insights/press-releases/article/2026/01/19/timahoe-north-solar-farm-opens-community-benefit-fund type: exa:news title: "Timahoe North Solar Farm\u202Fopens Community\u202FBenefit\u202FFund" type: exa:news title: 'Empowering Lives: 2026 Grants from Phillips Charitable Foundation - Phillips Charitable Foundation' type: exa:news title: "Applications open for ESB\u2019s Energy for Generation Fund" type: exa:news title: Emporia Community Foundation and Trusler Foundation announce 2025 Trusler Foundation Grant recipients | KVOE type: exa:news title: Shannonbridge Temporary Emergency Generation Community Benefit Fund
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$107.1M
-8.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$20.0M
+36.6% YoY
Grant Count
21
-16.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$954K
+62.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Esb Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation invests in preparing California's children and youth to contribute to the state's economy and communities, and in advancing management of California's water and land resources.
Grantmaking
The foundation indicates it is open to new applicants.
Grant Range
$100,000
Ready to take the next step with Esb Charitable Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports various initiatives in California, with specific focus on cities including Ojai, Palo Alto, Sacramento, and San Francisco.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- 2024: $107,145,468
- 2023: $116,752,012
- 2023: $114,000,000 (alternate source)
Annual Activity:
- 2024 Total Revenue: $10,616,592
- 2024 Total Expenses: $20,232,777
- 2023 Total Revenue: $3,442,920
- 2023 Total Expenses: $14,814,574
Liabilities:
- 2023: $0
The foundation maintains substantial assets and demonstrates significant annual grantmaking activity relative to its revenue.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $107,145,468 | $116,752,012 | $128,146,479 |
| Revenue | $10,616,592 | $3,442,920 | $34,026,394 |
| Expenses | $20,232,777 | $14,814,574 | $13,726,543 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $103,612 | $3,170,481 | $2,070,363 |
| Net Investment Income | $9,292,464 | $3,157,343 | $3,141,140 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,139,081 | $6,073,358 | $4,741,395 |
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
140 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Laural Foundation ($4,000,000), Ramsay Family Foundation ($4,000,000), Riley & Susan Bechtel Foundation ($4,000,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACR FOUNDATION SAN FRANCISCO, CA | FOUNDATION GIFT | $250,000 |
| AED FOUNDATION SAN FRANCISCO, CA | FOUNDATION GIFT | $250,000 |
| BHB FOUNDATION SAN FRANCISCO, CA | FOUNDATION GIFT | $250,000 |
| BSB FOUNDATION SAN FRANCISCO, CA | FOUNDATION GIFT | $250,000 |
| CMB FOUNDATION SAN FRANCISCO, CA | FOUNDATION GIFT | $250,000 |
| CREEKSIDE FOUNDATION SAN FRANCISCO, CA | FOUNDATION GIFT | $250,000 |
| EBJ FOUNDATION SAN FRANCISCO, CA | FOUNDATION GIFT | $250,000 |
| ETC FAMILY FOUNDATION SAN FRANCISCO, CA | FOUNDATION GIFT | $250,000 |
| KIRYLE FOUNDATION SAN FRANCISCO, CA | FOUNDATION GIFT | $250,000 |
| LAURAL FOUNDATION SAN FRANCISCO, CA | FOUNDATION GIFT | $4,000,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by a board of directors and officers who serve without compensation:
- Lauren Dachs - President & Director
- Erin Wilms - Treasurer & Director
- Fabiana Schofield - Secretary
- Alan Dachs - Director
- Margaret Lip - Director
- Riley Bechtel - Director
Staff:
- Martha Nye - Director of Finance
- Teri Cirillo - Director of Human Resources and Administration
- Angelica Dongallo - Senior Grants Manager
- Barbara Cartier - Treasurer ($235,479 compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALAN DACHS | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| ERIN WILMS | TREASURER & DIRECTOR | — | — |
| FABIANA SCHOFIELD | SECRETARY | — | — |
| LAUREN DACHS | PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR | — | — |
| MARGARET LIP | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| RILEY BECHTEL | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Esb Charitable Foundation fund?
The foundation invests in preparing California's children and youth to contribute to the state's economy and communities, and in advancing management of California's water and land resources.
How do I apply for a grant from Esb Charitable Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total distributions in 2023: $3.2 million across 25 grants • Total distributions in 2024: $20.2 million across 20 grants • Median grant size: $100,000 • Grant range: $25,000 to $4,000,000 • Maximum grant awarded: $2,000,000 **Recent Major Grants (2024):** • Laural Foundation: $4,000,000 • Riley and Susan Bechtel Foundation: $4,000,000 • Shenandoah Foundation: $4,000,000 **Recent Major Grants (2023):** • Laural Foundation: $2,000,000 • Ramsay Family Foundation: $2,000,000 •…
Where does Esb Charitable Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports various initiatives in California, with specific focus on cities including Ojai, Palo Alto, Sacramento, and San Francisco.
What size grants does Esb Charitable Foundation award?
In 2024, Esb Charitable Foundation awarded 21 grants totaling $20.0M — an average of about $954K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Esb Charitable Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Esb Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Esb Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Esb Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3759208. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Esb Charitable Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Gochnauer Family Foundation
CORONA DEL MAR, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
39
Total Given
$313K
Cottage Health
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Assets
$172.1M
Grants
6
Total Given
$179K
International Right of Way Association
GARDENA, CA
Assets
$5.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$9K
Quince Interfaith Housing Corporation
LEMON GROVE, CA
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
William & Lillian Schwartz Charitable Foundation
LA JOLLA, CA
Assets
$325K
Grants
1
Total Given
$3K
Covia Foundation
GLENDALE, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
1
Total Given
$4.8M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Esb Charitable Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Esb Charitable Foundation to a real strategy.