Foundation for Systemic Change

WILMINGTON, DE EIN: 86-2725801

Foundation for Systemic Change is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in WILMINGTON, DE. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.2M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 46 grants totaling $750K. Net investment income was $1.0M.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$1.2M

+31.4% YoY

Annual Giving

$750K

+176.3% YoY

Grant Count

46

+155.6% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$16K

+8.1% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Foundation for Systemic Change reported a distributable amount of $50K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About Foundation for Systemic Change

Based on IRS filings

Foundation for Systemic Change is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in WILMINGTON, DE. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.2M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 46 grants totaling $750K. Net investment income was $1.0M.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

12states
+4 more states

Cities

Bainbridge IslandBaltimoreBeverly HillsBrooklynConcordDenverGarden CityGreat BarringtonGreencastleHartsdaleLongmontLos AngelesMalibuMarshfieldMillbraeMinneapolisNew YorkRaleighRhinelanderRichmond

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$289K$578K$867K$1M2021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$1,153,460$877,544$1,150,466
Revenue$1,050,357$21,451$369,651
Expenses$774,441$294,373$195,113
Qualifying Distributions$763,541$289,364$195,013
Net Investment Income$1,030,582$23,872$359,651
Distributable Amount$50,336$45,390$38,581

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$188K$375K$563K$750K3 grants202116 grants202218 grants202346 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

CREATIVE VISIONS FOUNDAT…$100KEDUCATORS INSTITUTE FOR …$60KAZ ST UNIVERSITY FOUNDAT…$30KDISABILITY RIGHTS INTERN…$30KAFRICAN AMERICAN POLICY …$25KENTERTAINMENT 2 AFFECT C…$25KHUMAN RIGHTS WATCH INC$25KVOTO LATINO FOUNDATION INC$25KEDUCATORS INSTITUTE FOR …$21KDOCS IN PROGRESS INC$20K

Grant Size Distribution

83 grants across all recorded years

81<$50K1$50–100K1$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Creative Visions Foundation ($100,000), Educators Institute for Human Rights ($60,000), Az St University Foundation for a New American Uni ($30,000).

RecipientPurposeAmount
ADVOCACY PROJECT WASHINGTON, DCGeneral & Unrestricted$15,000
AFRICAN AMERICAN POLICY FORUM NEW YORK, NYF2L and R2L Strategic Convening$10,000
AFRICAN AMERICAN POLICY FORUM NEW YORK, NYFor CRT summer school$25,000
AZ ST UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION FOR A NEW AMERICAN UNI TEMPE, AZFor Newswell$30,000
ARTWORKS FOR FREEDOM WASHINGTON, DCGeneral & Unrestricted$10,000
BUNTPORT THEATER COMPANY DENVER, COTHE MENAGERIST$6,000
CREATIVE VISIONS FOUNDATION MALIBU, CAThe Fred Ross Project$100,000
CREATIVE VISIONS FOUNDATION MALIBU, CAThe film White Noise$7,500
DEMOCRACY FOR THE ARAB WORLD NOW INC BROOKLYN, NYGeneral & Unrestricted$15,000
DISABILITY RIGHTS INTERNATIONAL INC WASHINGTON, DCGeneral & Unrestricted$30,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
Isabella Florence HeffernanDir1
John W HeffernanDir, Sec, Treas, Co- Pres1
Olivia Margaret HeffernanDir1
Sofia Grace HeffernanDir1
Margaret L PalmCo- Pres, Dir1

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Foundation for Systemic Change?

Foundation for Systemic Change is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in WILMINGTON, DE. It holds $1.2M in total assets as of 2024.

How large is Foundation for Systemic Change?

As of 2024, Foundation for Systemic Change holds $1.2M in total assets with $1.1M in annual revenue. It awarded 46 grants totaling $750K in 2024.

Where does Foundation for Systemic Change operate?

Foundation for Systemic Change has awarded grants in Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, New York, Washington, Wisconsin.

What size grants does Foundation for Systemic Change award?

In 2024, Foundation for Systemic Change awarded 46 grants totaling $750K — an average of about $16K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Foundation for Systemic Change required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Foundation for Systemic Change reported a distributable amount of $50K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is Foundation for Systemic Change's EIN?

Foundation for Systemic Change's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-2725801. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.

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Related Funders

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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

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