Firedoll Foundation
The Firedoll Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1998 and based in Walnut Creek, California. The foundation was founded by two individuals who describe themselves as "unrepentant liberals from the 60's" committed to the principle that "if you are not part of the solution, you're part of the problem." The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization designated for charitable, educational, and philanthropic purposes.
Key facts about Firedoll Foundation
- EIN
- 94-3301999
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,867,039
- Grants made (2025)
- 113
- Average grant
- $25,372
- Median grant
- $25,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 16% first-time grantees (18 of 113, 2025)
- Primary geography
- California (78% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Firedoll Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Firedoll Foundation's 113 itemized 2025 grants were California (78%) and District of Columbia (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (20 grants), Oakland, CA (17 grants), Berkeley, CA (16 grants) and Washington, DC (8 grants). 34% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is Firedoll Foundation open to new grantees?
16%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 18 of 113 grantees (16%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $26K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Firedoll Foundation
- How to evaluate Firedoll Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$2.9M
+29.2% YoY
Grant Count
113
+17.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$25K
+9.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Firedoll Foundation funds across five primary focus areas:
- Community Development and Entrepreneurship
- Immigrant Issues and Human Rights
- Environmental Conservation
- Middle East Peace Process
- Survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury (with emphasis on Bay Area nonprofits)
Within these areas, the foundation has specific interests including water resources, biodiversity, sustainable forestry, immigrant and refugee rights, international peace and security, and sustainable development.
Grantmaking
The foundation provides grants to nonprofits through both general support and project-specific funding. Recent grantees in the community development area include organizations focused on food security, housing, legal services, and social services across the Bay Area.
How to Apply
is described as straightforward: applicants determine eligibility, submit an application if eligible, and follow up if they receive a grant.
Ready to take the next step with Firedoll Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds nonprofits in the San Francisco Bay Area, with emphasis on Alameda and Contra Costa counties. However, the foundation also supports national organizations promoting environmental conservation and has provided grants to organizations in other states including Arizona, Florida, and Montana. The foundation supports projects across various U.S. cities and states, including Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 113 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent (Fiscal Year Ending May 2024):
- Total Assets: $8,138,637
- Annual Revenue: $2,976,494
- Annual Expenses: $2,735,383
- Total Liabilities: $0
The foundation has maintained consistent financial stability with assets and annual giving capacity in the multi-million dollar range.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
376 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Firedoll Foundation
Firedoll Foundation: Middle East Peace Grants
Firedoll Foundation
Amount
US $10,000 - US $30,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Firedoll Foundation: Survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury Grants
Firedoll Foundation
Amount
US $10,000 - US $30,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Grants for Community Development and Entrepreneurship; Immigrant Issues and Human Rights & Environmental Conservation
Firedoll Foundation
Amount
US $10,000 - US $30,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Social Good Fund ($100,000), California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice ($50,000), Mathematical Sciences Research Institute ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Social Good Fund Richmond, CA | Contra Costa Immigrant Rights Alliance Legal Empowerment | $100,000 |
| California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice Oakland, CA | General Support | $50,000 |
| Mathematical Sciences Research Institute Berkeley, CA | Math book distribution & Prize | $50,000 |
| East Bay Sanctuary Covenant Berkeley, CA | Walk-in Clinic & Afghan Support | $45,000 |
| New Isreal Fund Philadelphia, PA | Rabbis for Human Rights | $40,000 |
| Praxis Peace Institute Sonoma, CA | General Operating Support | $40,000 |
| Common Counsel Foundation Oakland, CA | General Support | $35,000 |
| ACLU Foundation of Northern California San Francisco, CA | Immigrant Rights Support | $30,000 |
| Alameda County Public Defender's Office Oakland, CA | Immigration Unit Support | $30,000 |
| American Friends of Combatants for Peace San Francisco, CA | Combatants for Peace in Israel support | $30,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by:
- Sandor Straus – President
- Faye Straus – Vice President and Treasurer
Both serve on a voluntary basis without compensation.
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2025 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandor Straus | President | 5 | — |
| Faye Straus | Vice President / Treasurer | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grant activity demonstrates continued support across the foundation's focus areas. The foundation has awarded grants to organizations including Save Mount Diablo for conservation efforts and has maintained active grantmaking in community development, with current grantees spanning food security, housing, legal advocacy, and social services organizations throughout the Bay Area.
New Grants Awarded to Opportunity JunctionSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Firedoll Foundation fund?
The Firedoll Foundation funds across five primary focus areas: • **Community Development and Entrepreneurship** • **Immigrant Issues and Human Rights** • **Environmental Conservation** • **Middle East Peace Process** • **Survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury** (with emphasis on Bay Area nonprofits) Within these areas, the foundation has specific interests including water resources, biodiversity, sustainable forestry, immigrant and refugee rights, international peace and security, and sustainable …
How do I apply for a grant from Firedoll Foundation?
The foundation provides grants to nonprofits through both general support and project-specific funding. Recent grantees in the community development area include organizations focused on food security, housing, legal services, and social services across the Bay Area. Historical grant examples from 2007 ranged from $5,000 to $30,000, including support to organizations such as Planned Parenthood/Shasta-Diablo, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, Center for Biological Diversity, and the Immigrant…
Where does Firedoll Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds nonprofits in the San Francisco Bay Area, with emphasis on Alameda and Contra Costa counties. However, the foundation also supports national organizations promoting environmental conservation and has provided grants to organizations in other states including Arizona, Florida, and Montana. The foundation supports projects across various U.S. cities and states, including Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.
What size grants does Firedoll Foundation award?
In 2025, Firedoll Foundation awarded 113 grants totaling $2.9M — an average of about $25K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Firedoll Foundation's EIN?
Firedoll Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3301999. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Firedoll Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.