Atkinson Foundation
The Atkinson Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation based in San Francisco, California, established in 1941. The foundation operates as a grantmaking organization dedicated to supporting nonprofit initiatives that help individuals reach their full potential in education, social, and economic life.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$29.3M
+7.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.9M
+2.9% YoY
Grant Count
142
+3.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$13K
-0.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Atkinson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to provide opportunities for individuals to enhance their educational, social, and economic circumstances. Primary areas of interest include:
- Social services and human services
- Education
- Child welfare and family services
- Mental health services
- Basic needs assistance
- Support for marginalized populations including children, youth, and families
- Services for people affected by physical abuse
- Support for individuals recovering from addiction
- Services for people living with mental or physical health conditions
- Assistance for economically at-risk populations
- Support for immigrants
- Poverty alleviation
- Community and civic engagement
The foundation emphasizes direct service delivery and fostering independence and self-sufficiency among vulnerable residents.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
is approximately $10,000, with an average award of $12,000.
How to Apply
** The median application process takes approximately 7 hours. Survey respondents have rated the foundation as friendly, responsive, and open-minded in its approach to grantmaking.
Ready to take the next step with Atkinson Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports organizations in San Mateo County, California. The foundation also funds organizations in California and New York more broadly.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $27.2 million (as of 2023)
Annual Revenue: $1.87 million (2023)
Annual Expenses: $2.51 million (2023)
Total Liabilities: $545,000 (2023)
Historical Giving: The foundation has made 578 grants totaling $6.9 million over its history. Annual giving has grown from $1.2 million in 2020 to $1.8 million in 2023, with peak grantmaking activity in 2022 when $2.7 million was distributed across 236 grants.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $29,323,025 | $27,170,571 | $24,612,677 |
| Revenue | $2,921,497 | $1,870,504 | $2,600,107 |
| Expenses | $2,662,052 | $2,511,948 | $1,976,720 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,170,908 | $2,130,635 | $1,669,100 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,760,270 | $1,714,747 | $2,456,757 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,384,253 | $1,241,569 | $1,268,637 |
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
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Atkinson Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Coastside Hope ($100,000), El Concilio of San Mateo County ($75,000), Big Wave Group ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A BRIGHTER DAY YOUTH WORK PROGRAM BELMONT, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $7,500 |
| A BRIGHTER DAY YOUTH WORK PROGRAM BELMONT, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT IN SAN MATEO COUNTY | $30,000 |
| ABILITYPATH REDWOOD CITY, CA | EMPLOYMENT SERVICES | $15,000 |
| ABUNDANT GRACE COASTSIDE WORKER HALF MOON BAY, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ACKNOWLEDGE ALLIANCE MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA | COLLABORATIVE COUNSELING PROGRAM | $10,000 |
| ADOLESCENT COUNSELING SERVICES REDWOOD CITY, CA | MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS FOR YOUTH INITIATIVE | $10,000 |
| ALL FIVE MENLO PARK, CA | ONSITE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT INITIATIVE | $7,500 |
| ART IN ACTION REDWOOD CITY, CA | FOR TITLE 1 SCHOOLS | $5,000 |
| THE ART OF YOGA PROJECT PALO ALTO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AUTISM SOCIETY SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA SAN MATEO, CA | OUTINGS AND FIELD TRIPS FOR SAN MATEO COUNTY FAMILIES | $7,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Andrea Higuera Ballard - President
- Nancy Spencer - Vice President
- Leslie Hatamiya - Secretary
- Rachel Murch Watters - Grants Manager
- Stefani Willis - Principal Officer
The board consists of several directors who serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANDREA HIGUERA BALLARD | PRESIDENT | 4 | — |
| NANCY SPENCER | VICE PRESIDENT | 4 | — |
| LESLIE HATAMIYA | SECRETARY | 4 | — |
| TINA P CRISCI | TREASURER | 4 | — |
| JILL JACOBSON | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| DAVID RICHANBACH | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| JOHN VOLK | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| ELIZABETH WOODWARD | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| NKIA RICHARDSON | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| KRISTIN SUN | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| ERIC VALLADARES | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 1660 Bush Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, CA 94109
Website: www.atkinsonfdn.org
Email: atkinfdn@aol.com
EIN: 94-6075613
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Atkinson Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to provide opportunities for individuals to enhance their educational, social, and economic circumstances. Primary areas of interest include: • Social services and human services • Education • Child welfare and family services • Mental health services • Basic needs assistance • Support for marginalized populations including children, youth, and families • Services for people affected by physical abuse • Support for individuals recovering from addiction • Services for…
How do I apply for a grant from Atkinson Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Grants typically range up to $20,000, with historical grants ranging from $500 to $100,000. The median grant size is approximately $10,000, with an average award of $12,000. **Recent Grant Activity:** In 2023, the foundation made 112 grants totaling approximately $1.6 million. Recent grantees include: • El Concilio of San Mateo County ($75,000 for Promotores Program) • Climate Resilient Communities ($60,000 for Establishing Climate Change Community Teams) • Peninsula Family C…
Where does Atkinson Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily supports organizations in San Mateo County, California. The foundation also funds organizations in California and New York more broadly.
What size grants does Atkinson Foundation award?
In 2024, Atkinson Foundation awarded 142 grants totaling $1.9M — an average of about $13K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Atkinson Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Atkinson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Atkinson Foundation's EIN?
Atkinson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-6075613. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Atkinson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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