Kelson Foundation
Invitation OnlySan Francisco, California · EIN 81-3588323 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$8.2M
Organizations funded65
Typical grant$50,000
Total assets$149M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $10,000 and $200,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2024 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
50% of grants went outside California.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middlebury College | Middlebury, VT | The elizabeth hackett robinson 84 innovation hub endowed fund | $1,000,000 |
| Amalgamated Charitable Foundation | Washington, DC | General support to the democracy frontlines fund | $500,000 |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | General support to gw school of law multi-racial democracy project | $500,000 |
| Neo Philanthropy Inc | New York, NY | General support to more equitable democracy | $500,000 |
| Protect Democracy Project | Washington, DC | General support | $500,000 |
| Representwomen Inc | Silver Spring, MD | General support | $300,000 |
| Vote Mama Foundation Inc | Amityville, NY | General support | $300,000 |
| Vote Run Lead | Hartsdale, NY | General support | $300,000 |
| Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | General support to mggg redistricting lab | $250,000 |
| President and Fellows of Harvard College | Cambridge, MA | To the harvard law school election law clinic for efforts aimed at advancing prison reform | $250,000 |
| Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship | Quincy, CA | General support | $250,000 |
| The Education Trust | Washington, DC | General support | $200,000 |
| Educators for Excellence | New York, NY | General support | $200,000 |
| Learning Policy Institute | Palo Alto, CA | General support | $200,000 |
| New Venture Fund | Burbank, CA | General support to early edge california | $200,000 |
| Panorama Global | Seattle, WA | For the the ascend fund | $200,000 |
| Public Counsel | Los Angeles, CA | To work on education | $200,000 |
| Rutgers University Foundation | New Brunswick, NJ | General support to national institute for early education research | $200,000 |
| Teach Plus Incorporated | Boston, MA | General support | $200,000 |
| University of Washington | Seattle, WA | For the center for district innovation and leadership in early education | $200,000 |
| Running Start | Washington, DC | General support | $150,000 |
| Rutgers University Foundation | New Brunswick, NJ | General support to center for american women and politics | $150,000 |
| Center for Furniture Craftsmanship | Rockport, ME | General support | $100,000 |
| Givethx | Greenbrae, CA | General support | $100,000 |
| Neo Philanthropy | New York, NY | To democracy rising for efforts to support women leaders | $100,000 |
| Prx Incorporated | Cambridge, MA | General support | $100,000 |
| Transportation Alternatives Inc | New York, NY | General support | $100,000 |
| Youth Employment Partnership Inc | Oakland, CA | General support | $100,000 |
| Northern California High School Cycling League | Petaluma, CA | Northern california high school program | $60,000 |
| Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence | Washington, DC | General support | $50,000 |
| California Trails Foundation | Forestville, CA | General support | $50,000 |
| The Crucible | Oakland, CA | General support | $50,000 |
| Donorschoose Org | New York, NY | General support | $50,000 |
| Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence | Washinton, DC | General support | $50,000 |
| Girls Garage | Berkeley, CA | General support | $50,000 |
| Ideoorg | San Francisco, CA | General support | $50,000 |
| Make the Road New York | Brooklyn, NY | General support | $50,000 |
| The Nea Foundation | Washington, DC | General support | $50,000 |
| Reading Partners | Oakland, CA | General support | $50,000 |
| Room to Read | San Francisco, CA | General support | $50,000 |
| Glide Foundation | San Francisco, CA | General support | $25,000 |
| Hamilton Families | San Francisco, CA | General support | $25,000 |
| Healthright 360 | San Francisco, CA | General support | $25,000 |
| Kelly S Brush Foundation | Burlington, VT | General support | $25,000 |
| Be Good Foundation Inc | Ketchum, ID | General support | $12,500 |
| Community Initiatives | Oakland, CA | General support to latino outdoors | $10,000 |
| Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums | San Francisco, CA | De young museum | $10,000 |
| The Exploratorium | San Francisco, CA | General support | $10,000 |
| Marin Agricultural Land Trust | Pt Reyes Station, CA | General support | $10,000 |
| Museum of Craft and Design | San Francisco, CA | General support | $10,000 |
| National Public Radio Inc | Baltimore, MD | General support | $10,000 |
| Outdoor Afro | Oakland, CA | General support | $10,000 |
| San Francisco Museum of Modern Art | San Francisco, CA | General support | $10,000 |
| Soma West Community Benefit District | San Francisco, CA | General support | $10,000 |
| World Bicycle Relief | Chicago, IL | General support | $10,000 |
| Call of the Sea | Sausalito, CA | General support | $5,000 |
| Friends of Alta Inc | Alta, UT | General support | $5,000 |
| Friends of China Camp Inc | San Rafael, CA | General support | $5,000 |
| Marin County Bicycle Coalition | Fairfax, CA | General support | $5,000 |
| San Francisco Bicycle Coalition Education Fund | San Francisco, CA | General support | $5,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 65 grants to organizations.
Grants approved for future payment
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room to Read | San Francisco, CA | General support | $50,000 |
| The Andrew K Dwyer Foundation | Bedford, NY | General support | $5,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $8,218,500 | 67 |
| 2023 | $8,700,000 | 97 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 13, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202513179349103806
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 81-3588323
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.