Philanthropic Ventures Foundation
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation (PVF) is a public charity based in Oakland, California, founded in 1991. It engages donors and community partners in grassroots philanthropy, and its work includes teacher grants, community initiatives, and customized giving.
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation at a glance
In short: Philanthropic Ventures Foundation gave $32.0M across 136 grants in 2024 (avg $235K), mostly in California. 42% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $32,012,713
- +362.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 136
- +3.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $235,388
- +345.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $89,430,220
- +9.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 42% first-time grantees (57 of 135, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (80% 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 Philanthropic Ventures Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 1222 Preservation Park Way, Oakland, CA 94612-1201
Phone: (510) 645-1890
Website: https://venturesfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Philanthropic Ventures Foundation
Who Philanthropic Ventures Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Black Cultural Zone ($15.7M). Together the top 10 received $27.4M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($66,667), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
791 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 680 grants of 791 (86%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
PVF is based in Oakland. In 2024, 80% of its grant dollars went to recipients in California, followed by 9% to New York, 4% to Louisiana, 2% to Georgia, and 1% to Massachusetts. Its website describes teacher grants as serving public school teachers and says its immediate-response teacher grants are available in five San Francisco Bay Area counties.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 136 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Philanthropic Ventures Foundation open to new grantees?
42%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 57 of 135 grantees (42%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $74K; repeat grants $356K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $20K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.6M (2020) to $32.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 136 grants totaling $32.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Black Cultural Zone Oakland, CA | For your organization's work on certain investment areas of the rise east initiative | $15,740,134 |
| Roots Community Health Center Oakland, CA | For your organization's work on certain investment areas of the rise east initiative | $5,043,179 |
| 15 Percent Pledge Inc New York, NY | General Operating Support | $1,731,749 |
| Resilia Academy New Orleans, LA | To support access to on-demand technical assistance and capacity building support | $1,130,224 |
| Oakstop LLC Oakland, CA | Meaningful Employment, Entrepreneur Ecosystems, Inclusive Arts Programs | $1,080,296 |
| Creative Mornings Inc Brooklyn, NY | To launch member and patron programs and to support community and field trips | $740,052 |
| Brotherhood of Elders Network Oakland, CA | For your organization's work on certain investment areas of the rise east initiative as described in exhibit a of the grant agreement | $579,000 |
| Actai Global Santa Monica, CA | General Support | $468,487 |
| Turimiquire Foundation Cambridge, MA | Family Planning | $462,000 |
| Give BLCK Inc Atlanta, GA | General Operating Support | $402,617 |
Ready to take the next step with Philanthropic Ventures Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $89,430,220 | $58,681,026 | $49,068,184 | $32,012,713 | 136 | $5,053,053 |
| 2023 | $81,605,913 | $71,022,800 | $24,930,502 | $6,928,737 | 131 | $1,782,223 |
| 2022 | $32,597,542 | $22,915,613 | $23,373,623 | $7,234,484 | 142 | $472,587 |
| 2021 | $36,414,979 | $20,169,103 | $17,471,267 | $7,391,569 | 236 | $1,570,980 |
| 2020 | $31,645,319 | $16,137,293 | $13,569,821 | $2,629,166 | 146 | $862,683 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
PVF’s stated mission is “to engage creative donors and community partners in grassroots philanthropy via radical collaboration.” Its programs include grants for public school teachers in areas such as environmental science, excursions, mathematics, special education, visiting artists, and technology, engineering, and design thinking. It also lists community initiatives and resources for foster youth.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supported. Black Cultural Zone Community Development Corporation describes its mission as centering Black arts, culture, and economics and building collective power. Brotherhood of Elders Network says it works to help Black boys and young men flourish. ACTAI Global describes its work as supporting environmental conservation and economic empowerment through entrepreneurship. Other 2024 grantees included organizations whose stated missions involve family-planning travel support, youth development, environmental learning, swimming and water safety, and opportunities for women and girls.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, PVF reported 136 grants totaling $32,012,713. Grant amounts ranged from $5,500 to $15,740,134, with a median of $25,000.
The largest reported grants included $15,740,134 to Black Cultural Zone in Oakland for work on investment areas of the Rise East Initiative, and $5,043,179 to Roots Community Health Center in Oakland for work on investment areas of the same initiative. Other large grants included $1,731,749 to 15 Percent Pledge Inc. for general operating support; $1,130,224 to Resilia Academy to support access to on-demand technical assistance and capacity building; and $1,080,296 to Oakstop LLC for meaningful employment, entrepreneur ecosystems, and inclusive arts programs.
PVF’s website describes a simple application process for its teacher grant programs: teachers write a one- to two-page request on school letterhead and email a scanned copy. The foundation says it reviews requests within 48 hours and mails a check. Listed program areas include environmental science, excursions, science resources, mathematics, special education, visiting artists, and technology, engineering, and design thinking.
PVF also lists the Christopher Wellington Moore Memorial Scholarship. The opportunity is for graduating seniors at four named Oakland high schools who have been accepted to a four-year university to pursue a degree in music or education and have a GPA of at least 2.5. The $20,000 award is disbursed in four annual installments to the recipient’s chosen university.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Bill Somerville as president and founder; Moira C. Walsh as chairman; James Higa as treasurer and executive director; and Dawn Hawk as COO. Directors listed are Duncan Beardsley, James R. Cody, Kamba Tshionyi, Colburn S. Wilbur, and Alicia Aguirre.
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation is led by Bill Somerville, President & Founder on every filing since 2020; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bill Somerville
President & Founder
On filings since 2020
24 hrs/week
$125K (2020) → $0 (2024)
James Higa
Treasurer & Executive Director
On filings since 2020
32 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Moira C. Walsh
Chairman
Director → Chairman, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alicia Aguirre
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Colburn S. Wilbur
Director
Chairman → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Duncan Beardsley
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James R. Cody
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kamba Tshionyi
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dawn Hawk
COO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$145K (2020) → $210K (2024)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Adrienne Tissier (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jackie Speier (2020–2023) — 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 $210K, to Dawn Hawk (COO).
Frequently asked questions about Philanthropic Ventures Foundation
How much does Philanthropic Ventures Foundation give each year?
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation gave $32.0M across 136 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $6.9M across 131 grants.
What is Philanthropic Ventures Foundation's typical grant size?
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $235,388, across 136 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Philanthropic Ventures Foundation that year got $74K on average.
Where does Philanthropic Ventures Foundation give grants?
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation gives mostly in California: 80% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Oakland, CA (12 grants), San Francisco, CA (12 grants), Washington, DC (8 grants) and San Jose, CA (8 grants).
Does Philanthropic Ventures Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 43% of Philanthropic Ventures Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (58 of 136) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "To Support the Mpact for Families Program" (5 grants), "Family Planning" (5 grants) and "For the Nancy Twine Dream Makers Founder Grant" (3 grants).
Who are Philanthropic Ventures Foundation's largest grantees?
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Black Cultural Zone ($15,740,134), Roots Community Health Center ($5,043,179) and 15 Percent Pledge Inc ($1,731,749), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($66,667), which are not listed by name. Together they received 70% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Philanthropic Ventures Foundation?
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation reported $89.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $58.7M.
What does Philanthropic Ventures Foundation fund?
PVF’s stated mission is “to engage creative donors and community partners in grassroots philanthropy via radical collaboration.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Philanthropic Ventures Foundation?
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check venturesfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Philanthropic Ventures Foundation's EIN?
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3136771. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Philanthropic Ventures Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Palo Alto Community Fund
Palo Alto, CA
The Palo Alto Community Fund supports local nonprofits working on children and youth, mental health, food insecurity, affordable housing, community building, arts, and the environment in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, and Menlo Park. Its one-year general operating grants typically range from $5,000 to $20,000, and it posts an annual application for its traditional grants; it does not accept applications for its Dave Mitchell or Cammie Vail grants.
Assets
$12.3M
Grants
69
Total Given
$1.8M
Tipping Point Community
San Francisco, CA
Tipping Point Community funds poverty-fighting organizations and projects in housing, early childhood, education, employment, and related initiatives, with a priority for organizations led by people of color. It focuses on the Bay Area, with early-childhood funding prioritizing Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara counties; its 2025 grants ranged from $10,000 to $2.45 million, with a median of $203,000.
Assets
$86.6M
Grants
108
Total Given
$26.3M
The Heising-Simons Foundation
Los Altos, CA
The Heising-Simons Foundation funds climate and clean energy, science, early learning, and human rights, with 2024 grants concentrated in California, Washington, DC, New York, Massachusetts, and Virginia. Its 671 grants ranged from $2,492 to $3.6 million, with a median of about $148,000. It makes grants to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests, though it occasionally announces open requests for proposals.
Assets
$810.5M
Grants
671
Total Given
$149.6M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Los Altos, CA
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation funds charitable organizations working on just societies, healthy families and communities, and a healthy natural world, including climate solutions, ocean conservation, and science. Its 2024 grants had a median of $150,000, and half of grant dollars went to California recipients. It accepts unsolicited requests, but less than 1% of its grants come from them.
Assets
$8.5B
Grants
1,029
Total Given
$350.0M
Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco the Peninsula Marin & Sonoma
San Francisco, CA
The Federation funds Jewish life and identity, antisemitism response, crisis relief, human services, and justice and inclusion, with work in the Bay Area, Israel, and beyond. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,050 to $2,405,915, with a median of $22,750. It frequently issues requests for proposals and welcomes inquiries about new Bay Area programs; no current organization grant opportunities were listed.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
1,032
Total Given
$94.5M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Philanthropic Ventures Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 9, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/philanthropic-ventures-foundation-morg_24f1c192d1724912b876728ab2cddc8d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_943136771_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Philanthropic Ventures Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/philanthropic-ventures-foundation-morg_24f1c192d1724912b876728ab2cddc8d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-09. 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 Philanthropic Ventures 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.
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?