The Kelson Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in San Francisco, California, established in 2016. The foundation is named after the kelson—the wooden timber that strengthens and reinforces the spine of a ship—reflecting its philosophy of providing essential structural support to organizations creating meaningful change.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$149.0M
-0.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.2M
-5.5% YoY
Grant Count
65
-32.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$126K
+39.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Kelson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on supporting organizations that help the overlooked and underserved. According to the foundation's statement, they "give people means, not ends" and support partners that "provide tools, space, and education to people making things better for themselves, their communities, and the planet."
While the foundation does not formally specify particular subject areas, recent grantmaking reflects priorities including:
- Education
- Health and violence prevention
- Community and economic development
- Arts and culture
- Progressive causes
- Environmental causes
Grantmaking
The Kelson Foundation maintains an active grantmaking program with significant annual distributions. Recent financial data shows:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across numerous U.S. states and cities, including major urban centers such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, as well as smaller communities. Geographic reach spans from California and New York to Wyoming and Alabama.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $149,047,301
- Total revenue: $8,090,595
- Total expenses: $7,607,566
- Net income: $483,029
- Total liabilities: $3,050,000
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $150,209,559
- Total revenue: $1,798,886
- Total expenses: $8,554,338
The foundation maintains substantial assets and distributes millions annually in grants. It operates with no employees and relies on volunteer leadership.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $149,047,301 | $150,209,559 | $156,438,079 |
| Revenue | $8,090,595 | $1,798,886 | $6,565,332 |
| Expenses | $7,607,566 | $8,554,338 | $9,907,915 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $8,267,931 | $8,755,607 | $6,570,474 |
| Net Investment Income | $10,410,843 | $1,177,470 | $49,367 |
| Distributable Amount | $7,349,676 | $7,425,308 | $8,180,075 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Middlebury College ($1,000,000), Amalgamated Charitable Foundation ($500,000), George Washington University ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMALGAMATED CHARITABLE FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT TO THE DEMOCRACY FRONTLINES FUND | $500,000 |
| BE GOOD FOUNDATION INC KETCHUM, ID | GENERAL SUPPORT | $12,500 |
| BRADY CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| CALIFORNIA TRAILS FOUNDATION FORESTVILLE, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| CALL OF THE SEA SAUSALITO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| CENTER FOR FURNITURE CRAFTSMANSHIP ROCKPORT, ME | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| COMMUNITY INITIATIVES OAKLAND, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT TO LATINO OUTDOORS | $10,000 |
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY ITHACA, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT TO MGGG REDISTRICTING LAB | $250,000 |
| CORPORATION OF THE FINE ARTS MUSEUMS SAN FRANCISCO, CA | DE YOUNG MUSEUM | $10,000 |
| THE CRUCIBLE OAKLAND, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Jake Moritz – President (serves without compensation)
- Melissa Narula – Chief Executive Officer and Assistant Secretary (serves without compensation)
- Michael Moritz – Secretary and Treasurer (serves without compensation)
- Gretchen Selfridge – Audit Chair (serves without compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAKE MORITZ | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL MORITZ | SECRETARY; TREASURER | — | — |
| MELISSA NARULA | CEO & ASSISTANT SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| GRETCHEN SELFRIDGE | AUDIT CHAIR | — | — |
| KATHERINE DWYER FIELDING | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has made significant grants to educational institutions and social impact organizations in recent years. Notable recent activity includes major commitments to innovation and education initiatives, as well as support for organizations focused on immigrant rights, democratic participation, and community development.
Innovation Hub receives a $5 million donation from Kelson FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Kelson Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on supporting organizations that help the overlooked and underserved. According to the foundation's statement, they "give people means, not ends" and support partners that "provide tools, space, and education to people making things better for themselves, their communities, and the planet." While the foundation does not formally specify particular subject areas, recent grantmaking reflects priorities including: • Education • Health and violence prevention • Comm…
How do I apply for a grant from Kelson Foundation?
The Kelson Foundation maintains an active grantmaking program with significant annual distributions. Recent financial data shows: • **Total giving (2024):** $8,218,500 • **Total giving (2023):** $8,345,000 • **Typical award range:** $1,000–$1,000,000 • **Number of grants (2023):** 77 grants made Recent notable grants include: • $1,000,000 to Amalgamated Charitable Foundation (Democracy Frontlines Fund) • $1,000,000 to Middlebury College (The Elizabeth Hackett Robinson '84 Innovation Hub Endowed…
Where does Kelson Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds projects across numerous U.S. states and cities, including major urban centers such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, as well as smaller communities. Geographic reach spans from California and New York to Wyoming and Alabama.
What size grants does Kelson Foundation award?
In 2024, Kelson Foundation awarded 65 grants totaling $8.2M — an average of about $126K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Kelson Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Kelson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Kelson Foundation's EIN?
Kelson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-3588323. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Kelson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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