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Jolson Family Foundation is a private corporation based in SAN RAFAEL, CA. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 2004. The principal officer is Joseph A Jolson. It holds total assets of $16.4M. Annual income is reported at $6.8M. Total assets have grown from $5.5M in 2011 to $16.4M in 2024. The foundation is governed by 2 officers and trustees. Tax records are available from 2015 to 2024. Funding is distributed across 6 states, including California, District of Columbia, Colorado. According to available records, Jolson Family Foundation has made 90 grants totaling $1.3M, with a median grant of $6K. Annual giving has grown from $421K in 2020 to $569K in 2022. Individual grants have ranged from $1K to $100K, with an average award of $14K. The foundation has supported 40 unique organizations. The foundation primarily supports organizations in California, District of Columbia, Connecticut, which account for 92% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 6 states. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
The Jolson Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2004 in San Rafael, California. Led by Joseph A. Jolson (President & Treasurer) and Kathleen Jolson (Secretary), the foundation manages $16.4 million in assets and concentrates its grantmaking on education, human services, and philanthropic organizations. The foundation operates exclusively on an invite-only basis and does not accept unsolicited funding requests. Its grantmaking emphasizes STEM education, science teachers, and community programs serving youth, families, and underserved populations. All grants are designated for general operating support, reflecting a trust-based philanthropy approach that gives grantees flexibility in how funds are used.
The foundation distributed $838,061 across 26 grants in fiscal year 2024, with individual grants ranging from $1,000 to $225,561 and a median grant size of approximately $5,000. Several anchor grants exceed $100,000, indicating a tiered giving strategy with deep investment in a handful of core grantees. Since 2014, the foundation has awarded 340 grants totaling $3.4 million, demonstrating consistent and growing grantmaking activity. Total giving increased substantially from $376,800 in 2019 to $838,061 in 2024. The foundation experienced significant financial growth over this period, with assets rising from $6.5 million to $16.4 million, driven by a $2.6 million contribution in 2024. It carries zero liabilities and maintains its entire asset base in cash and investments, with a payout rate of approximately 5.1% — above the IRS-required minimum.
| Foundation | State | Assets | Annual Giving | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jolson Family Foundation | CA | $16.4M | $838K | Education, Human Services |
| Chandna Family Foundation | CA | $24.8M | est. $1.2M | Philanthropy & Grantmaking |
| David & Janyce Hoyt Family Foundation | CA | $24.7M | est. $1.2M | Philanthropy & Grantmaking |
| Croul Family Foundation | CA | $24.0M | est. $1.2M | Philanthropy & Grantmaking |
| Bright Family Foundation | CA | $23.8M | est. $1.2M | General |
Compared to similarly-sized California family foundations, the Jolson Family Foundation operates with a moderate asset base but demonstrates above-average grantmaking intensity relative to its assets (approximately 5.1% payout rate). Its focused geographic concentration in Marin County and the Bay Area, combined with its emphasis on educational equity through organizations like 10000 Degrees and Next Generation Scholars, distinguishes it from peer foundations that tend toward broader or less-defined giving patterns.
In its most recent fiscal year (2024), the Jolson Family Foundation awarded 26 grants totaling $838,061, its highest giving year on record. The largest grant went to Bridge the Gap in Marin City ($225,561), followed by 10000 Degrees in San Rafael ($185,500), and Next Generation Scholars ($173,000 and $125,000 in separate grants). The foundation also supported Homeward Bound in Oakland ($100,000), the Nicasio Volunteer Fire Department ($50,000), and California College of the Arts ($48,000). Total assets reached $16.4 million, up dramatically from $6.5 million in 2019, driven by $2.6 million in new contributions. Revenue totaled $3.9 million across contributions (65.8%), investment dividends (30%), and asset sales (4%). The foundation's geographic focus remains concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area and Marin County, with additional grants reaching DC, Colorado, and several East Coast states.
The Jolson Family Foundation operates on a strictly invite-only basis and does not accept unsolicited proposals. Organizations seeking support should consider the following strategies:
1. Build relationships within the Marin County and Bay Area nonprofit community, particularly among current grantees such as 10000 Degrees, Bridge the Gap, and Next Generation Scholars, as peer referrals may influence the foundation's grantee selection.
2. Align programming with the foundation's core priorities: STEM education, science teacher support, educational equity, youth development, and human services for underserved populations.
3. Demonstrate a strong Bay Area or Marin County presence, as geographic proximity to San Rafael is a strong predictor of funding.
4. The foundation provides exclusively general operating support, suggesting it values organizational capacity and sustainability over individual project funding.
5. Given the foundation's recent asset growth (from $6.5M to $16.4M), it may be expanding its grantee portfolio, potentially creating openings for new organizations that align with its mission.
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No program descriptions are available for this foundation. Many private foundations report program activities in their annual 990-PF filings — check the Tax Filings section below for the most recent filing.
The foundation distributed $838,061 across 26 grants in fiscal year 2024, with individual grants ranging from $1,000 to $225,561 and a median grant size of approximately $5,000. Several anchor grants exceed $100,000, indicating a tiered giving strategy with deep investment in a handful of core grantees. Since 2014, the foundation has awarded 340 grants totaling $3.4 million, demonstrating consistent and growing grantmaking activity. Total giving increased substantially from $376,800 in 2019 to $.
Jolson Family Foundation has distributed a total of $1.3M across 90 grants. The median grant size is $6K, with an average of $14K. Individual grants have ranged from $1K to $100K.
The Jolson Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2004 in San Rafael, California. Led by Joseph A. Jolson (President & Treasurer) and Kathleen Jolson (Secretary), the foundation manages $16.4 million in assets and concentrates its grantmaking on education, human services, and philanthropic organizations. The foundation operates exclusively on an invite-only basis and does not accept unsolicited funding requests. Its grantmaking emphasizes STEM education, science teachers.
Jolson Family Foundation is headquartered in SAN RAFAEL, CA. While based in CA, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 6 states.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph A Jolson | PRESIDENT AND TREASURER | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Kathleen Jolson | SECRETARY | $0 | $0 | N/A |
Total Giving
N/A
Total Assets
$16.4M
Fair Market Value
N/A
Net Worth
$16.4M
Grants Paid
N/A
Contributions
N/A
Net Investment Income
N/A
Distribution Amount
N/A
Total Grants
90
Total Giving
$1.3M
Average Grant
$14K
Median Grant
$6K
Unique Recipients
40
Most Common Grant
$5K
of 2022 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridge The GapGENERAL SUPPORT | Marin City, CA | $81K | 2022 |
| Homeward BoundGENERAL SUPPORT | Oakland, CA | $100K | 2022 |
| Next Generation ScholarsGENERAL SUPPORT | San Rafael, CA | $65K | 2022 |
| 10000 DegreesGENERAL SUPPORT | San Rafael, CA | $42K | 2022 |
| Marin Community Food BankGENERAL SUPPORT | Novato, CA | $30K | 2022 |
| San DomenicoGENERAL SUPPORT | San Anselmo, CA | $30K | 2022 |
| Extrafood MarinGENERAL SUPPORT | San Rafael, CA | $30K | 2022 |
| St Anthony'S FoundationGENERAL SUPPORT | San Francisco, CA | $25K | 2022 |
| St Vincent De Paul Society Of MarinGENERAL SUPPORT | San Rafael, CA | $25K | 2022 |
| Nicasio Volunteer Fire DeptGENERAL SUPPORT | Nicasio, CA | $25K | 2022 |
| San Geronimo Valley Community CenterGENERAL SUPPORT | San Geronimo, CA | $15K | 2022 |
| VivalonGENERAL SUPPORT | San Rafael, CA | $10K | 2022 |
| Sonoma County Change ProgramGENERAL SUPPORT | Santa Rosa, CA | $10K | 2022 |
| Ucsf FoundationGENERAL SUPPORT | San Francisco, CA | $10K | 2022 |
| Downtown Street TeamGENERAL SUPPORT | San Jose, CA | $8K | 2022 |
| Raphael HouseGENERAL SUPPORT | San Francisco, CA | $5K | 2022 |
| West Marin Senior ServicesGENERAL SUPPORT | Point Reyes, CA | $5K | 2022 |
| Sfgh FoundationGENERAL SUPPORT | San Francisco, CA | $5K | 2022 |
| Gladstone InstituteGENERAL SUPPORT | San Francisco, CA | $5K | 2022 |
| Halleck Creek InstituteGENERAL SUPPORT | Nicasio, CA | $5K | 2022 |
| Huckleberry Youth ProgramsGENERAL SUPPORT | San Francisco, CA | $5K | 2022 |
| Yale UniversityGENERAL SUPPORT | New Haven, CT | $5K | 2022 |
| Hamilton FamiliesGENERAL SUPPORT | San Francisco, CA | $5K | 2022 |
| University Of Pennsylvania - WhartonGENERAL SUPPORT | Philadelphia, PA | $5K | 2022 |
| Wildcare Hungry Owl ProjectGENERAL SUPPORT | San Anselmo, CA | $5K | 2022 |
| Aim High For High SchoolGENERAL SUPPORT | San Francisco, CA | $3K | 2022 |
| Jewish Family And Childrens ServicesGENERAL SUPPORT | San Francisco, CA | $3K | 2022 |
| North Beach CitizensGENERAL SUPPORT | San Francisco, CA | $3K | 2022 |
| Ceres Community ProjectGENERAL SUPPORT | Sebastopol, CA | $2K | 2022 |
| Nicasio Land PreserveGENERAL SUPPORT | Nicasio, CA | $1K | 2022 |
| Us Holocaust Memorial MuseumGENERAL SUPPORT | Washington, DC | $1K | 2022 |
| Walnut Hills High School Alumni AssnGENERAL SUPPORT | Cincinnati, OH | $1K | 2022 |
| Dogwood Animal RescueGENERAL SUPPORT | Santa Rosa, CA | $1K | 2022 |
| St Vincent De Paul Society Marin CountyFAMILY SUPPORT | San Rafael, CA | $30K | 2021 |
| ExtrafoodFAMILY SUPPORT | San Rafael, CA | $30K | 2021 |
| Central City Hospitality HouseFAMILY SUPPORT | San Francisco, CA | $10K | 2021 |
| The Change ProgramFAMILY SUPPORT | Washington, DC | $10K | 2021 |
MENLO PARK, CA
LOS ANGELES, CA
PALO ALTO, CA