Cara Foundation
Cara Foundation is a private foundation, based in Palo Alto, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $23K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $2K. Net investment income was $723.
Cara Foundation at a glance
In short: Cara Foundation gave $2K across 3 grants in 2024 (avg $500), mostly in Missouri. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,500
- -35.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $500
- -35.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $300
- Total assets
- $23,057
- -3.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Missouri (67% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Cara Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Hawaii Preparatory Academy ($200).
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($1,300), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
20 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 20 grants of 20 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
Cities
How Cara Foundation gives
- Giving fell 71% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2K (2024) to $5K (2021). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $2K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $1,300 |
| Hawaii Preparatory Academy Kamuela, HI | Education | $200 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $23,057 | $723 | $1,500 | $1,500 | 3 | $1,500 | $723 |
| 2023 | $23,834 | $718 | $2,329 | $2,329 | 3 | $2,329 | $718 |
| 2022 | $25,445 | $194 | $3,458 | $3,458 | 5 | $3,458 | $194 |
| 2021 | $28,709 | $2,000 | $5,202 | $5,202 | 5 | $5,202 | — |
| 2020 | $31,911 | $3,077 | $2,876 | $1,676 | 4 | — | $77 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Cara Foundation is led by Randolph Tsien, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Randolph Tsien
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Tsien
Secretary
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Cara Foundation
How much does Cara Foundation give each year?
Cara Foundation gave $2K across 3 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2K across 3 grants.
What is Cara Foundation's typical grant size?
Cara Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $300, and its average grant was $500, across 3 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Cara Foundation give grants?
Cara Foundation gives mostly in Missouri: 67% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (20%) and Hawaii (13%).
Does Cara Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on Cara Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
How large is Cara Foundation?
Cara Foundation reported $23K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $723.
What is Cara Foundation's EIN?
Cara Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-2688651. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 16, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 26, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Figures come from Cara 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.
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