John and Marcia Goldman Foundation
The John and Marcia Goldman Foundation is a private foundation based in San Francisco, California. Its mission is to improve the quality of life of individuals and communities in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, with grantmaking focused particularly on youth development and health outcomes.
John and Marcia Goldman Foundation at a glance
In short: John and Marcia Goldman Foundation gave $8.8M across 123 grants in 2024 (avg $71K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $8,762,925
- +18.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 123
- +12200.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $71,243
- -99.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $335,164,392
- +1.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (84% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to John and Marcia Goldman Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests for youth-development funding through a brief Letter of Inquiry for programs and projects serving youth and their families in Mid-Peninsula communities. Full proposals are accepted only by invitation. Requests outside that region or target population, and proposals in other grantmaking areas, are by invitation only. The foundation generally does not fund ongoing operating support, event sponsorship, filmmaking, or branding and marketing; it does not consider requests for individual use, deficit funding, or political lobbying. The board gives final approval to grants.
- Review Cycle
- No deadlines are stated for youth Letters of Inquiry.
- Deadline
- No deadlines are stated for youth Letters of Inquiry.
- Contact
Application contact: Amy Lyons
Mailing address: 182 Howard Street Suite 8, San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 744-8787
Website: https://jmgoldmanfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from John and Marcia Goldman Foundation
Who John and Marcia Goldman Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Lucile Packard Foundation for Childrens Health ($2.2M across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $6.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
127 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 87 grants of 127 (69%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation concentrates its unsolicited youth-development grantmaking in the Mid-Peninsula, defined as southern San Mateo County to northern Santa Clara County. Its 2024 grant dollars went primarily to California recipients (84%), with 11% going to Washington, DC; 2% to New York; and 1% each to Missouri and Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 123 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How John and Marcia Goldman Foundation gives
- Giving grew 45% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 71% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $6.0M (2021) to $8.8M (2024). In 2024 it made 123 grants totaling $8.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lucile Packard Foundation for Childrens Health Palo Alto, CA | To create a new endowment called the goldman autism fund to support the stanford early intervention program for autism | $1,655,000 |
| Epacenter E Palo Alto, CA | General Support | $1,400,000 |
| Lucile Packard Foundation for Childrens Health Palo Alto, CA | Early Support Program for Autism | $502,000 |
| John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Washington, DC | Unrestricted contribution to the together for the arts endowment campaign | $500,000 |
| Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc Washington, DC | Youth Power Fund | $250,000 |
| Congregation Emanu-El San Francisco, CA | Emanu-El Next: Investing for Our Jewish Future | $250,000 |
| Congregation Emanu-El San Francisco, CA | Emanu-El Next: Investing for Our Jewish Future | $250,000 |
| Jewish Community Federation of SF Marin Peninsula & Sonoma Counties San Francisco, CA | 2024 Annual Campaign | $250,000 |
| San Francisco Symphony San Francisco, CA | DSH Renovation and Treasure Island Concept | $250,000 |
| Articlegroup Org Inc Los Angeles, CA | "Save the Humans" Climate Communications Program | $225,000 |
Ready to take the next step with John and Marcia Goldman 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 | $335,164,392 | $24,033,377 | $15,769,009 | $8,762,925 | 123 | $10,511,865 | $22,174,148 | $14,740,704 |
| 2023 | $328,814,335 | $13,965,650 | $13,810,086 | $7,401,145 | 1 | $9,347,023 | $9,898,984 | $13,460,883 |
| 2022 | $298,675,946 | $7,909,460 | $12,648,843 | $6,604,787 | 1 | $9,299,131 | $5,024,507 | $14,315,767 |
| 2021 | $375,972,772 | $20,314,180 | $12,363,381 | $6,027,555 | 1 | $8,634,249 | $16,469,087 | $15,795,766 |
| 2020 | $350,084,520 | $14,666,132 | $10,722,282 | $6,572,658 | 1 | — | $11,950,170 | $13,112,917 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, John and Marcia Goldman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $14.7M 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 stated mission is to have an impact on the quality of life of individuals and communities in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Its main areas of focus are improving outcomes for youth and supporting better health outcomes related to autoimmune diseases and autism spectrum disorder through translational and treatment-related research and health services.
For youth development, the foundation seeks to address critical service gaps and improve the life trajectories of underserved young people, their families, and communities in the Mid-Peninsula. Its other grantmaking includes arts, civic projects, emergency response, social services, and Jewish affairs.
Grantees’ missions illustrate the range of organizations it supports. EPACENTER says its mission is to increase opportunities for youth to discover and amplify their talents through art, design, and technology. The San Francisco Symphony says it serves audiences and communities through musical performance. The Immigrant Legal Resource Center says it works with and educates immigrants, community organizations, and the legal sector to build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 123 grants totaling $8,762,925. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $1,655,000, with a median grant of $15,000.
Among its largest 2024 grants were $1,655,000 to the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health to create the Goldman Autism Fund supporting Stanford’s Early Intervention Program for Autism; $1,400,000 to EPACENTER for general support; and $502,000 to the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health for its Early Support Program for Autism. Other grants included $500,000 to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for its Together for the Arts Endowment Campaign, $250,000 to the Amalgamated Charitable Foundation for the Youth Power Fund, and $200,000 to the Immigrant Legal Resource Center for a coalition for immigration services.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Amy Lyons as executive director, John D. Goldman as president, and Marcia L. Goldman as secretary and treasurer.
John and Marcia Goldman Foundation is led by Amy Lyons, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Amy Lyons
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$372K (2020) → $433K (2024)
John D. Goldman
President
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marcia L. Goldman
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Aaron D. Goldman (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Alejandro W. Foung (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jessica L. Goldman Foung (2020–2021) — Director
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 $433K, to Amy Lyons (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about John and Marcia Goldman Foundation
How much does John and Marcia Goldman Foundation give each year?
John and Marcia Goldman Foundation gave $8.8M across 123 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $7.4M across 1 grant.
What is John and Marcia Goldman Foundation's typical grant size?
John and Marcia Goldman Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $71,243, across 123 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does John and Marcia Goldman Foundation give grants?
John and Marcia Goldman Foundation gives mostly in California: 84% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was District of Columbia (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (49 grants), New York, NY (10 grants), Palo Alto, CA (8 grants) and Oakland, CA (7 grants).
Does John and Marcia Goldman Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 31% of John and Marcia Goldman Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (38 of 123) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "2024 Annual Grant" (39 grants) and "Mental Health & Social Emotional Learning Programs" (5 grants).
Who are John and Marcia Goldman Foundation's largest grantees?
John and Marcia Goldman Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Lucile Packard Foundation for Childrens Health ($2,167,000 across 3 grants), Epacenter ($1,400,100 across 2 grants) and Jewish Community Federation of SF Marin Peninsula & Sonoma Counties ($526,000 across 4 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is John and Marcia Goldman Foundation?
John and Marcia Goldman Foundation reported $335.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $10.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $14.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does John and Marcia Goldman Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to have an impact on the quality of life of individuals and communities in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from John and Marcia Goldman Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests for youth-development funding through a brief Letter of Inquiry for programs and projects serving youth and their families in Mid-Peninsula communities. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is John and Marcia Goldman Foundation's EIN?
John and Marcia Goldman Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3274370. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does John and Marcia Goldman Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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
Live grants for the work John and Marcia Goldman Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in John and Marcia Goldman Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). John and Marcia Goldman Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/john-and-marcia-goldman-foundation-morg_e5b1f34e71384294bba01628b9faf2db
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_943274370_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{John and Marcia Goldman Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/john-and-marcia-goldman-foundation-morg_e5b1f34e71384294bba01628b9faf2db},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 John and Marcia Goldman 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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