Community Initiatives is a comprehensive fiscal sponsor organization based in Oakland, California, serving as a thought partner and professional services provider to nonprofit projects, startups, networks, and collaborations. Operating for over 30 years, the organization takes on legal and fiduciary responsibility for approximately 100 unincorporated nonprofit projects across diverse issue areas and geographic regions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$74.4M
+32.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$9.9M
+43.4% YoY
Grant Count
84
+147.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$118K
-42.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Community Initiatives advances the creation of a more vibrant, innovative, and effective nonprofit sector by sponsoring projects for the benefit of communities in service to social change.
Core Values: The organization is dedicated to providing best-in-class infrastructure for nonprofit leaders, freeing advocates from administrative burdens so they can remain energized and centered on the people they serve.
Program Areas: Community Initiatives' fiscally sponsored projects work across multiple sectors including:
- Arts and culture
- Education
- Environment
- Health
- Human services
- Public affairs
- Social justice
Grantmaking
Community Initiatives manages philanthropic relationships with approximately 400 institutional donors and processes over 6,800 cash donations and 350 grants annually. The organization provides financial oversight to ensure responsible management of grant revenues and compliance with donor requirements.
Grant Range
** Typical awards range from $5,022 to $3,837,743.
Ready to take the next step with Community Initiatives?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Community Initiatives primarily funds projects in California, Massachusetts, and New York, though their fiscally sponsored projects work in diverse geographic areas.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $74,356,841
- Total Revenue: $77,611,739
- Total Expenses: $68,349,743
- Total Liabilities: $7,400,000
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) public foundation; tax-exempt since May 1997; EIN: 94-3255070
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $74,356,841 | $56,232,715 | $48,904,163 |
| Revenue | $77,611,739 | $59,435,734 | $57,867,676 |
| Expenses | $68,349,743 | $55,372,330 | $46,310,794 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,824,054 | $762,255 | $46,655 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
234 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include House of Victory Foundation Inc ($3,837,743), Feather River Land Trust ($1,805,473), Global Philanthropy Project ($922,734).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACCORDA MUSIC-THANATOLOGY INSTITUTE HENDERSON, NV | SCHOLARSHIPS AND GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $9,931 |
| ALLIANCE FOR GLOBAL JUSTICE TUCSON, AZ | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $6,715 |
| ALLIED UP ONTARIO, CA | SUPPORT FOR THE CREATION OF ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND RACIAL EQUITY FOR LOW-WAGE WORKERS | $450,000 |
| ATHOL-ROYALSTON REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT ATHOL, MA | SUPPORT FOR PROJECT LEAD THE WAY (PLTW) PROGRAMMING | $16,000 |
| BEYOND TOXICS EUGENE, OR | SUPPORT FOR THE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES AGENDA | $15,000 |
| BIG CAT SANCTURARY ALLIANCE GLASTONBURY, CT | EXITED PROJECT GRANT DISBURSEMENT | $10,379 |
| BLACK MUSIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP INCUBATOR OAKLAND, CA | SUPPORT FOR BLACK MEN'S WELLNESS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM | $10,000 |
| BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA LINCOLN, NE | 2024 MACARTHUR CIVIC JOURNALISM GRANT | $6,000 |
| BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY BOISE, ID | 2024 PATHWAY LOCAL DISSEMINATION GRANT | $42,975 |
| BRAINTREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BRAINTREE, MA | SUPPORT FOR PROJECT LEAD THE WAY (PLTW) PROGRAMMING | $30,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RUTH WILLIAMS | CEO | 40 | $377,723 |
| CARL TAIBL | CFO | 40 | $238,660 |
| MAMIE FUNAHASHI | VP STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS | 40 | $270,308 |
| SAMANTHA TRAN | EXECUTIVE DIR., CAL POLICY COLLAB. | 40 | $265,582 |
| DAVID MCGEE | VP HR & OPERATIONS | 40 | $238,038 |
| LUCY BLAKE | PRESIDENT, NPS | 40 | $199,136 |
| KATHLEEN BOLTS | VP OF CLIENT SERVICES | 40 | $198,550 |
| HEDY CHANG | EXECUTIVE DIR., ATTENDANCE WORKS | 40 | $175,276 |
| MARK BROMLEY | COUNCIL CHAIR, COUNCIL FOR GLOBAL EQ | 40 | $177,035 |
| MICHAEL MCBRIDE | EXECUTIVE DIR., LIVE FREE | 40 | $193,250 |
| BARBARA RHOMBERG | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| DEE DEE MENDOZA | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| MAYA TUSSING | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| MARY ANN FAKE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JANET CAMARENA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ABBAS MOLOO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LOREN POGIR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Community Initiatives fund?
**Mission:** Community Initiatives advances the creation of a more vibrant, innovative, and effective nonprofit sector by sponsoring projects for the benefit of communities in service to social change. **Core Values:** The organization is dedicated to providing best-in-class infrastructure for nonprofit leaders, freeing advocates from administrative burdens so they can remain energized and centered on the people they serve. **Program Areas:** Community Initiatives' fiscally sponsored projects w…
How do I apply for a grant from Community Initiatives?
Community Initiatives manages philanthropic relationships with approximately 400 institutional donors and processes over 6,800 cash donations and 350 grants annually. The organization provides financial oversight to ensure responsible management of grant revenues and compliance with donor requirements. **Grant Range:** Typical awards range from $5,022 to $3,837,743. **Total Giving (2024):** $11,929,513
Where does Community Initiatives make grants?
Community Initiatives primarily funds projects in California, Massachusetts, and New York, though their fiscally sponsored projects work in diverse geographic areas.
What size grants does Community Initiatives award?
In 2024, Community Initiatives awarded 84 grants totaling $9.9M — an average of about $118K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Community Initiatives's EIN?
Community Initiatives's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3255070. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Community Initiatives's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Gochnauer Family Foundation
CORONA DEL MAR, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
39
Total Given
$313K
Cottage Health
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Assets
$172.1M
Grants
6
Total Given
$179K
International Right of Way Association
GARDENA, CA
Assets
$5.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$9K
Quince Interfaith Housing Corporation
LEMON GROVE, CA
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
William & Lillian Schwartz Charitable Foundation
LA JOLLA, CA
Assets
$325K
Grants
1
Total Given
$3K
Covia Foundation
GLENDALE, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
1
Total Given
$4.8M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Community Initiatives on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Community Initiatives to a real strategy.