FundersCalifornia

The Zellerbach Family Foundation

San Francisco, CA · EIN 94-6069482. Reported 901 grants totalling $23.4M to 339 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$10,000median grant
$23.4Mgranted, 2021-2024
339organizations funded
62%of grantees funded again the next year
$162.0Massets, 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. The Zellerbach Family 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 $10,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $10,000 and $50,000; the smallest was $2,500 and the largest $175,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

$1,000 - $5,000
16 grants
$5,000 - $10,000
184 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
378 grants
$25,000 - $50,000
82 grants
$50,000 - $100,000
216 grants
$100,000 and Up
25 grants

Every organization it funded

All 339 recipients appear in its filings; the 250 largest are listed here. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which this organization received money -- the clearest signal of who this foundation actually has a relationship with.

OrganizationLocationTotal receivedGrantsYears fundedLast
Independent Arts and MediaSan Francisco, CA$625,0002142024
Immigration Institute of the Bay AreaSan Francisco, CA$517,000332023
Social Good Fund IncRichmond, CA$515,0001342024
Intersection for the ArtsSan Francisco, CA$503,9003842024
Life Learning AcademyOakland, CA$400,000442024
Youth Law CenterSan Francisco, CA$400,000442024
Young Women's Freedom CenterSan Francisco, CA$385,000542024
Movement Strategy CenterOakland, CA$360,000742024
Safe & SoundRichmond, CA$350,000542024
Monument ImpactConcord, CA$345,000842024
W Haywood Burns InstituteOakland, CA$335,000432023
Dancers GroupSan Francisco, CA$320,0003742024
National Institute for Criminal Justice ReformOakland, CA$300,000442024
Ryse IncRichmond, CA$300,000442024
Communities United for Restorative Youth JusticeOakland, CA$285,000542024
Coleman Children and Youth ServicesSan Francisco, CA$277,000442024
Chinese for Affirmative ActionSan Francisco, CA$265,000842024
Regents of the University of California San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA$250,300332024
California Youth ConnectionEmeryville, CA$250,000442024
LincolnOakland, CA$250,000442024
New Venture FundWashington, DC$250,000222022
Centro Legal De La Raza IncOakland, CA$245,000332024
Tahirih Justice CenterBrentwood, CA$240,000442024
East Bay Community FoundationOakland, CA$235,000542024
Interfaith Movement for Human IntegrityOakland, CA$235,000442024
Legal Services for Children IncSan Francisco, CA$215,000442024
Partnerships for Trauma RecoverySan Francisco, CA$215,000542024
California Collaborative for Immigrant JusticeOakland, CA$205,000332023
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa RosaSanta Rosa, CA$205,000332023
Black Organizing Project IncOakland, CA$200,000442024
East Bay Agency for ChildrenOakland, CA$200,000442024
Fresh Lifelines for Youth IncMilpitas, CA$200,000442024
Richmond Community FoundationSacramento, CA$200,000532024
Mujeres Unidas Y ActivasOakland, CA$185,000332023
National Center for Youth LawOakland, CA$185,000332024
Alliance for GirlsOakland, CA$180,000442024
Ella Baker Center for Human RightsOakland, CA$180,000442024
Regents of the University of California at BerkeleyBerkeley, CA$180,000332024
Youth AliveOakland, CA$180,000442024
Petaluma City SchoolsPetaluma, CA$175,000332023
Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Asian Law CaucusSan Francisco, CA$170,000332023
IibaSan Francisco, CA$170,000112024
Village Community Resource CenterSan Francisco, CA$170,000442024
Community Works WestOakland, CA$165,000332024
Beats Rhymes and Life IncOakland, CA$160,000332024
East Bay Children's Law Offices IncorporatedOakland, CA$160,000442024
Immigrant Legal Resource CenterSan Francisco, CA$160,000332023
Northern California GrantmakersSan Francisco, CA$160,000532023
CounterpulseSan Francisco, CA$155,0001042024
East Bay Community Law CenterBerkeley, CA$150,000332024
East Bay Family DefendersOakland, CA$150,000222022
Family Builders By AdoptionAlameda, CA$150,000332024
Flourish Agenda IncOakland, CA$150,000332023
Freedom Community Clinic IncOakland, CA$150,000332024
East Bay Sanctuary CovenantBerkeley, CA$145,000332023
Oasis Legal ServicesPacifica, CA$145,000332023
Black Arts Movement and Business District Community Development CorpOakland, CA$140,000332024
Brava for Women in the ArtsSan Francisco, CA$140,0001442024
Centro Laboral De GratonGraton, CA$140,000332023
Community InitiativesOakland, CA$140,000332023
California Immigrant Policy CenterLos Angeles, CA$135,000332023
Jewish Family and Community Services East BayBerkeley, CA$130,000332024
La Luz CenterSonoma, CA$130,000332023
American Friends Service CommitteePhiladelphia, PA$125,000432024
Hip Hop for Change IncOakland, CA$120,000332024
Immigrant Legal DefenseOakland, CA$120,000332023
Priority Africa NetworkRichmond, CA$120,000332024
UC Hastings FoundationOakland, CA$120,000332023
ArtogetherOakland, CA$110,000332024
Center for Empowered Politics Education FundSan Francisco, CA$110,000222023
East Bay Center for the Performing ArtsRichmond, CA$110,000332024
Renaissance Entrepreneurship CenterSan Francisco, CA$105,000222022
Amalgamated Charitable Foundation IncWashington, DC$100,000222024
CipcLos Angeles, CA$100,000112024
Day Worker Center of Mountain ViewMountain View, CA$100,000222022
Fierce AdvocatesRichmond, CA$100,000222024
IldOakland, CA$100,000112024
Legal Services for Prisoners With ChildrenOakland, CA$100,000112023
New Venture FundBerkeley, CA$100,000112023
Oakland Unified School DistrictSan Francisco, CA$100,000222024
Philanthropic Ventures FoundationOakland, CA$100,000222024
Theatre Bay AreaSan Francisco, CA$100,000332024
Tides FoundationSan Francisco, CA$100,000322022
Trustees University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA$100,000222024
Canal AllianceSan Rafael, CA$95,000222022
African Advocacy NetworkSan Francisco, CA$90,000222024
Because Black Is Still BeautifulOakland, CA$90,000112023
Black Cultural Zone Community Development CorporationOakland, CA$90,000322024
Internationals Network for Public SchoolsNew York, NY$90,000222022
Coastside HopeEl Granada, CA$85,000222022
Intermusic SfSan Francisco, CA$82,500742024
Californians for the ArtsSacramento, CA$80,000222024
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Oakland Dba Catholic Charities East BaOakland, CA$80,000112021
Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto IncEast Palo Alto, CA$80,000222022
Contra Costa Regional Health FoundationMartinez, CA$80,000222023
Shawl-Anderson Modern Dance CenterBerkeley, CA$80,0001042024
CcijOakland, CA$75,000112024
Mission Asset FundSan Francisco, CA$75,000112021
The Dance BrigadeSan Francisco, CA$75,000742024
GcirPetaluma, CA$70,000212024
National Center for Youth LawWashington, DC$70,000112023
Tides CenterSan Francisco, CA$70,000322022
Urban Peace Movement - OaklandOakland, CA$70,000112024
Kearny Street Workshop IncSan Francisco, CA$67,500742024
California Shakespeare TheaterOrinda, CA$65,000422024
World Arts WestSan Francisco, CA$65,000532024
Asian Law CaucusSan Francisco, CA$60,000112024
Asian Pacific Islander Cultural CenterSan Francisco, CA$60,000632024
Grantmakers Concerned With Immigrants and RefugeesPetaluma, CA$60,000332023
Playwrights Foundation IncSan Francisco, CA$60,000642024
Regents of the University of California at Berkeleyextramural Funds AccountBerkeley, CA$60,000112021
Safehouse for the Performing ArtsSan Francisco, CA$60,000532024
Small Press Traffic Literary Arts CenterSan Francisco, CA$60,000332023
Asian Health ServicesOakland, CA$55,000112021
Crowded Fire Theater CompanySan Francisco, CA$55,000542024
Youth Leadership InstituteSan Francisco, CA$55,000112024
Anne Bluethenthal and DancersSan Francisco, CA$50,000542024
Asian American Women Artists AssociationSan Francisco, CA$50,000542024
Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants IncOakland, CA$50,000112023
Central American Resource CenterSan Francisco, CA$50,000112024
CeriOakland, CA$50,000112024
Children NowOakland, CA$50,000112021
IrSan Francisco, CA$50,000112024
Secure Families CollaborativeSanta Rosa, CA$50,000112022
Self Help for the ElderlySan Francisco, CA$50,000112024
Shotgun Players IncBerkeley, CA$50,000542024
University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA$50,000212021
West Contra Costa Public Education FundRichmond, CA$50,000112021
Youth Together IncOakland, CA$50,000112021
Z Space StudioSan Francisco, CA$50,000642024
SomartsSan Francisco, CA$47,500542024
Faith in Action East BayOakland, CA$45,000212022
Jess CurtisgravitySan Francisco, CA$45,000432024
Axis Dance CompanyBerkeley, CA$40,000332024
Dimensions Dance Theater IncorporatedOakland, CA$40,000432023
Fictional Artists Contemporary Theatresan Francisco (factsf)San Francisco, CA$40,000422024
Fresh Meat ProductionsSan Francisco, CA$40,000442024
Humanidad Therapy & Education ServicesSanta Rosa, CA$40,000112021
Magic Theatre IncSan Francisco, CA$40,000442024
Richmond Art CenterRichmond, CA$40,000432024
San Francisco Botanical Garden Society at Strybing ArboretumSan Francisco, CA$40,000442024
Zaccho SfSan Francisco, CA$40,000442024
Accion LatinaSan Francisco, CA$35,000432024
Bay Area Video Coalition IncSan Francisco, CA$35,000222024
Black Joy ParadeOakland, CA$35,000332024
Golden Thread ProductionsSan Francisco, CA$35,000332024
Kulintang Arts Inc (kularts)San Francisco, CA$35,000442024
Pro Arts IncOakland, CA$35,000332024
QccSan Francisco, CA$35,000412024
The Writers GrottoSan Francisco, CA$35,000422024
1951 Coffee CompanyBerkeley, CA$30,000112021
Au Co Vietnamese Cultural CenterSan Francisco, CA$30,000332024
Eastside Arts AllianceOakland, CA$30,000432023
Flyaway ProductionsSan Francisco, CA$30,000442024
Fostering Media ConnectionsLos Angeles, CA$30,000112021
Innovation Law LabPortland, OR$30,000112021
Kala InstituteBerkeley, CA$30,000222024
Kitka IncOakland, CA$30,000432024
Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu Hula HalauSan Francisco, CA$30,000332024
New Performance TraditionsSan Francisco, CA$30,000322024
Oakland Parks and Recreation FoundationOakland, CA$30,000322023
OaklashOakland, CA$30,000422024
Qcc the Center for Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Art & CultureSan Francisco, CA$30,000432023
Shipyard Trust for the ArtsSan Francisco, CA$30,000332024
The Lab SfSan Francisco, CA$30,000332023
The Litquake FoundationSan Francisco, CA$30,000442024
West Edge OperaBerkeley, CA$30,000322023
Women's Audio MissionSan Francisco, CA$30,000332024
Chinese Culture Foundation of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA$27,500322022
Alternative Theater EnsembleSan Rafael, CA$25,000322023
Aunt Lute Foundation (dba Aunt Lute Books)San Francisco, CA$25,000222023
CubacaribeSan Francisco, CA$25,000432024
Cultural OdysseySan Francisco, CA$25,000332024
Diamano Coura West African Dance CoOakland, CA$25,000432023
Fractured Atlas IncNew York, NY$25,000322024
Jamestown Community Center IncSan Francisco, CA$25,000332023
Los Cenzontles Mexican Arts CenterSan Pablo, CA$25,000222022
National Immigration ForumWashington, DC$25,000112021
Nava Dance TheatreAlamo, CA$25,000332024
Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project-QwocmapSan Francisco, CA$25,000322022
Sew Productions Inc Dba Lorraine Hansberry TheatreSan Francisco, CA$25,000332023
Vital ArtsBerkeley, CA$25,000112024
Yerba Buena Arts & EventsSan Francisco, CA$25,000222024
Audium IncSan Francisco, CA$20,000222024
Berkeley Art Center AssociationBerkeley, CA$20,000222024
Capoeira Arts FoundationBerkeley, CA$20,000222024
Clarion Performing Arts CenterSan Francisco, CA$20,000322024
Cultura Y Arte Nativa De Las AmericasSan Francisco, CA$20,000222022
Del Sol Performing Arts OrganizationSan Francisco, CA$20,000332024
Justice & Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA$20,000112021
Kultivate LabsSan Francisco, CA$20,000322024
National Center for Family Philanthropy IncWashington, DC$20,000112022
Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir IncOakland, CA$20,000222022
Parangal Dance CompanySan Francisco, CA$20,000222024
Playground IncBerkeley, CA$20,000212021
Precita Eyes MuralistsSan Francisco, CA$20,000332024
Robert Moses KinSan Francisco, CA$20,000222022
San Francisco Bay Area Theatre CompanySan Francisco, CA$20,000222024
San Francisco Mime TroupeSan Francisco, CA$20,000222022
Sierra Health Foundation Center for Health Program ManagementRichmond, CA$20,000112023
Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs IncCalabasas, CA$20,000112022
Southern ExposureSan Francisco, CA$20,000222024
The 500 Capp Street Foundation Dba David Ireland HouseSan Francisco, CA$20,000212023
TheatrefirstBerkeley, CA$20,000222023
Ubuntu Theater Project Inc Dba Oakland Theater ProjectOakland, CA$20,000222023
Westcoast Children's ClinicOakland, CA$20,000222024
American Indian Child Resource CenterOakland, CA$15,000222023
Art of the Matter Performance FoundationSan Francisco, CA$15,000222023
Bay Area Creative BacHayward, CA$15,000222023
Berkeley Symphony OrchestraBerkeley, CA$15,000222022
Colorado CollegeColorado Springs, CO$15,000222022
Community Music CenterSan Francisco, CA$15,000112024
Creative Growth IncOakland, CA$15,000112021
Destiny Arts CenterOakland, CA$15,000112022
Diaspora Arts Connection IncPleasant Hill, CA$15,000222023
Djerassi Resident Artists ProgramWoodside, CA$15,000112021
Epiphany Dance TheaterSan Francisco, CA$15,000112021
Girls GarageBerkeley, CA$15,000222024
InkboatSan Francisco, CA$15,000222023
La Pea Cultural CenterBerkeley, CA$15,000112023
Living JazzOakland, CA$15,000112021
Oakland Theater Projectoakland Ca 94612Oakland, CA$15,000112021
Oaktown Jazz WorkshopsOakland, CA$15,000222023
OnejusticeBerkeley, CA$15,000222023
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors IncNew York, NY$15,000112021
The West Oakland Health CouncilOakland, CA$15,000112022
Theatre of Yugen IncSan Francisco, CA$15,000222024
Three Girls Theatre Company IncSan Francisco, CA$15,000222023
(slash) Art FoundationSan Francisco, CA$10,000112023
Abad-Capoeira San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA$10,000112021
Api Cultural Center Inc Dba Oakland Asian Cultural CenterOakland, CA$10,000112022
Artists' Television AccessSan Francisco, CA$10,000112021
Asian Improv ArtsSan Francisco, CA$10,000112021
BandaloopOakland, CA$10,000222024
Bay Area Mural Program IncOakland, CA$10,000112023
Booker T Washington Community Service CenterSan Francisco, CA$10,000112024
California Symphony Orchestra IncWalnut Creek, CA$10,000112023
Cartoon Art Museum of CaliforniaSan Francisco, CA$10,000112021
Central StageRichmond, CA$10,000112023
Chhandam Chitresh Das Dance Company Dba Leela InstituteSan Francisco, CA$10,000112021
Chinese Historical Society of AmericaSan Francisco, CA$10,000222024
Circo ZeroSan Francisco, CA$10,000112024
Corporation of the Fine Arts MuseumsSan Francisco, CA$10,000442024
Cutting Ball TheaterSan Francisco, CA$10,000112021
Dance ElixirOakland, CA$10,000112021
Drag Story HourSan Francisco, CA$10,000112023
El Campanil Theatre Preservation FoundationAntioch, CA$10,000112022
Filipino American Development FoundationSan Francisco, CA$10,000112021
Foglifter PressSan Francisco, CA$10,000222024
Fresh Meat Productionssan Francisco Ca 94131San Francisco, CA$10,000112021

190 of 339 (56%) 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 62%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. 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 719 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.

Arts & Culture
410 grants
Human Services
64 grants
Philanthropy & Grantmaking
36 grants
Education
33 grants
Crime & Legal
28 grants
Community Improvement
24 grants
Civil Rights
24 grants
Youth Development
21 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
2021224$5,553,900$10,000
2022214$5,774,300$10,000
2023239$6,092,500$10,000
2024224$5,995,000$10,000

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. The Zellerbach Family Foundation has 37 of them, worth $3,339,000. 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
Immigration Institute of the Bay AreaSan Francisco, CA$340,000
Life Learning AcademySan Francisco, CA$200,000
Youth Law CenterSan Francisco, CA$200,000
IldOakland, CA$175,000
IibaSan Francisco, CA$170,000
CuryjOakland, CA$150,000
Ryse IncRichmond, CA$150,000
Regents University of Ca at BerkeleyBerkeley, CA$120,000
W Haywood Burns InstituteOakland, CA$119,000
Oakland Unified School DistrictOakland, CA$100,000
Life Learning AcademySan Francisco, CA$100,000
GcirPetaluma, CA$100,000
Urban Peace Movement - OaklandOakland, CA$100,000
New Venture FundWashington, DC$100,000
CuryjOakland, CA$75,000

Where its money goes

Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 96% 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
$22.5M
District of Columbia
$465K
Pennsylvania
$225K
New York
$130K
Oregon
$30K
Colorado
$15K
Maryland
$5K

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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.

American Online Giving Foundation Inc159 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc150 shared recipientsFidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund146 shared recipientsThe San Francisco Foundation135 shared recipientsEast Bay Community Foundation110 shared recipientsSilicon Valley Community Foundation98 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $10,000. 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 arts & culture in CaliforniaEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding human services in CaliforniaEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding education in CaliforniaEvery funder in this group, ranked

Where these numbers come from

Everything above is taken from The Zellerbach Family 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: 455 Market St Suite 2200, San Francisco, CA, 94105. 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 94-6069482 · 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.