Embarcadero Media Foundation
Embarcadero Media Foundation is a public charity based in Palo Alto, California. It supports local journalism and civic engagement in the San Francisco Bay Area and makes grants to nonprofit organizations serving community needs, particularly those of children, families, and people experiencing poverty.
Embarcadero Media Foundation at a glance
In short: Embarcadero Media Foundation gave $926K across 63 grants in 2024 (avg $15K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $925,500
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 63
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $14,690
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $3,873,704
- +183.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Embarcadero Media Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 2345 Yale St Fl 1, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Phone: (650) 326-8210
Website: https://embarcaderomediafoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Embarcadero Media Foundation
Who Embarcadero Media Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was South County Community Health ($43K). Together the top 10 received $358K.
Grant Size Distribution
127 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 126 grants of 127 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its journalism program as serving the Mid-Peninsula and the East Bay’s Tri-Valley. Its 2024 grant dollars went entirely to recipients in California. The Holiday Fund filing description names Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Mountain View, Menlo Park, Redwood City, and Pleasanton as communities served by its campaigns.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 63 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Embarcadero Media Foundation gives
- 94% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (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 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $578K (2022) to $926K (2024). In 2024 it made 63 grants totaling $926K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| South County Community Health East Palo Alto, CA | General Operating | $42,500 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pen Menlo Park, CA | General Operating | $35,000 |
| City of Redwood City Redwood City, CA | General Operating | $35,000 |
| Ecumenical Hunger Program East Palo Alto, CA | General Operating | $35,000 |
| LifeMoves Santa Clara, CA | General Operating | $35,000 |
| Literacy Partners Menlo Park Menlo Park, CA | General Operating | $35,000 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank San Jose, CA | General Operating | $35,000 |
| St Anthonys Padua Dining Roo Menlo Park, CA | General Operating | $35,000 |
| StarVista San Carlos, CA | General Operating | $35,000 |
| Upward Scholars Redwood City, CA | General Operating | $35,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation’s 2024 annual report describes the year as a financial turning point following an operational loss in 2023. It says the foundation raised more than $1.2 million toward an $800,000 fundraising goal in 2024.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,873,704 | $7,522,573 | $6,097,980 | $925,500 | 63 | $26,106 |
| 2023 | $1,365,771 | $1,327,516 | $1,119,104 | $925,500 | 63 | $414 |
| 2022 | $157,149 | $630,672 | $580,976 | $577,808 | 1 | $93 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to enhance quality of life and democracy in the San Francisco Bay Area through local news and information, community events, and programs that foster an informed, equitable, engaged, and cohesive community. Its stated activities include professional local reporting, civic forums, investigative journalism, expanded coverage of underserved topics and communities, journalist training, and litigation supporting access to government records and meetings.
It also makes grants to Bay Area nonprofit organizations, primarily those serving children, families, and people experiencing poverty, and provides college scholarships to students with records of exceptional community service. Examples of grantees’ work include Ecumenical Hunger Program’s provision of food and essential items; LifeMoves’ interim housing and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness; Upward Scholars’ education and career-development support for adult immigrants; and Ada’s Cafe’s employment and training for people with disabilities.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 63 grants totaling $925,500. Awards ranged from $5,500 to $42,500, with a median grant of $10,000. The largest award was $42,500 to South County Community Health for general operating support. Other notable awards included $35,000 each to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pen, City of Redwood City, Ecumenical Hunger Program, LifeMoves, Literacy Partners Menlo Park, Second Harvest Food Bank, St Anthonys Padua Dining Roo, StarVista, and Upward Scholars, all for general operating support. Ada’s Cafe received $20,000.
The Holiday Fund consists of annual three-month campaigns that raise donations and distribute them to local nonprofits serving families and children. The foundation states that 100% of Holiday Fund donation proceeds are distributed to grantees, with awards determined by a grant committee. The filing describes grants supporting services such as homelessness assistance, tutoring, child care, educational programs, mental health counseling, arts and cultural programs, summer camps, and scholarships.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Adam Dawes as president and William Johnson as chairman. It also lists Connie Jo Cotton, Gina Channell Wilcox, Bruce Gee, Chris Tucher, Deborah McKeehan, Esther Wojcicki, Gina Dalma, and John Sensiba as officers or directors.
Embarcadero Media Foundation is led by Adam Dawes, President on the 2024 filing; 3 of 17 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Adam Dawes
President
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$100K (2024)
Gina Channell Wilcox
President East Bay
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$88K (2024)
William Johnson
Chairman
Director & President → Director & Chairman, 2023
Director & Chairman → Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lance Conn
Director
On filings since 2022
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bruce Gee
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Tucher
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deborah McKeehan
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Esther Wojcicki
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gina Dalma
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Klein
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Sensiba
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kort van Bronkhorst
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mara Oommen
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pastor Paul Bains
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sherry Listgarten
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Connie Jo Cotton
Major Accnt. Mngr.
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$139K (2024)
Michael Naar
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Carol Melamed (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Jeffrey Klein (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Simone Coxe (2022–2023) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2024. "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 $139K, to Connie Jo Cotton (Major Accnt. Mngr.). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Embarcadero Media Foundation
How much does Embarcadero Media Foundation give each year?
Embarcadero Media Foundation gave $926K across 63 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $926K across 63 grants.
What is Embarcadero Media Foundation's typical grant size?
Embarcadero Media Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $14,690, across 63 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Embarcadero Media Foundation give grants?
Embarcadero Media Foundation gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Palo Alto, CA (26 grants), East Palo Alto, CA (10 grants), Mountain View, CA (7 grants) and Menlo Park, CA (6 grants).
Does Embarcadero Media Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Embarcadero Media Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (63 of 63) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are Embarcadero Media Foundation's largest grantees?
Embarcadero Media Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include South County Community Health ($42,500), Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pen ($35,000) and City of Redwood City ($35,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 12% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Embarcadero Media Foundation?
Embarcadero Media Foundation reported $3.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $7.5M.
What does Embarcadero Media Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to enhance quality of life and democracy in the San Francisco Bay Area through local news and information, community events, and programs that foster an informed, equitable, engaged, and cohesive community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Embarcadero Media Foundation?
Embarcadero Media Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check embarcaderomediafoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Embarcadero Media Foundation's EIN?
Embarcadero Media Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-0941500. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Embarcadero Media Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Embarcadero Media Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/embarcadero-media-foundation-morg_54ef8cbb2c974466b88c41ac9f3f1dcf
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_850941500_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Embarcadero Media Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/embarcadero-media-foundation-morg_54ef8cbb2c974466b88c41ac9f3f1dcf},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Embarcadero Media Foundation'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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