Ernest and Irene Pestana
Ernest and Irene Pestana is a private foundation based in San Jose, California. Its 2024 grants supported organizations working in areas including children’s health, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease treatment and research, animal care, newborn support, veterans’ services, and disaster relief.
Ernest and Irene Pestana at a glance
In short: Ernest and Irene Pestana gave $540K across 26 grants in 2024 (avg $21K), top state California. 4% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $540,260
- +248.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 26
- -3.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $20,779
- +261.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,453
- Total assets
- $19,123,573
- +6.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 4% first-time grantees (1 of 26, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (29% 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 Ernest and Irene Pestana
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 360 Kiely Boulevard 240, San Jose, CA 95129
Phone: (408) 241-3300
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Ernest and Irene Pestana funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was St Jude Children's Res Hosp ($157K). Together the top 10 received $432K.
Grant Size Distribution
131 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 127 grants of 131 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in multiple states. The largest reported shares went to California and Tennessee, at 29% each, followed by the District of Columbia and Oklahoma, at 10% each, and Maryland, at 6%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Ernest and Irene Pestana open to new grantees?
4%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 26 grantees (4%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $21K. How we count
Medians: $12K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 96% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 335% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 55% 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 $124K (2021) to $540K (2024). In 2024 it made 26 grants totaling $540K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| St Jude Children's Res Hosp Memphis, TN | This is a children's hospital that provides medical care to children in need. | $156,794 |
| American Cancer Society Oklahoma City, OK | Contribution to the American cancer society to help aide in the treatment of cancer patients. | $52,265 |
| Lucille Packard Foundation for Chil Palo Alto, CA | To Provide Support for Childrens Hospitals. | $52,265 |
| Alzheimer's Disease Research Clarksburg, MD | Contribution to alzheimer's disease research to aide in the treatment of alzheimer's disease. | $34,843 |
| Sarcoma Foundation of America Washington, DC | Contribution to presentation high school for support for youth foundations. | $34,843 |
| Shriner's Hospital for Children Ranson, WV | To Provide Support for Childrens Hospitals. | $34,843 |
| Humane Society Silicon Valley Milpitas, CA | Contribution to the humane society to provide for the care of foster animals. | $20,906 |
| Nike Animal Rescue Foundation San Jose, CA | Contribution to the nike animal rescue foundation to provide for the care of foster animals. | $17,422 |
| Newborn Hope Colorado Springs, CO | Contribution to aide in the support of newborns born prematurely. | $13,955 |
| Wounded Warrior Topeka, KS | Contribution to Help Veterans. | $13,937 |
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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 | $19,123,573 | $1,962,931 | $757,277 | $540,260 | 26 | $540,260 | $690,031 | $976,894 |
| 2023 | $17,919,828 | $13,809,424 | $219,992 | $155,055 | 27 | $155,055 | $263,997 | $540,310 |
| 2022 | $4,330,396 | $496,611 | $161,724 | $132,600 | 26 | $132,600 | $58,558 | $196,986 |
| 2021 | $3,994,684 | $548,587 | $153,922 | $124,200 | 27 | $124,200 | $64,342 | $188,365 |
| 2020 | $3,601,789 | $1,885,483 | $160,194 | $131,200 | 25 | — | $21,264 | $142,375 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ernest and Irene Pestana reported a distributable amount of $977K 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 grant recipients included children’s hospitals and health organizations, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease organizations, animal rescues, and groups providing support to newborns and veterans.
The grantees describe their own work as follows: Humane Society Silicon Valley says it works to save lives, keep families together, and create a better future for pets and their people. Nike Animal Rescue Foundation says it protects dogs and cats through rescue, medical care, adoption, spay and neuter programs, and public education. Newborn Hope says it provides resources for Colorado babies and families impacted by prematurity. Other recipients include California State Parks Foundation, which describes its work as protecting and preserving California’s state park system; Meals on Wheels America, which supports local programs serving seniors; Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation, which seeks to inspire ocean conservation; and Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley, which works to facilitate homeownership and improve living conditions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 26 grants totaling $540,260. Grant amounts ranged from $174 to $156,794, with a median of $10,453. Among the largest reported grants were $156,794 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, $52,265 each to the American Cancer Society and Lucille Packard Foundation for Children, and $34,843 each to Alzheimer’s Disease Research, Sarcoma Foundation of America, and Shriners Hospital for Children. Other recipients included Humane Society Silicon Valley ($20,906), Nike Animal Rescue Foundation ($17,422), and Newborn Hope ($13,955).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Irene A. Pestana as president, Carolyn G. Guido and Noelle C. Boyle as vice presidents, and Ryan M. Herraez as treasurer and secretary.
Ernest and Irene Pestana is led by Irene A. Pestana, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Irene A. Pestana
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Carolyn G. Guido
Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Ryan M. Herraez
Treasurer & Secretary
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Noelle C. Boyle
Vice President
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Michael J. Kelly Jr. CPA (2020–2022) — Vice President, Treasurer & Secretary
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 Ernest and Irene Pestana
How much does Ernest and Irene Pestana give each year?
Ernest and Irene Pestana gave $540K across 26 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $155K across 27 grants.
What is Ernest and Irene Pestana's typical grant size?
Ernest and Irene Pestana's median grant in 2024 was $10,453, and its average grant was $20,779, across 26 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ernest and Irene Pestana that year got $12K on average.
Where does Ernest and Irene Pestana give grants?
Ernest and Irene Pestana's top state is California, with 29% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Tennessee (29%) and District of Columbia (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Jose, CA (4 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants), Colorado Springs, CO (2 grants) and San Francisco, CA (2 grants).
Does Ernest and Irene Pestana give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 26 grants with a stated purpose on Ernest and Irene Pestana's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Ernest and Irene Pestana's largest grantees?
Ernest and Irene Pestana's largest 2024 grantees include St Jude Children's Res Hosp ($156,794), American Cancer Society ($52,265) and Lucille Packard Foundation for Chil ($52,265), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ernest and Irene Pestana?
Ernest and Irene Pestana reported $19.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $540K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $977K (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 Ernest and Irene Pestana fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grant recipients included children’s hospitals and health organizations, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease organizations, animal rescues, and groups providing support to newborns and veterans. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ernest and Irene Pestana?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ernest and Irene Pestana's EIN?
Ernest and Irene Pestana's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0891712. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Ernest and Irene Pestana 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
Live grants for the work Ernest and Irene Pestana funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ernest and Irene Pestana funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ernest-and-irene-pestana-morg_5df31ada4649472d9797333edd472fb6
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_770891712_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ernest and Irene Pestana funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ernest-and-irene-pestana-morg_5df31ada4649472d9797333edd472fb6},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-24. 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 Ernest and Irene Pestana'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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