California Healthcare Foundation
The California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) is an independent nonprofit philanthropy based in Oakland, California, and a public charity. It works to improve California’s health care system, particularly for people with low incomes and communities that face barriers to care, through grantmaking, research, and partnerships with health care leaders.
California Healthcare Foundation at a glance
In short: California Healthcare Foundation gave $39.7M across 321 grants in 2025 (avg $124K), mostly in California. 29% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $39,732,661
- -1.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 321
- +2.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $123,778
- -3.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $765,394,225
- -5.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (93 of 321, 2025)
- Primary geography
- California (76% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to California Healthcare Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
CHCF accepts unsolicited requests, but most grants are solicited or awarded through competitive requests for proposals. For an unsolicited request, submit a letter of inquiry describing the proposed project, its fit with a specific CHCF strategic goal, an estimated timeline, the amount requested, and contact information. CHCF prefers to review a letter of inquiry before a full proposal; full proposals are accepted when solicited by program staff, submitted through an RFP, or invited after review of an unsolicited inquiry. Proposal materials include a cover sheet, tax identification information (including a current W-9 when required), proposal materials following CHCF’s guidelines, and a project budget. CHCF generally does not fund direct clinical care, general operations, equipment purchases, capital or endowment campaigns, facility construction or renovation, annual appeals or fundraising events, basic biomedical research, insurance subsidies, requests benefiting an individual, or organizations outside the United States.
- Review Cycle
- Unsolicited letters of inquiry have no due dates and are reviewed on a rolling basis; CHCF generally responds within six to eight weeks. RFP requests follow the instructions in the applicable RFP.
- Deadline
- Unsolicited letters of inquiry have no due dates and are reviewed on a rolling basis; CHCF generally responds within…
- Contact
Mailing address: 1438 Webster St 400, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 238-1040
Website: https://chcf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from California Healthcare Foundation
Amplifying Impact Initiaitve Grant
California Healthcare Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
California Health Care Foundation Grants
California Healthcare Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling
California Healthcare Payments Database Affordability Research Fund RFP Grant
California Healthcare Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who California Healthcare Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of California San Francisco ($4.1M). Together the top 10 received $14.1M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($50,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,432 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 727 grants of 1,432 (51%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CHCF’s work centers on California health care. Its website says grants are not limited to California-based entities, but projects must be relevant to California health care delivery issues. In 2025, 76% of grant dollars went to recipients in California; other leading recipient states or jurisdictions were Washington (5%), the District of Columbia (4%), New Jersey (4%), and Massachusetts (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 321 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is California Healthcare Foundation open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 93 of 321 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $50K; repeat grants $154K. How we count
Medians: $27K first-time, $60K repeat.
- 59% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+9%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $22.6M (2019) to $40.2M (2024). In 2025 it made 321 grants totaling $39.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of California San Francisco San Francisco, CA | Understanding the Impact of AB890: Setting the Baseline | $4,106,586 |
| KFF San Francisco, CA | California healthline renewal: 2023-25; employer health benefits survey 2025 to 2027 | $1,990,000 |
| University of Washington Seattle, WA | Implementing collaborative care to support maternal mental health in la community clinics (years 2-5) | $1,340,000 |
| University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | California health interview survey, 2023-2024; ucla fielding school of public health service and evaluation planning for ucla homeless healthcare collaborative; the health of californians with needs for long-term services and supports; evaluating the impacts of street medicine: analyzing ucla homeless healthcare collaborative and venice family clinic ehr data; California health improvement challenge iv; developing health tech companies and entrepreneurs serving the safety net in La county; California health interview survey 2025-2026 | $1,293,693 |
| Tides Center Oakland, CA | Advancing behavioral health in primary care learning collaborative; planning grant: mcp calaim community of practice; managing partner for peer network of medi-cal managed care plan cheos; 2024 safety net innovation summit; 2024 health policy summit; mcp calaim implementation learning community; civic engagement 2024 -move the valley; practice transformation program learning & dissemination; general operating support for the lchc, 2025-26; support for the physician shortage campaign 2025-2027; general operating support; building healthy communities; protecting access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care for medi-cal enrollees: abortion access | $1,174,425 |
| Community Partners Los Angeles, CA | Improving quality and reducing disparities for medi-cal populations in southern California's hidden safety net; support for journalism strategy update | $1,084,395 |
| Center for Health Care Strategies Inc Hamilton, NJ | Partnerships for action: California health care & homelessness learning community; calaim policy and implementation synthesis and advisory board; dissemination of the alternative payment methodology implementation toolkit; supporting recuperative care in rural areas; design of a learning collaborative for medi-cal plans on member advisory committees; exploring opportunities and appetite to address direct care workforce shortage and needs; community health worker/promotor/representative resource center revision planning; calaim/people-centered care policy tracking phase iii; improving member advisory groups: a summit and tools for medi-cal managed care plans; California assisted living virtual learning series | $924,595 |
| Aurrera Health Group LLC Sacramento, CA | Health disparities in California almanac; calaim behavioral health regional contracting; exploring emerging network/hub models in medi-cal; update substance use in California almanac; informing California home and community based services (HCBS) waiver managed care transition: phase one; short-term post-hospitalization housing landscape; substance use disorder in primary care landscape assessment; inventory and analysis of medi-cal performance incentives; medi-cal community care hubs; federal medicaid policy authorities explainers; learning from the unwinding: a stakeholder roundtable | $803,500 |
| Evitarus Inc Los Angeles, CA | Birthright podcast impact research; opinion research project; consultation: policy opportunities and community partnerships; abfe conference reception; planning for phase 3: listening to people with complex needs; calaim enrollee listening: phase iii; understanding key audiences and approaches for shifting narratives; phase iv: calaim listening to people with complex needs | $751,041 |
| California Pan-Ethnic Health Network Berkeley, CA | Community health worker and promotores policy coalition; mental health improvement in medi-cal; primary care investment coordinating group; 2024-2026 community health worker, promotores, and representative (chw/p/r) policy coalition refresh; general operating support for cpehn, 2025-26; behavioral health policy advocacy support for cpehn; general support; protect care for California: communications campaign | $655,000 |
Ready to take the next step with California Healthcare Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $765,394,225 | $137,311,491 | $69,615,318 | $39,732,661 | 321 | $135,996,909 |
| 2024 | $806,876,271 | $26,781,051 | $67,790,354 | $40,162,019 | 314 | $25,353,461 |
| 2023 | $833,926,666 | $17,643,651 | $64,588,242 | $38,933,913 | 319 | $16,294,820 |
| 2022 | $962,705,535 | $76,725,408 | $63,796,271 | $36,603,563 | 253 | $75,626,019 |
| 2021 | $970,069,278 | $48,035,445 | $46,564,285 | $24,657,932 | 225 | $46,201,552 |
| 2020 | $741,030,213 | $19,485,198 | $58,598,842 | $35,577,159 | 208 | $17,946,627 |
| 2019 | $791,200,520 | $14,447,462 | $42,920,614 | $22,580,781 | 181 | $12,827,810 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
CHCF’s stated program areas include advancing people-centered care, improving access, and laying the foundation for change. Its work includes behavioral health transformation; care for people with complex needs; advancing Black health equity; access to affordable coverage, primary care, and specialty care; research and market analysis; health journalism; leadership development; and collaboration between safety-net providers, health plans, and entrepreneurs. The foundation also uses convenings, research, and engagement to support its program work.
CHCF says it supports projects aligned with its strategic goals that are relevant to California health care and generally have implications beyond a single institution. Its 2025 grants illustrate support for universities, research and policy organizations, health care networks, and advocacy groups. For example, grantee California Pan-Ethnic Health Network describes its mission as promoting health equity through policy advocacy and resources for communities of color. The California Health Care Safety Net Institute describes its work as partnering with California public health care systems to improve patient-led and equitable care.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, CHCF reported 321 grants totaling $39,732,661. Grant amounts ranged from $5,200 to $4,106,586, with a median of $50,000. Among the largest awards were $4,106,586 to the University of California, San Francisco, for work on the impact of AB890; $1,990,000 to KFF for California Healthline and the Employer Health Benefits Survey; and $1,340,000 to the University of Washington for collaborative care supporting maternal mental health in Los Angeles community clinics.
Other notable 2025 grants included $1,293,693 to the University of California, Los Angeles, for projects including the California Health Interview Survey and homeless health care research; $1,174,425 to Tides Center for multiple health policy, learning, and community initiatives; and $1,084,395 to Community Partners for work on Medi-Cal populations and journalism strategy. KFF describes its mission as providing trusted, independent information on national health issues through policy analysis, polling and survey research, and journalism.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Sandra Hernandez as president and CEO. Board members listed are Sergio A. Aguilar-Gaxiola, David Murray Carlisle, Zoila Dalia Escobar, Elizabeth Gibboney, Mark Laret, Melvin Lindsay, Luong Nguyen, Kristin Anne Torres Mowat, and Deborah Deas.
California Healthcare Foundation is led by Hernandez Sandra, President & C.e.o since 2022 (on filings since 2019); 18 of 19 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Hernandez Sandra
President & C.e.o
President & C.e.o → President & C.e.o., 2020
President & C.e.o. → President & C.e.o, 2022
On filings since 2019
45 hrs/week
$590K (2019) → $767K (2025)
Buckley Melissa
Program Director of Innovations
On filings since 2019
45 hrs/week
$270K (2019) → $335K (2025)
Perrone Christopher
Program Director of Improving Access
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$266K (2020) → $320K (2025)
Stremikis Kristof
Prg Director of Mkt Analysis & Insight
On filings since 2024
45 hrs/week
$305K (2024) → $320K (2025)
Carter Kara
Senior Vice President Programs & Secretary
Senior Vice President of Programs → Senior Vice President Pgrms & Secretary, 2023
Senior Vice President Pgrms & Secretary → Senior Vice President Programs & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
45 hrs/week
$330K (2019) → $501K (2025)
Reader Charles
Chief Talent Officer
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$236K (2020) → $325K (2025)
Gibboney Elizabeth
Board Member
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
$18K (2024) → $37K (2025)
Schneidermann Michelle
Prg Dir-Advancing People Cntr'd Care
Prgm Director of Adv Ppl Centered Care → Prg Dir-Advancing People Cntr'd Care, 2022
On filings since 2021
45 hrs/week
$276K (2021) → $335K (2025)
Aguilar-Gaxiola Sergio A.
Board Member
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
$30K (2023) → $33K (2025)
Carlisle David Murray
Board Member
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
$29K (2023) → $28K (2025)
Escobar Zoila Dalia
Board Member
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
$26K (2023) → $38K (2025)
Laret Mark
Board Member
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
$23K (2023) → $32K (2025)
Lindsay Melvin
Board Member
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
$28K (2024) → $36K (2025)
Reyes Carolyn
Board Member
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
$39K (2023) → $43K (2025)
Nguyen Luong
Board Member
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
$25K (2024) → $34K (2025)
Christiano Susan
Interim CFO
New on the 2025 filing
45 hrs/week
$234K (2025)
Deas Deborah
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
$20K (2025)
Mowat Kristin Anne Torres
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
$28K (2025)
Curtis Krysten
Vice President of Finance Administrator, Investment & Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
45 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (28)
- Former: Kim Tie (2023–2025) — Vice President of Finance Administrator, Invests & Treasurer · Filing note: Ended 12-2024
- Former: Augustinos Nicholas (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: O'Keefe Lynne Chou (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Jones Marc E. (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Shewry Sandra (2019–2023) — Vice President of External Engagement
- Former: Ziegler Craig (2019–2023) — Vice President Fin-Adm-Inv, Secretary & Trs
- Former: Gross Daniel L. (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Nguyen Louie (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Carolyn Reyes (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Daniel L. Gross (2022) — Board Member
- Former: David Murray Carlisle (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Lynne Chou O'Keefe (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Marc E. Jones (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Nicholas Augustinos (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Sergio A. Aguilar-Gaxiola (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Zoila Dalia Escobar (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Aguilar-Gaxiola Sergio (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Carlisle David (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Escobar Zoila (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Gross Daniel (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Jones Marc (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Reyes Carolina (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Southwick Susan (2019–2021) — Director of It
- Former: Gilbert Bradley (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Hill Elizabeth G. (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Welty John D. (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Perrone Chris (2019) — Program Director of Improving Access
- Former: Pfeifer Kelly (2019) — Program Director of High Value Care
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $767K, to Hernandez Sandra (President & C.E.O). 19 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about California Healthcare Foundation
How much does California Healthcare Foundation give each year?
California Healthcare Foundation gave $39.7M across 321 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $40.2M across 314 grants.
What is California Healthcare Foundation's typical grant size?
California Healthcare Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $123,778, across 321 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from California Healthcare Foundation that year got $50K on average.
Where does California Healthcare Foundation give grants?
California Healthcare Foundation gives mostly in California: 76% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (32 grants), Oakland, CA (32 grants), Sacramento, CA (32 grants) and San Francisco, CA (27 grants).
Does California Healthcare Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 6% of California Healthcare Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (20 of 321) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "CHW/P/R Amplifying Impact Initiative Community of Spread" (11 grants), "Partnerships for Action Pilot" (8 grants) and "Civic Engagement 2024" (7 grants).
Who are California Healthcare Foundation's largest grantees?
California Healthcare Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include University of California San Francisco ($4,106,586), KFF ($1,990,000) and University of Washington ($1,340,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($50,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is California Healthcare Foundation?
California Healthcare Foundation reported $765.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $137.3M.
What does California Healthcare Foundation fund?
CHCF’s stated program areas include advancing people-centered care, improving access, and laying the foundation for change. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from California Healthcare Foundation?
CHCF accepts unsolicited requests, but most grants are solicited or awarded through competitive requests for proposals. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is California Healthcare Foundation's EIN?
California Healthcare Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4523231. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does California Healthcare Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 15, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 15, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 16, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in California Healthcare Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
The California Endowment
Los Angeles, CA
The California Endowment funds nonprofit, government, and eligible faith-based organizations working to advance health and racial equity, strengthen community power, and improve health systems and communities, primarily in California. Its 2024 median grant was $100,000, and funding is by invitation only; it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,125
Total Given
$215.9M
East Bay Community Foundation
Oakland, CA
East Bay Community Foundation funds arts and culture for social justice, racial-equity capacity building, community organizing and movement building, and inclusive economic models, prioritizing communities affected by structural inequities. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely, and generally support organizations in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Most strategy-guided grants are by invitation, with applications opened periodically; donor-advised fund grants may also be made without an application.
Assets
$514.0M
Grants
842
Total Given
$62.8M
The California Wellness Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Wellness Foundation funds California-focused work to improve health and wellness, including community-led efforts, direct services, advocacy, and civic engagement. Its 2024 grants ranged from $150 to $1 million, with a median of $7,500. It is not accepting unsolicited requests in 2026.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
681
Total Given
$48.8M
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Los Altos, CA
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation funds charitable organizations working on just societies, healthy families and communities, and a healthy natural world, including climate solutions, ocean conservation, and science. Its 2024 grants had a median of $150,000, and half of grant dollars went to California recipients. It accepts unsolicited requests, but less than 1% of its grants come from them.
Assets
$8.5B
Grants
1,029
Total Given
$350.0M
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). California Healthcare Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/california-healthcare-foundation-morg_183e6d70c0914b938643c658a3e247f5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_954523231_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{California Healthcare Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/california-healthcare-foundation-morg_183e6d70c0914b938643c658a3e247f5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-07. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from California Healthcare Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
California Healthcare Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?