The Arkay Foundation is a private foundation based in Berkeley, California, established in 1995. The foundation operates as an independent grantmaking organization focused on supporting progressive social change in America, with particular emphasis on strengthening democratic processes and environmental protection.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$17.1M
+4.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$820K
-10.5% YoY
Grant Count
54
-20.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
+12.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Arkay Foundation reported a distributable amount of $808K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Arkay Foundation envisions a society characterized by strong participatory democracy, economic and social justice, and environmental protection.
The foundation's primary funding priorities include:
- Democracy and Civic Engagement: Supporting organizations that create greater representation, fairness, participation, transparency, and predictability in the American political system at local, state, and national levels
- Environmental Protection: Funding environmental causes and conservation efforts
- Social Justice: Supporting initiatives that advance economic and social justice
The foundation prioritizes programs with the potential for leveraging change and having widespread impact.
Grantmaking
The foundation is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.
Grant Range
approximately $56,000
Average Grant
approximately $56,000
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Arkay Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations across multiple states and cities throughout the United States, including:
- California
- New York
- Texas
- District of Columbia
- Major urban centers such as New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco
- Smaller communities across various states
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (as of most recent filings):
- Total assets: $16.3–$17.1 million
- Total revenues (FY 2023): $417,673
- Total expenses (FY 2023): $1,058,779
- Investment income and dividends (FY 2023): $337,571
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets (FY 2023): $164,127
Staffing: The foundation operates with zero employees, relying on its volunteer board structure.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $17,128,302 | $16,337,912 | $15,349,071 |
| Revenue | $951,628 | $417,673 | $300,406 |
| Expenses | $1,092,497 | $1,058,779 | $2,183,203 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $933,328 | $1,051,971 | $1,894,186 |
| Net Investment Income | $827,128 | $386,175 | $324,930 |
| Distributable Amount | $807,706 | $781,883 | $829,892 |
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
152 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Arizona Center for Empowerment ($62,500), Tides Foundation ($62,500), American Independent Foundation ($62,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-Defamation League New York, NY | General Operating Support | $5,000 |
| Arizona Center for Empowerment Phoenix, AZ | General Operating Support | $62,500 |
| Brain Behavioral Research Foundatio New York, NY | Research on Bipolar 1 Disorder | $2,000 |
| Clubbed Thumb Inc New York, NY | General Operating Support | $5,000 |
| Community Foundation for Monterey C Monterey, CA | Fund for Homeless Women, Administrative Fund | $5,000 |
| Earth Rights Institute Santa Monica, CA | Women's Financial Education Project | $30,000 |
| First Nations Development Institute Longmont, CO | California Tribal Fund | $7,500 |
| Interim Inc Monterey, CA | David Soskin Awards | $2,000 |
| Intl Society of Women Airline Pilot Las Vegas, NV | ISA+21 Scholarship Program | $5,000 |
| Joshua Tree Foundation for Arts Eco Joshua Tree, CA | General Operating Support | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by a volunteer board of directors, with all members serving without compensation:
- David Goldschmidt – President/Director
- Susan Reed Clark – Treasurer/Director
- Laura Flanagan – Secretary/Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Goldschmidt | Pres/Dir | 3 | — |
| Susan Reed Clark | Treas/Dir | 2 | — |
| Laura Flanagan | Sect'y/Dir | 1 | — |
| Karen M Kahn | Director | 1 | — |
| Marian Penn | Director | 1 | — |
| William H Soskin Esq | Director | 2 | — |
| Michael Kieschnick | Director | 1 | — |
Contact Information
- Website: www.ArkayFoundation.org
- Address: 127 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710-1616
- Phone: 510-841-4025
- EIN: 77-0404924
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Arkay Foundation fund?
The Arkay Foundation envisions a society characterized by strong participatory democracy, economic and social justice, and environmental protection. The foundation's primary funding priorities include: • **Democracy and Civic Engagement**: Supporting organizations that create greater representation, fairness, participation, transparency, and predictability in the American political system at local, state, and national levels • **Environmental Protection**: Funding environmental causes and conse…
How do I apply for a grant from Arkay Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in recent fiscal year: approximately $820,000–$917,000 • Typical grant awards range from $500 to $245,000 • Average grant size: approximately $56,000 • Median grant size information available in detailed financial records **Recent Grants (2023):** • Protect Democracy Project: $100,000 (General Operating Support) • New Venture Fund: $100,000 (Trusted Elections Fund) • Way To Rise: $50,000 (Regranting Program in South and Southwest) • Additional 45+ grants total…
Where does Arkay Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports organizations across multiple states and cities throughout the United States, including: • California • New York • Texas • District of Columbia • Major urban centers such as New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco • Smaller communities across various states
What size grants does Arkay Foundation award?
In 2024, Arkay Foundation awarded 54 grants totaling $820K — an average of about $15K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Arkay Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Arkay Foundation reported a distributable amount of $808K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Arkay Foundation's EIN?
Arkay Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0404924. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Arkay Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Gochnauer Family Foundation
CORONA DEL MAR, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
39
Total Given
$313K
Cottage Health
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Assets
$172.1M
Grants
6
Total Given
$179K
International Right of Way Association
GARDENA, CA
Assets
$5.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$9K
Quince Interfaith Housing Corporation
LEMON GROVE, CA
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
William & Lillian Schwartz Charitable Foundation
LA JOLLA, CA
Assets
$325K
Grants
1
Total Given
$3K
Covia Foundation
GLENDALE, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
1
Total Given
$4.8M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Arkay Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Arkay Foundation to a real strategy.