FundersCalifornia

Mitchell Kapor Foundation

Oakland, CA · EIN 94-3330604. Reported 192 grants totalling $34.1M to 150 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$42,500median grant
$34.1Mgranted, 2021-2024
150organizations funded
22%of grantees funded again the next year
$115.5Massets, latest filing

Does this foundation accept applications?

Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Mitchell Kapor Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.

This is the foundation's own statement to the IRS, not our judgement, and it says nothing about whether they have a form, a deadline, or an appetite for new grantees. Treat it as the reason this foundation is worth your research time, not as an invitation. Many small foundations of this kind have no website and no application process -- a letter of inquiry is the normal first step.

How big are its grants?

The median grant is $42,500. Half of everything it gave fell between $15,000 and $150,000; the smallest was $258 and the largest $2,510,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

Under $1,000
1 grant
$1,000 - $5,000
3 grants
$5,000 - $10,000
18 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
48 grants
$25,000 - $50,000
27 grants
$50,000 - $100,000
19 grants
$100,000 and Up
76 grants

Every organization it funded

This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.

OrganizationLocationTotal receivedGrantsYears fundedLast
The Barack Obama FoundationChicago, IL$6,000,000332023
Smash (mk Level Playing Field Institute)Oakland, CA$4,692,809222023
University of California Berkeley FoundationBerkeley, CA$2,596,596222024
Code for Science and Society IncPortland, OR$2,149,999442024
East Bay Community FoundationOakland, CA$2,000,000112022
Brandeis UniversityWaltham, MA$1,000,000222022
UC Berkeley FoundationBerkeley, CA$1,000,000112023
Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT$1,000,000442024
Say What Media LLCWashington, DC$764,827112023
Smash (level Playing Field Institute)Oakland, CA$625,000222024
New Venture FundWashington, DC$600,000332024
The UCLA FoundationLos Angeles, CA$500,000112022
Georgia Tech Foundation IncAtlanta, GA$475,000332024
Oakland Public Education FundOakland, CA$453,358222024
Computer History MuseumMountain View, CA$350,000112021
Detroit Public Schools Community DistrictDetroit, MI$300,910112023
Ai for the People IncBrooklyn, NY$300,000222024
Footsteps IncNew York, NY$300,000332024
Free PressFlorence, MA$300,000112022
Greater Washington Educational Telecommunications Association Inc (weta)Arlington, VA$300,000332023
State Leadership ProjectRaleigh, NC$300,000112022
The UC Davis FoundationDavis, CA$300,000112022
Tech Equity CollaborativeMartinez, CA$280,000222024
Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL$250,000112024
Silicon Valley Community FoundationMountain View, CA$250,000112021
Latino Community FoundationSan Francisco, CA$215,000112021
Brookings InstitutionWashington, DC$200,000112023
East Oakland Youth Development CenterOakland, CA$200,000112024
Impact AssetsBethesda, MD$200,000112021
Npower IncBrooklyn, NY$200,000112023
Consumer Reports IncYonkers, NY$190,000222023
Aubin Pictures IncNew York, NY$175,000112023
Campaign for Accountability IncWashington, DC$150,000112022
Color of Changeorg Education FundOakland, CA$150,000112022
Detroit Future CityDetroit, MI$150,000112024
Equis InstituteSan Francisco, CA$150,000112022
Free Press Inc (disinfo Defense League)Florence, MA$150,000112023
Free Press Inc (disinfo Defense League)Washington, DC$150,000112024
ImpactassetsBethesda, MD$150,000112024
ImpactassetsincBethesda, MD$150,000112023
Kennesaw State University FoundationKennesaw, GA$150,000112022
Techequity CollaborativeMartinez, CA$150,000112023
Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under LawWashington, DC$145,000112024
Power RisingWashington, DC$145,000222024
Lawyers Committee Civil Rights Under LawWashington, DC$130,000222023
NAACP FoundationBaltimore, MD$130,000222024
Voto Latino Foundation IncWashington, DC$130,000222024
Clark Atlanta University IncAtlanta, GA$125,000112022
Goodie Nation IncAtlanta, GA$125,000112024
Milestone Growth Capital InstituteDetroit, MI$125,000112024
Georgia State University Research FoundationAtlanta, GA$110,000112022
CodepathorgSan Francisco, CA$100,000112023
Dr Huey P Newton FoundationOakland, CA$100,000222023
Federation of American ScientistsWashington, DC$100,000112022
Hispanic Federation IncNew York, NY$100,000222024
Moses (metropolitan Organizing Strategy Engabling Strength)Detroit, MI$100,000112024
Public Resource Org IncHealdsburg, CA$100,000112024
Sogorea Te Land TrustOakland, CA$100,000112023
Freedmen Heirs FoundationSilver Spring, MD$98,525112021
DonorschooseorgNew York, NY$97,000112024
National Coalition on Black Civic ParticipationWashington, DC$80,000112024
National Council of Negro Women IncWashington, DC$80,000112024
Bright Funds FoundationSan Jose, CA$78,389222024
National Skills CoalitionWashington, DC$75,000112023
Russell Innovation Center for EntrepreneursAtlanta, GA$75,000112022
Skinner Leadership Institute IncWashington, DC$75,000222024
ThalamusorgSanta Clara, CA$75,000112021
Center for Open Data Enterprise IncWashington, DC$55,000112024
Black Innovation AllianceAtlanta, GA$50,000112022
Calvin Hill Day Care Center IncNew Haven, CT$50,000112023
People for the American Way FoundationWashington, DC$50,000112024
The Aspen Institute IncWashington, DC$50,000112024
Vote to Live FoundationWashington, DC$50,000112024
Coalition for Humane Immigrant RightsLos Angeles, CA$45,000222024
Repairers of the BreachGoldsboro, NC$45,000222024
National Black Justice Collective InstituteWashington, DC$40,000112024
The New Georgia Project IncAtlanta, GA$40,000112022
Georgia Stand UpAtlanta, GA$35,000222024
La VoiceLos Angeles, CA$35,000222022
Center for Empowered Politics Education FundSan Francisco, CA$30,000222022
Harvard UniversityBoston, MA$30,000222024
National Coalition for Black Civic ParticipationWashington, DC$30,000112022
Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA$30,000222023
Tides FoundationSan Francisco, CA$30,000112024
Camelback Ventures IncGarden City, ID$25,000112023
Carolina Federation FundDurham, NC$25,000222024
Courage California InstituteLos Angeles, CA$25,000112021
Georgia Alliance Education Fund IncAtlanta, GA$25,000112022
Georgia Coalition for the Peoples AgendaAtlanta, GA$25,000112024
Mi Familia En AccionPhoenix, AZ$25,000112024
Michigan Organizing Project (dba Michigan United)Detroit, MI$25,000112024
Northern California GrantmakersSan Francisco, CA$25,000112022
Pa Alliance FoundationPhiladelphia, PA$25,000112024
Power CaliforniaOakland, CA$25,000222022
Tides CenterSan Francisco, CA$25,000112022
Wisconsin Voices IncMilwaukee, WI$25,000112024
Black Women for WellnessLos Angeles, CA$20,000112021
Chinese Progressive AssociationSan Francisco, CA$20,000112021
Hispanic Heritage FoundationWashington, DC$20,000112023
LatinxvcSan Jose, CA$20,000112022
National Urban League IncNew York, NY$20,000112024
Sistahs in Business Foundation a Nj Nonprofit OrganizationAtlanta, GA$20,000112024
Centro Por La JusticiaSan Antonio, TX$15,000112022
CodecrewMemphis, TN$15,000222024
Equal Ground Education FundOrlando, FL$15,000112022
Michigan UnitedDetroit, MI$15,000112022
Talk Tech AssociationNew York, NY$15,000112023
The Foundation for Social ImpactLittle Rock, AR$15,000112022
Vet Voice Foundation IncWashington, DC$15,000112022
Youth Rise Texas IncAustin, TX$15,000112022
ACCELERATE4KIDS FoundationDetroit, MI$10,000112024
Alliance San DiegoSan Diego, CA$10,000112021
Arts & ScrapsDetroit, CA$10,000112024
CODE313Detroit, MI$10,000112024
Communities for a New California Education FundGranite Bay, CA$10,000112021
Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program IncDetroit, MI$10,000112024
Detroit Hispanic Development CorporationDetroit, MI$10,000112024
Everyday Ai LLCLas Cruces, NM$10,000112024
Fair Elections CenterWashington, DC$10,000112022
Georgia Coalition for the People's AgendaAtlanta, GA$10,000112022
HypeAtlanta, GA$10,000112024
Ithaca City School DistrictIthica, NY$10,000112024
JourniDetroit, MI$10,000112024
Michigan Science CenterDetroit, MI$10,000112024
Mothering JusticeDetroit, MI$10,000112022
Powerpac FoundationSan Francisco, CA$10,000112022
The Hidden Genius ProjectOakland, CA$10,000112024
The Schott Foundation for Public EducationCambridge, MA$10,000112024
Young Data Scientists LeagueFall City, WA$10,000112024
Youth AliveOakland, CA$10,000112023
Community PartnersLos Angeles, CA$7,000112021
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MA$7,000112024
Xr Safety InitiativeEmeryville, CA$6,000112024
Social Good FundRichmond, CA$5,500112021
Peralta Colleges FoundationOakland, CA$5,250112022
Beyond EmpancipationOakland, CA$5,000112023
Codeva IncRichmond, VA$5,000112024
Friends of Peralta Hacienda Historical ParkOakland, CA$5,000112023
Hopewell FundWashington, DC$5,000112023
Mission BitSan Francisco, CA$5,000112023
Mozilla FoundationSan Francisco, CA$5,000112023
Project InventEast Palo Alto, CA$5,000112024
SomosvcSan Jose, CA$5,000112024
STEM to the FutureLos Angeles, CA$5,000112024
The Critical Thinking Child LLCChicago, IL$5,000112024
Wake County Public School SystemCary, NC$5,000112024
Brighter BeginningsOakland, CA$2,500112023
St Vincint De Paul of Alameda CountyOakland, CA$2,500112023
Alameda County Community Food BankOakland, CA$1,000112021
Destiny Arts CenterOakland, CA$258112023

33 of 150 (22%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.

Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 22%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.

What the money was for

Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.

What kind of organizations it funds

By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 151 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.

Education
34 grants
Civil Rights
22 grants
Community Improvement
16 grants
Arts & Culture
15 grants
Philanthropy & Grantmaking
13 grants
Human Services
13 grants
Science & Technology
6 grants
Public & Societal Benefit
6 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
202128$5,210,358$62,500
202254$12.2M$35,000
202341$10.3M$100,000
202469$6,434,849$25,000

Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.

Already committed for future years

Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. Mitchell Kapor Foundation has 1 of them, worth $711,202. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back -- and it also tells you how much of the next year's budget is already spoken for.

OrganizationLocationApproved
Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL$711,202

Where its money goes

Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 44% of this one's giving went to organizations in California. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.

California
$14.9M
Illinois
$6.3M
District of Columbia
$3.1M
Oregon
$2.1M
Massachusetts
$1.5M
New York
$1.4M
Georgia
$1.3M
Connecticut
$1.1M

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Funders that support the same organizations

These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.

Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund78 shared recipientsAmerican Online Giving Foundation Inc69 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc67 shared recipientsSilicon Valley Community Foundation55 shared recipientsNational Philanthropic Trust54 shared recipientsTides Foundation54 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $42,500. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
  2. Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in California.
  3. Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
  4. Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.

Related guides

Foundations funding education in CaliforniaEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding arts & culture in CaliforniaEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding education in IllinoisEvery funder in this group, ranked

Where these numbers come from

Everything above is taken from Mitchell Kapor Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.

Address of record on the latest return: 2148 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94612. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.

EIN 94-3330604 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this

This is history, not an open call. Foundation returns are published about a year after the tax year ends. Nothing on this page is a deadline. It is a record of who this foundation has actually funded, which is the best available predictor of who it will fund next -- and a much better basis for deciding whether to write to them than a mission statement.

Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email hello@funderscope.com and we will correct it.