Humboldt Area Foundation
Humboldt Area Foundation is based in Bayside, California, and is a Form 990 public charity established in 1972. It supports charitable programs and projects in Humboldt, an individual recipient, and Trinity counties in California and Curry County in Oregon, including communities in the region’s Tribal Nations and Indigenous territories.
Humboldt Area Foundation at a glance
In short: Humboldt Area Foundation gave $11.5M across 203 grants in 2025 (avg $57K), mostly in California. 37% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $11,527,188
- +57.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 203
- +4.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $56,784
- +51.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $17,670
- Total assets
- $195,874,790
- +6.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 37% first-time grantees (74 of 201, 2025)
- Primary geography
- California (92% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Humboldt Area Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation directs grantseekers to its Grants Portal to learn about and apply for available grants, submit applications and reports, and track application status and grant history. The portal lists eligible applicant types; eligibility varies by opportunity.
- Review Cycle
- The Native Cultures Fund Grant lists a deadline of October 15, 2026.
- Deadline
- The Native Cultures Fund Grant lists a deadline of October 15, 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: 363 Indianola Road, Bayside, CA 95524
Phone: (707) 442-2993
Website: https://hafoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
31 open opportunities from Humboldt Area Foundation
Aawok Georgiana Trull Memorial Scholarship
Humboldt Area Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Adrian Joseph Romo Memorial Scholarship
Humboldt Area Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Arcata Foundation Fund Grant
Humboldt Area Foundation
Amount
US $500 - US $2,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Humboldt Area Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Blue Lake Rancheria ($3.7M). Together the top 10 received $5.6M.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($58,640), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
960 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 769 grants of 960 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that it serves Humboldt, an individual recipient, and Trinity counties in California and Curry County in Oregon, including the region’s Tribal Nations and historic Indigenous territories. Its 2025 grant dollars went primarily to California recipients (92%), with 5% to Oregon and 1% each to Washington, D.C., and Colorado; the filing also reports a rounded 0% share for Indiana.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 203 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Humboldt Area Foundation open to new grantees?
37%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 74 of 201 grantees (37%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $36K; repeat grants $69K. How we count
Medians: $16K first-time, $18K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.3M (2019) to $11.5M (2025). In 2025 it made 203 grants totaling $11.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Lake Rancheria Blue Lake, CA | Project Development and Deployment, Staff Support | $3,706,800 |
| Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation Eureka, CA | General Operating Support | $313,845 |
| Changing Tides Family Services Eureka, CA | Program Support and Disaster Assistance for Earthquake Victims | $311,938 |
| Humboldt Humane Fortuna, CA | Critters Without Litters and Spay and Neuter Support | $240,265 |
| Humboldt Coad Blue Lake, CA | Disaster Assistance for Individual Unmet Needs | $225,100 |
| Upper Klamath Basin Agricultural Collaborative Medford, OR | Sprague river collaborative restoration program - phase 1 - general operating support | $200,000 |
| Centro Del Pueblo Movimiento Indigena Migrante Arcata, CA | General Operating Support | $164,000 |
| Mid Klamath Watershed Council Orleans, CA | Mid klamath river science, restoration, & environmental stewardship project | $152,300 |
| Sustainable Northwest Portland, OR | Reconnecting & revitalizing the klamath basin and salmon homecoming | $143,000 |
| Arcata Fire District McKinleyville, CA | Fire engine purchase and first responder network mental health services | $140,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Humboldt Area Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $195,874,790 | $19,392,804 | $20,541,122 | $11,527,188 | 203 | $7,327,210 |
| 2024 | $184,241,118 | $22,845,756 | $16,797,083 | $7,302,778 | 195 | $3,297,261 |
| 2023 | $160,124,907 | $14,944,063 | $15,546,638 | $7,105,245 | 190 | $3,684,490 |
| 2022 | $149,379,870 | $19,202,493 | $14,091,296 | $6,939,578 | 183 | $4,843,030 |
| 2021 | $172,334,910 | $13,192,449 | $12,042,279 | $6,182,541 | 189 | $3,175,903 |
| 2020 | $134,029,100 | $12,899,721 | $10,053,706 | $4,617,278 | 188 | $2,731,649 |
| 2019 | $132,134,544 | $10,535,979 | $9,270,571 | $3,268,960 | 123 | $2,590,219 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to promote and encourage generosity, leadership, and inclusion to strengthen communities. Its strategic goals guide funding priorities and resource allocation, with an emphasis on minimizing vulnerability and increasing equity across rural and Native lands.
Examples of supported work include disaster assistance, community services, animal welfare, and watershed restoration. For instance, the foundation’s 2025 grant purposes included disaster assistance for earthquake victims and people with unmet needs, spay-and-neuter support, and Klamath Basin restoration. The grantees describe their own work in varied ways: Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation says it provides direct responses to immediate needs and helps homeless people return to society; Changing Tides Family Services says it works to increase the health and success of children, youth, families, and individuals; and Mid Klamath Watershed Council says it plans and implements ecosystem restoration, promotes community vitality, and involves people in land stewardship.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 203 grants totaling $11,527,188. Grant amounts ranged from $5,375 to $3,706,800, with a median of $17,670. The largest award listed was $3,706,800 to Blue Lake Rancheria for project development and deployment and staff support. Other notable awards included $313,845 to Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation for general operating support; $311,938 to Changing Tides Family Services for program support and disaster assistance for earthquake victims; and $240,265 to Humboldt Humane for its “Critters Without Litters” program and spay-and-neuter support.
Other 2025 grants included $225,100 to Humboldt COAD for disaster assistance for individual unmet needs; $200,000 to Upper Klamath Basin Agricultural Collaborative for a an individual recipient restoration program; $164,000 to Centro del Pueblo Movimiento Indigena Migrante for general operating support; and $152,300 to Mid Klamath Watershed Council for river science, restoration, and environmental stewardship. The listed grants also included $143,000 to Sustainable Northwest for Klamath Basin work, $140,000 to Arcata Fire District for a fire engine and first-responder mental health services, and $130,000 to American Rivers for program support.
The foundation’s Grants Portal describes eligibility for nonprofits, public benefit organizations such as schools, hospitals, government units and Tribal governments, groups with qualified fiscal sponsors, and other organizations or groups working on charitable projects. Some funds support individuals. The foundation’s 2024 filing says organizational grantees must either sign a contract or agree through cashing a grant check to use funds as described in the award letter; contracted grantees submit narrative and financial reports.
The foundation’s listed active opportunities include the Native Cultures Fund Grant, with awards of $1,000–$10,000 for California Indian culture and intergenerational knowledge transmission; the Youth Leadership Fund, with awards up to $1,500 for regional K–12 youth leadership development; and the an individual recipient Physician’s Recruitment & Retention Fund, which offers up to $50,000 per recipient per year for up to two years. The physician fund provides support to organizations for recruitment costs and to individuals for medical loan repayment, professional development, or retention, with recipients required to commit to working in an individual recipient County for the year funding is received.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists David Finigan as chair, beginning in January 2025, and Charlie Jordan as chair through December 2024. It also lists Christina Huff as vice chair and Dina Moore as secretary. Directors listed are Aristea Saulsbury, Dennis Rael, Raquel Ortega, Marylyn Paik-Nicely, Alan Nidiffer, and Keith Flamer.
Humboldt Area Foundation is led by Sara Dronkers, CEO since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 10 of 23 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sara Dronkers
CEO
Chief of Staff → COO, 2024
COO → CEO, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$90K (2020) → $159K (2025)
David Finigan
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charlie Jordan
Chair
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keytra Meyer
Director of Advancement & Philan. Innov.
Director of Advancement & Philanthropic Innovation → Director of Advancement, Philan & Innov., 2023
Director of Advancement, Philan & Innov. → Director of Advancement & Philan. Innov., 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$87K (2020) → $112K (2025)
Craig Woods
Department Director of Prgms. & Comms. Sol
Department Director of Prgms. & Comms. Sol. → Department Director of Prgms. & Comms. Sol, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$104K (2024) → $109K (2025)
Haley Clark
Director of Hr & People Development
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$105K (2024) → $116K (2025)
Dennis Rael
Director
On filings since 2019
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Raquel Ortega
Director
Vice Chair → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Judge Abby Abinanti
Director
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alan Nidiffer
Director
On filings since 2023
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alex Ozaki-McNeill
Director
On filings since 2023
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keith Flamer
Director
On filings since 2023
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elias Pence
Director
On filings since 2024
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Aristea Saulsbury
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marylyn Paik-Nicely
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bryna Lipper
Chief Innovation Officer
CEO → Chief Innovation Officer, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$75K (2020) → $225K (2025)
Sarah Millsap
Vice President of Finance & Administration
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$88K (2020) → $142K (2025)
Gina Zottola
Vice President Advancement & Philan. Innovation
Vice President Advancement & Philanthropic Innovation → Vice President Advancement & Philan. Innovation, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$102K (2021) → $129K (2025)
James Kloor
Vice President of Finance & Administration
Director of Finance & Administrator → Vice President of Finance & Administration, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$102K (2023) → $106K (2025)
Katerina Oskarsson
Executive in Residence & Core Hub
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$110K (2024) → $110K (2025)
Paula Tripp-Allen
Vice President Prgms, Committee P'ships & Tribal Rel
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$136K (2025)
Christina Huff
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dina Moore
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: Charleen Jordan (2019–2024) — Chair
- Former: Mary Keehn (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Marylyn Paik Nicely (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Lindsie Bear (2021–2024) — Vice President of Special Projects
- Former: Michelle Carrillo (2023) — Director of Strategy, Pgrm & Committee
- Former: John McBeth (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Patrick Cleary (2019–2022) — Director of Community Prosperity & Investment · Filing note: Thru 8/2021
- Former: Zuretti Goosby (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Carol Rische (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Deborah Downs (2019–2020) — Director of Finance
- Former: Julie Fulkerson (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Kathryn Lobato (2019–2020) — Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $225K, to Bryna Lipper (Chief Innovation Officer). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Humboldt Area Foundation
How much does Humboldt Area Foundation give each year?
Humboldt Area Foundation gave $11.5M across 203 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $7.3M across 195 grants.
What is Humboldt Area Foundation's typical grant size?
Humboldt Area Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $17,670, and its average grant was $56,784, across 203 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Humboldt Area Foundation that year got $36K on average.
Where does Humboldt Area Foundation give grants?
Humboldt Area Foundation gives mostly in California: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Eureka, CA (55 grants), Arcata, CA (26 grants), McKinleyville, CA (10 grants) and Crescent City, CA (8 grants).
Does Humboldt Area Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 34% of Humboldt Area Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (70 of 203) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (9 grants), "Scholarships" (4 grants) and "Spay/Neuter of Dogs & Cats in Humboldt County" (3 grants).
Who are Humboldt Area Foundation's largest grantees?
Humboldt Area Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Blue Lake Rancheria ($3,706,800), Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation ($313,845) and Changing Tides Family Services ($311,938), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($58,640), which are not listed by name. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Humboldt Area Foundation?
Humboldt Area Foundation reported $195.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $19.4M.
What does Humboldt Area Foundation fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to promote and encourage generosity, leadership, and inclusion to strengthen communities. Its strategic goals guide funding priorities and resource allocation, with an emphasis on minimizing vulnerability and increasing equity across rural and Native lands. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Humboldt Area Foundation?
The foundation directs grantseekers to its Grants Portal to learn about and apply for available grants, submit applications and reports, and track application status and grant history. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Humboldt Area Foundation's EIN?
Humboldt Area Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7310660. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 16, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 5, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 21, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 8, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Humboldt Area Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Humboldt Area Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/humboldt-area-foundation-morg_86205379cc6c4b3ba4b90d376e043907
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237310660_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Humboldt Area Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/humboldt-area-foundation-morg_86205379cc6c4b3ba4b90d376e043907},
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 Humboldt Area 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.
Humboldt Area Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?