Perkins Hunter Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Perkins Hunter Foundation is a private foundation in Chicago, Illinois. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.2 million in 73 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $125,000. 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$1.2 million
- Number of grants73
- Typical grant$10,000
- Largest grant$125,000
- Assets$9.2 million
- New grantees85%
Giving in 2025 was up from $423,500 the year before.
85% 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 | $625,600 | 16 | $9.7 million |
| 2024 | $423,500 | 19 | $8.3 million |
| 2025 | $1.2 million | 73 | $9.2 million |
How to apply
Perkins Hunter 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 Perkins Hunter Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 10 states, the most to California.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 54 | $928,930 |
| District of Columbia | 6 | $107,000 |
| Massachusetts | 3 | $60,000 |
| New York | 3 | $35,000 |
| Vermont | 1 | $35,000 |
| Washington | 2 | $17,500 |
| Missouri | 1 | $10,000 |
| Oregon | 1 | $10,000 |
| Ohio | 1 | $1,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $1,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tipping Point Community | General use | $125,000 |
| San Francisco University High Schoo | General use | $125,000 |
| La Luz Bilingual Center | General use | $65,000 |
| San Francisco Educational Fund | General use | $60,000 |
| Technoserve | General use | $40,000 |
| Kqed Northern Ca Public Radio | General use | $35,000 |
| Population Media Center | General use | $35,000 |
| Teach for America-Bay Area | General use | $35,000 |
| San Francisco General Hospital | General use | $30,000 |
| Battery Foundation | General use | $30,000 |
| Believe in SF Action | General Use | $30,000 |
| Tides Foundation | General use | $25,000 |
| Care Message | General use | $25,000 |
| Individual | General use | $25,000 |
| Remake | General use | $25,000 |
| Greenlight Fund | General Use | $25,000 |
| Individual | General Use | $25,000 |
| Bay Educational Fund | General Use | $25,000 |
| Media Matters for America | General Use | $25,000 |
| Muso | General Use | $25,000 |
| Individual | General Use | $25,000 |
| Individual | General Use | $25,000 |
| National Council of Jewish Women | General Use | $25,000 |
| Engenderhealth | General use | $20,000 |
| Individual | General use | $15,000 |
| Individual | General Use | $12,000 |
| UCSF Foundation | General use | $10,000 |
| World Monuments Fund | General use | $10,000 |
| Individual | General use | $10,000 |
| Hopewell Fund | General use | $10,000 |
| Safe and Sound | General use | $10,000 |
| Individual | General use | $10,000 |
| All May See Foundation | General Use | $10,000 |
| Basic Fund | General Use | $10,000 |
| Individual | General Use | $10,000 |
| Individual | General Use | $10,000 |
| Democracy Forward Foundation | General Use | $10,000 |
| Lawyers Defending American Homjeown | General Use | $10,000 |
| Wilkes Bashford Helping Hands Emerg | General Use | $10,000 |
| Meto | General Use | $10,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Thomas Perkins
- Alec Perkins
- Jamel Perkins
Questions people ask
Does Perkins Hunter Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Perkins Hunter Foundation give?
$1.2 million in tax year 2025, across 73 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.
Who runs Perkins Hunter Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Thomas Perkins (Director), Alec Perkins (Director) and Jamel Perkins (Director).
What does Perkins Hunter Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, arts and culture and health.