Rosenberg Foundation
The Rosenberg Foundation is a private independent foundation based in San Francisco, California, established in 1935 through the bequest of California business leader Max L. Rosenberg. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and has been tax-exempt since June 1940. Over more than 80 years, it has provided close to 3,000 grants totaling nearly $90 million to regional, statewide, and national organizers and advocates.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$59.3M
+3.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
-48.2% YoY
Grant Count
52
-16.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
-38.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Rosenberg Foundation supports bold advocates and promising solutions to California's most pressing problems. The foundation works to advance justice by dismantling systemic barriers that stand in the way for far too many Californians, particularly communities of color.
Current focus areas include:
- Ending mass incarceration
- Transforming inhumane and destructive immigration policies
- Stopping the exploitation of low-wage and immigrant workers
- Tackling child poverty
- Strengthening civil rights advocacy in California
The foundation emphasizes funding organizing and advocacy work, often maintaining long-term relationships with grantees. It also amplifies grant partners' work through communications and convenings and partners with colleagues in philanthropy to leverage grantmaking and increase collective impact.
Grantmaking
The foundation operates through its **Leading Edge Fund**, which supports courageous and innovative leaders at the forefront of confronting racial and economic injustice.
Grant Range
$500–$220,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds work in California, though it also supports regional, statewide, and national organizers and advocates.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $57.4 million
- Total Revenue: $2.82 million
- Total Expenses: $3.62 million
- Total Liabilities: $1.32 million
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $59.3 million
- Total Giving: $1.055 million
Financial statements are audited annually by Lindquist, von Husen & Joyce LLP.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $59,335,667 | $57,410,284 | $54,246,615 |
| Revenue | $4,268,717 | $2,819,011 | $3,178,092 |
| Expenses | $5,656,031 | $3,619,690 | $3,662,508 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,096,214 | $3,123,850 | $3,797,280 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,718,807 | $2,597,766 | $1,833,724 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,838,494 | $2,691,723 | $2,827,500 |
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
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Rosenberg Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board & Staff:
- Timothy Silard – President (40 hours/week, $546,000 annual compensation)
- Lateefah Simon – Chair
- Phyllis Cook – Vice Chair/Secretary
- Robert Friedman – Second Vice Chair/Treasurer
- Benjamin Todd Jealous – Director
- Clara Shin – Director
- Marco Hellman – Director
- Jamey Spencer – Director
- Raj Jayadev – Director
- Daniel Grossman – Director
- Bill Lann Lee – Director
- Shauna Marshall – Director
- Hugo Morales – Director
- Albert Moreno – Director
- Paula Pretlow – Director
- Kendra Fox-Davis – Chief Program Officer
The foundation employs 5 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIMOTHY SILARD | PRESIDENT | 40 | $546,047 |
| LATEEFAH SIMON | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| PHYLLIS COOK | VICE CHAIR/SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| ROBERT FRIEDMAN | SECOND VICE CHAIR/TREASURER | 1 | — |
| BENJAMIN TODD JEALOUS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CLARA SHIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARCO HELLMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JAMEY SPENCER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RAJ JAYADEV | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DANIEL GROSSMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BILL LANN LEE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHAUNA MARSHALL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HUGO MORALES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ALBERT MORENO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PAULA PRETLOW | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in several recent initiatives:
**Legal Education, Advocacy, and Defense (LEAD) Initiative:** The foundation joined the California Black Freedom Fund, legal experts, advocates, and philanthropic leaders to launch the LEAD Initiative, aimed at protecting progress on racial justice.
Announcing $100 Million California Black Freedom Fund \u2013 Rosenberg Foundation**California Black Freedom Fund:** The foundation announced a $100 million California Black Freedom Fund initiative.
Announcing $100 Million California Black Freedom Fund \u2013 Rosenberg Foundation**COVID-19 Response:** The foundation announced rapid response grants to fight mass incarceration and protect immigrant and farmworker rights during the pandemic.
Rosenberg Foundation Announces COVID Related Rapid Response Grants to Fight\**Immigrant Rights Advocacy:** The foundation has publicly stood with immigrant workers, families, and communities in response to ICE raids and militarized enforcement tactics.
Rosenberg Foundation Announces COVID Related Rapid Response Grants to Fight\**Unrestricted Grants:** The foundation awarded Cat Brooks an unrestricted $250,000 grant over three years.
Cat Brooks Awarded Unrestricted $250000 Grant for 3 Years**Philanthropic Leadership:** The foundation has been recognized as part of California's philanthropic leadership standing united against hate and division in response to political orders and actions affecting communities.
Rosenberg Foundation Announces COVID Related Rapid Response Grants to Fight\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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