Oz Foundation
Oz Foundation is a private foundation based in San Diego, California. It supports students who face financial hardship in pursuing a college education, including through financial assistance and mentorship.
Oz Foundation at a glance
In short: Oz Foundation gave $165K across 19 grants in 2024 (avg $9K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $165,249
- -30.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 19
- -13.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $8,697
- -20.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $9,200
- Total assets
- $2,435,838
- -6.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Oz Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Separately, its website provides an application form for its student program and describes the eligibility criteria and materials above.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1804 Garnet Ave Ste 389, San Diego, CA 92109-3352
Phone: (619) 818-0628
Website: https://www.ozfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Oz Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Oral Lee Brown ($14K).
Organizations only. It also paid 18 grants to individuals ($151,249), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
125 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 125 grants of 125 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The website says the foundation operates in Santa Clara and San Diego Counties. Its 2024 filing shows that 100% of reported grant dollars went to California recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
Cities
How Oz Foundation gives
- Giving fell 51% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 205% 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 $165K (2024) to $337K (2021). In 2024 it made 19 grants totaling $165K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Lee Brown Oakland, CA | Charitable Donation | $14,000 |
| 18 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $151,249 |
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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 | $2,435,838 | $66,790 | $232,430 | $165,249 | 19 | $218,478 | $85,194 | $106,630 |
| 2023 | $2,602,550 | $49,400 | $298,865 | $239,254 | 22 | $285,234 | $84,339 | $116,096 |
| 2022 | $2,853,440 | $269,037 | $288,531 | $244,056 | 24 | $279,339 | $261,637 | $131,337 |
| 2021 | $2,878,760 | $142,272 | $389,581 | $336,551 | 28 | $378,688 | $134,472 | $143,083 |
| 2020 | $3,126,786 | $230,380 | $341,552 | $267,810 | 32 | — | $221,580 | $139,080 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Oz Foundation reported a distributable amount of $107K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it believes college education can help students build a successful future and that financial hardship should not prevent them from pursuing that goal. Its website describes support for students who might otherwise be unable to afford college, including financial assistance and mentorship.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 19 grants totaling $165,249. Grant amounts ranged from $3,250 to $14,000, with a median of $9,200. The listed grants included college-education support to individual recipients and a $14,000 charitable donation. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in California.
The website describes a student program for high school seniors and junior-college transfer students who attended high school in Santa Clara or San Diego County, come from low-income families, and have been accepted to a four-year accredited university. Applicants are asked to provide supporting documentation, such as tax returns. Award amounts are based on individual need. Accepted students must maintain their grades and full-time enrollment, with supporting paperwork, and may participate for up to four years with an assigned mentor. The foundation generally accepts 2–5 new students per year.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Georgia Osborne as VP Director; Michael Smith as President, Treasurer, and Director; Colby Smith as Director and Manager; and Kristin Welter and Jeremy Osborne as Directors.
Oz Foundation is led by Michael Smith, President Treasurer Director on every filing since 2020; 2 of 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michael Smith
President Treasurer Director
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$20K (2020) → $19K (2024)
Colby Smith
Director Manager
On filings since 2020
16 hrs/week
$24K (2020) → $36K (2024)
Jeremy Osborne
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Kristin Welter
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Georgia Osborne
Vice President Director
Director → Vice President Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: David D. Osborne (2020–2022) — Director
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 $36K, to Colby Smith (Director Manager). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Oz Foundation
How much does Oz Foundation give each year?
Oz Foundation gave $165K across 19 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $239K across 22 grants.
What is Oz Foundation's typical grant size?
Oz Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $9,200, and its average grant was $8,697, across 19 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Oz Foundation give grants?
Oz Foundation gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does Oz Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 19 grants with a stated purpose on Oz Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "College Education" (18 grants).
How large is Oz Foundation?
Oz Foundation reported $2.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $218K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $107K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Oz Foundation fund?
The foundation says it believes college education can help students build a successful future and that financial hardship should not prevent them from pursuing that goal. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Oz Foundation?
The foundation states on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Oz Foundation's EIN?
Oz Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0556210. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Oz Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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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The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Oz 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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