Oberndorf Family Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Oberndorf Family Foundation is a private foundation in San Francisco, California. In tax year 2025 it gave $21.2 million in 52 grants; the typical grant was $45,000 and the largest $7.5 million. 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$21.2 million
- Number of grants52
- Typical grant$45,000
- Largest grant$7.5 million
- Assets$74.5 million
- New grantees65%
Giving in 2025 was up from $14.7 million the year before.
65% 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 | $18.9 million | 60 | $96.6 million |
| 2024 | $14.7 million | 60 | $92.0 million |
| 2025 | $21.2 million | 52 | $74.5 million |
How to apply
Oberndorf Family Foundation 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 Oberndorf Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 13 states, the most to California.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 33 | $12.1 million |
| Texas | 1 | $7.5 million |
| New Jersey | 1 | $500,000 |
| New York | 4 | $315,000 |
| Connecticut | 1 | $250,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $250,000 |
| Ohio | 1 | $100,000 |
| District of Columbia | 4 | $75,000 |
| Massachusetts | 2 | $51,000 |
| Missouri | 1 | $25,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Federation for Children Growth Fund | General charity | $7.5 million |
| UCSF (Chancellor Circle Challenge) | General charity | $5.0 million |
| University of California SF Foundation (Department of Neurology) | General charity | $1.7 million |
| Enviromental Defense Fund | General charity | $1.0 million |
| California Academy of Sciences | General charity | $1.0 million |
| Edgewood Center for Children and Families | General charity | $1.0 million |
| Neighbors for A Better San Francisco | General charity | $500,000 |
| Stanford University (Dept of Otolaryngology ) | General charity | $500,000 |
| St Benedicts Preparatory School Inc | General charity | $500,000 |
| Save the Children | General charity | $250,000 |
| Balanced Budget Now | General charity | $250,000 |
| Dish SF (Delivering Innovation in Supportive Housing) | General charity | $250,000 |
| Education Reform Now | General charity | $250,000 |
| Spark SF Public Schools | General charity | $175,000 |
| Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation | General charity | $100,000 |
| Salvation Army | General charity | $100,000 |
| San Francisco Marin Food Bank | General charity | $100,000 |
| University School | General charity | $100,000 |
| Ica Cristo Rey | General charity | $100,000 |
| San Francisco Symphony | General charity | $100,000 |
| Tipping Point | General charity | $100,000 |
| Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund | General charity | $50,000 |
| UCLA Foundation | General charity | $50,000 |
| Williams College Alumni Fund (Class of 1975) | General charity | $50,000 |
| St Vincent de Paul Society San Francisco | General charity | $50,000 |
| UCSF ( Future of the Brain Summit) | General charity | $50,000 |
| Cathedral School for Boys | General charity | $40,000 |
| American Enterprise Institute | General charity | $25,000 |
| San Francisco Education Fund | General charity | $25,000 |
| Success Academy Charter Schools | General charity | $25,000 |
| Common Sense Media | General charity | $25,000 |
| Institute for Excellence in Education | General charity | $25,000 |
| Leadership Roundtable Inc | General charity | $25,000 |
| Manhattan Institute for Policy Research | General charity | $25,000 |
| UCSF (Cardiology Council) | General charity | $25,000 |
| Wildfire Foundation | General charity | $25,000 |
| San Francisco Museum of Modern Art | General charity | $20,000 |
| Aspen Institute | General charity | $15,000 |
| Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | General charity | $15,000 |
| Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco | General charity | $10,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Susan C Oberndorf
- William E Oberndorf
Questions people ask
Does Oberndorf Family Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Oberndorf Family Foundation give?
$21.2 million in tax year 2025, across 52 grants, with a typical grant of $45,000.
Who runs Oberndorf Family Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Susan C Oberndorf (President) and William E Oberndorf (Secretary).
What does Oberndorf Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly youth programs, education and human services.