The 128 Collective Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Palo Alto, California. Established in 2018, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and has been tax-exempt since August 2019. The foundation was created by Thomas Preston-Werner (co-founder of GitHub) and his wife Theresa Preston-Werner to address what they describe as "the moral imperatives posed by climate change and inequity." The foundation seeks to "create a society that redirects capital to build healthier ecosystems and flourishing human communities."
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$41.0M
-11.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$11.4M
+20.6% YoY
Grant Count
80
-4.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$142K
+26.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, 128 Collective Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grantmaking is conducted through a climate lens and prioritizes "democratic public control" of the clean energy transition. The foundation targets "high-leverage, upstream, and under-resourced strategies" across six strategic areas, with a focus on policy and movement-building for equitable clean energy transition.
The foundation's two main approaches to environmental giving include creating more favorable political and economic conditions for climate action and supporting related initiatives.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals and does not provide a public contact method for grant inquiries. All grants are made through trustee discretion to pre-selected organizations. The foundation is described as "not afraid to be a first funder on strategies we find compelling." Prospective applicants are advised to network with past grantees to get on the foundation's radar.
Grant Range
$3,800 to $1,000,000
Average Grant
$112,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's giving is primarily focused on the United States, with some international work. Documented funding locations include California, New York, Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, Washington D.C., and international locations including London and Kasese Town.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $46.2 million
- Total revenue: $2.78 million
- Total expenses: $10.1 million
- Total liabilities: $172,000
Assets & Revenue (2022):
- Total assets: $67.1 million
- Total revenue: $10.5 million
- Total expenses: $2.6 million
Assets (2020):
- Total assets: $63.7 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $41,047,181 | $46,158,815 | $47,459,100 |
| Revenue | $4,593,558 | $2,775,612 | $2,587,365 |
| Expenses | $11,994,484 | $10,101,858 | $10,490,842 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $11,493,707 | $9,516,414 | $10,057,854 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,138,873 | $1,939,656 | $1,820,134 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,221,163 | $2,530,689 | $2,889,769 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Labor Education and Research Project ($500,000), Congressional Progressive Caucus Center ($250,000), New Economy Organisers Network ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 350 SEATTLE SEATTLE, WA | AMAZON EMPLOYEES FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE | $150,000 |
| ACCELERATE CHANGE INC BOSTON, MA | GEN Z FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | $50,000 |
| ACTIONAID USA WASHINGTON, DC | WORK ON CLIMATE-INDUCED DISPLACEMENT AND MIGRATION | $100,000 |
| AFRICAN CLIMATE ALLIANCE NPC | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $150,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR GLOBAL JUSTICE CORP TUSCON, AZ | YOUTH VS APOCALYPSE | $75,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR YOUTH ORGANIZING WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| AMALGAMATED CHARITABLE FOUNDATION INC WASHINGTON, DC | DEMOCRACY TAKES WORK | $50,000 |
| BENEFICIAL ELECTRIFICATION LEAGUE ARLINGTON, VA | DECARBONIZATION OF RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES | $100,000 |
| BRAZIL FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | UMRIO | $65,000 |
| BREACH COLLECTIVE EUGENE, OR | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founders & Leadership:
- Thomas Preston-Werner — Co-President and Director
- Theresa Preston-Werner — Co-President and Director
- Jake Werner — Leadership role
- Tom Van Loben Sels — Leadership role
- Kathleen Goss — Leadership role
All listed personnel work minimal hours and receive no compensation for their roles.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| THERESA PRESTON-WERNER | CO-PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.4 | — |
| THOMAS PRESTON-WERNER | CO-PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.4 | — |
| JAKE WERNER | DIRECTOR | 0.4 | — |
| TOM VAN LOBEN SELS | CFO/CO-SECRETARY | 0.1 | — |
| KATHLEEN GOSS | CO-SECRETARY | 0.1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2023, Tom and Theresa Preston-Werner signed the Giving Pledge, committing to redistribute most of their wealth through philanthropic ventures. Inside Philanthropy named them "Newcomer of the Year" in 2023, recognizing their embrace of youth organizing and progressive politics as key pathways for addressing climate change.
The foundation maintains an updated website as of 2024, though access has since required login information.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 128 Collective Foundation fund?
The foundation's grantmaking is conducted through a climate lens and prioritizes "democratic public control" of the clean energy transition. The foundation targets "high-leverage, upstream, and under-resourced strategies" across six strategic areas, with a focus on policy and movement-building for equitable clean energy transition. The foundation's two main approaches to environmental giving include creating more favorable political and economic conditions for climate action and supporting rela…
How do I apply for a grant from 128 Collective Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: $9.9 million (2022) • Grant range: $3,800 to $1,000,000 • Average grant: $112,000 • In 2022, the foundation distributed $9.9 million in grants across 38 awards **Application Process:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals and does not provide a public contact method for grant inquiries. All grants are made through trustee discretion to pre-selected organizations. The foundation is described as "not afraid to be a first funder on strategies we…
Where does 128 Collective Foundation make grants?
The foundation's giving is primarily focused on the United States, with some international work. Documented funding locations include California, New York, Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, Washington D.C., and international locations including London and Kasese Town.
What size grants does 128 Collective Foundation award?
In 2024, 128 Collective Foundation awarded 80 grants totaling $11.4M — an average of about $142K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is 128 Collective Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, 128 Collective Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is 128 Collective Foundation's EIN?
128 Collective Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-2899018. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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