Gilroy Foundation
Gilroy Foundation is a public charity based in Gilroy, California, founded in 1980. It supports community needs through grants to nonprofit organizations and tax-exempt groups, and through scholarships for students.
Gilroy Foundation at a glance
In short: Gilroy Foundation gave $1.1M across 26 grants in 2024 (avg $43K), mostly in California. 35% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,119,884
- +170.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 26
- +36.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $43,072
- +97.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $7,319
- Total assets
- $16,122,335
- +2.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 35% first-time grantees (9 of 26, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Gilroy Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Check the Foundation’s grant-cycle announcements and follow the instructions for the relevant program. The website says applicants generally submit a PDF application and proof of tax-exempt status, among other documentation.
- Review Cycle
- The 2027 competitive grant cycle deadline is December 11, 2026. The Youth Board, Julie Hayes, and Richard Hayes program listings give a December 12, 2026 deadline.
- Deadline
- The 2027 competitive grant cycle deadline is December 11, 2026.
- Next open deadline
- December 11, 2026 (Gilroy Foundation- Competitive Grants)
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 774, Gilroy, CA 95021
Phone: (408) 842-3727
Website: https://gilroyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
7 open opportunities from Gilroy Foundation
Gilroy Foundation Competitive Grant Program
Gilroy Foundation
Amount
$500 - $5,000
Deadline
Expected ~December
Based on past cycles
Gilroy Foundation- Competitive Grants
Gilroy Foundation
Amount
US $500 - US $5,000
Deadline
Expected ~December
Based on past cycles
Julie Hayes "Performing Arts" Grants
Gilroy Foundation
Amount
Approximately US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Gilroy Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Digital Nest ($594K). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
104 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 90 grants of 104 (87%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation is based in Gilroy. Its website says competitive grant applicants must serve Gilroy, Morgan Hill, San Martin, or South County. All reported 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Gilroy Foundation open to new grantees?
35%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 26 grantees (35%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $63K. How we count
Medians: $6K first-time, $15K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $405K (2020) to $1.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 26 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Nest Gilroy, CA | — | $594,215 |
| Various 5000 or Less Gilroy, CA | — | $116,138 |
| Christopher High School Gilroy, CA | — | $96,329 |
| Gilroy Unified School Distric Gilroy, CA | — | $65,009 |
| St Joseph Family Center Gilroy, CA | — | $40,948 |
| Gilroy High School Gilroy, CA | — | $32,195 |
| Gilroy Historical Society Gilroy, CA | — | $26,131 |
| Gilroy Arts Alliance Gilroy, CA | — | $18,936 |
| Rebekah Childrens Services Gilroy, CA | — | $14,500 |
| South Valley Symphony Gilroy, CA | — | $12,671 |
Ready to take the next step with Gilroy Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $16,122,335 | $2,577,194 | $2,263,401 | $1,119,884 | 26 | $1,146,835 |
| 2023 | $15,670,623 | $3,617,821 | $1,503,199 | $414,635 | 19 | $1,429,415 |
| 2022 | $13,429,147 | $935,058 | $3,357,199 | $512,097 | 20 | $172,962 |
| 2021 | $16,183,935 | $3,049,074 | $1,467,736 | $434,472 | 21 | $1,598,520 |
| 2020 | $14,275,638 | $2,159,547 | $1,340,032 | $405,007 | 18 | $1,333,808 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation states that it was organized to help meet community needs in health, education, recreation, culture, and civic services. Its website also describes competitive grants for community-driven projects and programs in areas including agriculture, artistic enrichment, environment, and technology.
Examples of 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supported. Digital Nest describes its mission as providing young people in underserved communities with access to technology and resources, training, and workforce skills. The Gilroy Historical Society says it brings together people interested in the history of Gilroy and the surrounding area. Other 2024 grantees included organizations whose stated missions address family education and advocacy, pregnancy and sexual health choices, support for veterans and people with disabilities, and services for people with intellectual, developmental, or mental health needs.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 26 grants totaling $1,119,884. Individual grants ranged from $5,100 to $594,215, with a median of $7,318. The largest reported grants included $594,215 to Digital Nest, $116,138 to “Various 5000 or Less,” $96,329 to Christopher High School, $65,009 to Gilroy Unified School District, and $40,948 to St Joseph Family Center.
The website’s competitive grant program offers awards from $500 to $5,000, subject to available funding; partial awards may be made. It welcomes applications from nonprofits serving Gilroy, Morgan Hill, San Martin, and South County, across the areas listed above. The website states that the 2027 competitive cycle opened October 1, 2026, with applications due December 11, 2026. It also lists annual Youth Board, Julie Hayes Performing Arts, and Richard Hayes Industrial Arts grants. The latter two are described as $10,000 awards; the Youth Board award varies.
The Foundation’s 2024 filing says its grant committee reviews requests and grants are made for a specific use. Recipients may report through a written report, a site visit, or a meeting at the Foundation office. The website says grant applications generally require a PDF application and proof of tax-exempt status, among other documentation, and are generally submitted by email. The published criteria for the 2026 competitive cycle required a 501(c)(3) designation or fiscal sponsor, prohibited discrimination, and excluded capital improvements, budget shortfalls or fundraising events, previously planned or long-term campaigns, and funding gaps caused by organizational emergencies. That cycle’s December 2025 deadline has passed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Foundation’s 2024 filing lists Vito Mercado as President and Rigo Vargas as Vice President. Jennifer Speno is listed as Treasurer and Lee Blaettler as Secretary. Directors listed are Carlos Pineda, Yesenia Gonzalez, Don DeLorenzo, Gina Anderson, Lauren Mantani, and Ericka Davis.
Gilroy Foundation is led by Vito Mercado, President since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 10 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Vito Mercado
President
Director → Vice President, 2021
Vice President → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carlos Pineda
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Don Delorenzo
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ericka Davis
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yesenia Gonzalez
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gina Anderson
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Mantani
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Speno
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lee Blaettler
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rigo Vargas
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Jay Baksa (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Joel Goldsmith (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Karen La Corte (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Edwin Diaz (2020) — Director
- Former: Sal Tomasello (2020) — Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about Gilroy Foundation
How much does Gilroy Foundation give each year?
Gilroy Foundation gave $1.1M across 26 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $415K across 19 grants.
What is Gilroy Foundation's typical grant size?
Gilroy Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $7,319, and its average grant was $43,072, across 26 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Gilroy Foundation that year got $6K on average.
Where does Gilroy Foundation give grants?
Gilroy Foundation 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 Gilroy, CA (26 grants).
Who are Gilroy Foundation's largest grantees?
Gilroy Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Digital Nest ($594,215), Various 5000 or Less ($116,138) and Christopher High School ($96,329), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 72% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Gilroy Foundation?
Gilroy Foundation reported $16.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.6M.
What does Gilroy Foundation fund?
The Foundation states that it was organized to help meet community needs in health, education, recreation, culture, and civic services. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Gilroy Foundation?
Check the Foundation’s grant-cycle announcements and follow the instructions for the relevant program. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Gilroy Foundation's EIN?
Gilroy Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-2719281. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gilroy Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
Destination Home SV co Silicon Valley Community Foundation
San Jose, CA
Destination: Home supports deeply affordable and supportive housing, homelessness prevention, and housing stability for extremely low-income and homeless households, primarily in Santa Clara County. In 2024, grants ranged from $7,500 to $5,991,728, with a median of $32,625. It accepts unsolicited requests through an online grant inquiry form from eligible organizations with projects aligned with its priorities.
Assets
$86.6M
Grants
62
Total Given
$17.6M
The Susan Morrow Legacy Foundation
Okatie, SC
The Susan Morrow Legacy Foundation funds charitable organizations working in health care, youth programs, education, the environment, and the arts. In 2024, its grants ranged from $2,000 to $200,000, with a median of $5,000, supporting organizations in several states, including Minnesota, Tennessee, California, Virginia, and South Carolina. It makes grants only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.1M
Grants
20
Total Given
$338K
Monterey Peninsula Foundation
Monterey, CA
The Monterey Peninsula Foundation funds eligible nonprofits and schools in arts and culture, community and environment, education, health and human services, and youth, serving residents of Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,300 to $703,000, with a median of $50,000. It accepts applications through an online portal; applicants must schedule a pre-application meeting.
Assets
$50.7M
Grants
201
Total Given
$17.4M
The Sobrato Family Foundation
Mountain View, CA
The foundation supports economic opportunity and education, including small-business access, workforce and college pathways, English learners, supportive housing, and community-based organizations serving people facing challenges. In 2024, grants ranged from $100 to $5 million, with a median of $75,000; its focus is Silicon Valley, though most grant dollars went to California. The filing says applications are sent directly and nonprofits can use an online form to receive funding-opportunity information; it does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$886.3M
Grants
526
Total Given
$69.3M
California Foundation for Stronger Communities
Carlsbad, CA
The foundation supports nonprofits, foundations, and corporations advancing charitable work, with recent grants spanning education, youth and family services, disability support, sports, and basic needs. In 2025, grants ranged from $6,218 to $265,000, with a median of $25,000; 97% of grant dollars went to California recipients. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$38K
Grants
201
Total Given
$8.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Gilroy Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/gilroy-foundation-morg_63b56dcd1801477aa379de1a369dfa04
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_942719281_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Gilroy Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/gilroy-foundation-morg_63b56dcd1801477aa379de1a369dfa04},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Gilroy 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.
Gilroy Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?