E M Downer Foundation
E M Downer Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. It reported 11 grants totaling $34,000 in 2024, with listed recipients in California and Arizona. The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
E M Downer Foundation at a glance
In short: E M Downer Foundation gave $34K across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), mostly in California. 27% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $34,000
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- +10.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,091
- -9.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $880,593
- +5.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (3 of 11, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (85% 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 E M Downer Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who E M Downer Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was California Symphony Orchestra Inc ($5K). Together the top 10 received $33K.
Grant Size Distribution
41 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 41 grants of 41 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant list shows recipients in California and Arizona. California received 85% of grant dollars and Arizona received 15%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is E M Downer Foundation open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 11 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 73% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 300% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 92% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $9K (2021) to $34K (2024). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $34K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California Symphony Orchestra Inc Walnut Creek, CA | Downer Elementary Sound Minds Program | $5,000 |
| East Bay Center for the Performing Arts Richmond, CA | General & Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Edward M Downer Elementary San Pablo, CA | General & Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Troon Country Club Scholarshipfoundation Scottsdale, AZ | General & Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Young Mens Christian Association of the East Bay Oakland, CA | E M Downer Early Learning Center | $5,000 |
| Boys and Girls Clubs of Napa Valley Napa, CA | General & Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Goen Senior Center Corporation Pleasant Hill, CA | General & Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Khan Academy Inc Mountain View, CA | General & Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Richmond Art Center Richmond, CA | General & Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Salesian High School Richmond, CA | General & Unrestricted | $1,000 |
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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 | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $880,593 | $86,886 | $44,632 | $34,000 | 11 | $41,782 | $130,694 | $45,623 |
| 2023 | $838,339 | $16,903 | $44,936 | $34,000 | 10 | $41,335 | $71,295 | $42,023 |
| 2022 | $866,372 | $76,826 | $42,573 | $30,750 | 9 | $38,304 | $176,056 | $41,370 |
| 2021 | $832,119 | $6,401 | $19,902 | $8,500 | 4 | $16,101 | $18,128 | $47,619 |
| 2020 | $845,620 | $414,289 | $30,415 | $22,000 | 7 | — | $130,780 | $37,906 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, E M Downer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $46K 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
The foundation’s filings do not state a mission. Its 2024 grants went to organizations working in areas including youth and early childhood programs, performing arts, music, education, senior services, and support for people in need. For example, the YMCA of the East Bay describes its work as empowering youth, advancing health, and strengthening communities, with priorities that include early childhood and youth development. East Bay Center for the Performing Arts says it engages young people through training in world performance traditions, while Richmond Art Center describes its mission as supporting learning and living through art.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave $34,000 through 11 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $5,000, with a median grant of $2,500. Recipients included California Symphony Orchestra ($5,000, for the Downer Elementary Sound Minds Program), East Bay Center for the Performing Arts ($5,000), Edward M Downer Elementary ($5,000), Troon Country Club Scholarship Foundation ($5,000), and the YMCA of the East Bay ($5,000, for the E M Downer Early Learning Center). Other recipients included Boys and Girls Clubs of Napa Valley and Goen Senior Center Corporation ($2,500 each), and Khan Academy, Richmond Art Center, Salesian High School, and The Dawn Redwoods Charitable Trust ($1,000 each).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists E Michael Downer as president, director, secretary, and treasurer; Yoshimi Downer as a director; and Edward M Downer III as a director.
E M Downer Foundation is led by E Michael Downer, President, Director, Secretary & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
E Michael Downer
President, Director, Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edward M Downer III
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yoshimi Downer
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/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 E M Downer Foundation
How much does E M Downer Foundation give each year?
E M Downer Foundation gave $34K across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $34K across 10 grants.
What is E M Downer Foundation's typical grant size?
E M Downer Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,500, and its average grant was $3,091, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from E M Downer Foundation that year got $2K on average.
Where does E M Downer Foundation give grants?
E M Downer Foundation gives mostly in California: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Arizona (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Richmond, CA (3 grants).
Does E M Downer Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 82% of E M Downer Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 11) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are E M Downer Foundation's largest grantees?
E M Downer Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include California Symphony Orchestra Inc ($5,000), East Bay Center for the Performing Arts ($5,000) and Edward M Downer Elementary ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is E M Downer Foundation?
E M Downer Foundation reported $881K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $42K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $46K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does E M Downer Foundation fund?
The foundation’s filings do not state a mission. Its 2024 grants went to organizations working in areas including youth and early childhood programs, performing arts, music, education, senior services, and support for people in need. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from E M Downer Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is E M Downer Foundation's EIN?
E M Downer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-5367711. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does E M Downer Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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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