Community Foundation for San Benito County
The Community Foundation for San Benito County is a public charity based in Hollister, California. Formed in 1992, it supports philanthropic activities intended to strengthen the community and enhance quality of life in San Benito County.
Community Foundation for San Benito County at a glance
In short: Community Foundation for San Benito County gave $6.2M across 116 grants in 2024 (avg $54K), mostly in California. 27% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,233,888
- -65.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 116
- +43.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $53,740
- -75.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $28,769,994
- -4.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (30 of 113, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (73% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Community Foundation for San Benito County
- Contact
Mailing address: 440 San Benito Street, Hollister, CA 95023
Phone: (831) 630-1924
Website: https://cffsbc.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Community Foundation for San Benito County
Who Community Foundation for San Benito County funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was San Benito County Heritage Foundation ($1.4M). Together the top 10 received $2.9M.
Organizations only. It also paid 4 individual scholarships ($26,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
481 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 340 grants of 481 (71%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in San Benito County. Its 2024 grants went to recipients in multiple states; 73% of grant dollars went to California recipients, followed by South Dakota and New Mexico at 4% each, Iowa at 3%, and Mississippi at 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 116 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Community Foundation for San Benito County open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 30 of 113 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $25K; repeat grants $66K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $26K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.0M (2021) to $18.0M (2023). In 2024 it made 116 grants totaling $6.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| San Benito County Heritage Foundation Tres Pinos, CA | Standard | $1,392,651 |
| Ecdysis Foundation Estelline, SD | Standard | $250,000 |
| Carbon Cycle Institute Petaluma, CA | Standard | $205,000 |
| Paicines Ranch Learning Center Paicines, CA | Standard | $200,000 |
| Earth Island Institute Berkeley, CA | Standard | $175,000 |
| Women's Food and Agriculture Network Ames, IA | Standard | $175,000 |
| Pie Ranch Pescadero, CA | Standard | $150,000 |
| Possibility Labs San Francisco, CA | Standard | $119,000 |
| United for San Benito Hollister, CA | Solicited | $111,500 |
| Community Alliance with Family Farmers Davis, CA | Standard | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Community Foundation for San Benito County?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $28,769,994 | $4,383,474 | $8,276,240 | $6,233,888 | 116 | $485,023 |
| 2023 | $30,110,958 | $12,281,339 | $19,469,025 | $17,967,093 | 81 | $345,499 |
| 2022 | $35,557,098 | $13,594,682 | $6,134,107 | $4,782,029 | 107 | $368,231 |
| 2021 | $31,134,359 | $12,270,201 | $2,725,466 | $2,011,267 | 85 | $904,476 |
| 2020 | $19,603,133 | $14,221,099 | $7,575,260 | $6,808,286 | 92 | $542,039 |
| 2019 | $12,565,389 | $4,296,481 | $8,713,095 | $7,776,675 | 84 | $659,715 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to build a stronger community and enhance quality of life in San Benito County through support of philanthropic activities. Its 2023 filing describes support for educational, youth, senior, and community services.
Examples of organizations it supported in 2024 illustrate a range of work. The San Benito County Heritage Foundation says it works to preserve and enrich the heritage of the 33rd District Agricultural Association. The Paicines Ranch Learning Center describes its work as public education and research on soil-conserving agricultural practices known as regenerative agriculture. United for San Benito says its mission is to encourage giving, advocacy, and volunteering so youth succeed, residents are healthy, and families are supported.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 116 grants totaling $6,233,888. Grant amounts ranged from $5,120 to $1,392,651, with a median of $25,000. Its largest listed grant was $1,392,651 to the San Benito County Heritage Foundation. Other large grants included $250,000 to Ecdysis Foundation, $205,000 to Carbon Cycle Institute, $200,000 to Paicines Ranch Learning Center, and $175,000 each to Earth Island Institute and the Women’s Food and Agriculture Network.
The foundation also lists the Joseph W. Tripiano Charitable Fund, which supports nonprofits dedicated to the care and promotion of horses. Grant requests are accepted year-round, and a decision is anticipated within four weeks of receiving a completed application. Eligible organizations must be located in Northern California, have 501(c)(3) status, and maintain accurate financial records. The fund prioritizes urgent equestrian-support needs. The foundation asks applicants to contact it when seeking support for a capital project.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Vince Brigantino, Damon Felice, Phil Fortino, Dohn Larson, Mickie Solorio Luna, and Beverley Meamber as directors. Alan Clark is listed as secretary, Mike Grace as CFO/treasurer, Fernando Gonzalez as past chair, and Rebecca Medeiros Wolf as vice chair.
Community Foundation for San Benito County is led by Gary Byrne, President & CEO on every filing since 2019; 1 of 19 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Gary Byrne
President & CEO
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$116K (2019) → $169K (2024)
Chang So
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Allison Rohnert
Director
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Beverley Meamber
Director
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mickie Solorio Luna
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Phil Fortino
Director
Chair → Past Chair, 2020
Past Chair → Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vince Brigantino
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Damon Felice
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dohn Larson
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bill Tiffany
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gerry Wright
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jose Zepeda
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Larry Barr
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Margie Barrios
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Alan Clark
Secretary
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fernando Gonzalez
Past Chair
Past Chair → Chair, 2021
Chair → Past Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Grace
CFO & Treasurer
Treasurer → CFO & Treasurer, 2020
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Medeiros Wolf
Vice Chair
Vice Chair → Director, 2023
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brent Redmond
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Kathleen Sheridan (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Marilyn Ferreira (2019–2022) — Past Chair
- Former: Bob Tiffany (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Christine Breen (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Kay Filice (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Susan Schwabacher Modic (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Gene Zanger (2019) — Director
- Former: Victor Gomez (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $169K, to Gary Byrne (President/CEO).
Frequently asked questions about Community Foundation for San Benito County
How much does Community Foundation for San Benito County give each year?
Community Foundation for San Benito County gave $6.2M across 116 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $18.0M across 81 grants.
What is Community Foundation for San Benito County's typical grant size?
Community Foundation for San Benito County's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $53,740, across 116 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Community Foundation for San Benito County that year got $25K on average.
Where does Community Foundation for San Benito County give grants?
Community Foundation for San Benito County gives mostly in California: 73% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Hollister, CA (32 grants), Santa Fe, NM (4 grants), Tres Pinos, CA (3 grants) and San Francisco, CA (3 grants).
Does Community Foundation for San Benito County give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 116 grants with a stated purpose on Community Foundation for San Benito County's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Standard" (82 grants), "Solicited" (28 grants) and "Scholarship" (6 grants).
Who are Community Foundation for San Benito County's largest grantees?
Community Foundation for San Benito County's largest 2024 grantees include San Benito County Heritage Foundation ($1,392,651), Ecdysis Foundation ($250,000) and Carbon Cycle Institute ($205,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 4 individual scholarships ($26,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Community Foundation for San Benito County?
Community Foundation for San Benito County reported $28.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.4M.
What does Community Foundation for San Benito County fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to build a stronger community and enhance quality of life in San Benito County through support of philanthropic activities. Its 2023 filing describes support for educational, youth, senior, and community services. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation for San Benito County?
Community Foundation for San Benito County has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check cffsbc.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Community Foundation for San Benito County's EIN?
Community Foundation for San Benito County's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0312582. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS September 9, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 15, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Community Foundation for San Benito County funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Community Foundation for San Benito County's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Community Foundation for San Benito County funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-for-san-benito-county-morg_c6a44f279d904b1f8f1097eaa0e8bfff
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_770312582_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Community Foundation for San Benito County funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-for-san-benito-county-morg_c6a44f279d904b1f8f1097eaa0e8bfff},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 Community Foundation for San Benito County'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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