Walter S Johnson Foundation
Historical FunderSan Francisco, California · EIN 23-7003595 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2024)$5.3M
Organizations funded53
Typical grant$75,000
Total assets$133.4M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $10,000 and $150,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | ASHLEY FONTANETTA |
|---|---|
| Address | 505 MONTGOMERY ST STE 1200, SAN FRANCISCO CA 94111 |
| Phone | 6264033288 |
| Form and materials | THE FOUNDATION REQUESTS THAT APPLICANTS SUBMIT A NARRATIVE PROPOSAL WHICH DESCRIBES THE NEED TO BE ADDRESSED; THE METHOD OF OPERATION, GOALS & ANTICIPATED RESULTS OF THE PROJECT; BACKGROUND & DESCRIPTION OF THE SPONSORING AGENCY; THE TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET, OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING & AMOUNT REQUESTED; COPY OF FEDERAL RULING LETTER GRANTING TAX EXEMPTION & PUBLIC CHARITY STATUS. THE FOUNDATION HAS FOUR GRANTMAKING CYCLES PER YEAR. DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF FULL PROPOSAL IS APPROXIMATELY 12 WEEKS BEFORE THE BOARD MEETING AT WHICH THE PROPOSAL IS TO BE CONSIDERED. APPLICANTS ARE URGED TO CALL OR SUBMIT A BRIEF INITIAL INQUIRY SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE THE APPLICATION DEADLINE TO ALLOW ADEQUATE TIME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FULL PROPOSAL. |
| Deadlines | 12 WEEKS BEFORE THE BOARD MEETING THAT THE PROPOSAL IS TO BE CONSIDERED. |
| Restrictions | AREAS OF INTEREST-THE FOUNDATION SEEKS TO ASSIST DISADVANTAGED AND TRANSITION-AGED FOSTER YOUTH TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL ADULTS BY PROMOTING POSITIVE CHANGE TO THE POLICIES AND SYSTEMS THAT SERVE THEM AND SUPPORTING HIGH IMPACT AND PROMISING PRACTICES. THE PRIORITY AREAS ARE, PROVISION OF SUPPORTING SERVICES AND PROMOTION OF SUCCESS IN COLLEGE AND CAREER. GRANT RANGE - NOT MORE THAN 1/3 OF AN ORGANIZATION'S BUDGET. LIMITATIONS - THE FOUNDATION DOES NOT MAKE GRANTS TO INDIVIDUALS, RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS FOR SECTARIAN PURPOSES, SCHOLARSHIPS, MEMORIAL CAMPAIGNS, ENDOWMENT DRIVES, CAPITAL OR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, OR DEFICIT FUNDING. GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS SERVED - NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND WASHOE AND CLARK COUNTIES, NEVADA. |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Project Fund Daf | San Francisco, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $588,000 |
| American Bar Association Fund for Justice in Education | Washington DC, DC | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $300,000 |
| California College Pathways Pooled Fund | Kansas City, MO | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $300,000 |
| Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc (Fund for Education Success) | Washington DC, DC | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $250,000 |
| Lutheran Social Services of Northern Ca | Concord, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $225,000 |
| Ifoster | Truckee, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $200,000 |
| Nevada System of Higher Education | Las Vegas, NV | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $200,000 |
| New Ways to Work Inc | Montebello, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $200,000 |
| School House Connection | Washington DC, DC | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $200,000 |
| John Burton Advocates for Youth | San Francisco, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $170,000 |
| Foster Kinship | North Las Vegas, NV | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $150,000 |
| University of Nevada Las Vegas Foundation | Las Vegas, NV | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $150,000 |
| Children's Advocacy Alliance of Nv | Las Vegas, NV | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $150,000 |
| Make It Home | San Rafael, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $150,000 |
| Civicorps Schools | Oakland, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $150,000 |
| Foundation for California Community Colleges | Sacramento, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $140,000 |
| Parents by Choice | Stockton, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $125,000 |
| A Home Within | Oakland, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $100,000 |
| Aspiranet | South San Francisco, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $100,000 |
| First Star Inc | Los Angeles, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $100,000 |
| Soar for Youth | Berkeley, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $100,000 |
| University of Nevada Reno | Reno, NV | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $100,000 |
| Ca Local Conservation Corps | Los Angeles, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $100,000 |
| UC Berkeley (Child Welfare Indicators Project) | Berkeley, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $100,000 |
| Eddy House | Reno, NV | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $100,000 |
| National Foster Youth Institute | Washington DC, DC | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $80,000 |
| Truckee Meadow Community College Foundaton | Reno, NV | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $75,000 |
| Boosted Diplomas | Reno, NV | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $75,000 |
| National Center for Youth Law | Oakland, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $75,000 |
| Olive Crest | Las Vegas, NV | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $75,000 |
| East Bay Community Law Center | Berkeley, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $75,000 |
| Alliance for Community Advocacy | Oakland, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $75,000 |
| Public Works Alliance | Santa Barbara, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $75,000 |
| Ca Homeless Youth Project | Sacramento, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $50,000 |
| Youth Forward | Sacramento, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $50,000 |
| Bronco Bench Foundation | Santa Clara, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $20,000 |
| Open Medicine Foundation | Agoura Hills, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $20,000 |
| San Francisco Recreation & Parks | San Francisco, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $12,000 |
| Ettie Lee Youth & Family Services | Baldwin Park, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $10,000 |
| Indian River Soccer Association Inc | Vero Beach, FL | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $10,000 |
| Kid in the Corner | Scottsdale, AZ | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $10,000 |
| New Haven Tennis Outreachyale University | New Haven, CT | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $10,000 |
| The Open Window School | Bellevue, WA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $10,000 |
| Washoe County School District | Reno, NV | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $10,000 |
| Palm Harbor University High School Center for Wellness & Medical | Palm Harber, FL | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $10,000 |
| Childcare Resources | Vero Beach, FL | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $10,000 |
| San Francisco Friends School | San Francisco, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $10,000 |
| Community Food Bank Inc | Tucson, AZ | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $10,000 |
| Friends of Maypearl | Maypearl, TX | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $10,000 |
| Corvallis Homeless Shelter Coalition | Corvallis, OR | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $5,000 |
| Hutto Resource Center | Hutto, TX | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $5,000 |
| Linn-Benton Community College Foundation | Albany, OR | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $5,000 |
| Pop Up Birthday | Austin, TX | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $5,000 |
Grants approved for future payment
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| California College Pathways Pooled Fund | Kansas City, MO | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $300,000 |
| Ifoster | Truckee, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $200,000 |
| New Ways to Work Inc | Montebello, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $200,000 |
| Foundation for California Community Colleges | Sacramento, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $140,000 |
| Lutheran Social Services of Northern Ca | Concord, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $125,000 |
| Parents by Choice | Stockton, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $125,000 |
| A Home Within | Oakland, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $100,000 |
| Aspiranet | South San Francisco, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $100,000 |
| Eddy House | Reno, NV | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $100,000 |
| National Foster Youth Institute | Washington DC, DC | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $80,000 |
| Boosted Diplomas | Reno, NV | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $75,000 |
| National Center for Youth Law | Oakland, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $75,000 |
| East Bay Community Law Center | Berkeley, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $75,000 |
| Civicorps Schools | Oakland, CA | To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults. | $50,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,335,000 | 67 |
| 2023 | $5,190,000 | 64 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 13, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202533179349101543
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 23-7003595
- 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.