Fort Mason Center
Fort Mason Center engages and connects people with arts and culture on a historic waterfront campus. We inspire and foster creativity by providing a vibrant gathering place and a home for thought-provoking programs, events, and organizations.
Fort Mason Center at a glance
In short: Fort Mason Center gave $5.6M across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $617K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,554,400
- +984.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- +80.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $617,156
- +502.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $39,472
- Total assets
- $78,118,371
- +6.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Fort Mason Center funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Grabhorn Institute ($2.9M). Together the top 9 received $5.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
33 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 19 grants of 33 (58%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Fort Mason Center gives
- Giving grew 2632% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 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 $203K (2021) to $5.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $5.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Grabhorn Institute San Francisco, CA | To Assist Residence by Subsidizing Rents. | $2,881,039 |
| Bats Improv San Francisco, CA | To Assist Residence by Subsidizing Rents. | $2,254,477 |
| Blue Bear School of Music San Francisco, CA | To Assist Residence by Subsidizing Rents. | $172,930 |
| Greenszen Center San Francisco, CA | To Assist Residence by Subsidizing Rents. | $101,172 |
| Etc San Francisco, CA | To Assist Residence by Subsidizing Rents. | $39,472 |
| California Lawyers for the Arts San Francisco, CA | To Assist Residence by Subsidizing Rents. | $37,032 |
| Long Now Foundation San Francisco, CA | To Assist Residence by Subsidizing Rents. | $31,143 |
| Forsite San Francisco, CA | To Assist Residence by Subsidizing Rents. | $30,108 |
| Seedlings San Francisco, CA | To Assist Residence by Subsidizing Rents. | $7,027 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $78,118,371 | $14,436,718 | $17,412,389 | $5,554,400 | 9 | $105,360 |
| 2023 | $73,496,517 | $12,537,275 | $10,217,760 | $512,103 | 5 | $354,018 |
| 2022 | $71,565,063 | $11,227,464 | $10,548,160 | $1,834,609 | 7 | $225,661 |
| 2021 | $56,018,448 | $12,125,879 | $7,642,944 | $203,341 | 4 | $97,831 |
| 2020 | $50,381,682 | $8,658,313 | $7,788,125 | $797,855 | 8 | $142,747 |
About Fort Mason Center
Based on IRS filings
Fort Mason Center is a public charity focused on Recreation & Sports, based in San Francisco, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $78.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 9 grants totaling $5.6M. Net investment income was $105K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Fort Mason Center is led by Michael Buhler, CEO & President on every filing since 2021; 8 of 28 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michael Buhler
CEO & President
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$230K (2021) → $311K (2024)
Jim Penny
Board Chair
Board Member → Board Vice Chair, 2022
Board Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amanda Mathews
Director of Sales
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$113K (2020) → $170K (2024)
Frank Smigiel
Director of Exhibitions
Director of Exhibitions → Director of Exhibitions & Partnerships, 2022
Director of Exhibitions & Partnerships → Director of Exhibitions, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$110K (2020) → $141K (2024)
Ruchira Nageswaran
Director of Capital Projec
Director of Capital Projects → Director of Capital Projec, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$132K (2022) → $159K (2024)
Nicholas Kinsey
Chief External Affairs & L
Director of External Affai → Chief External Affairs & Leasing Officer, 2021
Chief External Affairs & Leasing Officer → Chief External Affairs & L, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$128K (2020) → $184K (2024)
Patrick Hajduk
Chief Operating Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$132K (2020) → $186K (2024)
Patrick Nester
Chief Financial Officer
CFO → Chief Financial Officer, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$152K (2020) → $203K (2024)
Marijane Kubow
Arts Program Manager
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$107K (2022) → $115K (2024)
Alexandra Stoelzle
Board Member
Board Member → Board Secretary, 2022
Board Secretary → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Craig Allison
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Natasha Hsieh
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rekha Patel
Board Treasurer
Board Member → Board Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rosanna Russell
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Suneetha D'silva
Board Vice Chair
Board Secretary → Board Chair, 2022
Board Chair → Board Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Lindburg
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Lichtman
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Enrique Landa
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katie Fahey
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark O'Dell
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pauline Eveillard
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ruth Berson
Board Secretary
Board Member → Board Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Straka
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven Fayne
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Doug Tom
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Branch
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jefff Joslin
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robin Wright
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Alan Mark (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Dennis Williams (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Diana Kissil (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Diane Frankel (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jesse Fritts (2020–2023) — Director of Facilities
- Former: Jill Manton (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Connie Wolf (2020–2022) — Board Vice Chair
- Former: Seth Boor (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Beverly Mills (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Jim Chappell (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: N. Teresa Rea (2020–2021) — Board Vice Chair
- Former: Christina Wallace (2020) — Director of Capital Projec
- Former: Jd Beltran (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Robert Daoro (2020) — Board Treasurer
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $311K, to Michael Buhler (CEO & President). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Fort Mason Center
How much does Fort Mason Center give each year?
Fort Mason Center gave $5.6M across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $512K across 5 grants.
What is Fort Mason Center's typical grant size?
Fort Mason Center's median grant in 2024 was $39,472, and its average grant was $617,156, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Fort Mason Center give grants?
Fort Mason Center gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (9 grants).
Does Fort Mason Center give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 9 grants with a stated purpose on Fort Mason Center's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Assist Residence by Subsidizing Rents." (9 grants).
Who are Fort Mason Center's largest grantees?
Fort Mason Center's largest 2024 grantees include Grabhorn Institute ($2,881,039), Bats Improv ($2,254,477) and Blue Bear School of Music ($172,930), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 96% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Fort Mason Center?
Fort Mason Center reported $78.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $14.4M.
What is Fort Mason Center?
Fort Mason Center is a public charity focused on Recreation & Sports, based in San Francisco, CA. It holds $78.1M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Fort Mason Center's EIN?
Fort Mason Center's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-2348311. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Fort Mason Center's focus areas in our free grants database
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Fort Mason Center down — hundreds of funders to go?