Quest Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 2005 and based in Danville, California. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation focused on philanthropic grantmaking in education and human services.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$109.5M
+4.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.5M
+2.6% YoY
Grant Count
173
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$43K
+2.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Quest Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports youth development and community initiatives through general operating support designed to empower youth facing significant obstacles through mentorship relationships. Primary funding areas include:
- Education: Elementary and secondary education, charter school education, higher education, education services, and reading promotion
- Human Services: Family services, child welfare, and youth development
- Philanthropy: Community foundations and grantmaking organizations
Grantmaking
The foundation primarily awards general operating support grants to organizations aligned with its mission.
Grant Range
$3,883 to $200,000
Average Grant
amount varies by year
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. states and cities, with significant concentration in:
- California (404 grants, particularly Oakland with 110 grants and San Francisco with 63 grants)
- Oregon (39 grants)
- Illinois (26 grants, particularly Chicago)
Additional funding activity noted in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- $104–$110 million (varies by reporting year)
Annual Activity:
- Total revenues: $6.3–$6.5 million
- Total expenses: $8.4–$8.9 million
- Total giving/distributions: $7.5–$7.9 million
Historical Context: The foundation has experienced a slow decline in revenue, averaging 2.1% annual decrease over an eight-year period.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $109,508,317 | $104,441,761 | $97,905,568 |
| Revenue | $10,039,857 | $6,454,263 | $5,903,108 |
| Expenses | $8,297,441 | $8,851,339 | $8,360,439 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $7,865,326 | $7,679,618 | $8,190,203 |
| Net Investment Income | $9,267,738 | $4,869,224 | $3,911,750 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,193,824 | $4,819,674 | $5,105,877 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include College Track ($125,000), Bay Area Discovery Museum ($90,000), Eastside College Preparatory School ($84,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACE CHARTER SCHOOL SAN JOSE, CA | COLLEGE READINESS PROGRAM FOR FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS | $67,675 |
| ALAMEDA BOYS & GIRLS CLUB PORTLAND, OR | TO INSPIRE AND ENABLE ALL YOUNG PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM DISADVANTAGED CIRCIMSTANCES, TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AS PRODUCTIVE, CARING, AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS. | $25,000 |
| ALAMEDCA EDUCATION FOUNDATION ALAMEDA, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $8,480 |
| AMERICA SCORES BAY AREA SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $40,000 |
| ASANTE AFRICA FOUNDATION SAN FRANCISCO, CA | SUSTAINING, SCALING AND SKILL-BUILDING FOR GIRL-LED CLUBS | $62,480 |
| ASPIRE EDUCATION PROJECT OAKLAND, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF DIABLO VALLEY WALNUT CREEK, CA | DEDICATED TO IMPROVING LIVES IN OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH HANDS-ON PROGRAMS. | $25,000 |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF EUGUNE EUGENE, OR | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF OMAHA OMAHA, NE | TO TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS THROUGH COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. | $25,000 |
| BAY AREA DISCOVERY MUSEUM SAUSALITO, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $90,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Derek Jernstedt: Executive Director, CFO, and Director (32 hours per week; compensation: $182,259–$183,000)
- Dorothy Jernstedt: President and Director (2 hours per week; no compensation)
- Jennifer Jernstedt: Secretary, Audit Committee Chair, and Director (2 hours per week; no compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEREK JERNSTEDT | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CFO & DIRECTOR | 32 | $182,924 |
| DOROTHY JERNSTEDT | PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JENNIFER JERNSTEDT | SECRETARY, AUDIT COMMITTEE CHAIR & DIR | 2 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: PO Box 339, Danville, CA 94526-0339
- Phone: 925-743-1925
- EIN: 20-1844715
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Quest Foundation fund?
The foundation supports youth development and community initiatives through general operating support designed to empower youth facing significant obstacles through mentorship relationships. Primary funding areas include: • **Education**: Elementary and secondary education, charter school education, higher education, education services, and reading promotion • **Human Services**: Family services, child welfare, and youth development • **Philanthropy**: Community foundations and grantmaking orga…
How do I apply for a grant from Quest Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 173 grants in the most recent fiscal year • Typical grant range: $3,883 to $200,000 • Median grant amount: $35,000 • Average grant amount varies by year • Total giving: approximately $7.5 million annually **Recent Grant Examples:** • College Track: $125,000 • The Western NY PKU Phenylketonuria Association of Families Friends Children: $120,000 • Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY): $100,000 **Grant Type:** The foundation primarily awards general operating support grants t…
Where does Quest Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. states and cities, with significant concentration in: • California (404 grants, particularly Oakland with 110 grants and San Francisco with 63 grants) • Oregon (39 grants) • Illinois (26 grants, particularly Chicago) Additional funding activity noted in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington.
What size grants does Quest Foundation award?
In 2024, Quest Foundation awarded 173 grants totaling $7.5M — an average of about $43K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Quest Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Quest Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Quest Foundation's EIN?
Quest Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1844715. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Quest 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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