Open Philanthropy Action Fund
Open Philanthropy Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) civic league and social welfare organization based in Palo Alto, California. The organization was formed in 2016 and received its tax-exempt ruling in August 2018. As a 501(c)(4) entity, donations to the organization are not tax-deductible. The organization operates as a grantmaking and advocacy entity focused on maximizing the impact of philanthropic giving on public policy and social welfare.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$41.2M
+34.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$16.8M
-52.9% YoY
Grant Count
29
-23.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$580K
-38.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization's mission is to study and promote more effective giving for public policy, advocacy, and social welfare purposes. The organization seeks to maximize the impact that philanthropic giving can have on public policy and further social welfare. Through research, education, advocacy, and grantmaking, the organization aims to bring about improvement in select public policy areas.
The organization's primary focus areas include:
- Global Health and Wellbeing
- Global Catastrophic Risks
- Criminal justice reform
- Immigration policy
- Community improvement and capacity building
- Alliance and advocacy organizations
The organization prioritizes funding based on importance, neglectedness, and tractability.
Grantmaking
Open Philanthropy Action Fund makes grants to section 501(c)(3) charities, section 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations, and other types of entities for general support or specific projects consistent with the organization's goals.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization's grantmaking focuses primarily on California, New York, and Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 (Most Recent)
- Total Revenue: $83,192,444
- Total Expenses: $58,649,459
- Total Assets: $41,200,342
- Total Liabilities: $33,400,000
- Net Income: $24,542,985
- Net Assets: $7,846,969
- Total Giving: $37,359,496
2023
- Total Revenue: $79,334,487
- Total Expenses: $77,508,932
- Total Assets: $30,728,049
The organization's revenue is primarily derived from contributions, which accounted for $79,303,354 of the 2024 total revenue.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $41,200,342 | $30,728,049 | $31,980,708 |
| Revenue | $83,192,444 | $79,334,487 | $50,098,558 |
| Expenses | $58,649,459 | $77,508,932 | $55,283,198 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $3,889,090 | $1,628,050 | $1,275,914 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
143 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Accountable Justice Action Fund ($6,400,000), Americans for Responsible Innovation ($2,948,728), Plant Based Foods Association ($2,500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A WORLD OF GOOD INITIATIVE INC DOVER, DE | ANIMAL WELFARE FORUM | $39,400 |
| ACCOUNTABLE JUSTICE ACTION FUND ALBANY, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $6,400,000 |
| AMERICANS FOR RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,948,728 |
| ASHGRO INC WILMINGTON, DE | AI SAFETY COMMUNITY-BUILDING WORK | $31,495 |
| BREAKTHROUGH ENERGY ACTION INC KIRKLAND, WA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $404,409 |
| CALIFORNIA YIMBY SACRAMENTO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $22,639 |
| CAMBRIDGE BOSTON ALIGNMENT INITIATIVE INC CAMBRIDGE, MA | BOOTCAMP ON CYBERSECURITY | $180,000 |
| CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE FOOD BUSINESS BETHLEHEM, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| CENTRE FOR THE GOVERNANCE OF AI INC NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $400,000 |
| COMPETITIVE MARKETS ACTION INC WASHINGTON, DC | FARM BILL ADVOCACY | $629,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Cari Tuna is listed as a principal officer of the organization.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARI TUNA | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ALEXANDER BERGER | CEO/DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DIVESH MAKAN | SECRETARY/DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| DUSTIN MOSKOVITZ | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| HOLDEN KARNOFSKY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| TOM VAN LOBEN SELS | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 314 Lytton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301-1430
Phone: 650-804-7100
Website: openphilanthropy.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Open Philanthropy Action Fund fund?
The organization's mission is to study and promote more effective giving for public policy, advocacy, and social welfare purposes. The organization seeks to maximize the impact that philanthropic giving can have on public policy and further social welfare. Through research, education, advocacy, and grantmaking, the organization aims to bring about improvement in select public policy areas. The organization's primary focus areas include: • Global Health and Wellbeing • Global Catastrophic Risks …
How do I apply for a grant from Open Philanthropy Action Fund?
Open Philanthropy Action Fund makes grants to section 501(c)(3) charities, section 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations, and other types of entities for general support or specific projects consistent with the organization's goals. Grantees and contractors may conduct a range of activities with funds from the organization, including research, public education and advocacy, and direct or grassroots lobbying. Typical grant awards range from $5,286 to $11,500,000.
Where does Open Philanthropy Action Fund make grants?
The organization's grantmaking focuses primarily on California, New York, and Maryland.
What size grants does Open Philanthropy Action Fund award?
In 2024, Open Philanthropy Action Fund awarded 29 grants totaling $16.8M — an average of about $580K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Open Philanthropy Action Fund's EIN?
Open Philanthropy Action Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-2644663. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Open Philanthropy Action 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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