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Foundations / California

Walter S Johnson Foundation

Accepts applications San Francisco, California · EIN 237003595

Walter S Johnson Foundation is a private foundation in San Francisco, California. In tax year 2024 it gave $5.8 million in 53 grants; the typical grant was $75,000 and the largest $588,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.

Giving in 2024 was up from $4.1 million the year before.

42% 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 yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$4.1 million53$127 million
2024$5.8 million53$133 million

How to apply

ContactAshley Fontanetta
505 Montgomery St Ste 1200, San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone or email(626) 403-3288
What to submitThe foundation requests that applicants submit a narrative proposal which describes the need to be addressed; the method of operation, goals & anticipated results of the project; background & description of the sponsoring agency; the total project budget, other sources of funding & amount requested; copy of federal ruling letter granting tax exemption & public charity status. The foundation has four grantmaking cycles per year. Deadline for receipt of full proposal is approximately 12 weeks before the board meeting at which the proposal is to be considered. Applicants are urged to call or submit a brief initial inquiry several weeks before the application deadline to allow adequate time for the development of a full proposal.
Deadlines12 weeks before the board meeting that the proposal is to be considered.
RestrictionsAreas of interest-the foundation seeks to assist disadvantaged and transition-aged foster youth to become successful adults by promoting positive change to the policies and systems that serve them and supporting high impact and promising practices. The priority areas are, provision of supporting services and promotion of success in college and career. Grant range - not more than 1/3 of an organization's budget. Limitations - the foundation does not make grants to individuals, religious organizations for sectarian purposes, scholarships, memorial campaigns, endowment drives, capital or construction projects, or deficit funding. Geographical areas served - northern California and washoe and clark counties, Nevada.

As written in the foundation's IRS filing for tax year 2024. Details may have changed since.

Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica

What Walter S Johnson Foundation funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 10 states, the most to California.

StateGrantsAmount
California26$3.0 million
Nevada10$1.1 million
District of Columbia4$830,000
Missouri1$300,000
Florida3$30,000
Texas3$20,000
Arizona2$20,000
Oregon2$10,000
Connecticut1$10,000
Washington1$10,000

Grants paid in 2024

The 40 largest of 53 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
Special Project Fund Daf
San Francisco, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$588,000
American Bar Association Fund for Justice in Education
Washington DC, DC
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$300,000
California College Pathways Pooled Fund
Kansas City, MO
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$300,000
Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc (Fund for Education Success)
Washington DC, DC
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$250,000
Lutheran Social Services of Northern Ca
Concord, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$225,000
Ifoster
Truckee, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$200,000
Nevada System of Higher Education
Las Vegas, NV
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$200,000
New Ways to Work Inc
Montebello, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$200,000
School House Connection
Washington DC, DC
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$200,000
John Burton Advocates for Youth
San Francisco, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$170,000
Foster Kinship
North Las Vegas, NV
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$150,000
University of Nevada Las Vegas Foundation
Las Vegas, NV
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$150,000
Children's Advocacy Alliance of NV
Las Vegas, NV
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$150,000
Make It Home
San Rafael, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$150,000
Civicorps Schools
Oakland, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$150,000
Foundation for California Community Colleges
Sacramento, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$140,000
Parents by Choice
Stockton, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$125,000
A Home Within
Oakland, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$100,000
Aspiranet
South San Francisco, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$100,000
First Star Inc
Los Angeles, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$100,000
Soar for Youth
Berkeley, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$100,000
University of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$100,000
Ca Local Conservation Corps
Los Angeles, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$100,000
Uc Berkeley (Child Welfare Indicators Project)
Berkeley, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$100,000
Eddy House
Reno, NV
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$100,000
National Foster Youth Institute
Washington DC, DC
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$80,000
Truckee Meadow Community College Foundaton
Reno, NV
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$75,000
Boosted Diplomas
Reno, NV
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$75,000
National Center for Youth Law
Oakland, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$75,000
Olive Crest
Las Vegas, NV
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$75,000
East Bay Community Law Center
Berkeley, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$75,000
Alliance for Community Advocacy
Oakland, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$75,000
Public Works Alliance
Santa Barbara, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$75,000
Ca Homeless Youth Project
Sacramento, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$50,000
Youth Forward
Sacramento, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$50,000
Bronco Bench Foundation
Santa Clara, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$20,000
Open Medicine Foundation
Agoura Hills, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$20,000
San Francisco Recreation & Parks
San Francisco, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$12,000
Ettie Lee Youth & Family Services
Baldwin Park, CA
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$10,000
Indian River Soccer Association Inc
Vero Beach, FL
To promote positive change to the policies and systems that assist youth in becoming successful adults.$10,000

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2024 filing.

Questions people ask

Does Walter S Johnson Foundation accept grant applications?

Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: 12 weeks before the board meeting that the proposal is to be considered.

How much does Walter S Johnson Foundation give?

$5.8 million in tax year 2024, across 53 grants, with a typical grant of $75,000.

Who runs Walter S Johnson Foundation?

Its 2024 filing lists Nate Bruckner (President), Monty Johnson (Treasurer), Kaitlyn Tamulonis (Secretary) and Jessica Johnson (Trustee) among 11 officers and trustees.

What does Walter S Johnson Foundation fund?

Based on its grants, mainly youth programs, education and human services.

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