Hillsborough Garden Club Trust
Hillsborough Garden Club Trust is a private foundation based in Burlingame, California. Its 2026 filing reports grants for conservation and/or horticulture education, research, or services, including support for the Hillsborough Garden Club and environmental and garden-related organizations.
Hillsborough Garden Club Trust at a glance
In short: Hillsborough Garden Club Trust gave $55K across 13 grants in 2026 (avg $4K), mostly in California. 8% of 2026 grantees were new. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $54,500
- +185.3% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 13
- +0.0% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $4,192
- +185.3% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $500
- Total assets
- $404,076
- -6.1% vs 2025
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (1 of 13, 2026; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (98% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Hillsborough Garden Club Trust
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: P O Box 209, Burlingame, CA 94011
Phone: (650) 867-6939
Website: https://www.hillsboroughgc.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Hillsborough Garden Club Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Hillsborough Garden Club ($28K). Together the top 10 received $54K.
Grant Size Distribution
72 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 71 grants of 72 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The trust is based in Burlingame, California. In 2026, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in California and 2% to recipients in Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Hillsborough Garden Club Trust open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2026
In 2026, 1 of 13 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $500 repeat.
- 62% of 2026 grantees were also funded in 2025. Method
- Giving grew 374% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out 263% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2026). 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 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $12K (2023) to $55K (2026). In 2026 it made 13 grants totaling $55K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough Garden Club Burlingame, CA | Conservation and/or Horticulture Education and/or Research Services | $27,500 |
| Peninsula Open Space Trust Palo Alto, CA | Conservation and/or Horticulture Education and/or Research Services | $16,000 |
| Friends of Filoli Woodside, CA | Conservation and/or Horticulture Education and/or Research Services | $5,500 |
| Pollinator Partnership San Francisco, CA | Conservation and/or Horticulture Education and/or Research Services | $1,500 |
| Save the Redwoods League San Francisco, CA | Conservation and/or Horticulture Education and/or Research Services | $1,100 |
| Mount Vernon Ladies Associataion Alexandria, VA | Conservation and/or Horticulture Education and/or Research Services | $1,000 |
| Californai Native Plant Society Sacramento, CA | Conservation and/or Horticulture Education and/or Research Services | $500 |
| Gardens of Golden Gate Park San Francisco, CA | Conservation and/or Horticulture Education and/or Research Services | $500 |
| Curiodessy San Mateo, CA | Conservation and/or Horticulture Education and/or Research Services | $200 |
| Hillsborough Beautification Foundation Hillsborough, CA | Conservation and/or Horticulture Education and/or Research Services | $200 |
Ready to take the next step with Hillsborough Garden Club Trust?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $404,076 | $42,415 | $68,451 | $54,500 | 13 | $63,366 | $37,330 | $24,071 |
| 2025 | $430,112 | $40,761 | $30,040 | $19,100 | 13 | $24,127 | $9,763 | $22,136 |
| 2024 | $419,391 | $8,767 | $29,904 | $18,790 | 16 | $24,815 | $5,408 | $20,744 |
| 2023 | $440,528 | $-1,981 | $21,828 | $11,500 | 15 | $15,317 | $4,942 | $20,011 |
| 2022 | $464,337 | $57,000 | $61,536 | $52,250 | 15 | $52,250 | $51,020 | $24,092 |
| 2021 | $469,127 | $18,440 | $18,209 | $16,000 | 18 | — | $18,290 | $23,917 |
| 2020 | $469,364 | $22,075 | $25,305 | $20,400 | 16 | — | $22,075 | $23,061 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Hillsborough Garden Club Trust reported a distributable amount of $24K for 2026 — 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 Hillsborough Garden Club states that its mission is “to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening,” share the benefits of association and education, and restore, improve, and protect environmental quality through conservation and civic improvement.
The 2026 filing describes grant purposes as conservation and/or horticulture education, research, or services. The club’s website says its philanthropy supports environmental organizations, public gardens, schools, parks, and museums, and lists organizations and projects receiving support in 2025–2026.
Examples of grantees’ stated missions illustrate the kinds of organizations supported: Peninsula Open Space Trust says it protects open space on the Peninsula and in the South Bay; Pollinator Partnership says it promotes pollinator health through conservation, education, and research; and Save the Redwoods League says it protects and restores redwood forests and connects people with them. Save the Bay describes its vision as a healthy, climate-resilient San Francisco Bay, while Hillsborough Beautification Foundation says it works to enhance the town’s public landscape and encourage community engagement and civic pride.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2026, the trust reported 13 grants totaling $54,500. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $27,500, with a median of $500.
The largest reported grants were $27,500 to Hillsborough Garden Club, $16,000 to Peninsula Open Space Trust, and $5,500 to Friends of Filoli. Other notable awards included $1,500 to Pollinator Partnership, $1,100 to Save the Redwoods League, and $1,000 to Mount Vernon Ladies Association.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2026 filing lists the following officers and directors:
- Runa Magowan — President
- Megan Dioli — Corresponding Secretary
- Katie Schmidt — Recording Secretary
- Kelly Scandalios — Treasurer
- Sheila McWilliams — Nominating (Membership)
- Ann Girard — Admissions (Membership)
- Jenny Budge — Vice President
- Katie Parsons — Provisional Chair (Membership)
- Donna Abramson — Policy and Planning
Hillsborough Garden Club Trust is led by Runa Magowan, President since 2026 (on filings since 2021); none of the 9 officers listed in 2026 report compensation.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Runa Magowan
President
Treasurer → Vice President, 2025
Vice President → President, 2026
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katie Parsons
Provisional Chair
New on the 2026 filing
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jenny Budge
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2026
On filings since 2023
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ann Girard
Admissions
On filings since 2025
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katie Schmidt
Recording Secretary
On filings since 2025
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Megan Dioli
Corresponding Secretary
On filings since 2025
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sheila McWilliams
Nominating
Provisional Chair → Nominating, 2026
On filings since 2025
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Donna Abramson
Policy & Plannig
New on the 2026 filing
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Scandalios
Treasurer
New on the 2026 filing
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (25)
- Former: Amy Bick (2022–2025) — Nominating
- Former: Kathy Paver (2025) — Treasurer
- Former: Roberta Gates (2025) — President
- Former: Amy Conn (2020–2024) — Vice President
- Former: Kathryn Toms (2020–2024) — Secretary-Cor.
- Former: Darlynn Slosar (2022–2024) — President
- Former: Jennifer Desler (2023–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Bobby Gates (2024) — Director
- Former: Grace Ghiselli (2024) — President
- Former: Jonie Amaroli (2024) — Director
- Former: Taryn Sutton (2024) — Secretary-Rec.
- Former: Elizabeth Lewis (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Harumi Nakano (2022–2023) — Secretary-Rec.
- Former: Kim Hooker (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Libby Hulsey (2022–2023) — President
- Former: Anne Longworth (2021–2022) — President
- Former: Vicky Lowden (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Bobbie Gates (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Kc Vincelette (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Mary McGee (2020–2021) — President
- Former: Carol Wilson (2020) — Co-President
- Former: Donna Abrahamson (2020) — Director
- Former: Kim Palmer (2020) — Vice President
- Former: Sarah Ryland (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Tori Hazelrig (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2026. "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 Hillsborough Garden Club Trust
How much does Hillsborough Garden Club Trust give each year?
Hillsborough Garden Club Trust gave $55K across 13 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $19K across 13 grants.
What is Hillsborough Garden Club Trust's typical grant size?
Hillsborough Garden Club Trust's median grant in 2026 was $500, and its average grant was $4,192, across 13 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Hillsborough Garden Club Trust that year got $1K on average.
Where does Hillsborough Garden Club Trust give grants?
Hillsborough Garden Club Trust gives mostly in California: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (4 grants) and San Mateo, CA (2 grants).
Does Hillsborough Garden Club Trust give general operating support?
Not in 2026: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Hillsborough Garden Club Trust's 2026 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Hillsborough Garden Club Trust's largest grantees?
Hillsborough Garden Club Trust's largest 2026 grantees include Hillsborough Garden Club ($27,500), Peninsula Open Space Trust ($16,000) and Friends of Filoli ($5,500), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 90% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is Hillsborough Garden Club Trust?
Hillsborough Garden Club Trust reported $404K in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $63K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $24K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Hillsborough Garden Club Trust fund?
The Hillsborough Garden Club states that its mission is “to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening,” share the benefits of association and education, and restore, improve, and protect environmental quality through conservation and civic improvement. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Hillsborough Garden Club Trust?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Hillsborough Garden Club Trust's EIN?
Hillsborough Garden Club Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7165097. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2026.
Does Hillsborough Garden Club Trust 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
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 18, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Hillsborough Garden Club Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Hillsborough Garden Club Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 6, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/hillsborough-garden-club-trust-morg_61c062d77b5140f8becb33d0ee5f27f1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237165097_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Hillsborough Garden Club Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/hillsborough-garden-club-trust-morg_61c062d77b5140f8becb33d0ee5f27f1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-06. 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 Hillsborough Garden Club Trust'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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