Furthur Foundation
The Furthur Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Berkeley, California, with a 30+ year history of supporting progressive organizations working on environmental and social change issues. The foundation was established with initial capital from donations made more than two decades ago and continues to receive contributions from supporters aligned with its mission.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.0M
+5.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$148K
+73.5% YoY
Grant Count
23
+15.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
+50.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports progressive groups working on environmental and social change issues in the Bay Area and around the world. The foundation's approach emphasizes funding "smart-thinking groups that are small and close to their target—groups that know their business, share our politics, and spend the money carefully, without a lot of bells and whistles, overhead, and wasted effort."
Primary funding themes include:
- Environmental conservation: Organizations working to preserve Earth's ecosystems, including groups saving wolves, forests, and dolphins
- Environmental action: Groups fighting toxic waste, growing gardens, and greening schools
- Social safety net support: Organizations providing food assistance, job training, and skill development for people and families in need
- Community-based initiatives: Organizations that try new approaches, set examples for other organizations, and work toward a better society
- Bay Area focus: Special emphasis on local Bay Area organizations and initiatives
Grantmaking
The foundation accepts new applicants and does not specify particular subject area restrictions in its formal focus areas.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations across multiple states including California, Montana, Hawaii, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin, with particular emphasis on the Bay Area.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $1,998,020
- Annual revenue: $150,164
- Annual expenses: $105,731
- Total liabilities: $0
Historical Context: The foundation's working capital derives from a series of donations made more than two decades ago, supplemented by ongoing contributions from supporters throughout the year.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,998,020 | $1,899,538 | $1,729,252 |
| Revenue | $236,371 | $150,164 | $478,718 |
| Expenses | $172,123 | $105,731 | $85,697 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $151,826 | $85,000 | $72,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $185,615 | $50,645 | $274,786 |
| Distributable Amount | $116,891 | — | — |
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
117 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Furthur Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Directors:
- Chloe Weir
- Monet Weir
- Natascha Weir
- Andre Carothers (Executive Director, based in Berkeley)
- Chris Desser
- Trevor Soule
- Gabriel Soule
Board Members Emeritus:
- Carolyn Garcia
- Gregory Miller
- Ray Palmarini
- Barbara Whitestone
The foundation is managed and directed by Andre Carothers in Berkeley. The financial and accounting operations are overseen by a team of volunteer contributors. Board members serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Weir | Director | 1 | — |
| Andre Carothers | Executive Dir. | 1 | — |
| Chris Desser | Director | 1 | — |
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Furthur Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
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