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Mozilla Foundation

Public charity · Grantmaker San Francisco, CA EIN: 20-0097189 Website

Mozilla Foundation is a public charity based in San Francisco, California, formed in 2003. It works with people, projects, and organizations to protect and improve the internet as a public resource, and supports changemakers working toward a better technology future.

Mozilla Foundation at a glance

In short: Mozilla Foundation gave $712K across 18 grants in 2024 (avg $40K), top state New York. 31% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2024)
$712,000
-81.2% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
18
-56.1% vs 2023
Average grant
$39,556
-57.2% vs 2023
Median grant
$44,500
Total assets
$123,347,649
-0.7% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
31% first-time grantees (5 of 16, 2024; small sample)
Primary geography
New York (29% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to Mozilla Foundation

How to Apply

Mozilla Open Source Support’s Mission Partners track describes applications for defined open-source or free-software projects that advance Mozilla’s mission, with awards from $10,000 to $250,000; that program is on…

Mozilla Open Source Support’s Mission Partners track describes applications for defined open-source or free-software projects that advance Mozilla’s mission, with awards from $10,000 to $250,000; that program is on indefinite hiatus.

Contact

Mailing address: 149 New Montgomery Street 4Th Floo, San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (650) 903-0800
Website: https://mozilla.org

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Mozilla Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York: $150K across 2 grantsTrustees of ColumbiaUniversity in the City of New…$150K · 2 grantsAspiration: $110K across 2 grantsAspiration$110K · 2 grantsWinston-Salem State University Foundation Inc: $49KWinston-Salem State UniversityFoundation Inc$49KHoward University: $49KHoward University$49KStillman College: $49KStillman College$49KPrairie View A&M University: $49KPrairie View A&M University$49KUniversity of Washington: $49KUniversity of Washington$49KRhizomatica Communications: $40KRhizomatica Communications$40KBetacamps Inc: $30KBetacamps Inc$30KStart Somewhere LLC: $25KStart Somewhere LLC$25K

The largest 2024 recipient was Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York ($150K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $600K.

Grant Size Distribution

132 grants across all recorded years

56<$50K40$50–100K32$100–250K4$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 56 grants of 132 (42%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The 2024 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in several states, led by New York (29%), California (18%), and Washington, DC (14%). North Carolina and Alabama each accounted for 7%. The Foundation’s 2024 activities also included work with policymakers and regulators in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, as well as several EU member states.

Grant Distribution by State

29states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.

Cities

WashingtonNew YorkSan FranciscoBrooklynPortlandBostonBoulderCambridgeChicagoAtlantaBaltimoreBerkeleyLos AngelesNew York CitySaint LouisAlbanyBemidjiBrunswickMeadvilleMiami

Is Mozilla Foundation open to new grantees?

31%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 5 of 16 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $26K; repeat grants $53K. How we count

Medians: $25K first-time, $49K repeat.

  • 31% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving fell 73% from 2021 to 2024. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). 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

$0$1M$2M$3M$4M34 grants2019 22 grants2020 32 grants2021 19 grants2022 41 grants2023 18 grants2024

From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $712K (2024) to $3.8M (2023). In 2024 it made 18 grants totaling $712K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYProject support for research on greater transparency and accountability in ai.$100,000
Aspiration San Francisco, CAProject support for ai now institute's ai business models research.$60,000
Aspiration San Francisco, CAProject Support for Ai Now Institute's Policy Tracker.$50,000
Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYProject support for the columbia convening on openness in ai.$50,000
Winston-Salem State University Foundation Inc Winston-Salem, NCProject Support for Renewal of Responsible Computing Challenge.$49,000
Howard University Washington, DCProject Support for Renewal of Responsible Computing Challenge.$49,000
Stillman College Tuscaloosa, ALProject Support for Renewal of Responsible Computing Challenge.$49,000
Prairie View A&M University Prairie View, TXProject Support for Renewal of Responsible Computing Challenge.$49,000
University of Washington Chicago, ILProject Support for Renewal of Responsible Computing Challenge.$49,000
Rhizomatica Communications Philadelphia, PAProject Support for the Latam Coalition.$40,000
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

The Foundation reported 18 grants in 2024, 41 in 2023, and 19 in 2022.

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2024$123,347,649$37,165,545$41,199,350$712,00018$6,848,710
2023$124,157,331$64,660,933$39,845,284$3,784,98041$37,574,982
2022$95,584,687$49,747,841$30,290,560$983,60019$20,901,472
2021$76,964,143$30,686,124$23,340,264$2,602,00432$533,134
2020$66,895,760$26,523,745$18,160,777$899,84222$458,678
2019$55,587,834$28,388,184$21,889,786$3,143,05734$667,888

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The Foundation’s stated mission is to protect and improve the internet as a public resource, keep it open and accessible to all, and promote more trustworthy tools, innovation, and online practices.

Its 2024 program areas included agenda setting, leadership development, and movement building. Agenda-setting work addressed topics including openness in AI, AI’s environmental impacts, consumer privacy, and online information integrity. Leadership development supported people and projects working on trustworthy AI and a healthier internet. Movement building connected digital rights activists, open-source champions, and other communities.

The 2024 grants show support for research, education, policy, events, and community projects. Among the grantees, Rhizomatica Communications describes its mission as helping marginalized communities build their own communications networks. IndigiGenius describes its mission as expanding Indigenous students’ and instructors’ access to learning, tools, mentorship, and support in computer science and related fields. Aspiration says it trains charitable nonprofits to use technology sustainably and provides advice, tools, and resources to charitable projects and foundations.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the Foundation reported 18 grants totaling $712,000. Grant amounts ranged from $12,000 to $100,000, with a median of $44,500.

The largest listed grant was $100,000 to the Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York for research on greater transparency and accountability in AI. Other grants included $60,000 and $50,000 to Aspiration for AI Now Institute research on AI business models and a policy tracker, and $50,000 to Columbia for a convening on openness in AI. Several $49,000 grants supported renewal of the Responsible Computing Challenge, including grants to Winston-Salem State University Foundation, Howard University, Stillman College, Prairie View A&M University, and the University of Washington. Rhizomatica Communications received $40,000 for the LATAM Coalition.

The Foundation’s grantmaking page says it is accepting initial project proposals for a Democracy x AI Incubator cohort focused on AI tools designed to protect and enhance democracy. The page describes a broader grantmaking approach that scouts projects and leaders, provides funding, connects recipients with a community, and amplifies their work. Separately, Mozilla Open Source Support is on indefinite hiatus and is not currently accepting applications.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Mark Surman as president and director. Directors listed include Helen Turvey, Brian Behlendorf, Nicole Wong, Amy Keating, Zain Habboo, Edwin Macharia, Alondra Nelson, Raffi Krikorian, and Mitchell Baker, who was paid only by a related for-profit.

Mozilla Foundation is led by Mark Surman, President & Director since 2024 (on filings since 2019); 18 of 19 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Mark Surman

    President & Director

    Executive Director → President & Executive Director, 2022

    President & Executive Director → President & Director, 2024

    On filings since 2019

    40 hrs/week

    $287K (2019) → $611K (2024)

  • Nabiha Syed

    Executive Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $311K (2024)

  • Brian Behlendorff

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    3.3 hrs/week

    $13K (2022) → $61K (2024)

  • Helen Turvey

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    3.8 hrs/week

    $51K (2022) → $79K (2024)

  • Nicole Wong

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    3.5 hrs/week

    $13K (2022) → $60K (2024)

  • Lainie Decoursy

    Director & Organizational Effectiveness

    Director & Organizational Effectiveness → Director & Org Effectiveness, 2023

    Director & Org Effectiveness → Director & Organizational Effectiveness, 2024

    On filings since 2021

    40 hrs/week

    $133K (2021) → $281K (2024)

  • Alondra Nelson

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    $42K (2024)

  • Amy Keating

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    2.5 hrs/week

    $10K (2023) → $45K (2024)

  • Edwin Macharia

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    3 hrs/week

    $43K (2024)

  • Raffi Krikorian

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    $37K (2024)

  • Zain Habboo

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    2.5 hrs/week

    $43K (2024)

  • Candice Martin

    Director, People & Culture

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $224K (2024)

  • Shing Suiter

    Senior Director & Technology Platforms

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $226K (2024)

  • Angela Plohman

    COO, Secretary & Treasurer

    Executive Vice President, Secretary & Tresurer → Executive Vice President, 2020

    Executive Vice President → COO, Secretary & Treasurer, 2023

    On filings since 2019

    40 hrs/week

    $208K (2019) → $364K (2024)

  • Ashley Boyd

    Senior Vice President & Global Advocacy

    Vice President, Advocacy & Engagement → Senior Vice President & Global Advocacy, 2023

    On filings since 2019

    40 hrs/week

    $237K (2019) → $310K (2024)

  • J. Bob Alotta

    Senior Vice President & Global Programs

    Vice President & Global Programs → Senior Vice President & Global Programs, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $286K (2020) → $435K (2024)

  • David Walker

    Senior Counsel

    On filings since 2022

    40 hrs/week

    $212K (2022) → $231K (2024)

  • Jessica Keating

    Senior Lead, Partnerships & Fundraising

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $260K (2024)

  • Mitchell Baker Chair

    Paid Only By A Related For-Profit

    Paid Only By Related For-Profit → Paid Only By A Related For-Profit, 2021

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (16)
  • Former: Stephanie Wright (2019–2023) — Senior Program Manager & Mozfest
  • Former: Navrina Singh (2020–2023) — Director
  • Former: Wambui Kinya (2021–2023) — Director
  • Former: Juan Barani (2022–2023) — Senior Director & Gift Planning
  • Former: Zhilun Pang (2023) — Director of Finance
  • Former: Mohamed Nanabhay (2019–2022) — Director
  • Former: Carys Afoko (2022) — Director of Advocacy
  • Former: Lisa McCormack (2022) — Director of Operations & Mzla
  • Former: Juan Barajas (2019–2021) — Director & Fundraising
  • Former: William Easton (2019–2021) — Lead, Fundraising & Email
  • Former: Ethan Miller (2020–2021) — Director of Operations
  • Former: Melissa Huerta (2019–2020) — Senior Program Officer
  • Former: Ronaldo Lemos (2019–2020) — Director
  • Former: Kathy Evans (2020) — Fellow in Residence
  • Former: Bob Lisbonne (2019) — Director · Filing note: Thru sept 2019
  • Former: Matthew Willse (2019) — Director of Product & Design

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Mark Surman — President, Director: $611KMark SurmanPresident, Director$611KJ Bob Alotta — SVP, Global Programs: $435KJ Bob AlottaSVP, Global Programs$435KAngela Plohman — COO, Secretary & Treasurer: $364KAngela PlohmanCOO, Secretary & Treasurer$364KNabiha Syed — Executive Director (Beg 04/2024): $311KNabiha SyedExecutive Director (Beg 04/2024)$311KAshley Boyd — SVP, Global Advocacy: $310KAshley BoydSVP, Global Advocacy$310KLainie Decoursy — DIR., Organizational Effectiveness: $281KLainie DecoursyDIR., Organizational…$281KJessica Keating — Sr. Lead, Partnerships + Fundraising: $260KJessica KeatingSr. Lead, Partnerships +…$260KDavid Walker — Senior Counsel: $231KDavid WalkerSenior Counsel$231KShing Suiter — Sr. Director, Technology Platforms: $226KShing SuiterSr. Director, Technology…$226KCandice Martin — Director, People & Culture: $224KCandice MartinDirector, People & Culture$224KHelen Turvey — Director: $79KHelen TurveyDirector$79KBrian Behlendorff — Director: $61KBrian BehlendorffDirector$61KNicole Wong — Director: $60KNicole WongDirector$60KAmy Keating — Director: $45KAmy KeatingDirector$45KZain Habboo — Director: $43KZain HabbooDirector$43KEdwin Macharia — Director: $43KEdwin MachariaDirector$43KAlondra Nelson — Director: $42KAlondra NelsonDirector$42KRaffi Krikorian — Director: $37KRaffi KrikorianDirector$37K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $611K, to Mark Surman (President, Director). 18 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Mozilla Foundation

How much does Mozilla Foundation give each year?

Mozilla Foundation gave $712K across 18 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $3.8M across 41 grants.

What is Mozilla Foundation's typical grant size?

Mozilla Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $44,500, and its average grant was $39,556, across 18 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Mozilla Foundation that year got $26K on average.

Where does Mozilla Foundation give grants?

Mozilla Foundation's top state is New York, with 29% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (18%) and District of Columbia (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (4 grants), San Francisco, CA (3 grants) and Washington, DC (3 grants).

Does Mozilla Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on Mozilla Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.

Who are Mozilla Foundation's largest grantees?

Mozilla Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York ($150,000 across 2 grants), Aspiration ($110,000 across 2 grants) and Winston-Salem State University Foundation Inc ($49,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 43% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Mozilla Foundation?

Mozilla Foundation reported $123.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $37.2M.

What does Mozilla Foundation fund?

The Foundation’s stated mission is to protect and improve the internet as a public resource, keep it open and accessible to all, and promote more trustworthy tools, innovation, and online practices. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Mozilla Foundation?

Mozilla Open Source Support’s Mission Partners track describes applications for defined open-source or free-software projects that advance Mozilla’s mission, with awards from $10,000 to $250,000; that program is on… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Mozilla Foundation's EIN?

Mozilla Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-0097189. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.

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

  1. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS November 16, 2020)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Mozilla Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Mozilla Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/mozilla-foundation-morg_93f284af53c54d57965dc1cc240d7544

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_200097189_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Mozilla Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/mozilla-foundation-morg_93f284af53c54d57965dc1cc240d7544},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Mozilla 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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