Geomar Foundation Inc
Preselected recipients only
Geomar Foundation Inc is a private foundation in Berkeley, California. In tax year 2025 it gave $418,500 in 40 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $110,000. 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$418,500
- Number of grants40
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$110,000
- Assets$2.0 million
- New grantees48%
Giving in 2025 was up from $357,000 the year before.
48% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $339,000 | 38 | $2.2 million |
| 2024 | $357,000 | 40 | $2.1 million |
| 2025 | $418,500 | 40 | $2.0 million |
How to apply
Geomar Foundation Inc 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.
What Geomar Foundation Inc funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 12 states, the most to California.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 16 | $170,000 |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $120,000 |
| New York | 12 | $60,000 |
| Minnesota | 1 | $15,000 |
| Maryland | 2 | $14,000 |
| Florida | 1 | $10,000 |
| Kentucky | 1 | $10,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $5,000 |
| Vermont | 1 | $5,000 |
| Washington | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| World Food Program USA | General support | $110,000 |
| Bar Harbor Music Festival | General support | $25,000 |
| Alameda County Food Bank | General support | $20,000 |
| Regents of the University of California Udar | General support | $20,000 |
| Peninsula Committee Childrens Hospital | General support | $20,000 |
| International Rescue Committee | General support | $15,000 |
| Providence Little Company of Mary Foundation | General support | $15,000 |
| South Coast Botanic Garden | General support | $12,500 |
| Anderson Valley Education Foundation | General support | $10,000 |
| Anderson Valley Food Bank | General support | $10,000 |
| Bone Marrow and Cancer Foundation | General support | $10,000 |
| Brooke USA | General support | $10,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders | General support | $10,000 |
| Georgetown University Medical School | General support | $10,000 |
| Just World Intl | General support | $10,000 |
| Manes for Movement | General support | $10,000 |
| Nature in the City | General support | $10,000 |
| Raphael House | General support | $10,000 |
| San Francisco Richmond District YMCA | General support | $10,000 |
| Anderson Valley Senior Center | General support | $5,000 |
| Career Girls | General support | $5,000 |
| Community Foundation of Mendocino County | General support | $5,000 |
| Fistula Foundation | General support | $5,000 |
| Food Bank for NYC | General support | $5,000 |
| Low Income Housing Initiative | General support | $5,000 |
| Seeds of Peace | General support | $5,000 |
| Womans Way | General support | $5,000 |
| Dream Project | General support | $5,000 |
| Partners in Health | General support | $4,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of la Harbor | General support | $2,500 |
| Wounded Warrior Project | General support | $2,500 |
| Abundant Waters | General support | $2,000 |
| Archdiocese of New York Renew and Rebuild | General support | $2,000 |
| ASPCA | General support | $2,000 |
| Catholic Charities | General support | $2,000 |
| Columbia University Dept of Opthamology | General support | $2,000 |
| Convent of the Sacred Heart | General support | $2,000 |
| Regis High School | General support | $2,000 |
| Smith College | General support | $2,000 |
| Bard Graduate Center | General support | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- George T Scharffenberger Jr
- Ann Scharffenberger
- Joan Scharffenberger
- John Scharffenberger
- Thomas Scharffenberger
- James Scharffenberger
Questions people ask
Does Geomar Foundation Inc accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Geomar Foundation Inc give?
$418,500 in tax year 2025, across 40 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs Geomar Foundation Inc?
Its 2025 filing lists George T Scharffenberger Jr (President), Ann Scharffenberger (Secretary), Joan Scharffenberger (Treasurer) and John Scharffenberger (Board Member) among 6 officers and trustees.
What does Geomar Foundation Inc fund?
Based on its grants, mainly food and hunger, education and health.