Avila Fund
Avila Fund is a private foundation, based in San Diego, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $4.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $356K. Net investment income was $220K.
Avila Fund at a glance
In short: Avila Fund gave $356K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $51K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $355,874
- +99.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- +16.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $50,839
- +71.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $4,550,562
- -3.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (93% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Avila Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Museum of US ($116K). Together the top 7 received $356K.
Grant Size Distribution
30 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 30 (57%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Avila Fund gives
- Giving fell 36% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 131% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $178K (2023) to $559K (2021). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $356K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Museum of US San Diego, CA | General Support | $115,874 |
| Ucsd School La Jolla, CA | General Support | $60,000 |
| Coastal Roots Farm Encinitas, CA | General Support | $50,000 |
| San Diego Food System Alliance San Diego, CA | San Diego County Food Vision 2030 | $50,000 |
| Kumeyaay Community College El Cajon, CA | General Support | $50,000 |
| Planned Parenthood New York City, NY | General Support | $25,000 |
| San Diego Women's Foundation San Diego, CA | General Support | $5,000 |
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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 | $4,550,562 | $281,187 | $430,230 | $355,874 | 7 | $376,676 | $220,094 | $286,929 |
| 2023 | $4,699,605 | $18,106 | $253,973 | $178,000 | 6 | $199,362 | $109,865 | $243,403 |
| 2022 | $4,935,472 | $-331,944 | $543,822 | $490,394 | 6 | $498,523 | $88,932 | $282,277 |
| 2021 | $5,794,222 | $895,227 | $709,484 | $558,810 | 11 | $587,901 | $848,253 | $287,188 |
| 2020 | $1,908,524 | $7,088 | $41,280 | — | — | — | $2,666 | $22,958 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Avila Fund reported a distributable amount of $287K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Avila Fund is led by Ellen Waddell, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ellen Waddell
President & Director
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eli Waddell
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kate Waddell
Treasurer & CFO
Treasurer CFO → Treasurer & CFO, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/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 Avila Fund
How much does Avila Fund give each year?
Avila Fund gave $356K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $178K across 6 grants.
What is Avila Fund's typical grant size?
Avila Fund's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $50,839, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Avila Fund give grants?
Avila Fund gives mostly in California: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Diego, CA (3 grants).
Does Avila Fund give general operating support?
Yes: 86% of Avila Fund's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Avila Fund's largest grantees?
Avila Fund's largest 2024 grantees include Museum of US ($115,874), Ucsd School ($60,000) and Coastal Roots Farm ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Avila Fund?
Avila Fund reported $4.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $377K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $287K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Avila Fund's EIN?
Avila Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-2109661. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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