The Rock Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Rock Foundation is a private foundation in San Francisco, California. In tax year 2025 it gave $3.7 million in 47 grants; the typical grant was $20,000 and the largest $1.0 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$3.7 million
- Number of grants47
- Typical grant$20,000
- Largest grant$1.0 million
- Assets$60.3 million
- New grantees21%
Giving in 2025 was up from $2.8 million the year before.
21% 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 | $2.0 million | 74 | $54.5 million |
| 2024 | $2.8 million | 69 | $58.8 million |
| 2025 | $3.7 million | 47 | $60.3 million |
How to apply
The Rock 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 The Rock Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 7 states, the most to California.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 34 | $2.6 million |
| New York | 6 | $885,000 |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $55,000 |
| Illinois | 2 | $50,500 |
| Washington | 1 | $50,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $5,000 |
| Oregon | 1 | $1,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund | Charitable | $1.0 million |
| Syracuse University | Charitable | $500,000 |
| Meals on Wheels of San Francisco | Charitable | $400,000 |
| Human Rights First | Charitable | $300,000 |
| Kqed | Charitable | $130,000 |
| Commonwealth Club of Ca | Charitable | $125,000 |
| Go Public Schools | Charitable | $100,000 |
| Jewish Vocational & Career Counseling | Charitable | $100,000 |
| TNDC - (Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation) | Charitable | $100,000 |
| United Way Bay Area | Charitable | $100,000 |
| Arcs Foundation Scholarship(achievement Rewards for College Scientists) | Charitable | $75,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco | Charitable | $75,000 |
| Oakland School for the Arts | Educational | $75,000 |
| Clinic by the Bay (Volunteers in Medicine - San Francisco) | Charitable | $50,000 |
| Feeding America | Charitable | $50,000 |
| National Public Radio | Charitable | $50,000 |
| San Francisco Museum of Modern Art | Charitable | $50,000 |
| Theatre Communications Group Inc | Charitable | $50,000 |
| University of Washington Law School | Education | $50,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area | Charitable | $25,000 |
| California Academy of Sciences | Charitable | $25,000 |
| Glide Memorial (Glide Foundation) | Charitable | $25,000 |
| San Francisco Free Clinic | Charitable | $25,000 |
| Litquake Foundation | Charitable | $20,000 |
| Nfte Bay Area (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship) | Educational | $20,000 |
| Rebuilding Together | Charitable | $15,000 |
| Caltech (California Institute of Technology) | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Computer History Museum | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy | Charitable | $10,000 |
| National AIDS Memorial | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Students Rising Above | Educational | $10,000 |
| UNICEF (United States Fund for UNICEF) | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Asian Art Museum Foundation of San Francisco | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Children's Creativity Museum | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Community Music Center | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Compassion & Choices | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Fine Arts Museum | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Friends & Foundation of the San Francisco Public Library | Charitable | $5,000 |
| J Street Education Fund | Educational | $5,000 |
| KDFC | Charitable | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Arthur Rock
- Julie A Divola
Questions people ask
Does The Rock Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Rock Foundation give?
$3.7 million in tax year 2025, across 47 grants, with a typical grant of $20,000.
Who runs The Rock Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Arthur Rock (Pres/Director) and Julie A Divola (Cfo/Sec/Director).
What does The Rock Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, food and hunger and arts and culture.