Gerbode Foundation
The Gerbode Foundation is a private foundation based in Berkeley, California. It supports projects focused on advancing truth, justice, and environmental work, as well as arts and special initiatives, with a primary geographic focus on the San Francisco Bay Area and Hawaii.
Gerbode Foundation at a glance
In short: Gerbode Foundation gave $1.4M across 43 grants in 2024 (avg $32K), mostly in California. 41% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,357,500
- +22.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 43
- +26.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $31,570
- -3.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $37,432,172
- +9.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 41% first-time grantees (17 of 41, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (81% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Gerbode Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests, according to its 2024 filing. That filing describes an initial letter of inquiry with a short project description and says applications were accepted on an ongoing basis. However, the Foundation’s website currently says the Letter of Inquiry process is paused; prospective applicants can join its announcement list for updates. The Foundation states that general grantmaking is intended for tax-exempt public charities under section 501(c)(3).
- Review Cycle
- The general grantmaking program has no stated deadline. The 2026 Music Awards deadline was July 21, 2026, and has passed.
- Deadline
- The general grantmaking program has no stated deadline.
- Contact
Application contact: Aimee Eng
Mailing address: 1791 Solano Avenue F15, Berkeley, CA 94707
Phone: (510) 915-8048
Website: https://gerbode.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Gerbode Foundation
Who Gerbode Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Greenbelt Alliance ($100K). Together the top 10 received $620K.
Grant Size Distribution
247 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 204 grants of 247 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation identifies the San Francisco Bay Area counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo, and Hawaii, as its primary geographic focus. In 2024, 81% of grant dollars went to California recipients, 13% to Hawaii recipients, 5% to Washington, DC recipients, and less than 1% to New York recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Gerbode Foundation open to new grantees?
41%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 17 of 41 grantees (41%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $27K; repeat grants $38K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 29% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 31% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 107% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2023) to $2.4M (2020). In 2024 it made 43 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greenbelt Alliance Oakland, CA | Support of its Solano Together coalition. | $100,000 |
| Fresh Approach Concord, CA | General Support | $75,000 |
| Transgender Law Center Oakland, CA | General Support | $75,000 |
| Common Cause Education Fund Washington, DC | Support of its Media & Democracy Program in California | $60,000 |
| Asian Americans Advancing Justice San Francisco, CA | General Support | $50,000 |
| Independent Arts Media San Francisco, CA | Support of El Timpano's work. | $50,000 |
| Malama Makua Honolulu, HI | Support of its Aloha ? | $50,000 |
| New Breath Foundation Oakland, CA | General Support | $50,000 |
| Coleman Advocates for Children Yout San Francisco, CA | General Support | $40,000 |
| Alliance for Girls Oakland, CA | Support of its SF Bay Area work | $40,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Gerbode Foundation?
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 | $37,432,172 | $3,915,119 | $2,328,232 | $1,357,500 | 43 | $1,909,147 | $3,055,558 | $1,776,026 |
| 2023 | $34,211,484 | $1,154,077 | $1,774,153 | $1,112,500 | 34 | $1,677,102 | $976,209 | $1,597,787 |
| 2022 | $31,208,026 | $2,731,616 | $2,237,157 | $1,620,000 | 45 | $2,025,744 | $2,338,155 | $1,625,070 |
| 2021 | $39,700,531 | $1,257,514 | $2,876,461 | $1,958,500 | 54 | $2,318,621 | $983,538 | $1,962,755 |
| 2020 | $39,503,031 | $2,854,858 | $3,228,833 | $2,428,500 | 71 | — | $1,982,631 | $1,792,147 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gerbode Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated principles include using media and communication to inform and empower communities; advocating for policy changes that improve social and economic outcomes; mobilizing action to change practices that perpetuate inequality or discrimination; and building collaborations that strengthen communities. It looks for organizations with exceptional leaders, sound finances, and the potential to leverage its support with other resources.
Its program areas include advancing truth, justice, and the environment. The Special Awards in the Arts program supports the creation of new works in dance, theater production, and music composition, through local nonprofit arts organizations. The Foundation also identifies special initiatives that include strengthening the philanthropic process and nonprofit sector.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of work in its grant portfolio. Fresh Approach says its mission is to connect California communities with healthy food from California farmers and expand food and nutrition knowledge. Transgender Law Center says it works to change laws, policies, and attitudes so people can live safely and free from discrimination based on gender identity or expression. Common Cause Education Fund describes work to increase public understanding of democracy and promote citizen engagement. Other 2024 grantees include organizations whose stated missions involve grassroots support for AANHPIs harmed by systems of violence, independent arts and media, civil rights advocacy, equity for girls, and a more just and participatory media environment.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 43 grants totaling $1,357,500. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $100,000, with a median of $25,000. Among the largest were $100,000 to Greenbelt Alliance for its Solano Together coalition; $75,000 each to Fresh Approach and Transgender Law Center; $60,000 to Common Cause Education Fund for its Media & Democracy Program in California; and $50,000 each to Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Independent Arts & Media, Malama Makua, and New Breath Foundation.
The Foundation generally does not support direct services, deficit budgets, general operating funds, building or equipment funds, general fundraising campaigns, religious purposes, private schools, publications, scholarships, or grants to individuals. Its FAQ also lists documentary or full-length films, international projects, capital campaigns, endowments, and sponsorships among areas it generally does not support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sharon Gerbode as Chair; Frank A. Gerbode as Vice Chair/Treasurer; Colin Gerbode as Vice Chair/Secretary; Ian Gerbode as Director; and Aimee Sueko Eng as Executive Director.
Gerbode Foundation is led by Aimee Sueko Eng, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Aimee Sueko Eng
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$71K (2023) → $200K (2024)
Colin Gerbode
V.chair & Secretary
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frank A Gerbode
V. Chair & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Gerbode
Chair
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ian Gerbode
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Stacie Maa (2020–2023) — President & Ass't Secretary
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 $200K, to Aimee Sueko Eng (Exec Director).
Frequently asked questions about Gerbode Foundation
How much does Gerbode Foundation give each year?
Gerbode Foundation gave $1.4M across 43 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 34 grants.
What is Gerbode Foundation's typical grant size?
Gerbode Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $31,570, across 43 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Gerbode Foundation that year got $27K on average.
Where does Gerbode Foundation give grants?
Gerbode Foundation gives mostly in California: 81% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Hawaii (13%) and District of Columbia (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (19 grants), Oakland, CA (9 grants), Honolulu, HI (5 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Gerbode Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 23% of Gerbode Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (10 of 43) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Support of its Aloha ?" (3 grants).
Who are Gerbode Foundation's largest grantees?
Gerbode Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Greenbelt Alliance ($100,000), Fresh Approach ($75,000) and Transgender Law Center ($75,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Gerbode Foundation?
Gerbode Foundation reported $37.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Gerbode Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s stated principles include using media and communication to inform and empower communities; advocating for policy changes that improve social and economic outcomes; mobilizing action to change practices that perpetuate inequality or discrimination; and building collaborations that strengthen communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Gerbode Foundation?
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests, according to its 2024 filing. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Gerbode Foundation's EIN?
Gerbode Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-6065226. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Gerbode Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Gerbode Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/gerbode-foundation-morg_c76fbc1f8f5142bead6f9e237f5ac3cd
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_946065226_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Gerbode Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/gerbode-foundation-morg_c76fbc1f8f5142bead6f9e237f5ac3cd},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Gerbode Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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