Marin Community Foundation
Marin Community Foundation (MCF) is a public charity based in Novato, California. Its mission is to mobilize community and philanthropic resources to advance equity for people, places and the planet. It supports nonprofits serving marginalized residents of Marin County through the Buck Family Fund, and its broader grantmaking also reaches organizations elsewhere in the United States and around the world.
Marin Community Foundation at a glance
In short: Marin Community Foundation gave $186.1M across 1,573 grants in 2025 (avg $118K), mostly in California. 25% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $186,064,091
- +5.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1,573
- +13.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $118,286
- -7.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $1,314,487,609
- +15.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (400 of 1,569, 2025)
- Primary geography
- California (65% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Marin Community Foundation
- How to Apply
-
For Buck Family Fund grant information, consult the fund’s stated priorities and grant process. Grant Center registration is required for organizations using that portal; registration alone is not an application. MCF’s nonprofit profile form is not a grant application.
- Contact
Mailing address: 5 Hamilton Landing 200, Novato, CA 94949
Phone: (415) 464-2500
Website: https://marincf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Marin Community Foundation
Community Power Initiative (CPI) - General Operating Grants
Marin Community Foundation
Amount
Approximately $10 million annually
Deadline
Deadline not published
Homelessness & Affordable Housing Initiative
Marin Community Foundation
Amount
Varies by project (examples: $622,500 to $750,000+)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Marin Retirement Communities Scholarship Fund Grant
Marin Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Marin Community Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Dagmar Dolby Fund ($10.0M). Together the top 10 received $40.2M.
Organizations only. It also paid 4 grants to individuals ($299,875), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
6,217 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 3,928 grants of 6,217 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Buck Family Fund supports initiatives serving Marin County residents, including through organizations based outside the county. MCF’s filing says its fiscal year 2025 grants went to nonprofits in Marin County, elsewhere in the United States and around the world. In 2025, California received 65% of grant dollars, followed by New York at 7%, the District of Columbia at 5%, and Connecticut and Virginia at 2% each.
MCF’s website identifies the Canal District, Marin City, Novato and West Marin as priority communities where it sees significant social and economic inequity.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 1,573 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Marin Community Foundation open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 400 of 1,569 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $100K; repeat grants $125K. How we count
Medians: $23K first-time, $30K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $97.9M (2020) to $518.9M (2022). In 2025 it made 1,573 grants totaling $186.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dagmar Dolby Fund Novato, CA | Grant Making Support | $10,000,000 |
| Nature Conservancy Inc Sacramento, CA | Support Point Reyes Conservation | $4,437,166 |
| 10000 Degrees San Rafael, CA | Support the Sustainability Campaign | $4,403,422 |
| University of California San Francisco Foundation San Francisco, CA | UCSF Parnassus Campus Renovation Project | $3,393,185 |
| Stanford University Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior Univers Stanford, CA | Support Elmore Endowed/Expendable Funds | $3,352,200 |
| The West Marin Fund Point Reyes Station, CA | Provide General Operating Support | $3,348,254 |
| Yale University New Haven, CT | Scholarship, Track& Resilience Fund | $3,110,500 |
| Equation Campaign and Global Climate Legal Defense Novato, CA | Grant Making Support | $2,780,085 |
| American Prairie Bozeman, MT | Support to Acquire the Tallman Ranch | $2,730,000 |
| Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco San Francisco, CA | Support Dagmar Dolby Endowed Fund | $2,682,700 |
Ready to take the next step with Marin Community Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2025 filing reports 1,573 grants; the 2024 and 2023 grant counts were 1,383 and 1,189, respectively.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,314,487,609 | $374,829,985 | $265,588,434 | $186,064,091 | 1,573 | $69,559,508 |
| 2024 | $1,140,988,439 | $252,447,207 | $257,500,944 | $176,166,977 | 1,383 | $61,518,013 |
| 2023 | $1,106,991,961 | $232,749,407 | $163,851,748 | $109,648,314 | 1,189 | $17,229,719 |
| 2022 | $963,516,411 | $225,299,426 | $581,478,010 | $518,934,222 | 1,093 | $16,835,226 |
| 2021 | $1,422,633,214 | $611,176,861 | $133,099,772 | $104,248,353 | 979 | $13,220,519 |
| 2020 | $755,211,408 | $235,366,683 | $132,913,110 | $97,896,855 | 987 | $-557,547 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
MCF’s stated mission is “mobilizing the power of community and the resources of philanthropy to advance equity for people, places and the planet.” Its website identifies equity as central to its work and describes affordable housing and homelessness, building resilient communities, and community power as strategic initiatives funded by the Buck Trust.
The Buck Family Fund supports community-led initiatives for marginalized Marin County residents. MCF says it funds nonprofits based in Marin as well as organizations based elsewhere that provide high-quality programs and services to Marin residents. The foundation’s filing describes grants supporting social services, educational programs, the arts and environmental issues.
Examples of grantees’ work, as described by the organizations themselves, include 10,000 Degrees’ college access and completion support for students from low-income backgrounds; Point Reyes National Seashore Association’s work in youth education and access, environmental conservation, and community engagement; and The Conservation Fund’s nature-based work on climate protection, sustainable economies and vibrant communities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, MCF reported 1,573 itemized grants totaling $186,064,091. Grant amounts ranged from $5,050 to $10 million, with a median of $25,000. Separately, the organization’s filing narrative states that in fiscal year 2025 it granted over $200 million from its family and community funds. These are distinct reported figures.
Among the largest grants reported for 2025 were $10 million to the Dagmar Dolby Fund for grantmaking support; $4,437,166 to The Nature Conservancy to support Point Reyes conservation; $4,403,422 to 10,000 Degrees to support its sustainability campaign; and $3,393,185 to the University of California San Francisco Foundation for the UCSF Parnassus campus renovation project. Other major recipients included The West Marin Fund, which received $3,348,254 for general operating support, and Point Reyes National Seashore Association, which received $2,535,647 for general operating support.
The foundation’s website says its nonprofit profile form is for connecting donors with organizations and is not a grant application or a step in applying to the Buck Family Fund or donor-advised funds. For Buck Family Fund grants, organizations seeking funding must serve Marin County. The Grant Center registration guide says registration requires organizational and leadership information and approval by the organization’s Primary Contact and MCF’s Grants Managers. MCF’s filing says grantees must meet due diligence requirements, demonstrate capacity to fulfill grant terms and provide required evaluative reports. Written reports may be required depending on grant size and source; foreign grants follow expenditure responsibility or equivalency determination procedures.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing include Rhea Suh, President and CEO; Lauren McClelland, Chief Financial Officer; Vikki Garrod, Chief of Staff; Janelle Cavanagh, Chief Philanthropy Officer; Maureen Sedonaen, Chair; Mitchell Cohen, Vice-Chair; and Roxanne Richards, Secretary. The filing also lists Laura Goff as former VP of IT through May 2024, Ashley Smith as Secretary through March 2025, and Sa Hartman as former CFO through December 2023.
Marin Community Foundation is led by Rhea Suh, President & CEO on every filing since 2022; 7 of 20 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Rhea Suh
President & CEO
On filings since 2022
37.5 hrs/week
$185K (2022) → $673K (2025)
Maureen Sedonaen
Chair
Director → Board Member, 2024
Board Member → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Skaff
Director
Director → Board Member, 2024
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Debra Wetherby
Director
Director → Board Member, 2024
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Buell
Director
Board Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter Hamilton
Director
Director → Board Member, 2024
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert J. Reynolds
Director
Director → Board Member, 2024
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Saul Pena
Director
Director → Board Member, 2024
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brigitte Moran
Director
Director → Board Member, 2024
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ralph Gonzales
Director
Director → Board Member, 2024
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Aileen Lee
Director
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Quoc Tran
Director
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Smith
Secretary
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$104K (2020) → $158K (2025)
Laura Goff
Former Vice President of It
Vice President of It → Former Vice President of It, 2025
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$211K (2020) → $364K (2025)
Sa Hartman
Former CFO
CFO & COO → CFO, 2024
CFO → Former CFO, 2025
On filings since 2020
$351K (2020) → $496K (2025)
Vikki Garrod
Chief of Staff
Chief Communications → Chief of Staff, 2023
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$213K (2020) → $346K (2025)
Lauren McClelland
Chief Financial Officer
Vice President of Finance → CFO, 2024
CFO → Chief Financial Officer, 2025
On filings since 2021
37.5 hrs/week
$230K (2021) → $361K (2025)
Janelle Cavanagh
Chief Philanthropy Officer
On filings since 2024
37.5 hrs/week
$298K (2024) → $307K (2025)
Mitchell Cohen
Vice Chair
Director → Board Member, 2024
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Roxanne Richards
Secretary
Director → Board Member, 2024
Board Member → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Jonathan Logan (2020–2024) — Vice President Community Engagement
- Former: Saul Macias (2020–2024) — Chief People & Place Officer
- Former: Thomas Peters (2020–2024) — Special Adv. to Chair
- Former: Alexandra Derby (2020–2023) — Former Vice President Philanthropy
- Former: Lawrence Bancroft (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Ralph Lewin (2021) — Executive Director & Pehjff
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $673K, to Rhea SUH (President & CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Marin Community Foundation
How much does Marin Community Foundation give each year?
Marin Community Foundation gave $186.1M across 1,573 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $176.2M across 1,383 grants.
What is Marin Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Marin Community Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $118,286, across 1,573 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Marin Community Foundation that year got $100K on average.
Where does Marin Community Foundation give grants?
Marin Community Foundation gives mostly in California: 65% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (7%) and District of Columbia (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (220 grants), Washington, DC (91 grants), San Rafael, CA (76 grants) and New York, NY (75 grants).
Does Marin Community Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 63% of Marin Community Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (998 of 1,573) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Women's Leadership and Wellbeing Award" (8 grants), "Provide Scholarship Support" (6 grants) and "Provide Educational Scholarship Support" (4 grants).
Who are Marin Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Marin Community Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Dagmar Dolby Fund ($10,000,000), Nature Conservancy Inc ($4,437,166) and 10000 Degrees ($4,403,422), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 4 grants to individuals ($299,875), which are not listed by name. Together they received 10% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Marin Community Foundation?
Marin Community Foundation reported $1.3B in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $374.8M.
What does Marin Community Foundation fund?
MCF’s stated mission is “mobilizing the power of community and the resources of philanthropy to advance equity for people, places and the planet.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Marin Community Foundation?
For Buck Family Fund grant information, consult the fund’s stated priorities and grant process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Marin Community Foundation's EIN?
Marin Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3007979. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 9, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Marin Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Marin Community Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 8, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/marin-community-foundation-morg_5666147c13334c27bc9237fe100f25da
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_943007979_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Marin Community Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/marin-community-foundation-morg_5666147c13334c27bc9237fe100f25da},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-08. 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 Marin Community 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.
Marin Community Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?