Pazala is a private family foundation established in 2014 by Christina Manansala West and Jack West following the sale of their solar products company, Zep Solar, Inc. Based in San Rafael, California, the foundation is structured as a 501(c)(3) organization and operates as an active grantmaker supporting projects and initiatives aligned with its mission.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.3M
+24.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$424K
-48.8% YoY
Grant Count
22
-35.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$19K
-20.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Pazala Foundation reported a distributable amount of $206K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Pazala's mission centers on three primary areas:
- Environment & Community: Continuing the founders' commitment to renewable energy and environmental protection
- Art & Music: Supporting arts and culture initiatives
- Education & Humanity: Advancing human health and welfare
The foundation actively creates its own projects and initiatives while also supporting grassroots nonprofits that further these mission areas.
Grantmaking
Pazala's grantmaking is currently fully subscribed, and the foundation does not accept applications for grants or donations. The foundation encourages donors to contribute directly to supported projects through links on their website.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Pazala funds projects across multiple U.S. states and cities, with documented giving in California, Colorado, New York, Texas, Missouri, and other states. The foundation has a particular presence in major metropolitan areas.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $4,286,564
- Revenue: $797,899
- Expenses: $523,509
- Net income: $274,390
- Total liabilities: $5,850
Historical Context: The foundation was capitalized from proceeds of the 2013 acquisition of Zep Solar by SolarCity, the largest solar contractor in the United States at that time.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,292,412 | $3,456,952 | $4,712,368 |
| Revenue | $797,899 | $66,136 | $1,468,125 |
| Expenses | $523,509 | $921,767 | $579,352 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $476,666 | $852,836 | $504,441 |
| Net Investment Income | $386,233 | $28,800 | $1,511,759 |
| Distributable Amount | $205,899 | $185,652 | $210,907 |
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
178 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Intersection for the Arts ($213,200), Dancers Group (d'naga) Girl Project ($75,000), Mission Edge (indigenized Energy Initiative) ($51,061).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AS YOU SOW OAKLAND, CA | HUMAN HEALTH & WELFARE | $1,000 |
| CA FILM INSTITUTE MILL VALLEY FILM FEST SAN RAFAEL, CA | ARTS & MUSIC | $130 |
| CAL POLY HUMBOLDT FOUNDATION SAN FRANCISCO, CA | ARTS & MUSIC | $20,000 |
| CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL KANSAS CITY, MO | HUMAN HEALTH & WELFARE | $744 |
| DANCERS GROUP (D'NAGA) GIRL PROJECT SAN FRANCISCO, CA | ARTS & MUSIC | $75,000 |
| FINE ART MUSEUMS SF SAN FRANCISCO, CA | ARTS & MUSIC | $229 |
| FRACTURED ATLAS NEW YORK, NY | ARTS & MUSIC | $17,000 |
| FRIENDS OF CHINA CAMP SAN RAFAEL, CA | ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $200 |
| HUMAN NEEDS PROJECT SAN RAFAEL, CA | HUMAN HEALTH & WELFARE | $1,000 |
| HUMANIST GLOBAL CHARITY CANYON, CA | HUMAN HEALTH & WELFARE | $500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by its two founders:
- Christina Manansala West – Director (30 hours per week, no compensation)
- Jack West – Director (30 hours per week, no compensation)
Both founders bring extensive experience in renewable energy and sustainable design. Christina previously engineered renewable energy systems and passive solar buildings, while Jack designed photovoltaic systems and later invented innovative solar mounting hardware through Zep Solar.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTINA MANANSALA WEST | DIRECTOR | 20 | — |
| JACK WEST | DIRECTOR | 20 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Pazala Foundation fund?
Pazala's mission centers on three primary areas: • **Environment & Community**: Continuing the founders' commitment to renewable energy and environmental protection • **Art & Music**: Supporting arts and culture initiatives • **Education & Humanity**: Advancing human health and welfare The foundation actively creates its own projects and initiatives while also supporting grassroots nonprofits that further these mission areas.
How do I apply for a grant from Pazala Foundation?
Pazala's grantmaking is currently fully subscribed, and the foundation does not accept applications for grants or donations. The foundation encourages donors to contribute directly to supported projects through links on their website. **Financial Activity (2024):** • Total giving: $423,709 • Number of grants awarded: 34 • Typical award range: $100–$357,500 **Application Status:** The foundation is not currently accepting grant applications.
Where does Pazala Foundation make grants?
Pazala funds projects across multiple U.S. states and cities, with documented giving in California, Colorado, New York, Texas, Missouri, and other states. The foundation has a particular presence in major metropolitan areas.
What size grants does Pazala Foundation award?
In 2024, Pazala Foundation awarded 22 grants totaling $424K — an average of about $19K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Pazala Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Pazala Foundation reported a distributable amount of $206K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Pazala Foundation's EIN?
Pazala Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-4334043. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Pazala Foundation'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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