Los Altos Journalism Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Los Altos, CA EIN: 93-4191365

Los Altos Journalism Foundation is a private foundation, based in Los Altos, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2024 through 2025. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $26K.

Key facts about Los Altos Journalism Foundation

In short: Los Altos Journalism Foundation gave $26K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
93-4191365
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$25,500
Grants made (2025)
4
Average grant
$6,375
Median grant
$6,500
Primary geography
California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

—

Annual Giving

$26K

Grant Count

4

Avg Grant Size

$6K

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Los Altos Journalism Foundation reported a distributable amount of $950 for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How Los Altos Journalism Foundation gives

  • In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.

States

Cities

Los AltosLos Altos HillsMountain ViewSan Jose

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$10K$20K$30K0 grants2024 4 grants2025

In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $26K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 4 recipients in 2025

Cristo Rey San Jose Jesuit High School: $10KCristo Rey San Jose JesuitHigh School$10KSt Nicholas School: $8KSt Nicholas School$8KSt Simon School: $5KSt Simon School$5KKMVT 15 Inc: $3KKMVT 15 Inc$3K

The largest 2025 recipient was Cristo Rey San Jose Jesuit High School ($10K). Together the top 4 received $26K.

Grant Size Distribution

4 grants across all recorded years

4<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 4 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Cristo Rey San Jose Jesuit High School San Jose, CATo Further the Organization's Exempt Purpose$10,000
St Nicholas School Los Altos Hills, CATo Further the Organization's Exempt Purpose$8,000
St Simon School Los Altos, CATo Further the Organization's Exempt Purpose$5,000
KMVT 15 Inc Mountain View, CATo Further the Organization's Exempt Purpose$2,500

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
$0$10K$20K$30K$40K2024 2025
Metric20252024
Total Assets—$21,850
Revenue$13,436$19,850
Expenses$35,286—
Qualifying Distributions$25,500—
Distributable Amount$950$219

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
  2. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 1, 2026)

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Los Altos Journalism Foundation is led by Maria Chowder, CEO & CFO on every filing since 2024; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Maria Chowder

    CEO & CFO

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Dennis A. Young

    Chair of the Board of Trustees

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Howard Bischoff

    Secretary

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2024–2025. "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 Los Altos Journalism Foundation

How much does Los Altos Journalism Foundation give each year?

Los Altos Journalism Foundation gave $26K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

What is Los Altos Journalism Foundation's typical grant size?

Los Altos Journalism Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $6,500, and its average grant was $6,375, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does Los Altos Journalism Foundation give grants?

Los Altos Journalism Foundation gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.

How much is Los Altos Journalism Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Los Altos Journalism Foundation reported a distributable amount of $950 on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is Los Altos Journalism Foundation's EIN?

Los Altos Journalism Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-4191365. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2024–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

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