The Caldwell Fisher Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1999 and granted IRS tax-exempt status in 2001. Based in Menlo Park, California, the foundation operates as an invitation-only grantmaker with a focus on climate solutions, environmental conservation, and education initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$24.0M
-9.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.7M
-29.7% YoY
Grant Count
7
-69.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$535K
+130.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Caldwell Fisher Family reported a distributable amount of $1.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation prioritizes climate crisis solutions and environmental conservation with an emphasis on science-based approaches to climate change. Funding interests include:
- Climate change and climate solutions
- Environmental conservation
- Education, particularly science and STEM education
- Coral reef restoration and marine conservation
- Philanthropy and grantmaking
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$300 to $12,350,000
Invitation Only
** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates on an invitation-only basis, making grants to preselected organizations through trustee discretion.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations primarily in California, Washington D.C., and New York, with a national scope for select initiatives.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $24.0M–$26.6M | $30.9M | $34.4M |
| Total Giving | $5.3M | $13.7M | $2.7M |
| Number of Grants | 23 | 31 | 46 |
2024 Financial Summary:
- Total revenues: $1,026,435
- Total expenses: $90,429
- Total assets: $24,020,753
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $24,020,753 | $26,629,781 | $30,860,747 |
| Revenue | $1,026,435 | $945,038 | $10,605,445 |
| Expenses | $90,429 | $6,311,000 | $25,576,553 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,824,761 | $5,428,021 | $13,780,119 |
| Net Investment Income | $987,759 | $954,726 | $9,453,009 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,297,146 | $1,474,931 | $1,843,623 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
154 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Harvard's Climate Action Accelerator Fund ($3,500,000), National Redistricting Foundation ($100,000), Sfmoma ($85,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| EXPLORATORIUM SAN FRANCISCO, CA | SCIENCE/EDUCATION | $25,000 |
| JANE GOODALL INSTITUTE WASHINGTON, DC | ENVIORNMENT | $5,000 |
| LANDPATHS SANTA ROSA, CA | ENVIORNMENT | $5,000 |
| NATIONAL REDISTRICTING FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | EDUCATION/WELLFARE | $100,000 |
| HARVARD'S CLIMATE ACTION ACCELERATOR FUND BOSTON, MA | EDUCATION | $3,500,000 |
| SFMOMA SAN FRANCISCO, CA | ART | $85,000 |
| MENTAL HEALTH COALITION INC NEW YORK, NY | MENTAL HEALTH | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- John H.N. Fisher – Chief Executive Officer and Secretary
- Jennifer Caldwell – Co-leader
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER CALDWELL | PRESIDENT/VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| JOHN FISHER | CEO/SECRETARY | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation serves as a lead partner in the California Academy of Sciences' "Hope for Reefs" coral reef restoration program, a strategic initiative valued at $8.5 million. Leadership also co-chairs Harvard's Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability External Advisory Board, reflecting the foundation's commitment to advancing climate science and sustainability education at major research institutions.
New program to boost funding for priority climate solutionsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Caldwell Fisher Family fund?
The foundation prioritizes climate crisis solutions and environmental conservation with an emphasis on science-based approaches to climate change. Funding interests include: • Climate change and climate solutions • Environmental conservation • Education, particularly science and STEM education • Coral reef restoration and marine conservation • Philanthropy and grantmaking
How do I apply for a grant from Caldwell Fisher Family?
**Application Process:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates on an invitation-only basis, making grants to preselected organizations through trustee discretion. **Grant Characteristics:** • Grant range: $300 to $12,350,000 • Median grant: $25,000–$50,000 • 2024 giving: $5.3 million across 23 grants • 2023 giving: $13.7 million across 31 grants • 2022 giving: $2.7 million across 46 grants **Recent Grant Recipients (2023–2024):** • President and Fellows of Harvard…
Where does Caldwell Fisher Family make grants?
The foundation funds organizations primarily in California, Washington D.C., and New York, with a national scope for select initiatives.
What size grants does Caldwell Fisher Family award?
In 2024, Caldwell Fisher Family awarded 7 grants totaling $3.7M — an average of about $535K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Caldwell Fisher Family required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Caldwell Fisher Family reported a distributable amount of $1.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Caldwell Fisher Family's EIN?
Caldwell Fisher Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0527966. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Caldwell Fisher Family'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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