ODELL FUND
The Robert Stewart Odell and Helen Pfeiffer Odell Fund supports education and human services in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.
BERNARD OSHER FOUNDATION
This funder provides scholarships and grants for integrative medicine, continuing education for people over 50, and local arts and education groups. San Francisco and Alameda Counties are local focus areas.
DAVID AND LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION
Packard has been an important Bay Area funder for four decades. Health and early education are big priorities lately for this accessible funder.
PEERY FOUNDATION
The Peery Foundation’s local portfolio is guided by local schools and the school district. Peery’s sweet spot is Pre-K to grade 12 education in East Palo Alto. There’s also a regional portfolio that includes Silicon Valley and the Bay Area.
PHILANTHROPIC VENTURES FOUNDATION
The Philanthropic Ventures Foundation supports education, youth and community initiatives in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.
PISCES FOUNDATION
The Pisces Foundation supports climate and energy, environmental education and water-related issues in the San Francisco Bay Area of California and beyond.
KENNETH RAININ FOUNDATION
This increasingly active funder supports early education in Oakland, as well as small- and mid-sized dance/theater/film organizations and Inflammatory Bowel Disease research in the Bay Area.
MYRA REINHARD FAMILY FOUNDATION
This low profile funder supports health, arts, and Jewish causes.
RICHMOND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
This funder supports nonprofits that serve the Richmond community through grants for public safety, health, jobs and economic development, physical environment, and education.
ROBERTS FOUNDATION
The foundation of billionaire George Roberts focuses its grantmaking on education and poverty. It also supports a venture philanthropy effort to alleviate poverty by backing social enterprises.
ROCK FOUNDATION
The philanthropic vehicle of venture capitalist Arthur Rock and his wife Toni. Grantmaking involves education reform, legal rights, arts and culture, and more.
ROGERS FAMILY FOUNDATION
This Bay Area funder focuses on supporting public education in Oakland, California. It also supports local community institutions and universities on a limited basis.
ROSENBERG FOUNDATION
The Rosenberg Foundation awards grants to organizations working to improve social and environmental conditions for Californians related to justice and public safety, immigrant and workers’ rights, and civic rights and engagement.
ERICH & HANNAH SACHS FOUNDATION
The Erich & Hannah Sachs Foundation is committed is to improving the overall quality of life for economically and/or educationally disadvantaged individuals and families who manifest a genuine desire to help themselves. The foundation also supports efforts designed to strengthen communities.
THE SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDATION
This major player in Bay Area philanthropy has an array of interests, with racial and economic equality at the heart of it all.
SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC HEALTH FOUNDATION
The San Francisco Public Health Foundation supports various aspects of health and services for children and youth in San Francisco, California.
ANNUNZIATA SANGUINETTI FOUNDATION
The Annunziata Sanguinetti Foundation supports children’s charities in the areas of education, mental health and human services in San Francisco, California.
SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
This is the biggest community foundation in America. Education, human services, and immigration are top priorities, but funding goes to a range of causes.
SKYWORDS FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Skywords Family Foundation’s grantmaking supports grantmaking for media and environmental organizations, education & youth, health & human services.
SOBRATO PHILANTHROPIES
The foundation of the Silicon Valley real estate family is dedicated to Santa Clara, San Mateo and Southern Alameda counties. Grants are awarded mostly for human services, education, and health causes.
SOLANO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
This funder gives to a wide variety of field-of-interest funds, primarily funds regarding education and public and society issues. There are donor funds with established grant programs accepting applications as well.
STEPHEN M. SILBERSTEIN FOUNDATION
The charitable vehicle of an early tech pioneer focuses on education, the environment, and more. As well, policy and human rights outfits in the Bay Area and beyond receive support.
C. EDWARD AND EDITH STROBEL CHARITABLE TRUST
This foundation invests in children’s health, animal welfare and public health in the Bay Area.
MORRIS STULSAFT FOUNDATION
Morris Stulsaft Foundation has a strict focus on children and youth causes in the Bay Area. Funding is split between four interest areas, but early childhood education receives the most support lately.
SWIG FOUNDATION
Swig mostly funds art, education, youth organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Other interests are health, human Services, and the environment.
TAUBE FAMILY FOUNDATION
The philanthropic vehicle of Ted Taube, the foundation is a steady supporter of Jewish causes in the Bay Area. Public policy, higher education, and health are other priorities.
THIEL FOUNDATION
The foundation of investor Peter Thiel supports scientific innovation and promotes freedom. Its Bay Area grantmaking mainly involves supporting science and technology.
TIPPING POINT COMMUNITY
The Tipping Point Community supports education, housing, employment, early childhood, and disaster relief in the Bay Area of Northern California.
WAYNE AND GLADYS VALLEY FOUNDATION
This foundation only awards grants to East Bay communities, mainly to education and Catholic organizations. All grantmaking will cease in September 2018.
WARMENHOVEN FAMILY FOUNDATION
This funder supports human services organizations in the Bay Area. Another interest is education, and Charmaine spent three decades in this field.
WEBB FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Webb Family Foundation provides underprivileged, motivated young individuals access to quality education and supports individuals who are struggling against the odds to make a positive impact on the world through innovation and hard work.
WESTLY FOUNDATION
This funder supports education, health, and at-risk children and youth in California. Most funding stays in the Bay Area. Grant applications are accepted by invitation only.
RONALD WHITTIER FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Ronald Whittier Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to health and education. It also earmarks funds for religious institutions.
TROPER WOJCICKI FOUNDATION
The Troper Wojcicki Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education and Jewish causes. It also earmarks funds for the arts.
XIE FOUNDATION
The Xie Foundation’s grantmaking invests in educational and athletic organizations.
ZELLERBACH FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Zellerbach family has deep roots in the Bay Area. Grantmaking involves areas such as community arts, education and supporting immigrants and refugees.
Northern California
AMADOR COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Amador Community Foundation supports education, basic needs, health, community, arts and culture, environment and animal welfare in California.
S.D. BECHTEL JR. FOUNDATION
Most grants are awarded to science-based nonprofits in the Bay Area. A majority go to STEM education programs, followed by environmental water management and character development.
C.J. BERRY FOUNDATION
The C.J. Berry Foundation’s goal is to identify, promote and support endeavors for the benefit of arts & culture, conservation, education, health, and human services.
BORCH FOUNDATION
The Borch Foundation’s grantmaking includes support of education, human services, and animal organizations.
CALDERA FOUNDATION (F/K/A AYRSHIRE FOUNDATION)
The Ayrshire Foundation split into two foundations in 2015. The Northern California directors adopted a new name, the Caldera Foundation. Caldera focuses on environmental issues locally and globally.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MENDOCINO COUNTY
The Community Foundation of Mendocino County supports education, the arts, community health, alleviation of poverty, youth, environment and other community needs in Northern California.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR MONTEREY COUNTY
The Community Foundation for Monterey County supports health, human services, education, community development, culture, heritage, economic development, environment and organizational development in California.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR SAN BENITO COUNTY
The Community Foundation for San Benito County supports human services, health, housing, education, animals and other community needs in California.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
The Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County supports arts and culture, compassionate care, youth, seniors, historic preservation, nonprofit capacity building, LGBTQ needs and education in Northern California.
FIREDOLL FOUNDATION
This funder supports community development/entrepreneurship, immigrant issues/human rights. It also funds environmental conservation and traumatic brain injury support here.
STEPHEN & MARGARET GILL FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Stephen & Margaret Gill Family Foundation invests in the arts and the environment.
GILROY FOUNDATION
The Gilroy Foundation supports health, education, recreation, technology, culture and civic services in Northern California.
HUBBARD FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Hubbard Family Foundation supports youth, education, music, art and entertainment in the Napa Valley and greater Northern California region.
HUMBOLDT AREA FOUNDATION
The Humboldt Area Foundation supports community building, youth services, health and wellness, art and culture, education, Native cultures and nonprofit capacity building in Northern California.
LODI COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Sacramento Region Community Foundation supports arts and culture, children and youth, disaster relief, human services, education, health and capacity building in Northern California.
LOS ALTOS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Los Altos Community Foundation supports education, community development, human services, youth, arts and culture and health in the Bay Area of California.
NAPA VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Napa Valley Community Foundation supports children and youth, immigrant families, education, health, mental health and animal welfare in Northern California.
NORCAL GROUP FOUNDATION
This funder, established by a medical professional liability insurance company, supports patient care, patient safety, and physician wellness in Northern California and beyond.
NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The North Valley Community Foundation supports community, youth development, animal welfare, disaster recovery, the elderly, education, health, human services and music therapy in Northern California.
PLACER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Placer Community Foundation supports youth development, education, civic engagement, human services, health, arts and culture and community needs in Northern California.
RAGHIB FOUNDATION
The Raghib Foundation supports the Pakistani community and global organizations.
SACRAMENTO REGION COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Sacramento Region Community Foundation supports arts and culture, children and youth, disaster relief, human services, education, health and capacity building in Northern California.
SAN BRUNO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The San Bruno Community Foundation supports community development, education, youth, human services and arts and culture in Northern California.
SOMELAND FOUNDATION
The philanthropic vehicle of Twitter billionaire Evan Williams and his wife Sara. The foundation supports Human Rights, Education, Arts and Culture, Health, Environment, and Community Development in the Bay Area and throughout the country.
The Sonora Area Foundation supports human services, education, arts, health, public benefit, environment and animals in California.
STANISLAUS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Stanislaus Community Foundation supports education, arts and culture, basic needs, children and youth, community development, environment, wildlife and animal welfare, health and human services in Northern California.
STUBHUB FOUNDATION
This funder prioritizes youth development through sports and the arts. It has given extensively to the Bay Area, and also in the areas of economic security, English as second language, and out-of-classroom education.
VAN LOBEN SELS/REMBEROCK FOUNDATION
An approachable funder, but with a narrow mission to promote social justice in Northern California by means of legal services and advocacy.
SHASTA REGIONAL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Shasta Regional Community Foundation supports children and youth, animal welfare, community needs, arts and culture, disaster relief and women and girls in Northern California.
TRUCKEE TAHOE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation supports families, housing, forests and community projects that have social and environmental impacts in Northern California.
WINIARSKI FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Winiarski Family Foundation supports education, conservation and preservation, and human services in Northern California and the Napa Valley region.
WOMEN’S FOUNDATION OF CALIFORNIA
The Women’s Foundation of California supports economic justice, racial justice, reproductive health and women and girl’s safety in California.
YOLO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Yolo Community Foundation supports education, health, human services, community involvement and civic causes in Yolo County, California.
Bay Area & NorCal At-Large
CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION
This corporate funder supports health and education in the Greater Philadelphia area and beyond. Unsolicited grant applications do not appear to be accepted at this time.
CALIFORNIA WELLNESS FOUNDATION
CalWellness focuses its grant making efforts on the health and well-being of Californians, low income individuals and young people. The foundation funds widely ranging health issues including violence, teen pregnancy and poverty.
CHAVEZ FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Chavez Family Foundation supports immigration, education, entrepreneurship in the Bay Area and elsewhere in California.
COLLEGE FUTURES FOUNDATION
The College Futures Foundation supports K-12 and higher education in California through higher education reform, student-centric practices, education leadership, and college affordability.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR SAN BENITO COUNTY
This funder provides matching grants in these fields: agricultural preservation, environment, arts & culture, community enhancement, economic development, education & youth, health & social services. Grants for women and girls are available too.
ELFENWORKS FOUNDATION
This Silicon Valley funder supports social justice and social entrepreneurship in the Bay Area and beyond. Other areas of interest include equity, poverty, film and mindfulness.
GARFIELD FOUNDATION
The Garfield Foundation supports environmental sustainability, collaborative networks and advancing systems change practices in Northern California and beyond.
ANN AND GORDON GETTY FOUNDATION
Foundation interests include anthropology, sociology, museums and the performing arts. All California-based organizations are welcome to submit an LOI.
CLARENCE E. HELLER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
This funder supports many local causes in the areas of environment, human health, education, and music. Letters of inquiry are accepted at any time, and California nonprofits are given priority.
WILLIAM AND FLORA HEWLETT FOUNDATION
Hewlett’s local program centers on awarding grants to the Bay Area and Central Valley’s disadvantaged communities. Hewlett writes most of its local checks to performing arts groups, and a few to environmental groups each year.
HOLLYHOCK FOUNDATION
The Hollyhock Foundation makes grants in the areas of education, youth, and human services in California and New York.
JAMES IRVINE FOUNDATION
Many of Irvine’s grants go to arts organizations. Democracy, community building and youth causes also receive Irvine support.
JONATHAN LOGAN FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Jonathan Logan Family Foundation supports nonprofits in the areas of social justice, investigative journalism, the arts, the environment, education, equity and inclusion, and documentary film in the Bay Area and beyond.
MARIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Marin County may be best known for its wealth and luxury, but there are plenty of low-income residents here, too. MCF pays attention to the underprivileged, focusing most of its grantmaking in this area.
MONTEREY PENINSULA FOUNDATION
This foundation awards grants in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties. Areas of interest are arts and culture, community and environment, education, health and human services, and youth.
GORDON AND BETTY MOORE FOUNDATION
The Moore Foundation’s grantmaking is pretty narrowly focused on land conservation and grants to science and tech museums.
NEDA NOBARI FOUNDATION
This funder promotes social and environmental justice through arts and education. Giving is mostly in the Bay Area, Southern California, and New York.
ROSENBERG FOUNDATION
The Rosenberg Foundation awards grants to organizations working to improve social and environmental conditions for Californians. It has a big focus on immigrant and worker rights.
SAFEWAY FOUNDATION
This funder is headquartered in the Bay Area and gives local and corporate sponsor grants here. Focus areas are health & human services, hunger relief, education, and people with disabilities.
SCHOX PHILANTHROPY
Schox Philanthropy supports criminal justice reform, education, environmental sustainability, and other member interests in the Bay Area and beyond.
CHARLES AND HELEN SCHWAB FOUNDATION
Based in San Francisco, the foundation is primarily focused on education, both nationally and locally. However, it does also fund locally in the area of health and human services.
MAY AND STANLEY SMITH CHARITABLE TRUST
The Smith trust funds programs in four areas: foster youth, elders, veterans and people with disabilities. It focuses on 14 states in the Western U.S., including California, and the Canadian province of British Columbia.
STUART FOUNDATION
The Stuart Foundation supports creativity and arts education, school finance and accountability and educator leadership predominately in California, and sometimes beyond.
S. D. TROMBETTA FOUNDATION
The S.D. Trombetta Foundation’s grantmaking supports education, human services, and global organizations.
WELL BEING TRUST
This funder was created when two health organizations merged. It’s largely concerned with mental health in California. Unsolicited grant applications are not accepted.
WELLS FARGO
Wells Fargo considers proposals from education, housing, job training, and human services organizations in the Bay Area and northern California. Grant applications, especially for program support, are considered on a rolling basis throughout the year.
