David Bohnett Foundation
The David Bohnett Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Beverly Hills, California, established in 1999. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to improving society through social activism by providing funding, technology, and technical support to innovative organizations and institutions aligned with its vision.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.5M
+37.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.8M
+20.9% YoY
Grant Count
167
+25.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
-3.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, David Bohnett Foundation reported a distributable amount of $274K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission is to improve society through social activism. The organization pursues this mission by providing funding, state-of-the-art technology, and technical support to innovative organizations and institutions that meet its funding guidelines and share its vision.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Human rights and social justice
- LGBTQ+ nonprofits and initiatives
- Arts and culture
- Education
- Human services
- Leadership and public service programs
Grantmaking
The Foundation supports general operating support, program funding, and special initiatives including the David Bohnett CyberCenters program and leadership fellowship programs.
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation funds organizations primarily in California, the District of Columbia, and New York, with support extending to numerous cities and states across the United States including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $7,510,624
- Total Revenue: $7,974,208
- Total Expenses: $8,166,250
- Net Income: -$192,042
- Total Liabilities: $6,440,000
Staffing:
- 3-4 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,510,624 | $5,460,557 | $9,641,492 |
| Revenue | $7,974,208 | $383,467 | $239,256 |
| Expenses | $8,166,250 | $2,570,577 | $2,727,318 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,375,766 | $4,955,234 | $5,141,022 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,174,878 | $279,015 | $169,506 |
| Distributable Amount | $274,153 | $410,006 | $650,985 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Centerlink ($50,000), Global Impact ($50,000), Ciclavia Inc ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACLU FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES, CA | BILL OF RIGHTS AWARD | $2,500 |
| AFFIRMATIONS LESBIAN AND GAY COMMUNITY CENTER FERNDALE, MI | DAVID BOHNETT CYBERCENTER REFRESH | $12,000 |
| AIDS PROJECT LOS ANGELES (APLA) LOS ANGELES, CA | TOY BOX PARTY | $100 |
| ALI FORNEY CENTER NEW YORK, NY | DAVID MIXNER MEMORIAL FUND | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN ACADEMY IN ROME NEW YORK, NY | NEW YORK GALA 2024 | $7,500 |
| AMERICAN ACADEMY IN ROME NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $500 |
| ANIMAL GRANTMAKERS PORT ANGELES, WA | MEMBERSHIP | $700 |
| ASIAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER WELLNESS CENTER INC SAN FRANCISCO, CA | 2024 SHOW OF HOPE | $1,500 |
| ASIAN AMERICAN FEDERATION INC NEW YORK, NY | LGBTQ ASIAN AMERICAN PROJECT | $500 |
| ASIAN AMERICANSPACIFIC ISLANDERS IN PHILANTHROPY OAKLAND, CA | MEMBERSHIP | $300 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- David C. Bohnett – Founder and Chairman
- Michael Fleming – President
- Board Members: Gwen Baba, Christopher Caldwell, Rich Llewellyn, Rob Saltzman, Trisha Phan (joined November 2025)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID C BOHNETT | CHAIRMAN | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL FLEMING | PRESIDENT | 39.5 | $278,655 |
| PAUL MOORE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 31.6 | $167,812 |
| GWEN BABA | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER CALDWELL | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| RICH LLEWELLYN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ROB SALTZMAN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LIZ ATHERTON | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE | 23.5 | $116,292 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**November 2025:** The Los Angeles LGBT Center reopened and upgraded its community tech hub, the David Bohnett CyberCenter, providing free access to tech resources for LGBTQ+ community members.
David Bohnett CyberCenters Awarded 'Refresh' Grants Totaling ...**November 2025:** The Foundation marked 25 years of giving to social justice causes, with David Bohnett reflecting on the foundation's philanthropic journey and commitment to trust in relationships.
David Bohnett CyberCenters Awarded 'Refresh' Grants Totaling ...**June 2025:** Announced the 2025 class of David Bohnett Leaders Fellows through partnership with LGBTQ+ Victory Institute.
David Bohnett CyberCenters Awarded 'Refresh' Grants Totaling ...**May 2025:** Hosted the Luskin Lecture Series featuring discussion on LGBTQ+ equality and civil rights.
**2024:** The Foundation awarded refresh grants totaling $500,000 to David Bohnett CyberCenters nationwide.
David Bohnett CyberCenters Awarded 'Refresh' Grants Totaling ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does David Bohnett Foundation fund?
The Foundation's mission is to improve society through social activism. The organization pursues this mission by providing funding, state-of-the-art technology, and technical support to innovative organizations and institutions that meet its funding guidelines and share its vision. Primary funding focus areas include: • Human rights and social justice • LGBTQ+ nonprofits and initiatives • Arts and culture • Education • Human services • Leadership and public service programs
How do I apply for a grant from David Bohnett Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $4,763,087 (2024) • Made 138 grants in 2024 • Typical award range: $100–$1,000,000 **Recent Notable Grants (2024):** • Los Angeles Philharmonic Association: $1,000,000 (David C. Bohnett Chief Executive Officer Chair Fund and Discover and Innovation Fund) • University of Southern California: $1,000,000 (David C. Bohnett Residential College in the USC Village) • Regents of the University of Michigan: $252,907 (David Bohnett Foundation Leadership and Public Serv…
Where does David Bohnett Foundation make grants?
The Foundation funds organizations primarily in California, the District of Columbia, and New York, with support extending to numerous cities and states across the United States including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
What size grants does David Bohnett Foundation award?
In 2024, David Bohnett Foundation awarded 167 grants totaling $4.8M — an average of about $29K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is David Bohnett Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, David Bohnett Foundation reported a distributable amount of $274K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is David Bohnett Foundation's EIN?
David Bohnett Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4735846. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in David Bohnett Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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