California Masonic Foundation
The California Masonic Foundation is a public charity based in San Francisco, California. It supports education, leadership, and community programs, including scholarships, public-school initiatives, literacy, and relief for Masons and their families.
Key facts about California Masonic Foundation
In short: California Masonic Foundation gave $2.9M across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $210K), mostly in California. 38% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 23-7013074
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,944,035
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- Average grant
- $210,288
- Median grant
- $82,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 38% first-time grantees (5 of 13, 2025; small sample)
- Total assets
- $48,593,195
- Primary geography
- California (94% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$48.6M
+5.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.9M
+81.1% YoY
Grant Count
14
+7.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$210K
+68.2% YoY
Is California Masonic Foundation open to new grantees?
38%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 13 grantees (38%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $54K; repeat grants $334K. How we count
Medians: $54K first-time, $255K repeat.
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated mission is to apply Masonic principles in support of education, leadership, and communities through programs that touch the lives of thousands each year.
Education-related work described by the Foundation includes college scholarships, Raising a Reader, the Center for Family Math, career and technical training through Working Tools, and support for California Teachers of the Year. Its 2024 filing describes scholarships for 200–250 students each year, as well as Masonic education and leadership training, including Wardens Leadership Retreats and a Lodge Management Certification Program. The Foundation’s website also describes relief for Masons and their families through the Distressed Worthy Brother Relief Program.
Its 2025 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. Masonic Homes of California describes its work as helping members, their families, and communities live well and achieve meaningful lives. Raising a Reader, which the Foundation describes as an early-literacy and family-engagement partnership, received support to improve child literacy and strengthen families. The Giants Community Fund says it uses baseball and softball to promote health, education, and character development for youth in underserved regions. Other 2025 recipients included schools and school districts, a youth organization, and organizations supporting family-school-community engagement and mobility.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 14 grants totaling $2,944,035. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $1,222,818, with a median of $82,500.
The largest grants included $1,222,818 to Masonic Homes of California for distressed worthy brother relief; $451,588 to Raising a Reader to improve child literacy, strengthen families, and support children’s learning; $344,870 to California Masonic Memorial Temple for general support; and $340,460 to Grand Lodge of California for education and leadership skills among Master Masons. Other grants included $166,014 to the National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement for general support to education and $120,000 to California Mobility Center for general support.
The Johnny Ritchey Scholarship Program provides up to 10 scholarships of $10,000 each, paid as $2,500 annually over four years. It is for first-generation, underserved high school seniors in San Diego County who have overcome significant personal adversity and are pursuing higher education. Eligible students are pre-screened and affiliated with Reality Changers of San Diego. The program is administered by the California Masonic Foundation, the San Diego Padres Foundation, and Reality Changers of San Diego.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from California Masonic Foundation
Johnny Ritchey Scholarship Program
California Masonic Foundation
Amount
$10,000 per scholarship (up to 10 scholarships; $2,500 annually over four years)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Math Engagement Program for LA Young Learners
California Masonic Foundation
Amount
$968,000 (three-year investment)
Deadline
Deadline not published
San Diego Unified School District Career Technical Education Grant
California Masonic Foundation
Amount
$390,000 (three-year grant)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ready to take the next step with California Masonic Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant-dollar distribution was 94% to California and 6% to Virginia; Missouri and Pennsylvania were each reported as 0%. The Johnny Ritchey Scholarship Program is specifically for eligible students in San Diego County, California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.0M (2020) to $2.9M (2025). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $2.9M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Masonic Homes of California ($1.2M). Together the top 10 received $2.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
58 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 21 grants of 58 (36%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Masonic Homes of California San Francisco, CA | Distressed Worthy Brother Relief | $1,222,818 |
| Raising a Reader Redwood City, CA | To improve child literacy, strengthen families, and inspire a new generation of californias children to read, learn and succeed. | $451,588 |
| California Masonic Memorial Temple San Francisco, CA | General Support | $344,870 |
| Grand Lodge of California San Francisco, CA | Enrichment of education and leadership skills among master masons | $340,460 |
| Nafsce Alexandria, VA | General Support to Education | $166,014 |
| California Mobility Center Sacramento, CA | General Support | $120,000 |
| Giant Community Fund San Francisco, CA | General Support | $90,000 |
| California Rainbow for Girls Fresno, CA | General Support | $75,000 |
| Sacramento City Unified School District Sacramento, CA | General Support to Education | $54,000 |
| Grand Lodge of California San Francisco, CA | Annual Communication Grant for Gala | $36,285 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $48,593,195 | $3,514,640 | $4,899,311 | $2,944,035 |
| 2024 | $46,019,821 | $3,998,936 | $3,329,176 | $1,625,613 |
| 2023 | $40,260,183 | $1,619,049 | $3,546,390 | $1,710,261 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $48,593,195 | $46,019,821 | $40,260,183 |
| Revenue | $3,514,640 | $3,998,936 | $1,619,049 |
| Expenses | $4,899,311 | $3,329,176 | $3,546,390 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,307,441 | $2,951,119 | $82,045 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 24, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 31, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 24, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 21, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 18, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 17, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 25, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Christopher Smith as CTO and Jr. Grand Warden. Michael D. Thibodeaux was chairman through October 2025, and Mark J. McNee was vice chairman through October 2025 and chairman as of October 2025. Charles P. Cross was treasurer through October 2025, and Steven Leslie Yeffa was treasurer as of October 2025. Trustees listed were James P. Arnold, Paul B. Bazerkanian, Walter J. Campbell, Jairo Gomez, and Josh Levesque.
California Masonic Foundation is led by Douglas D. Ismail, President & Chief Philanthropy Officer since 2024 (on filings since 2019); 4 of 25 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Douglas D. Ismail
President & Chief Philanthropy Officer
President & Chief Philanthropy → President & Chief Philanthropy Officer, 2024
On filings since 2019
10.2 hrs/week
$335K (2024) → $297K (2025)
Mark J. McNee
Vice Chairman & Chairman
Trustee → Vice Chairman of the Board, 2022
Vice Chairman of the Board → Vice Chairman & Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael D. Thibodeaux
Chairman
Vice Chairman of the Board → Chairman of the Board, 2022
Chairman of the Board → Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Candler Gibson
Director of Masonic Philanthropy
On filings since 2022
10.2 hrs/week
$109K (2022) → $164K (2025)
Gregory Cherry
Director of Masonic Philanthropy
On filings since 2022
2.5 hrs/week
$85K (2022) → $139K (2025)
Alexander J. Teodoro
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark E. Pressey
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul B. Bazerkanian
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ralph C. Shelton II
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Walter J. Campbell
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan L. Wong
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary R. Quintrell
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jairo Gomez
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James P. Arnold
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jay Sener
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Josh Levesque
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nathan Williams
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Denise Avila
Senior Manager of the Annual Fund
On filings since 2023
10.2 hrs/week
$107K (2023) → $118K (2025)
Allan L. Casalou
Grand Secretary
Secretary → Grand Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
3.9 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew D. Cameron
General Counsel
On filings since 2019
2.7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher D. Smith
CTO & Junior Grand Warden
Trustee → CTO & Trustee, 2024
CTO & Trustee → CTO & Junior Grand Warden, 2025
On filings since 2019
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carol R. Hunter
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Vice President & CFO → Chief Financial Officer, 2024
Chief Financial Officer → Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, 2025
On filings since 2022
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles P. Cross
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew R. Uehling
Chief Human Resources Officer
On filings since 2024
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven Leslie Yeffa
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (18)
- Former: Ara Maloyan (2024–2025) — Trustee · Filing note: Thru 10/2024
- Former: Arthur Harold Weiss (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Thomas T. Albers (2019–2024) — Trustee · Filing note: Thru 10/2024
- Former: Carlos Manuel Diez Jr. (2024) — Trustee
- Former: Christopher Herwegh (2024) — Trustee
- Former: Arthur L. Salazar Jr. (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Dennis R. Mahoney (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Reuben B. Zari (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Thomas J. Boyer (2019–2023) — Vice President & CFO
- Former: Douglas D. Ismail President (2022–2023) — Chief Philanthropy Officer
- Former: Garrett S. Chan (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Alan K. Pak (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: John R. Heisner (2019–2021) — Chairman of the Board
- Former: G. Sean Metroka (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Jeffery M. Wilkins (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Michael J. Cornell (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Randall L. Brill (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Robert A. Whitfield (2019) — Trustee
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 $297K, to Douglas D Ismail (President/Chief Philanthropy Officer). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 1111 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone: (415) 776-7000
Frequently asked questions about California Masonic Foundation
How much does California Masonic Foundation give each year?
California Masonic Foundation gave $2.9M across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.6M across 13 grants.
What is California Masonic Foundation's typical grant size?
California Masonic Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $82,500, and its average grant was $210,288, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from California Masonic Foundation that year got $54K on average.
Where does California Masonic Foundation give grants?
California Masonic Foundation gives mostly in California: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Virginia (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (5 grants), Sacramento, CA (2 grants) and San Diego, CA (2 grants).
Does California Masonic Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 64% of California Masonic Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 14) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are California Masonic Foundation's largest grantees?
California Masonic Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Masonic Homes of California ($1,222,818), Raising a Reader ($451,588) and Grand Lodge of California ($376,745 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 70% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is California Masonic Foundation?
California Masonic Foundation reported $48.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.5M.
What does California Masonic Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is to apply Masonic principles in support of education, leadership, and communities through programs that touch the lives of thousands each year. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from California Masonic Foundation?
California Masonic Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is California Masonic Foundation's EIN?
California Masonic Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7013074. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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