Los Altos Journalism Foundation
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.
Los Altos Journalism Foundation at a glance
In short: Los Altos Journalism Foundation gave $26K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- 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)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Los Altos Journalism Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
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
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 4 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $26K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cristo Rey San Jose Jesuit High School San Jose, CA | To Further the Organization's Exempt Purpose | $10,000 |
| St Nicholas School Los Altos Hills, CA | To Further the Organization's Exempt Purpose | $8,000 |
| St Simon School Los Altos, CA | To Further the Organization's Exempt Purpose | $5,000 |
| KMVT 15 Inc Mountain View, CA | To Further the Organization's Exempt Purpose | $2,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | $13,436 | $35,286 | $25,500 | 4 | $25,500 | $950 |
| 2024 | $21,850 | $19,850 | — | — | — | — | $219 |
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.
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.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 1, 2026)
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Figures come from Los Altos Journalism 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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