Essential Foundation
Essential Foundation is a private foundation, 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.
Essential Foundation at a glance
In short: Essential Foundation gave $52K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $51,550
- -31.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- -30.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $7,364
- -1.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $38,522
- -57.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (80% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Essential Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Rise up Industries ($15K). Together the top 7 received $52K.
Grant Size Distribution
41 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 40 grants of 41 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How Essential Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−3%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $52K (2024) to $127K (2020). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $52K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rise up Industries Santee, CA | General Program Support | $15,000 |
| University of Southern California Los Angeles, 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 |
| Eastlake Middle School Chula Vista, CA | General Program Support | $750 |
| Navy Fleet Week Foundation San Diego, CA | General Program Support | $500 |
| Nasic Association Fairborn, OH | General Program Support | $300 |
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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 | $38,522 | $1,052 | $53,405 | $51,550 | 7 | $52,530 | $177 | $3,286 |
| 2023 | $90,875 | $1,626 | $78,274 | $74,750 | 10 | $76,525 | — | $6,147 |
| 2022 | $166,023 | $2,730 | $115,375 | $113,600 | 5 | $114,500 | $105 | $11,794 |
| 2021 | $278,668 | $136 | $55,002 | $53,138 | 8 | $54,127 | — | $15,566 |
| 2020 | $333,534 | $200,155 | $128,271 | $126,500 | 11 | — | — | $12,304 |
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.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Essential Foundation is led by Bryan B. Min, CEO on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bryan B. Min
CEO
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie Min
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/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 Essential Foundation
How much does Essential Foundation give each year?
Essential Foundation gave $52K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $75K across 10 grants.
What is Essential Foundation's typical grant size?
Essential Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $7,364, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Essential Foundation give grants?
Essential Foundation gives mostly in California: 80% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Virginia (19%).
Does Essential Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Essential Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Essential Foundation's largest grantees?
Essential Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Rise up Industries ($15,000), University of Southern California ($15,000) and The Legacy - Rolf Benirschke Invitational ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 78% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Essential Foundation?
Essential Foundation reported $39K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $53K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
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.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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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