Darrow Foundation
The Darrow Foundation is a private foundation based in Novato, California. It made 12 grants totaling $34,000 in 2024, with a stated preference for charitable organizations that reside or perform services in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Darrow Foundation at a glance
In short: Darrow Foundation gave $34K across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), mostly in California. 8% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $34,000
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $2,833
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $545,153
- +24.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (1 of 12, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Darrow Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Submit the reason for the request and proof of tax-exempt status. The filing states that there are no restrictions on awards, but gives preference to charitable organizations that reside or perform services in the San Francisco Bay Area; grants may go to organizations outside the area to the extent funds are available.
- Review Cycle
- Requests for December 31 grants must be submitted by November 1.
- Deadline
- Requests for December 31 grants must be submitted by November 1.
- Contact
Application contact: Thomas E Martz
Mailing address: 7200 Redwood Blvd Ste 325, Novato, CA 94945
Phone: (415) 898-6400
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Darrow Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was San Francisco-Marin Food Bank ($8K). Together the top 10 received $33K.
Grant Size Distribution
51 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 51 grants of 51 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states a preference for charitable organizations that reside or perform services in the San Francisco Bay Area, while noting that it may also make grants outside the area when funds are available. In 2024, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in California and 6% to recipients in Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Darrow Foundation open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 12 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 92% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 32% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 141% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $33K (2022) to $50K (2021). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $34K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Marin Food Bank San Rafael, CA | Eleemosynary | $8,000 |
| Immaculate Conception Academy San Francisco, CA | Eleemosynary | $8,000 |
| Marin Foster Care San Rafael, CA | Eleemosynary | $2,500 |
| Catholic Charities San Francisco, CA | Eleemosynary | $2,000 |
| Homeward Bound Novato, CA | Eleemosynary | $2,000 |
| St Raphael's School San Rafael, CA | Eleemosynary | $2,000 |
| St Anthony's Dining Room San Francisco, CA | Eleemosynary | $2,000 |
| St Vincent Depaul Society San Rafael, CA | Eleemosynary | $2,000 |
| Spaulding Marine Center Sausalito, CA | Eleemosynary | $2,000 |
| Foundation Fighting Blindness Baltimore, MD | Eleemosynary | $2,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Darrow Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $545,153 | $147,973 | $42,067 | $34,000 | 12 | $36,499 | $143,169 | $25,848 |
| 2023 | $439,247 | $12,222 | $44,772 | $34,000 | 12 | $36,499 | $6,743 | $27,511 |
| 2022 | $471,797 | $20,774 | $45,203 | $33,000 | 9 | $35,373 | $11,249 | $28,397 |
| 2021 | $496,469 | $58,262 | $66,581 | $50,000 | 9 | $52,375 | $45,002 | $31,717 |
| 2020 | $504,545 | $16,382 | $49,716 | $35,500 | 9 | — | $4,519 | $28,079 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Darrow Foundation reported a distributable amount of $26K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations including a food bank, schools, social-service organizations, and other charitable organizations. Among the grantees, the Foundation Fighting Blindness says its mission is to accelerate the translation of retinal research into clinical trials and patient therapies; Bloom Marin says it provides clothing to people re-entering the workplace; and Girl Scouts of Northern California says it builds girls’ courage, confidence, and character.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave 12 grants totaling $34,000. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $8,000, with a median grant of $2,000. Its largest grants were $8,000 each to San Francisco-Marin Food Bank and Immaculate Conception Academy. Other grants included $2,500 to Marin Foster Care; $2,000 each to Catholic Charities, Homeward Bound, St. Raphael’s School, St. Anthony’s Dining Room, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Spaulding Marine Center, and the Foundation Fighting Blindness; $1,000 to Bloom Marin; and $500 to Girl Scouts of Northern California.
The foundation’s 2024 filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It says applicants must state the reason for their request and provide proof of tax-exempt status. The filing lists Thomas E Martz as the contact for applications.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Marie A Barnes, Thomas E Martz, and Todd Hedin as directors.
Darrow Foundation's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; all 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Thomas E. Martz
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$500 (2020) → $900 (2024)
Todd Hedin
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$500 (2020) → $900 (2024)
Marie A. Barnes
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$900 (2023) → $900 (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Peter E. Mitchell Jr. (2020–2022) — Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $900, to Marie a Barnes (Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Darrow Foundation
How much does Darrow Foundation give each year?
Darrow Foundation gave $34K across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $34K across 12 grants.
What is Darrow Foundation's typical grant size?
Darrow Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,000, and its average grant was $2,833, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Darrow Foundation that year got $1K on average.
Where does Darrow Foundation give grants?
Darrow Foundation gives mostly in California: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Maryland (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Rafael, CA (5 grants) and San Francisco, CA (3 grants).
Does Darrow Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Darrow Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Eleemosynary" (12 grants).
Who are Darrow Foundation's largest grantees?
Darrow Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include San Francisco-Marin Food Bank ($8,000), Immaculate Conception Academy ($8,000) and Marin Foster Care ($2,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 54% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Darrow Foundation?
Darrow Foundation reported $545K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $36K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $26K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Darrow Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations including a food bank, schools, social-service organizations, and other charitable organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Darrow Foundation?
Submit the reason for the request and proof of tax-exempt status. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Darrow Foundation's EIN?
Darrow Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-6083390. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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