Bob a Ross Foundation Inc

Foundation · Grantmaker SAN FRANCISCO, CA EIN: 94-3254090

The Bob A Ross Foundation Inc is a private independent foundation established in 1998 and based in San Francisco, California. The foundation was created by Bob A. Ross, founder and publisher of the Bay Area Reporter and a prominent activist for gay rights and HIV/AIDS awareness. The foundation operates as a low-profile grantmaking organization without a formal website or dedicated staff.

Key facts about Bob a Ross Foundation Inc

EIN: 94-3254090
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $449,117
Grants made (2024): 31
Average grant: $14,488
Median grant: $10,000
Total assets: $1,308,245
Primary geography: California (88% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Accepts unsolicited proposals: No
How to apply: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Bob a Ross Foundation Inc funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Bob a Ross Foundation Inc's 31 itemized 2024 grants were California (88%) and New Mexico (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (25 grants) and Santa Fe, NM (2 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$1.3M

-13.1% YoY

Annual Giving

$449K

+17.1% YoY

Grant Count

+14.8% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$14K

+2.0% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bob a Ross Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $113K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation does not maintain a publicly stated mission statement. However, based on its grantmaking patterns, the Bob A Ross Foundation focuses on:

LGBTQ organizations and causes — particularly LGBTQ youth services and social services
Arts and cultural organizations — with demonstrated support for performing arts institutions
San Francisco Bay Area community organizations

The foundation has shown particular interest in supporting established arts institutions alongside grassroots LGBTQ-focused organizations.

Grantmaking

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is by invitation only. Prospective applicants must network and establish relationships to come to the foundation's attention.

How to Apply

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily funds organizations in California and New Mexico, with particular concentration in the San Francisco Bay Area. Specific cities where funding has been directed include Alameda, Oakland, Palm Springs, San Francisco, and Santa Fe.

Grant Distribution by State

California $394K (88%)

New Mexico $55K (12%)

Share of all 31 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

California New Mexico

Cities

San FranciscoSanta FeOaklandAlamedaPalm SpringsLos Ranchos De AlbuqueOxnard

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Assets & Revenue (as of 2023):

Total Assets: $1,505,182
Total Revenue: $108,113
Total Expenses: $412,278
Total Liabilities: $0

Revenue Composition (2023):

Investment income and dividends: $50,447
Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $57,666

Key Metrics:

Giving rate: approximately 34.3% of assets annually
The foundation operates with an expense ratio of 381.3% of total revenue, indicating it distributes significantly more than it receives in annual revenue through investment returns and asset sales

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$1,308,245	$1,505,182	$1,809,347
Revenue	$271,180	$108,113	$166,233
Expenses	$468,117	$412,278	$486,216
Qualifying Distributions	$457,726	$383,375	$467,500
Net Investment Income	$262,364	$95,818	$158,473
Distributable Amount	$113,079	$114,149	$134,382

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

129 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include San Francisco Ballet Association ($45,000), San Francisco Symphony ($45,000), Larkin Street Youth Services ($40,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
SAN FRANCISCO BALLET ASSOCIATION SAN FRANCISCO, CA	UNRESTRICTED	$45,000
SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY SAN FRANCISCO, CA	UNRESTRICTED	$45,000
LARKIN STREET YOUTH SERVICES SAN FRANCISCO, CA	UNRESTRICTED	$40,000
SAN FRANCISCO OPERA SAN FRANCISCO, CA	UNRESTRICTED	$30,000
GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY SAN FRANCISCO, CA	UNRESTRICTED	$25,000
SAN FRANCISCO GAY MENS CHORUS SAN FRANCISCO, CA	UNRESTRICTED	$25,000
SANTA FE OPERA SANTA FE, NM	UNRESTRICTED	$25,000
LENSIC PERFORMING ARTS CENTER SANTA FE, NM	UNRESTRICTED	$20,000
OASIS ARTS SAN FRANCISCO, CA	UNRESTRICTED	$17,641
NEW CONSERVATORY THEATRE CENTER SAN FRANCISCO, CA	UNRESTRICTED	$15,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Thomas E. Horn — President (25 hours per week, no compensation)
SingerLewak LLP — Chief Financial Officer ($12,295 compensation)
Matthew Goudeau — Secretary (no compensation)

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
THOMAS E HORN	PRESIDENT	25	—
SINGERLEWAK LLP	CFO	1	$8,175
MATTHEW GOUDEAU	SECRETARY	1	—

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bob a Ross Foundation Inc fund?

The foundation does not maintain a publicly stated mission statement. However, based on its grantmaking patterns, the Bob A Ross Foundation focuses on: • **LGBTQ organizations and causes** — particularly LGBTQ youth services and social services • **Arts and cultural organizations** — with demonstrated support for performing arts institutions • **San Francisco Bay Area community organizations** The foundation has shown particular interest in supporting established arts institutions alongside gra…

How do I apply for a grant from Bob a Ross Foundation Inc?

**Grant Activity:** • 2024: 31 grants totaling $449,117 (median grant $10,000; range $1,000–$45,000) • 2023: 27 grants totaling $383,000 (median grant $10,000; maximum $60,000) • 2022: 27 grants totaling $468,000 (median grant $10,000) **Recent Notable Grants (2023):** • Meals on Wheels of San Francisco: $60,000 (unrestricted) • San Francisco Ballet: $35,000 (unrestricted) • San Francisco Symphony: $25,000 (unrestricted) **Application Process:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applic…

Where does Bob a Ross Foundation Inc make grants?

What size grants does Bob a Ross Foundation Inc award?

In 2024, Bob a Ross Foundation Inc awarded 31 grants totaling $449K — an average of about $14K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Bob a Ross Foundation Inc required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Bob a Ross Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $113K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.