Simpson Foundation

The Simpson PSB Fund operates as a proactive, invitation-only grantmaker — a critical distinction that sets it apart from most private foundations. Rather than reviewing unsolicited proposals, the fund's leadership identifies high-performing or high-potential organizations aligned with its mission of supporting low-income children and arts/education institutions in Northern California. This donor-directed model means the foundation invests deeply in a small number of grantees (34 grants in 2024) rather than spreading resources thinly. The "Put Something Back" ethos, dating to the fund's 1988 founding, reflects a philosophy of direct, hands-on philanthropy driven by the Simpson family's personal connection to Bay Area communities. Organizations seeking support should focus on building visibility and demonstrating measurable impact in the fund's core areas, as the foundation's due diligence process relies on publicly available evidence of organizational effectiveness and community need.

The Simpson PSB Fund's grantmaking reveals a highly concentrated giving pattern. In 2024, the foundation distributed $17.4 million across just 34 grants, with the top two recipients — UC Berkeley Foundation ($10.0M) and UCSF Foundation ($4.97M) — accounting for approximately 86% of total giving. This concentration has been consistent: the fund maintains long-term anchor relationships with major Bay Area institutions while also supporting a tier of mid-range grantees ($100K–$790K) including Girls Inc of Alameda County, Oakland Museum of California, and California College of the Arts. The median grant is approximately $22,500, while the average exceeds $377,000, reflecting the heavy skew toward large institutional grants. Total giving has fluctuated — from 56 grants in 2020 to 34 in 2024 — but annual dollar amounts have grown as asset values increased from $128M to $185M. The fund's investment income of $3.8M in 2024 supports its operations, while the bulk of distributions come from the endowment corpus.

Among Bay Area private foundations of comparable size ($100M–$250M in assets) focused on education and arts, the Simpson PSB Fund occupies a distinctive niche as an invitation-only grantmaker with an unusually concentrated portfolio.

The Simpson Fund's payout rate (~9.4% of assets) significantly exceeds the IRS-required 5% minimum and outpaces most peers. Its concentrated grantmaking (34 grants vs. 80–100+ for comparable foundations) reflects a high-conviction strategy. The invitation-only model is uncommon at this asset level — most peer foundations accept at least letters of inquiry. This approach allows the fund to be more strategic but limits accessibility for newer or smaller organizations.

In its most recent fiscal year (2024), the Simpson PSB Fund reported total expenses of $19.7 million and revenue of $2.1 million, with $17.4 million directed to charitable grants. The fund's most significant commitment was a $10 million grant to the UC Berkeley Foundation supporting the Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive, university libraries, and the botanical garden — a continuation of the Simpson family's decades-long investment in UC Berkeley's cultural infrastructure. The $4.97 million UCSF grant focused on breast cancer research and equitable patient care, representing a notable health-sector commitment alongside the fund's traditional education and arts focus. Other 2024 highlights include $790,000 to Girls Inc of Alameda County for college scholarships serving underserved Bay Area girls, $525,000 to the Oakland Museum of California for general operations, and $200,000 to UC Theatre Berkeley to fund a Chief Operating Officer position. The fund also supported literary arts ($160,000 to New Literary Project for writing workshops) and youth social-emotional learning ($110,000 to Oakland Leaf). The foundation continues to operate with zero employees, managed entirely by board volunteers S. Simpson (President/Chair) and K. Lip (Treasurer/Secretary).

Because the Simpson PSB Fund does not accept unsolicited proposals, the traditional grant application approach does not apply. However, organizations can strategically position themselves to be identified and invited by the fund. First, build a strong public track record of measurable outcomes in the fund's priority areas — early childhood education, arts/cultural programming, youth development, or STEM education — particularly serving low-income children in Northern California. The fund's due diligence relies on publicly visible impact data, so ensure your outcomes are prominently featured on your website, in annual reports, and in nonprofit databases like GuideStar and Candid. Second, cultivate connections within the Bay Area philanthropic ecosystem; the fund's volunteer-led structure (just two officers) means personal networks and peer recommendations likely influence which organizations come to their attention. Third, if your organization operates in the fund's core geographies (Oakland, Berkeley, Walnut Creek, San Francisco, Orinda), participate actively in community coalitions and collaborative initiatives where the Simpson family may have visibility. Fourth, focus on institutional capacity and financial sustainability — the fund's grantee profile skews toward well-established organizations (UC Berkeley, UCSF, Oakland Museum) with strong governance and fiscal management. Finally, monitor the fund's RFP page at simpsonpsbfund.org, as selected RFPs are occasionally posted for specific initiatives.