Harry and Masie Masto Foundation
The Harry and Masie Masto Foundation is a private foundation based in San Francisco, California, rooted in the Japanese-American community. It supports grassroots social change, with a commitment to diversity, equity, and justice and to resourcing marginalized communities.
Harry and Masie Masto Foundation at a glance
In short: Harry and Masie Masto Foundation gave $546K across 44 grants in 2024 (avg $12K), mostly in California. 45% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $545,848
- -5.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 44
- +2.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $12,406
- -7.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $8,383,899
- +3.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 45% first-time grantees (15 of 33, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (59% 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 Harry and Masie Masto Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Its website states that funding for 2025 and 2026 has been allocated and that it is not currently accepting unsolicited proposals. It says it is open to speaking with grassroots organizations led by or for people of color and/or underserved LGBTQ+ individuals that are committed to equity, justice, and community power-building.
- Contact
Mailing address: 58 Collingwood Street, San Francisco, CA 94114
Phone: (530) 699-0337
Website: https://mastofoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Harry and Masie Masto Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Mufg Union Bank Cares Fund ($52K). Together the top 10 received $319K.
Grant Size Distribution
171 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 164 grants of 171 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in San Francisco. In 2024, 59% of grant dollars went to recipients in California, followed by recipients in Washington, DC (8%), New York (7%), Washington state (6%), and Virginia (5%). Its listed 2024 grants also included recipients in Idaho.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 44 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Harry and Masie Masto Foundation open to new grantees?
45%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 15 of 33 grantees (45%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $21K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 48% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 27% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 211% 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 $334K (2020) to $579K (2023). In 2024 it made 44 grants totaling $546K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mufg Union Bank Cares Fund Los Angeles, CA | To support same-sex marriage education and advocacy efforts in japan | $52,360 |
| Tides Foundation Los Angeles, CA | For Equality Without Borders Grantees | $36,333 |
| Possibility Labs San Francisco, CA | to SUPPORT the DEVelopment OF THE MOONSOON VENTURE CAPITAL FUND FOR INDIGENOUS WOMEN | $26,250 |
| Kultivate Labs San Francisco, CA | To support koho - a vibrant new arts and culture center in japantown | $22,223 |
| Fund for Constitutional Government Washington, DC | For keseb's efforts to counter authoritarianism and advance inclusive and resilient democracies | $21,400 |
| Asian American Futures Irvine, CA | To Support Asian American Futures "Imagine Initiative" | $20,000 |
| Asian American-Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy Oakland, CA | Aapip expands funding and support for aapi communities through advocacy, leadership and philanthropic collaboration | $20,000 |
| Friends of Minidoka Inc Twin Falls, ID | To engage in and support education, research, and historic preservation of wwii incarceration | $20,000 |
| Japanese American Citizens League Kent, WA | To support creation of the rememberance gallery at the puyallup | $20,000 |
| National Japanese American Memorial Foundation Washington, DC | To support capacity building and fundraising efforts for the japanese-American confinement sites consortium | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Harry and Masie Masto 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 | $8,383,899 | $242,382 | $1,006,713 | $545,848 | 44 | $859,253 | $168,962 | $407,991 |
| 2023 | $8,107,247 | $496,288 | $974,175 | $579,363 | 43 | $844,981 | $436,172 | $382,844 |
| 2022 | $7,349,533 | $1,943,183 | $912,582 | $477,845 | 29 | $709,938 | $1,811,318 | $360,933 |
| 2021 | $7,920,647 | $1,270,576 | $714,928 | $429,165 | 33 | $602,705 | $1,368,165 | $358,013 |
| 2020 | $7,230,761 | $205,594 | $583,705 | $333,730 | 22 | — | $207,398 | $319,221 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Harry and Masie Masto Foundation reported a distributable amount of $408K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to promote diversity, equity, and justice by investing in grassroots social change. It says its work supports marginalized communities, particularly people who have experienced systemic institutionalized discrimination, in building leadership, power, and strength. Its stated values include community-based leadership, equity and social justice, solidarity, and compassion.
Its 2024 grants included support for organizations working on a range of issues. For example, the Japanese American Citizens League describes its mission as safeguarding civil and human rights; Friends of Minidoka says it works to share the history and lessons of civil liberties; and Outright Action International received support to strengthen the international LGBTQI rights movement. Other 2024 grantees included Asian American Futures, whose mission is to ensure Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are seen, heard, empowered, and united, and Possibility Labs, which describes its mission as advancing self-determination for Black, Indigenous, and historically low-income communities.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 44 grants totaling $545,848. Individual grants ranged from $1,250 to $52,360, with a median of $10,000.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $52,360 to MUFG Union Bank Cares Fund for same-sex marriage education and advocacy efforts in Japan; $36,333 to Tides Foundation for Equality Without Borders grantees; and $26,250 to Possibility Labs to support development of the Moonsoon Venture Capital Fund for Indigenous Women. Other notable grants included $22,223 to Kultivate Labs for Koho, an arts and culture center in Japantown, and $21,400 to Fund for Constitutional Government for Keseb’s efforts to counter authoritarianism and advance inclusive and resilient democracies.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Allison Sparks as Executive Director, Sherrie Sparks as President and Trustee, and Tiffany Sparks as Trustee.
Harry and Masie Masto Foundation is led by Allison J. Sparks, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Allison J. Sparks
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$103K (2020) → $191K (2024)
Sherrie J. Sparks
President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tiffany Sparks
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Tiffany J. Sparks-Keeney (2020–2023) — Trustee
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 $191K, to Allison Sparks (Executive Dir).
Frequently asked questions about Harry and Masie Masto Foundation
How much does Harry and Masie Masto Foundation give each year?
Harry and Masie Masto Foundation gave $546K across 44 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $579K across 43 grants.
What is Harry and Masie Masto Foundation's typical grant size?
Harry and Masie Masto Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $12,406, across 44 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Harry and Masie Masto Foundation that year got $12K on average.
Where does Harry and Masie Masto Foundation give grants?
Harry and Masie Masto Foundation gives mostly in California: 59% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (8%) and New York (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (10 grants), Los Angeles, CA (8 grants), Oakland, CA (5 grants) and New York, NY (5 grants).
Does Harry and Masie Masto Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 44 grants with a stated purpose on Harry and Masie Masto Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Annual Board Discretionary" (3 grants).
Who are Harry and Masie Masto Foundation's largest grantees?
Harry and Masie Masto Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Mufg Union Bank Cares Fund ($52,360), Horizons Foundation ($50,000 across 5 grants) and Tides Foundation ($46,653 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Harry and Masie Masto Foundation?
Harry and Masie Masto Foundation reported $8.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $859K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $408K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Harry and Masie Masto Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to promote diversity, equity, and justice by investing in grassroots social change. It says its work supports marginalized communities, particularly people who have experienced systemic institutionalized discrimination, in building leadership, power, and strength. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Harry and Masie Masto Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Harry and Masie Masto Foundation's EIN?
Harry and Masie Masto Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1117863. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Harry and Masie Masto 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 September 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). Harry and Masie Masto Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/harry-and-masie-masto-foundation-morg_f112bb1634394f9f9dd0ec23b157929d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_911117863_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Harry and Masie Masto Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/harry-and-masie-masto-foundation-morg_f112bb1634394f9f9dd0ec23b157929d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-26. 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 Harry and Masie Masto 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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