Bella Vista Foundation
Bella Vista Foundation is a private family foundation based in San Francisco, California, established in 1999. The foundation maintains a two-part grantmaking focus on early childhood development and ecosystem restoration, funding community-based nonprofit organizations working to address fundamental causes of societal problems.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$68.4M
+0.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.8M
-6.1% YoY
Grant Count
105
+1.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$36K
-7.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to build resilient families and healthy watershed ecosystems. The foundation supports community-based nonprofit organizations working in four primary program areas:
Pre-3 Support — Focuses on building resiliency among families facing adversity or trauma by helping parents and caregivers cope with toxic stress. Serves Marin, San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties.
GGS Early Literacy — Promotes literacy for children, including acquisition of reading, writing, and comprehension skills, and application of literacy skills to critical thinking and self-expression.
GGS Youth Mental Health — Supports youth mental health and substance use prevention and intervention programs that employ approaches that are culturally specific, trauma-informed, and led by people that represent the community served.
Watershed Restoration — Focuses on restoration and revitalization of key watershed ecosystems within specific geographic areas in California and Oregon, with priorities including sustainable management of forest and agricultural land, revitalizing streams, and restoring riparian areas.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 105 grants with a median grant size of $35,000, with grants ranging from $500 to $120,000.
Grant Range
s and Activity**
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds programs in:
- Early Childhood Programs: Marin, San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties in California
- Watershed Restoration: Specific geographic areas in California and Oregon
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $68 million (as of fiscal year 2024)
Grant Activity: 105 grants distributed with a median grant size of $35,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $68,431,993 | $68,423,844 | $64,946,087 |
| Revenue | $2,330,253 | $-297,583 | $1,164,931 |
| Expenses | $4,974,603 | $4,444,297 | $5,621,439 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,412,485 | $4,643,986 | $4,764,650 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,176,242 | $180,354 | $1,563,073 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,360,414 | $3,222,422 | $3,583,817 |
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
4 open opportunities from Bella Vista Foundation
GGS Early Literacy Grant Program
BELLA VISTA FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
GGS Healthy Living Grant Program
BELLA VISTA FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Pre-3 Support Grant Program
BELLA VISTA FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board Members:
- Susan Koe, Chair
- Shannon Casey Welch, Vice Chair and Co-Treasurer
- Katherine Joiner, Co-Treasurer
- Jean Casey, Secretary
- Rob Millis, Director
- Michael Casey, Director
- Kimberly Casey, Director
- Spencer Kirkwood, Audit Chair
- Sara Koe, Director
- John Kirkwood, Director Emeritus
Staff:
- Melissa Morazán, Program Director (Pre-3 Support, Marin/San Francisco/Alameda)
- Jessi Misslin, Executive Director (Pre-3 Support, San Mateo/Santa Clara/Alameda)
- Tiffany Wood, Senior Program Officer (GGS Youth Mental Health & Early Literacy)
- Derek Aspacher, Senior Program Officer (Watershed Restoration)
- Araceli Ayala, Grants Manager
The foundation partners with Pacific Foundation Services for administrative support.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEAN CASEY | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| SUSAN KOE | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| KATHERINE JOINER | CO-TREASURER | 1 | — |
| SHANNON CASEY WELCH | VICE CHAIR AND CO-TREASURER | 1 | — |
| ROB MILLIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHEAL CASEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KIMBERLY CASEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SPENCER KIRKWOOD | AUDIT CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JOHN KIRKWOOD | DIRECTOR EMERITUS | 1 | — |
| SARA KOE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 1660 Bush Street, Suite 300 San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: 415.561.6540
Website: www.bellavistafoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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