Orca Free Inc
Orca Free Inc is a private foundation focused on Environment & Animals, based in Arroyo Grande, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $53K. Net investment income was $122K.
Orca Free Inc at a glance
In short: Orca Free Inc gave $53K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $26K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $52,500
- +195.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $26,250
- +195.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $26,250
- Total assets
- $2,447,972
- +33.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (95% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Orca Free Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Lichen Health ($50K). Together the top 2 received $53K.
Grant Size Distribution
16 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 15 grants of 16 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
Cities
How Orca Free Inc gives
- Giving fell 42% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 229% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $18K (2023) to $90K (2021). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $53K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lichen Health Nevada City, CA | To launch a comprehensive healing network using animal-based modalities to enable holistic, functional medicine pathways as an adjunct to traditional allopathic methods. Lichen is founded and led by former facebook, pinterest and google product managers and engineers. | $50,000 |
| Just the Wild Foundation Boulder, CO | To investigate the elusive behavior of eastern caribbean sperm whales feeding off giant squid in depths of over 8,000 feet in guadalupe and dominican waters. | $2,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,447,972 | $121,774 | $243,649 | $52,500 | 2 | $237,122 | $121,624 | $103,670 |
| 2023 | $1,837,154 | $114,671 | $137,665 | $17,750 | 2 | $127,947 | $114,496 | $83,505 |
| 2022 | $1,415,459 | $-31,157 | $85,574 | — | — | $68,208 | $2,938 | $100,669 |
| 2021 | $2,807,116 | $977,279 | $96,725 | $90,000 | 4 | $90,000 | $977,129 | $112,623 |
| 2020 | $594,397 | $450,694 | $99,343 | $72,000 | 8 | — | $438,506 | $83,699 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Orca Free Inc reported a distributable amount of $104K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Orca Free Inc is led by Johanna Santer, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 2 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Johanna Santer
President
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$18K (2023) → $30K (2024)
Michael Santer
CFO
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $30K, to Johanna Santer (President).
Frequently asked questions about Orca Free Inc
How much does Orca Free Inc give each year?
Orca Free Inc gave $53K across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $18K across 2 grants.
How large is Orca Free Inc?
Orca Free Inc reported $2.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $237K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $104K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Orca Free Inc?
Orca Free Inc is a private foundation focused on Environment & Animals, based in Arroyo Grande, CA. It holds $2.4M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Orca Free Inc operate?
Orca Free Inc has awarded grants in Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, Maine, New York.
What is Orca Free Inc's EIN?
Orca Free Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0513674. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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