Milagro Foundation
The Milagro Foundation is a public charity based in San Rafael, California, that makes grants to community-based tax-exempt organizations serving under-resourced children in health, education, and the arts. Its website says Carlos Santana and his family established the foundation in 1998.
Milagro Foundation at a glance
In short: Milagro Foundation gave $320K across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $23K), mostly in California. 36% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $320,000
- -22.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- -17.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $22,857
- -6.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $2,423,900
- +7.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (5 of 14, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (75% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Milagro Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website states that it does not accept unsolicited requests. It says grants are generally made twice a year, in fall and spring, through an internal selection process; it continues to fund past grantees that meet its mission and also considers projects important to Carlos Santana. The website does not specify application materials.
- Contact
Mailing address: 5 Mitchell Blvd, San Rafael, CA 94903
Phone: (415) 460-9939
Website: https://milagrofoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Milagro Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Three Square Food Bank ($30K). Together the top 10 received $260K.
Grant Size Distribution
68 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 67 grants of 68 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website says grantmaking primarily takes place in the San Francisco Bay Area and communities where Carlos Santana has homes or a residency. It also describes support for organizations in Las Vegas, international global health initiatives, and disaster relief. The 2025 filing shows grant dollars going to California (75%), Nevada (17%), and Iowa (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Milagro Foundation open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 14 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $23K; repeat grants $23K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $130K (2021) to $415K (2024). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $320K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Three Square Food Bank Las Vegas, NV | Health and Education | $30,000 |
| Turning Green Sausalito, CA | Health and Education | $30,000 |
| Alive & FreeOmega Boys Club San Francisco, CA | Health and Education | $25,000 |
| Canal Alliance San Rafael, CA | Health and Education | $25,000 |
| Hand in Hand Bettendorf, IA | Health and Education | $25,000 |
| Huckleberry Youth Programs San Francisco, CA | Health and Education | $25,000 |
| Performing Stars of Marin Sausalito, CA | Health and Education | $25,000 |
| Project 150 Las Vegas, NV | Health and Education | $25,000 |
| Project Avary San Rafael, CA | Health and Education | $25,000 |
| Tenderloin Community Benefit District San Francisco, CA | Health and Education | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Milagro Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,423,900 | $893,798 | $660,420 | $320,000 | 14 | $271,171 |
| 2024 | $2,257,791 | $528,137 | $709,391 | $415,000 | 17 | $193,322 |
| 2023 | $2,370,802 | $485,714 | $736,183 | $395,000 | 17 | $234,350 |
| 2022 | $2,626,883 | $-196,486 | $537,106 | $190,000 | 12 | $-597,315 |
| 2021 | $3,375,506 | $624,632 | $473,542 | $130,000 | 8 | $374,378 |
| 2020 | $3,207,612 | $559,094 | $606,222 | $215,750 | 14 | $332,811 |
| 2019 | $3,251,545 | $948,623 | $667,507 | $180,000 | 10 | $434,487 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to benefit under-resourced children through grants to organizations working in education, health, and the arts. Its website describes education priorities that include closing the achievement gap and supporting college access, and health priorities that include mental and physical health, food equity, family support, and addiction support. It also supports arts programs, with an emphasis on music and children’s creative development.
Examples of grantees’ work, as described by the grantees, include Turning Green’s work to educate and inspire young adults to make environmentally conscious and socially responsible choices; Project Avary’s long-term support for children of incarcerated parents; and Enriching Lives Through Music’s immersive music education for youth. Hand in Hand describes its work as providing inclusive programs and supporting families so children and adults of all abilities can learn and grow.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 14 grants totaling $320,000. Grants ranged from $15,000 to $30,000, with a median of $25,000. Recipients included Three Square Food Bank and Turning Green ($30,000 each); Alive & FreeOmega Boys Club, Canal Alliance, Hand in Hand, Huckleberry Youth Programs, Performing Stars of Marin, Project 150, Project Avary, and Tenderloin Community Benefit District ($25,000 each); and Ambassadors of Hope & Opportunity and Enriching Lives Through Music ($15,000 each). The filing lists the purpose for these grants as health and education.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Shelley N Brown as President, Ruthie Moutafian as Treasurer/Secretary, Marsha Bonner as Vice President, Stevie Lee as Assistant Treasurer, and Kim Baltzell, Miguel Ordeana, and Maria Vrionis as directors. The foundation’s website identifies Shelley Brown as its Executive Director.
Milagro Foundation is led by Shelley N Brown, President since 2022 (on filings since 2019); 2 of 7 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Shelley N Brown
President
President & Executive Director → President, 2022
On filings since 2019
30 hrs/week
$119K (2019) → $119K (2025)
Kim Baltzell
Director
On filings since 2019
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maria Vrionis
Director
On filings since 2019
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Miguel Ordeana
Director
On filings since 2019
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ruthie Moutafian
Treasurer & Secretary
On filings since 2019
20 hrs/week
$35K (2019) → $55K (2025)
Marsha Bonner
Vice President
On filings since 2019
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stevie Lee
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2019
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $119K, to Shelley N Brown (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Milagro Foundation
How much does Milagro Foundation give each year?
Milagro Foundation gave $320K across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $415K across 17 grants.
What is Milagro Foundation's typical grant size?
Milagro Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $22,857, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Milagro Foundation that year got $23K on average.
Where does Milagro Foundation give grants?
Milagro Foundation gives mostly in California: 75% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Nevada (17%) and Iowa (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (4 grants), San Rafael, CA (3 grants), Sausalito, CA (2 grants) and Las Vegas, NV (2 grants).
Does Milagro Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on Milagro Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Health and Education" (14 grants).
Who are Milagro Foundation's largest grantees?
Milagro Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Three Square Food Bank ($30,000), Turning Green ($30,000) and Alive & FreeOmega Boys Club ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Milagro Foundation?
Milagro Foundation reported $2.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $894K.
What does Milagro Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to benefit under-resourced children through grants to organizations working in education, health, and the arts. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Milagro Foundation?
The foundation’s website states that it does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Milagro Foundation's EIN?
Milagro Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3274541. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Milagro Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 21, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 16, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 28, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 29, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Milagro Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Bothin Foundation
San Francisco, CA
The Bothin Foundation funds durable capital projects—such as building improvements, vehicles, equipment, furnishings, and technology—for eligible nonprofits serving disadvantaged children and youth, low-income families with children, or people with disabilities; eligible K–12 schools must exclusively serve children with learning differences. Grants are typically around $30,000 (2025 awards ranged from $5,000 to $50,000), for organizations and projects in San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, or San Mateo counties. It accepts unsolicited requests through its online portal during posted application windows.
Assets
$48.3M
Grants
74
Total Given
$2.2M
Leonard & Beryl Buck Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Leonard & Beryl Buck Foundation supports nonprofit charitable, religious, and educational activities in Marin County, California, including education, affordable housing, economic security, health, arts, social justice, and environmental work. In 2025, its 57 grants ranged from $8,500 to $7.7 million, with a median of $200,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
57
Total Given
$27.1M
The Morris Stulsaft Foundation
San Francisco, CA
The Morris Stulsaft Foundation funds Bay Area nonprofits serving children and youth, with priorities including early childhood education, arts participation, foster-care support, educational support, and pathways to work. In 2025, grants ranged from $2,000 to $50,000, with a median of $25,000. Its application information directs applicants to its guidelines; early childhood education and educational support applications are currently limited to returning grantees.
Assets
$34K
Grants
69
Total Given
$1.7M
The Bindon Foundation
Wilmington, DE
The Bindon Foundation supports organizations working in conservation, outdoor access, health care, youth services, and economic opportunity, with most 2024 grant dollars going to California, followed by Colorado, North Carolina, New York, and Montana. Its 55 grants in 2024 ranged from $500 to $25,000, with a median of $2,000. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
55
Total Given
$200K
Crescent Porter Hale Foundation
San Francisco, CA
The foundation supports middle school youth enrichment, basic-needs and safety-net services, and K–8 Catholic school scholarships for residents of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, and San Francisco counties. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,000 to $1.08 million, with a median of $50,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests: applications are by invitation or through an RFP, with no open application periods.
Assets
$134.3M
Grants
89
Total Given
$6.6M
Robert K & Barbara J Straus Family
Santa Barbara, CA
In 2024, this foundation supported organizations working in areas such as conservation, health, education, arts, community services, and historical preservation, with most grant dollars going to California. Its 59 grants totaled $169,500, typically $2,000 each (range: $500–$20,000); it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.2M
Grants
59
Total Given
$170K
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Milagro Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/milagro-foundation-morg_6b3a6a96f46f453480112b5c3630c141
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_943274541_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Milagro Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/milagro-foundation-morg_6b3a6a96f46f453480112b5c3630c141},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Milagro 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.
Milagro Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?