Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat
The Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundation is a private foundation based in San Francisco, California. It reported giving $845,500 through 15 grants in 2024, supporting organizations working in areas including journalism and press freedom, climate activism, reproductive rights, youth dance and arts education, animal care, and digital civil liberties.
Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat at a glance
In short: Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat gave $846K across 15 grants in 2024 (avg $56K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $845,500
- +9.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- +15.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $56,367
- -4.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $20,062,308
- +6.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (54% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1750 Taylor Street 203, San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: (312) 650-8630
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Cityside Jounralism Intiative ($150K). Together the top 10 received $736K.
Grant Size Distribution
43 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 15 grants of 43 (35%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grant dollars were reported by recipient state as 54% to California, 23% to New York, 18% to Illinois, and 6% to Louisiana.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
Cities
How Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat gives
- 40% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 35% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 90% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $89K (2020) to $846K (2024). In 2024 it made 15 grants totaling $846K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cityside Jounralism Intiative Berkeley, CA | Support Delivering High Quality Journalism to Underserved Communities | $150,000 |
| Climate Emergency Fund Beverly Hills, CA | Support awareness of climate change and advocacy for sustainable energy | $100,000 |
| Women's Reproductive Rights Assistance Project Santa Monica, CA | Support women who are financially unable to pay for safe, legal abortions or emergency contraception | $100,000 |
| Flight Path Dance Foundation New York, NY | Support tuition-free youth dance company and career preparation program for nyc dancers ages 14-18 | $80,000 |
| Freedom to Read Foundation Chicago, IL | Support Freedom of Speech and of the Press | $75,000 |
| Committee to Protect Journalism New York, NY | Support Press Freedom and Keeping Journalists Safe | $60,500 |
| Roger Baldwin Foundation Chicago, IL | Support protecting the liberties guaranteed by the us constitution | $50,000 |
| 4PT0 Schools New Orleans, LA | Support program for high school students to create art portfolios | $50,000 |
| East Bay SPCA Oakland, CA | Support Medical Care for Animals Being Taken IN | $35,000 |
| Electronic Fronteir Foundation San Francisco, CA | Support defense of civil liberties in the digital world | $35,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $20,062,308 | $1,988,204 | $944,349 | $845,500 | 15 | $845,500 | $1,625,078 | $936,844 |
| 2023 | $18,891,800 | $515,462 | $959,812 | $770,000 | 13 | $770,000 | $462,379 | $848,625 |
| 2022 | $19,319,250 | $1,724,065 | $1,029,457 | $789,000 | 11 | $789,000 | $1,614,800 | $850,267 |
| 2021 | $18,765,868 | $4,524,980 | $783,484 | $625,000 | 3 | $625,000 | $4,404,365 | $762,288 |
| 2020 | $15,334,609 | $13,415,768 | $158,561 | $89,000 | 1 | — | $1,586,031 | $568,635 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat reported a distributable amount of $937K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for journalism and press freedom, climate activism, reproductive rights, youth arts and dance, animal care, and digital civil liberties.
Grantees describe their own work in varied terms. The Climate Emergency Fund says it supports nonviolent climate activists who demand urgent action from governments and corporations. The Freedom to Read Foundation says it promotes and protects freedom of speech and the press and the public’s access to library materials. Freedom of the Press Foundation says it works to protect press freedom through public advocacy and digital security tools. City Report says it provides independent journalism for New York residents and holds the powerful to account. East Bay SPCA describes its mission as enriching the human-animal bond through expertise in cat and dog care.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 15 grants totaling $845,500. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $150,000, with a median of $50,000. Notable grants included $150,000 to Cityside Journalism Initiative; $100,000 each to Climate Emergency Fund and Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project; $80,000 to Flight Path Dance Foundation; $75,000 to Freedom to Read Foundation; and $60,500 to Committee to Protect Journalists. Other reported grants included $50,000 to Roger Baldwin Foundation and $4PT0 Schools, and $35,000 each to East Bay SPCA and Electronic Frontier Foundation. Freedom of the Press Foundation and City Report each received $25,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Kathryn Meister, Robert Meister, and Thomas Meister as trustees.
Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kathryn Meister
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Meister
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Meister
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat
How much does Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat give each year?
Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat gave $846K across 15 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $770K across 13 grants.
What is Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat's typical grant size?
Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $56,367, across 15 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat give grants?
Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat gives mostly in California: 54% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (23%) and Illinois (18%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (3 grants), Chicago, IL (3 grants) and Oakland, CA (2 grants).
Does Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat's largest grantees?
Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat's largest 2024 grantees include Cityside Jounralism Intiative ($150,000), Climate Emergency Fund ($100,000) and Women's Reproductive Rights Assistance Project ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 41% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat?
Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat reported $20.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $846K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $937K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for journalism and press freedom, climate activism, reproductive rights, youth arts and dance, animal care, and digital civil liberties. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat's EIN?
Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-2620690. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 26, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 2, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in California
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Princeton, NJ
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funds efforts to improve health and health equity in the United States, including systems change addressing structural barriers to health. In 2024, its grants ranged from $125 to $12.15 million, with a median of $40,000. It typically funds through targeted programs and partnerships; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$13.4B
Grants
3,093
Total Given
$622.6M
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Marin Community Foundation funds work in affordable housing and homelessness, community resilience and power, as well as social services, education, arts and conservation, with a focus on marginalized Marin County residents and some broader U.S. and international grantmaking. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
The Yelp Foundation
San Francisco, CA
Assets
$6.2M
Grants
644
Total Given
$886K
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/albert-and-janice-meister-family-foundat-morg_bb5e1f0563294d27836c51e9607b3945
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_472620690_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/albert-and-janice-meister-family-foundat-morg_bb5e1f0563294d27836c51e9607b3945},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Albert and Janice Meister Family Foundat down — hundreds of funders to go?