BGBESPOKE GRANTSFind your funders free →
Grant funders / California / Kelson Foundation

Kelson Foundation

San Francisco, California  ·  EIN 813588323  ·  Private foundation

Kelson Foundation is a California-based grantmaker. In its latest 990-PF filing it reported $5.1M in annual giving against $115.0M in assets. This page documents the 551 grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for Kelson Foundation — who they fund, what they prioritize, and what to know before reaching out.

$5.1M
Annual giving (FY2020)
$115.0M
Total assets
551
Grants tracked
2024
Most recent grant

What Kelson Foundation funds

Kelson Foundation's giving carries a documented focus on arts & culture, criminal justice, education, food & agriculture, health care, and related causes.

Arts & CultureCriminal JusticeEducationFood & AgricultureHealth CareK-12 Education

Populations it has supported include hispanic communities, immigrants & refugees, women girls.

hispanic communitiesimmigrants & refugeeswomen girls

Grant history

The largest grants Bespoke Grants has on record for Kelson Foundation, by amount:

RecipientLocationGrantYear
Amalgamated Charitable Foundation
DEMOCRACY FRONTLINES FUND
Washington, DC$1.0M2023
Middlebury College
THE ELIZABETH HACKETT ROBINSON '84 INNOVATION HUB ENDOWED FUND
Middlebury, VT$1.0M2023
Middlebury College
THE ELIZABETH HACKETT ROBINSON 84 INNOVATION HUB ENDOWED FUND
Middlebury, VT$1.0M2024
Middlebury College
THE ELIZABETH HACKETT ROBINSON '84 INNOVATION HUB ENDOWED FUND.
Middlebury, VT$1.0M2022
Amalgamated Foundation
TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR WAY TO RISE (A PROJECT OF AMALGAMATED FOUNDATION)
Walnut, CA$750K2020
New Venture Fund
GENERAL SUPPORT FOR INSTITUTE FOR RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT
Washington, DC$500K2023
Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence
GENERAL SUPPORT
Washington, DC$500K2023
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area
GENERAL SUPPORT
San Francisco, CA$500K2023
Protect Democracy Project
GENERAL SUPPORT
Washington, DC$500K2024
Amalgamated Charitable Foundation
GENERAL SUPPORT TO THE DEMOCRACY FRONTLINES FUND
Washington, DC$500K2024
Neo Philanthropy Inc
GENERAL SUPPORT TO MORE EQUITABLE DEMOCRACY
New York, NY$500K2024
George Washington University
GENERAL SUPPORT TO GW SCHOOL OF LAW MULTI-RACIAL DEMOCRACY PROJECT
Washington, DC$500K2024
Representwomen Inc
GENERAL SUPPORT
Silver Spring, MD$300K2024
Vote Run Lead
GENERAL SUPPORT
Hartsdale, NY$300K2024
Vote Mama Foundation Inc
GENERAL SUPPORT
Amityville, NY$300K2024

Kelson Foundation giving by year

Total grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for each filing year:

2018$1.3M
2019$1.7M
2020$5.1M
2022$6.5M
2023$8.6M
2024$8.2M

How to apply for funding from Kelson Foundation

Kelson Foundation's public IRS filing does not spell out a formal application process. Foundations of this size often give primarily to organizations they already know, so a concise letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first contact — not a full proposal.

Is Kelson Foundation the right funder for your nonprofit?

This page shows what Kelson Foundation has funded. Bespoke Grants tells you whether it fits your mission — and finds every other foundation that does. Free, no credit card.

Match my nonprofit to funders →

Frequently asked questions about Kelson Foundation

Does Kelson Foundation accept grant applications?
Kelson Foundation's public filing does not specify an application process. A brief letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first step with a private foundation of this size.
What does Kelson Foundation fund?
Kelson Foundation's grants focus on arts & culture. Recent recipients include Amalgamated Charitable Foundation, Middlebury College, Middlebury College. Its full grant history is listed above.
How much does Kelson Foundation give in grants?
Kelson Foundation reported $5.1M in grants in its most recent IRS filing (FY2020). Across all years in our data it has awarded $31.6M over 551 grants.
Where is Kelson Foundation located?
Kelson Foundation is based in San Francisco, California. Its IRS employer identification number (EIN) is 813588323.
How can I find foundations similar to Kelson Foundation?
Bespoke Grants matches your nonprofit against 225,000+ foundations like Kelson Foundation, ranking each by how well it fits your mission, location, and budget — with the reasoning shown. It is free to search.

Find more funders like Kelson Foundation

Foundations similar to Kelson Foundation

Other California grantmakers with overlapping priorities:

About this profile. This page is built from Kelson Foundation's public IRS Form 990-PF and 990 filings, indexed by Bespoke Grants alongside 13M+ grants from 225,000+ U.S. foundations. Grant figures reflect filings available to date; IRS data publishes on a 1–2 year lag. Bespoke Grants is not affiliated with Kelson Foundation. Always confirm current giving priorities and application procedures with the foundation directly before applying.