Essential Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in SAN DIEGO, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $39K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $52K. Net investment income was $177.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$39K
-57.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$52K
-31.0% YoY
Grant Count
7
-30.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
-1.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Essential Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About Essential Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Essential Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in SAN DIEGO, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $39K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $52K. Net investment income was $177.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $38,522 | $90,875 | $166,023 |
| Revenue | $1,052 | $1,626 | $2,730 |
| Expenses | $53,405 | $78,274 | $115,375 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $52,530 | $76,525 | $114,500 |
| Net Investment Income | $177 | — | $105 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,286 | $6,147 | $11,794 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
41 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Rise up Industries ($15,000), University of Southern California ($15,000), The Legacy - Rolf Benirschke Invitational ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| EASTLAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL CHULA VISTA, CA | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $750 |
| NASIC ASSOCIATION FAIRBORN, OH | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $300 |
| NAVY FLEET WEEK FOUNDATION SAN DIEGO, CA | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $500 |
| RISE UP INDUSTRIES SANTEE, CA | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| THE LEGACY - ROLF BENIRSCHKE INVITATIONAL DEL MAR, CA | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| UNITED THROUGH READING SAN DIEGO, VA | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $15,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRYAN B MIN | CEO | 0.5 | — |
| JULIE MIN | SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Essential Foundation?
Essential Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in SAN DIEGO, CA. It holds $39K in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Essential Foundation?
As of 2024, Essential Foundation holds $39K in total assets with $1K in annual revenue. It awarded 7 grants totaling $52K in 2024.
Where does Essential Foundation operate?
Essential Foundation has awarded grants in California, Hawaii, Ohio, Oklahoma, Virginia.
What size grants does Essential Foundation award?
In 2024, Essential Foundation awarded 7 grants totaling $52K — an average of about $7K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Essential Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Essential Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Essential Foundation's EIN?
Essential Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-3072546. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Essential Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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