Kelly Foundation
The Kelly Foundation is a private foundation based in Sacramento, California, that supports organizations and projects serving the Greater Sacramento region and Northern California. Established in 1988 by brothers Jon and Bob Kelly, it merged with the River City Bank Foundation in 2009. Its grantmaking supports children and youth, food security, homelessness, health and human services, and conservation, open space, and climate.
Kelly Foundation at a glance
In short: Kelly Foundation gave $2.0M across 83 grants in 2025 (avg $24K), mostly in California. 18% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,994,500
- +47.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 83
- -3.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $24,030
- +53.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $42,747,828
- +9.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (15 of 83, 2025)
- Primary geography
- California (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Kelly Foundation
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation’s website describes an invite-only application process. Organizations that have not received an invitation, including organizations new to the foundation, may submit a letter of inquiry during the applicable focus-area quarter. Applications are submitted through the foundation’s online portal, and applicants are asked to review the grant distribution guidelines. The foundation does not consider requests for explicit religious activities, political organizations or campaigns, fraternal organizations, labor societies or orders, telephone solicitations, or national fundraising efforts. Funded organizations must submit a timely report on use of the grant and inform the foundation of major program or staff changes.
- Review Cycle
- The listed focus-area deadlines are January 15 for Food Insecurity and Conservation, Open Space and Climate; April 15 for Children, Youth Assistance & Education; July 15 for Affordable Housing & Homelessness; and October 15 for Health & Human Services. The next listed deadline is October 15, 2026.
- Deadline
- The listed focus-area deadlines are January 15 for Food Insecurity and Conservation, Open Space and Climate; April 15…
- Contact
Application contact: Online Submittal Only - Kellyfounda
Mailing address: 2480 Natomas Park Dr Ste 150, Sacramento, CA 95833
Phone: (916) 978-4892
Email: info@kellyfoundationsacramento.org
Website: https://kellyfoundationsacramento.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Kelly Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Yolo Food Bank ($175K). Together the top 10 received $840K.
Grant Size Distribution
362 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 332 grants of 362 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says its grantees usually serve the Greater Sacramento Area and Northern California Region, with exceptions. In 2025, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in California, with 1% each going to Oregon and Nevada.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 83 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Kelly Foundation open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 15 of 83 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $25K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 67% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 135% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 106% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $625K (2021) to $2.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 83 grants totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Yolo Food Bank Woodland, CA | Rice & Protein Program | $175,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento Sacramento, CA | Citrus Heights Community Revitalization Development | $125,000 |
| American Red Cross Sacramento, CA | So California Wildfire Assistance | $100,000 |
| Cristo Rey High School Sacramento Sacramento, CA | Preparing the Future Work Force | $75,000 |
| Sacramento Children's Home Sacramento, CA | Crisis Nursery Program | $75,000 |
| Sacramento Regional Family Justice Center Foundation Sacramento, CA | Camp Hope | $75,000 |
| Womens Empowerment Sacramento, CA | Empowering Unhoused Women to Find Homes & Jobs | $70,000 |
| Homerise San Francisco, CA | Permanent supportive housing services for formerly homeless sf residents | $50,000 |
| Mercy Housing Sacramento, CA | Mercy Housing California Sacramento Resident Service Programs | $50,000 |
| River City Food Bank Sacramento, CA | Emergency Food Distribution - Food for All | $45,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Kelly Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation files Form 990-PF (a private foundation).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $42,747,828 | $3,203,099 | $2,159,681 | $1,994,500 | 83 | $2,091,763 | $2,451,366 | $1,978,533 |
| 2024 | $39,032,244 | $2,636,803 | $1,444,330 | $1,348,910 | 86 | $1,401,709 | $2,243,728 | $1,191,618 |
| 2023 | $32,848,666 | $2,845,723 | $1,942,914 | $1,840,350 | 66 | $1,911,455 | $2,352,586 | $1,055,484 |
| 2022 | $29,342,826 | $1,999,703 | $963,025 | $847,100 | 66 | $937,706 | $1,680,410 | $1,092,079 |
| 2021 | $32,949,514 | $20,415,560 | $640,844 | $625,000 | 61 | — | $1,143,919 | $949,399 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Kelly Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.0M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation envisions a region where everyone has a chance to live in a safe and affordable home, access meaningful work, a sustainable environment, healthy food, and quality education. Its stated focus areas are Children, Youth Assistance & Education; Food Insecurity; Homelessness; Health and Human Services; and Conservation, Open Space and Climate. The foundation says it may also identify special emphasis areas when emerging needs require extraordinary attention.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of work funded. Yolo Food Bank describes its mission as increasing food and nutrition security and helping create an equitable, sustainable local food system. Sacramento Children’s Home says it works to maximize the potential of children and families. Women’s Empowerment describes its work as educating and empowering women experiencing homelessness to find employment, build healthy lifestyles, and regain housing.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 83 grants totaling $1,994,500. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $175,000, with a median of $15,000. The foundation’s FAQ says its average grant is approximately $10,000, varying with the project and need. Its guidelines say it considers requests for ongoing projects, one-time projects, and operational needs, with minimum grants generally expected to be in the range of $10,000.
Among the largest 2025 awards were $175,000 to Yolo Food Bank for its Rice & Protein Program; $125,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento for Citrus Heights Community Revitalization Development; and $100,000 to the American Red Cross for Southern California wildfire assistance. Other awards included $75,000 each to Cristo Rey High School Sacramento for workforce preparation, Sacramento Children’s Home for its Crisis Nursery Program, and Sacramento Regional Family Justice Center Foundation for Camp HOPE.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Shawn L. Devlin as president; Scott G. Nichols as treasurer; Bea Ann Barbee as assistant treasurer; and Kathy Bimson as secretary. Listed directors are Gregory G. Kelly, director emeritus; Max Kelly; Riley Gardner; Eric Johnson; John Mezger; and Michael J. Newell.
Kelly Foundation is led by Shawn L. Devlin, President on every filing since 2021; 2 of 12 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Shawn L. Devlin
President
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Riley Gardner
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Fleming
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen H. Johanson
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Johnson
Director
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Mezger
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Max Kelly
Director
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael J. Newell
Director
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bea Ann Barbee
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
$830 (2022) → $4K (2025)
Scott G. Nichols
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
$15K (2024) → $13K (2025)
Gregory G. Kelly
Director - Emeritus
Director → Director - Emeritus, 2024
On filings since 2021
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Bimson
Secretary
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Amber Holwell (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Anker Christensen (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Jon M. Kellly (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Mike Newell (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Michael Lovington (2021) — Assistant Controller
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $13K, to Scott G Nichols (Treasurer). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Kelly Foundation
How much does Kelly Foundation give each year?
Kelly Foundation gave $2.0M across 83 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.3M across 86 grants.
What is Kelly Foundation's typical grant size?
Kelly Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $24,030, across 83 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Kelly Foundation that year got $19K on average.
Where does Kelly Foundation give grants?
Kelly Foundation gives mostly in California: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Sacramento, CA (47 grants), Santa Rosa, CA (6 grants), Roseville, CA (6 grants) and Davis, CA (4 grants).
Does Kelly Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 83 grants with a stated purpose on Kelly Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Kelly Foundation's largest grantees?
Kelly Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Yolo Food Bank ($175,000), Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento ($125,000) and American Red Cross ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Kelly Foundation?
Kelly Foundation reported $42.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Kelly Foundation fund?
The foundation envisions a region where everyone has a chance to live in a safe and affordable home, access meaningful work, a sustainable environment, healthy food, and quality education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Kelly Foundation?
The foundation’s website describes an invite-only application process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Kelly Foundation's EIN?
Kelly Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 68-0175739. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 22, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Kelly Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Kelly Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/kelly-foundation-morg_b56a5858e26d4e1ca766c712d04ed170
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_680175739_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Kelly Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/kelly-foundation-morg_b56a5858e26d4e1ca766c712d04ed170},
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 Kelly 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.
Kelly Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?