Heffernan Group Foundation
The Heffernan Group Foundation is a private foundation based in Walnut Creek, California. Its 2024 filing reports 246 grants totaling $1,383,935, with recipients including education and work-study programs, organizations addressing basic needs, and community service nonprofits.
Heffernan Group Foundation at a glance
In short: Heffernan Group Foundation gave $1.4M across 246 grants in 2024 (avg $6K), mostly in California. 56% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,383,935
- -8.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 246
- +15.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $5,626
- -20.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,550
- Total assets
- $8,990,446
- +1.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 56% first-time grantees (132 of 234, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (70% 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 Heffernan Group Foundation
- Contact
Application contact: Michelle Lonaker
Mailing address: 1350 Carback Ave Ste 350, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Phone: (925) 295-2575
Email: michellel@heffernanfoundation.com
Website: https://www.heffernanfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Heffernan Group Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was ICA San Francisco Work Study Inc ($84K). Together the top 10 received $392K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($20,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,112 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,104 grants of 1,112 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars were distributed primarily to California recipients (70%), followed by Oregon (6%), Missouri (6%), Pennsylvania (5%), and Arizona (2%). These listed shares account for 89% of grant dollars.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 246 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Heffernan Group Foundation open to new grantees?
56%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 132 of 234 grantees (56%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $8K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 28% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 69% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 280% 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 $821K (2021) to $1.5M (2023). In 2024 it made 246 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ICA San Francisco Work Study Inc San Francisco, CA | Donation | $84,000 |
| Little Miracles Pleasanton, CA | Donation | $66,000 |
| Cristo Rey De La Salle East Bay Work Study Program Inc Oakland, CA | Donation | $60,000 |
| Cristo Rey San Jose Work Study Corporation San Jose, CA | Donation | $42,000 |
| Catholic Community Services Salem, OR | 2024 GRANT | $25,000 |
| Face SF San Francisco, CA | 2024 GRANT | $25,000 |
| ICA Cristo Rey Academy San Francisco, CA | 2024 GRANT | $25,000 |
| Swords to Plowshares San Francisco, CA | 2024 GRANT | $25,000 |
| 10000 Degrees San Rafael, CA | 2024 GRANT | $20,000 |
| Spread the Word Nevada Reno, NV | 2024 GRANT | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Heffernan Group 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 | $8,990,446 | $1,718,526 | $1,607,824 | $1,383,935 | 246 | $1,371,255 | $291,981 | $489,625 |
| 2023 | $8,881,384 | $3,144,653 | $2,447,763 | $1,512,471 | 213 | $1,502,671 | $220,797 | $463,313 |
| 2022 | $8,186,839 | $6,335,918 | $1,188,612 | $1,017,605 | 232 | $1,009,355 | $134,794 | $231,205 |
| 2021 | $3,071,439 | $1,294,449 | $962,020 | $820,817 | 191 | $820,792 | $46,961 | $176,850 |
| 2020 | $2,882,177 | $1,535,124 | $970,519 | $868,340 | 230 | — | $45,592 | $158,016 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Heffernan Group Foundation reported a distributable amount of $490K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations whose own missions include education and career development, assistance to people in need, and access to essential resources. For example, Cristo Rey de La Salle East Bay Work Study Program says it provides professional work experiences for high school students, while Little Miracles says it provides baby supplies and clothing to Tri-Valley parents in need. 10,000 Degrees describes its work as helping students from low-income backgrounds access and complete higher education.
Other supported organizations describe work in areas such as crisis support, housing stability, and food access. Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry says it connects people at risk to resources to resolve crises and stabilize their lives; Housing Industry Foundation says it helps individuals and families remain in or return to stable housing; and White Pony Express describes its mission as eliminating hunger and poverty by delivering food to people in need.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 246 grants totaling $1,383,935. Grants ranged from $20 to $84,000, with a median grant of $1,550.
Among the largest listed grants were $84,000 to an individual recipient Work Study Inc., $66,000 to Little Miracles, $60,000 to Cristo Rey de La Salle East Bay Work Study Program Inc., and $42,000 to an individual recipient Work Study Corporation. Other listed grants included $25,000 each to Catholic Community Services, FACE SF, ICA Cristo Rey Academy, and Swords to Plowshares; and $20,000 each to 10,000 Degrees, Spread the Word Nevada, and St Vincent de Paul Society.
The filing states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. How to apply: The filing directs applicants to contact the CEO/director and submit materials electronically. It lists award restrictions of $500–$30,000. Deadline: Various.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Mike Heffernan as chairman, Michelle Lonaker as executive director, Philip Mortimer as CFO/treasurer, and Louisa Tallarida as secretary. Board members listed are Kurt Scheidt, Hieu Williams, Jeff Hamlin, and Rick Allen.
Heffernan Group Foundation is led by Michelle Lonaker, Executive Director since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 8 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michelle Lonaker
Executive Director
CEO → Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$100K (2020) → $145K (2024)
Mike Heffernan
Chairman
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hieu Tran Williams
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kurt Scheidt
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Louisa Tallarida
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rick Allen
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Hamlin
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Philip Mortimer
CFO & Treasurer
Treasurer → CFO & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Dan Sebastiani (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Emily Jonas (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: F. Michael Heffernan (2020–2022) — President
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 $145K, to Michelle Lonaker (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Heffernan Group Foundation
How much does Heffernan Group Foundation give each year?
Heffernan Group Foundation gave $1.4M across 246 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.5M across 213 grants.
What is Heffernan Group Foundation's typical grant size?
Heffernan Group Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,550, and its average grant was $5,626, across 246 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Heffernan Group Foundation that year got $4K on average.
Where does Heffernan Group Foundation give grants?
Heffernan Group Foundation gives mostly in California: 70% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Oregon (6%) and Missouri (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (26 grants), San Jose, CA (10 grants), Oakland, CA (10 grants) and San Rafael, CA (8 grants).
Does Heffernan Group Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 246 grants with a stated purpose on Heffernan Group Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation" (106 grants), "2024 Grant" (80 grants) and "Matching Donation" (43 grants).
Who are Heffernan Group Foundation's largest grantees?
Heffernan Group Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include ICA San Francisco Work Study Inc ($84,000), Little Miracles ($66,000) and Cristo Rey De La Salle East Bay Work Study Program Inc ($60,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($20,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Heffernan Group Foundation?
Heffernan Group Foundation reported $9.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $490K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Heffernan Group Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations whose own missions include education and career development, assistance to people in need, and access to essential resources. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Heffernan Group Foundation?
Heffernan Group Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check heffernanfoundation.com for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Heffernan Group Foundation's EIN?
Heffernan Group Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 71-1010693. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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). Heffernan Group Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/heffernan-group-foundation-morg_753187bfd1a04742b2eab712d5b63ef9
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_711010693_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Heffernan Group Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/heffernan-group-foundation-morg_753187bfd1a04742b2eab712d5b63ef9},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Heffernan Group 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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