The Christensen Fund
Accepts applications
The Christensen Fund is a private foundation in San Francisco, California. In tax year 2024 it gave $13.7 million in 134 grants; the typical grant was $76,125 and the largest $350,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$13.7 million
- Number of grants134
- Typical grant$76,125
- Largest grant$350,000
- Assets$354 million
- New grantees52%
Giving in 2024 was up from $13.1 million the year before.
52% of its 2024 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 | $13.1 million | 150 | $343 million |
| 2024 | $13.7 million | 134 | $354 million |
How to apply
| Contact | An Email Should Be Electronically S Address Wwwchristensenfundorg, San Francisco, CA 94107 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (415) 644-1620 |
| What to submit | Prospective grantees are invited to submit full proposals electronically (pre-grant inquiry). The information to be included, not limited to: identity, contact information, tax status, registration and governing documents, financial statements, key officers and major funders, organizational background, governance, key priorities, activities, and practices of the organization. A detailed project purpose, project description, budget, activities, timeline, and anticipated results are required for grants over which the christensen fund exercised expenditure responsibility. |
| Deadlines | See below |
| Restrictions | No restrictions |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Christensen Fund funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 17 states, the most to Arizona. It also paid $8.8 million in 70 grants to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 5 | $885,000 |
| District of Columbia | 8 | $677,250 |
| California | 20 | $605,000 |
| New York | 7 | $409,650 |
| Washington | 4 | $363,000 |
| Maine | 1 | $350,000 |
| Colorado | 5 | $322,250 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $250,000 |
| Oklahoma | 1 | $250,000 |
| Texas | 2 | $153,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs | General support | $350,000 |
| Indigenous Peoples Rights Inc | General support | $350,000 |
| Snowchange Cooperative | General support | $325,000 |
| Rudolf Steiner Foundation DBA RSF Social Finance | Support for the pawanka fund | $300,000 |
| Center for Research and Development in Drylands | General support | $300,000 |
| Rights and Resources Institute Inc | General support | $300,000 |
| Drylands Learning and Capacity Building Initiatives | Genral support | $280,000 |
| Forest Peoples Programme | General support | $260,000 |
| Indigenous Movement for Peace Advancement and Conflict Transformation | General support | $260,000 |
| Rainforest Foundation Inc | Core support for the global alliance of territorial communities -- a fiscally sponsored project of the rainforest foundation, inc. | $250,000 |
| Cultural Survival | General support | $250,000 |
| International Indian Treaty Council | General support | $250,000 |
| International Indian Treaty Council | Support to engage with the united nations environment programme (unep) | $250,000 |
| International Indigenous Women's Forum | General support | $250,000 |
| International Land and Forest Tenure Facility | General support | $250,000 |
| Native Americans in Philanthropy | Support for the tribal community vision partnership | $250,000 |
| Fondo Defensores Ac | General support | $250,000 |
| Illuminative Inc | General support | $250,000 |
| Tebtebba Foundation Inc | General support | $250,000 |
| Samburu Women Trust | General support | $240,000 |
| Pastoralist Women for Health and Education | General support | $230,000 |
| Law College Association of the University of Arizona | Support for the united nations special rapporteur | $225,000 |
| The Pastoralists Indigenous Non Governmental Organization's Forum (Pingo's) | General support | $220,000 |
| Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact Foundation | General support | $200,000 |
| Kivulini Trust | General support | $200,000 |
| Legal Advice Centre | General support | $200,000 |
| Namati Inc | General support | $200,000 |
| Reseau Des Populations Autochtones Et Locales Pour la Gestion Durable Des E | General support | $200,000 |
| Alliance for A Just Society | Support for native organizers alliance -- a fiscally sponsored project of the alliance for a just society | $200,000 |
| Solidaritas Masyarakat Adat Asia | General support | $170,000 |
| Ogiek Peoples' Development Program | General support | $160,000 |
| Friends of Lake Turkana Trust | General support | $160,000 |
| Alliance for A Just Society | Support for native organizers alliance -- a fiscally-sponsored project of alliance for a just society | $150,000 |
| Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara | General support | $150,000 |
| Colorado Plateau Foundation | General support | $150,000 |
| Denver Art Museum Inc | Core support for an art program | $150,000 |
| Dynamique Des Groupes de Peuples Autochtones | General support | $150,000 |
| International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs | To enhance participation in united nations human rights processes | $150,000 |
| Rewild | Support for initiatives in latin america | $150,000 |
| Resource Conflict Institute | General support | $150,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Diane Christensen
- Nicole Pierret
- Michael Christensen-Calvin
- Aletha Coleman
- Nichole Maher
- Christine Smith-Martin
- Phillippe Wallace
- Lisa Hendrickson
- Joan Carling
- Vicky Tauli-Corpuz
- Ikal Angelei
- Terri Henry
- Carla Fredericks
- Matt Aguiar
Questions people ask
Does The Christensen Fund accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: See below.
How much does The Christensen Fund give?
$13.7 million in tax year 2024, across 134 grants, with a typical grant of $76,125.
Who runs The Christensen Fund?
Its 2024 filing lists Diane Christensen (President), Nicole Pierret (Trustee), Michael Christensen-Calvin (Treasurer) and Aletha Coleman (Trustee) among 14 officers and trustees.
What does The Christensen Fund fund?
Based on its grants, mainly international, environment and conservation and education.