Hidden Leaf Foundation
Hidden Leaf Foundation is a private foundation based in San Francisco, California. It supports social and environmental justice movements, with an emphasis on helping organizations deepen their practice and build power through transformative approaches.
Hidden Leaf Foundation at a glance
In short: Hidden Leaf Foundation gave $2.6M across 45 grants in 2024 (avg $58K), mostly in California. 26% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,620,500
- -31.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 45
- -13.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $58,233
- -20.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $75,000
- Total assets
- $58,282,965
- +4.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (10 of 39, 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 Hidden Leaf Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website says it does not accept unsolicited requests. The 2024 filing nevertheless describes a letter-submission process and says giving is not restricted to preselected organizations.
- Review Cycle
- July 1.
- Deadline
- July 1.
- Contact
Application contact: Jennifer George
Mailing address: 2443 Fillmore St Ste 380 Pmb 1109, San Francisco, CA 94115
Phone: (510) 859-8058
Email: info@hiddenleaf.org
Website: https://hiddenleaf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Hidden Leaf Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Movement Strategy Center ($530K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
278 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 160 grants of 278 (58%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars were distributed primarily to recipients in California (70%), followed by New York (6%), Florida (6%), Georgia (5%), and Washington, DC (4%). Listed grantees also include organizations in Alaska and Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 45 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Hidden Leaf Foundation open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 39 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $86K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $75K repeat.
- 72% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 38% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 113% 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 $1.8M (2020) to $4.4M (2022). In 2024 it made 45 grants totaling $2.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Movement Strategy Center Oakland, CA | General Support Grant | $500,000 |
| Urban Tilth Richmond, CA | General Support Grant | $75,000 |
| Urban Tilth Richmond, CA | General Support Grant | $75,000 |
| Urban Tilth Richmond, CA | General Support Grant | $75,000 |
| Movement Generation Berkeley, CA | General Support Grant | $75,000 |
| Heal Food Alliance Oakland, CA | General Support Grant | $75,000 |
| Native Movement Fairbanks, AK | General Support Grant | $75,000 |
| Native Organizers Alliance (FS) Seattle, WA | General Support Grant | $75,000 |
| Power California Los Angeles, CA | General Support Grant | $75,000 |
| Power U for Social Change Miami, FL | General Support Grant | $75,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Hidden Leaf 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 | $58,282,965 | $4,433,095 | $4,318,121 | $2,620,500 | 45 | $3,160,973 | $3,708,840 | $2,787,407 |
| 2023 | $55,886,588 | $2,453,099 | $4,208,920 | $3,809,335 | 52 | $4,263,879 | $1,686,714 | $2,731,818 |
| 2022 | $54,041,946 | $11,646,901 | $12,282,207 | $4,427,000 | 62 | $4,865,280 | $8,173,003 | $2,601,325 |
| 2021 | $55,737,131 | $4,839,577 | $3,340,333 | $1,900,000 | 47 | $2,230,493 | $4,271,923 | $2,718,929 |
| 2020 | $51,256,327 | $3,552,170 | $2,847,472 | $1,785,000 | 72 | — | $2,971,792 | $2,305,812 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Hidden Leaf Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.8M 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
Hidden Leaf’s stated mission is to promote inner awareness within liberatory movements. It describes transformative change as engaging inner awareness and personal development practices to strengthen organizations working to build and shift power toward a just and sustainable world. Its grantmaking supports frontline community organizing groups and intermediaries that help those groups incorporate transformative practices into their organizing.
Examples of 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. Mujeres Unidas y Activas describes its work as growing Latina and Indigenous immigrant women’s personal and community power to achieve social and economic justice. Climate Justice Alliance says it unites frontline communities and organizations to build community-controlled alternatives and pathways to a regenerative future. Urban Tilth describes its work as educating communities about organic gardening, supporting gardens, and training local residents to build a more sustainable food system.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Hidden Leaf reported 45 grants totaling $2,620,500. Grant amounts ranged from $2,500 to $500,000, with a median of $75,000. The largest listed grant was $500,000 to Movement Strategy Center for general support. Other listed awards included $75,000 each to Urban Tilth (three grants), Movement Generation, Heal Food Alliance, Native Movement, Native Organizers Alliance (FS), Power California, Power U for Social Change, Change Elemental, and Essie Justice Group; the stated purpose for these grants was general support.
The foundation says it makes five-year investments in a small number of movement organizations and that it does not accept unsolicited proposals. Its 2024 filing, however, gives a submission process: a letter of no more than two pages by email, with contact details, a paragraph describing the organization and its fit with the foundation’s mission, and a brief description of its mission and programs. The filing lists no restrictions on awards.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s website identifies Leslie Lindo as Executive Director and says the organization has a four-person staff and a board comprising family and independent members. The 2024 filing lists Karen Brown as President, Tara Brown as VP/Treasurer, Supriya Pillai as Secretary/Executive Director, Alta Starr as Director, and Lorelei Williams as Interim Executive Director.
Hidden Leaf Foundation is led by Supriya Pillai, Secretary & Executive Director since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Supriya Pillai
Secretary & Executive Director
Executive Director → Secretary & Executive Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$141K (2020) → $142K (2024)
Lorelei Williams
Interim Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
30 hrs/week
$64K (2024)
Karen Brown
President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alta Starr
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$5K (2021) → $18K (2024)
Tara Brown
Vice President & Treasurer
Secretary & Treasurer → Vice President & Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Kristen Stinnett-Brown (2020) — Vice 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 $142K, to Supriya Pillai (Secretary/Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Hidden Leaf Foundation
How much does Hidden Leaf Foundation give each year?
Hidden Leaf Foundation gave $2.6M across 45 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.8M across 52 grants.
What is Hidden Leaf Foundation's typical grant size?
Hidden Leaf Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $75,000, and its average grant was $58,233, across 45 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Hidden Leaf Foundation that year got $13K on average.
Where does Hidden Leaf Foundation give grants?
Hidden Leaf 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 New York (6%) and Florida (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Oakland, CA (11 grants), Richmond, CA (5 grants), New York, NY (4 grants) and Berkeley, CA (3 grants).
Does Hidden Leaf Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 96% of Hidden Leaf Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (43 of 45) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Hidden Leaf Foundation's largest grantees?
Hidden Leaf Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Movement Strategy Center ($530,000 across 2 grants), Urban Tilth ($225,000 across 3 grants) and Change Elemental ($95,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Hidden Leaf Foundation?
Hidden Leaf Foundation reported $58.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Hidden Leaf Foundation fund?
Hidden Leaf’s stated mission is to promote inner awareness within liberatory movements. It describes transformative change as engaging inner awareness and personal development practices to strengthen organizations working to build and shift power toward a just and sustainable world. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Hidden Leaf Foundation?
The foundation’s website says it does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Hidden Leaf Foundation's EIN?
Hidden Leaf Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-2338463. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Hidden Leaf 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). Hidden Leaf Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/hidden-leaf-foundation-morg_e04681990200443486078f0567721993
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_352338463_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Hidden Leaf Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/hidden-leaf-foundation-morg_e04681990200443486078f0567721993},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Hidden Leaf 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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