Cottonwood Spring
Preselected recipients only
Cottonwood Spring is a private foundation in Santa Cruz, California. In tax year 2025 it gave $700,000 in 25 grants; the typical grant was $30,000 and the largest $35,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$700,000
- Number of grants25
- Typical grant$30,000
- Largest grant$35,000
- Assets$15.1 million
- New grantees20%
Giving in 2025 was up from $650,000 the year before.
20% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $520,000 | 21 | $12.3 million |
| 2024 | $650,000 | 22 | $13.2 million |
| 2025 | $700,000 | 25 | $15.1 million |
How to apply
Cottonwood Spring says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Cottonwood Spring funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 6 states, the most to California. It also paid $55,000 in 2 grants to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 9 | $290,000 |
| District of Columbia | 8 | $210,000 |
| New York | 3 | $70,000 |
| Delaware | 1 | $25,000 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $25,000 |
| Maryland | 1 | $25,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Legal Defense Fund | General support | $35,000 |
| Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County Inc | General support | $35,000 |
| Housing Matters | General support | $35,000 |
| United Way of Santa Cruz County | General support | $35,000 |
| Santa Cruz Welcoming Network | General Support | $35,000 |
| Amah Mutsun Land Trust | General support | $30,000 |
| Animal Outlook | General support | $30,000 |
| Committee to Protect Journalists Inc | General support | $30,000 |
| Global Change Data Lab | General support | $30,000 |
| Institute for Policy Studies | General support | $30,000 |
| Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy | General support | $30,000 |
| Land Trust of Santa Cruz County | General support | $30,000 |
| Wikimedia Foundation Inc | General support | $30,000 |
| Housing Santa Cruz County | General Support | $30,000 |
| Building Decarbonization Coalition | General support | $25,000 |
| Center for Carbon Removal | General support | $25,000 |
| Ifex | General support | $25,000 |
| National Trust for Local News | General support | $25,000 |
| PolicyLink | General support | $25,000 |
| The Humane League | General support | $25,000 |
| Global Investigative Journalism Network | General Support | $25,000 |
| Global Press Institute | General support | $20,000 |
| Leadership Conference Education Fund | General support | $20,000 |
| Brennan Center for Justice | General support | $20,000 |
| ACLU Foundation | General Support | $20,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Weston Arthur Hermann
- Yael Kisel
Questions people ask
Does Cottonwood Spring accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Cottonwood Spring give?
$700,000 in tax year 2025, across 25 grants, with a typical grant of $30,000.
Who runs Cottonwood Spring?
Its 2025 filing lists Weston Arthur Hermann (Sec., Treas.) and Yael Kisel (President).
What does Cottonwood Spring fund?
Based on its grants, mainly international, animals and housing and homelessness.