Metta Fund
Metta Fund is a San Francisco-based foundation dedicated to advancing equity in aging. The organization partners with nonprofits to improve the health and wellbeing of older adults while raising awareness and elevating dialogue around aging through advocacy and narrative change initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$72.3M
+0.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.8M
-0.5% YoY
Grant Count
51
-12.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$54K
+13.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Metta Fund reported a distributable amount of $3.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Metta Fund's work centers on advancing equity in aging with a commitment to racial equity as central to achieving well-being across the lifespan. The foundation operates across three primary areas:
- Grantmaking: Partnering with nonprofits to improve health and wellbeing of older adults
- Advocacy & Narrative Change: Elevating dialogue around aging and standing alongside partners to shape narratives
- Collaborations: Exchanging ideas, sharing resources, and working jointly to create better outcomes
The foundation focuses particularly on addressing social isolation among older adults and supporting organizations that are majority-led by and serving people of color.
Grantmaking
The foundation has sharpened its grantmaking strategy to center racial equity and focus support on organizations serving elders of color. Programs and advocacy promoting social engagement, cultural affirmation, and community engagement are prioritized.
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Metta Fund primarily funds organizations in San Francisco and the San Francisco Bay Area. The foundation made a 10-year commitment in 2017 to focus on addressing social isolation among older adults, with particular attention to San Francisco's aging population (projected to be nearly 30% age 60 or older by 2030).
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Based on the most recent IRS Form 990 filing (2023):
- Total Assets: $71,673,019
- Total Giving: $2,765,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $72,278,914 | $71,673,019 | $67,495,499 |
| Revenue | $4,517,908 | $3,765,530 | $3,735,271 |
| Expenses | $7,246,787 | $6,111,824 | $5,935,085 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,246,165 | $4,276,036 | $4,410,962 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,425,152 | $2,728,400 | $2,841,307 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,485,622 | $3,375,171 | $3,572,339 |
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 Richmond Neighborhood Center ($165,000), The Scan Foundation ($125,000), Bayview Hunters Point Multipurpose Senior Services ($112,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BAYVIEW HUNTERS POINT MULTIPURPOSE SENIOR SERVICES SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $112,500 |
| BOOKER T WASHINGTON COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER SAN FRANCISCO, CA | VICTORY CLUB FOR AGING AND OLDER ADULTS | $6,500 |
| CARA EDUCATION FUND OAKLAND, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $75,000 |
| CARING ACROSS GENERATIONS NEW YORK, NY | CONVENING THE CALIFORNIA PARTNERS | $5,000 |
| COALITION OF AGENCIES SERVING THE ELDERLY SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| COMMUNITY INITIATIVES OAKLAND, CA | THE CORNERSTONE CAMPAIGN | $10,000 |
| COMMUNITY LIVING CAMPAIGN SAN FRANCISCO, CA | SF TECH COUNCIL'S DIGITAL EQUITY FRAMEWORK FOR OLDER ADULTS IN SAN FRANCISCO: A MULTI-SECTOR APPROACH | $100,000 |
| COMMUNITY LIVING CAMPAIGN SAN FRANCISCO, CA | SF TECH COUNCIL TO HOST ASA ATTENDEES AT THE CURRY SENIOR CENTERS TECH AND WELLNESS HUB | $9,000 |
| COMMUNITY LIVING CAMPAIGN SAN FRANCISCO, CA | EXPANSION OF COMMUNITY AND CULTURE FOR CHINESE MONOLINGUAL SPEAKERS IN SF | $3,000 |
| COMMUNITY LIVING CAMPAIGN SAN FRANCISCO, CA | SF TECH COUNCILS BAY AREA DIGITAL EQUITY SUMMIT PROJECT | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Janet Y. Spears: Chief Executive Officer
- Kimberly Brandon: Board Chair (as of 2021)
- Thuy N Fujimoto: Principal Officer (per IRS filing)
The foundation also honored the memory of long-time board member Joe Hafey, described as "a giant in the public health field."
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JANET Y SPEARS | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $369,837 |
| JARMIN YEH | BOARD CHAIR, DIRECTOR | 6 | $22,500 |
| JOHN WOODWARD | VICE CHAIR, DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| ROMA GUY | SECRETARY, DIRECTOR | 3 | $22,500 |
| KIMBERLY BRANDON | TREASURER, DIRECTOR | 4 | $22,500 |
| THURMAN WHITE | DIRECTOR | 3 | $15,000 |
| JAMES LOYCE | DIRECTOR | 3 | $7,500 |
| SONIA MELARA | DIRECTOR | 4 | $22,500 |
| DEBRA PLOUSHA-MOORE | DIRECTOR | 3 | $15,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2024:**
Announced $1.9 million in grants to support social connectedness and belonging among elders of color in San Francisco
Announcing $1.9 Million in Grants to Support Social Connectedness and BelongingAwarded Anni Chung the 2024 Leadership Award
Metta Fund Announces Anni Chung As Recipient of 2024 Leadership Award - Metta**2023:**
Updated Investment Policy and added a new manager to diversify endowment management
Launched "When We Grow Older" narrative change campaign to reframe aging and care
Partnered with other philanthropies to expand services and advocacy
**2021:**
Announced first round of grants centered on advancing racial justice, supporting Black-led organizations including the Black Leadership Council and California Black Freedom Fund
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Metta Fund fund?
Metta Fund's work centers on **advancing equity in aging** with a commitment to racial equity as central to achieving well-being across the lifespan. The foundation operates across three primary areas: • **Grantmaking**: Partnering with nonprofits to improve health and wellbeing of older adults • **Advocacy & Narrative Change**: Elevating dialogue around aging and standing alongside partners to shape narratives • **Collaborations**: Exchanging ideas, sharing resources, and working jointly to cr…
How do I apply for a grant from Metta Fund?
**Grant Activity:** • In 2024, Metta Fund announced $1.9 million in grants supporting social connectedness and belonging among elders of color in San Francisco • In 2019, the foundation announced $1.7 million in grants (23 grants total) to address social isolation among older adults • In 2021, Metta Fund announced $235,000 in grants centered on advancing racial justice and supporting Black-led organizations **Grant Types & Sizes:** • Core operating support grants • Capacity building grants prov…
Where does Metta Fund make grants?
Metta Fund primarily funds organizations in San Francisco and the San Francisco Bay Area. The foundation made a 10-year commitment in 2017 to focus on addressing social isolation among older adults, with particular attention to San Francisco's aging population (projected to be nearly 30% age 60 or older by 2030).
What size grants does Metta Fund award?
In 2024, Metta Fund awarded 51 grants totaling $2.8M — an average of about $54K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Metta Fund required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Metta Fund reported a distributable amount of $3.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Metta Fund's EIN?
Metta Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-2992640. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Metta Fund'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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