San Jose Public Library Foundation
The San José Public Library Foundation is a public charity based in San José, California. Formed in 1987, it supports educational programs and resources through the public library, schools, and community-based organizations.
San Jose Public Library Foundation at a glance
In short: San Jose Public Library Foundation gave $2.6M across 18 grants in 2025 (avg $144K), mostly in California. 8% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,598,583
- -72.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 18
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $144,366
- -72.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $97,436
- Total assets
- $7,470,368
- -21.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (1 of 12, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated November 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to San Jose Public Library Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 611540, San Jose, CA 95161-1540
Phone: (408) 808-2174
Website: https://sjplf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from San Jose Public Library Foundation
San José Learns
San Jose Public Library Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
SJ Access Grants (Digital Inclusion Fund)
San Jose Public Library Foundation
Amount
Up to $500,000 annually
Deadline
Deadline not published
Tutoring Matters Expansion Grant
San Jose Public Library Foundation
Amount
Part of $2,000,000 total allocation
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who San Jose Public Library Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was San Jose Public Library ($1.2M across 7 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
77 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 22 grants of 77 (29%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s website describes its work as supporting the Library and City of San José and its 25 library locations. San José Learns and the Tutoring Matters Expansion Grant are described as serving San José. In the 2024 filing, all reported grant dollars went to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is San Jose Public Library Foundation open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 12 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $66K; repeat grants $230K. How we count
Medians: $66K first-time, $78K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.9M (2021) to $9.6M (2024). In 2025 it made 18 grants totaling $2.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin-McKinley School District San Jose, CA | Engage Lifelong LRN | $355,000 |
| San Jose Public Library San Jose, CA | Build Workforce | $342,861 |
| San Jose Public Library San Jose, CA | Promote Art Culture | $339,055 |
| San Jose Public Library San Jose, CA | Drive Digital Emp | $203,033 |
| Alum Rock School District San Jose, CA | Enable Lifelong LRN | $200,000 |
| Santa Clara County Office of Educat San Jose, CA | Enable Lifelong LRN | $200,000 |
| San Jose Public Library San Jose, CA | Enable Lifelong LRN | $171,154 |
| Alpha Public Schools San Jose, CA | Enable Lifelong LRN | $140,000 |
| San Jose Public Library San Jose, CA | Build Workforce | $117,312 |
| Campbell Union School District Campbell, CA | Enable Lifelong LRN | $77,560 |
Ready to take the next step with San Jose Public Library Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $7,470,368 | $5,053,211 | $7,463,351 | $2,598,583 | 18 | $221,906 |
| 2024 | $9,555,349 | $5,966,101 | $13,072,199 | $9,605,475 | 18 | $542,580 |
| 2023 | $16,617,956 | $6,175,965 | $6,485,194 | $2,659,529 | 16 | $496,281 |
| 2022 | $16,562,111 | $12,519,106 | $5,635,102 | $1,909,653 | 13 | $-34,172 |
| 2021 | $11,266,259 | $7,329,963 | $3,556,967 | $1,864,771 | 12 | $110,802 |
| 2020 | $6,766,319 | $5,384,659 | $2,930,665 | $2,085,520 | 7 | $55,632 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to support educational programs and resources through the public library, schools, and community-based organizations to create an educated, equitable, empowered, and engaged community. Its filing describes three program areas: educating residents of all ages through education and enrichment; engaging communities by strengthening the library as a neighborhood gathering place and resource hub; and empowering people with knowledge and skills to participate in democracy and pursue their goals.
Its grantmaking includes support for school districts and other local education agencies, as well as community-based organizations. Among 2024 grantees, Alpha Public Schools describes its mission as empowering teachers and inspiring active learning to change students’ educational and economic trajectories. Sacred Heart Community Service says its mission is to build a community free from poverty through essential services, collaboration, organizing for justice, and community action. Sourcewise describes its mission as fostering coordinated home- and community-based services for older people and their caregivers in Santa Clara.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 18 grants totaling $9,605,475. Grant amounts ranged from $13,692 to $6,787,845, with a median of $131,425. The largest listed award was $6,787,845 to Boys and Girls Clubs Silicon Valley for “Empower.” Other notable awards included $560,000 to Alpha Public Schools for “Educate,” $410,000 to Franklin-McKinley School District for “Engage,” $290,000 to Luther Burbank School District for “Engage,” and $271,613 to San Jose Public Library for “Engage.” The Foundation also reported 2024 awards of $62,850 to Sacred Heart Community Service and $45,000 to Sourcewise. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 18 grants totaling $2.6 million.
The San José Learns program funds expanded-learning programs for students in Kindergarten through grade 3. For the 2026–27 academic year, the program described approximately $850,000 in available funds and awards of up to $200,000. Applications for that academic year have closed; the Foundation anticipates opening applications for 2027–28 in late fall 2026. The 2026–27 application period, which ran from December 1, 2025, to January 18, 2026, has passed. The program’s application materials identify local education agencies—including public-school districts, charter schools, and charter networks or management organizations—as applicants, and encourage partnerships with community-based organizations. The materials require that funds serve students in Kindergarten through grade 3, with at least 90% residing in San José.
The Tutoring Matters Expansion Grant supports qualified agencies and organizations providing one-to-one or small-group tutoring and academic recovery support for San José students in grades 4–12. Its stated funding source is a one-time $2 million City of San José allocation from American Rescue Plan funds. The program description lists an award range of $2,000,000–$2,000,000 and says applicants must be able to engage schools, families, partners, and students.
The Foundation says grants are governed by written awards and agreements specifying requirements, disbursement criteria, and allowable uses. Its filing states that the board approves all grants under the Foundation’s disbursement policies and procedures, with reporting by Library representatives at least quarterly and written reports at least yearly for larger grants and those requiring additional reporting.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Meri Maben as chair, Lupita Garcia-Reilley as vice chair, Rebecca Lee as secretary, and Stephanie Birondo as treasurer. It lists Marco Alvarez, Roy Eitan, Erica Fensom, Jennifer Lee, Hitesh Shah, and Danne McLane Jr. as members.
San Jose Public Library Foundation is led by Dawn Coppin, CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 4 of 20 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Dawn Coppin
CEO
Executive Di → CEO, 2023
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$146K (2020) → $205K (2025)
Meri Maben
Chair
Committee Ch → Member, 2021
Member → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jodie Pulliam
Highly Comptroller
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$114K (2023) → $130K (2025)
Monique Garcia
Highly Comptroller
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$112K (2024) → $130K (2025)
Kathryn Cloud
Highly Comptroller
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$124K (2025)
Erica Fensom
Secretary
At Large → Member, 2021
Member → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Wolfe
Member
At Large → Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Birondo
Treasurer
At Large → Member, 2021
Member → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Lee
Member
Member → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Member, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Roy Eitan
Member
Member → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kirsten Sarginger
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lupita Garcia-Reilley
Vice Chair
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Orit Keinan-Nahon
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Turner
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Lee
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donoghue Clarke
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jean Cohen
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Tien
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Benny Buller
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jenn Protas
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (20)
- Former: Danne McLane Jr. (2022–2024) — Member
- Former: Elizabeth Chitty (2022–2024) — Highly Comptroller
- Former: Hitesh Shah (2022–2024) — Member
- Former: Marco Alvarez (2022–2024) — Member
- Former: Scott Whelton (2020–2023) — Chair
- Former: Michelle Peacock (2021–2023) — Member
- Former: Charles Ohiaeri (2022) — Member
- Former: Kendra O'Donoghue (2022) — Highly Comptroller
- Former: Anthony Rodriguez (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Constance Von Muehlen (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: James Landrum (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Jason Papier (2020–2021) — Chair
- Former: Amar Vedi (2020) — Member
- Former: Anne Raimondi (2020) — Committee Ch
- Former: Derrick Seaver (2020) — Vice Chair
- Former: John Hogan (2020) — Member
- Former: Kimberly Ellis-Thompson (2020) — Committee Ch
- Former: Muoi Tran Landivar (2020) — Vice Chair
- Former: Rahul Chandhok (2020) — Member
- Former: Stephen Kline (2020) — Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $205K, to Dawn Coppin (CEO). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about San Jose Public Library Foundation
How much does San Jose Public Library Foundation give each year?
San Jose Public Library Foundation gave $2.6M across 18 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $9.6M across 18 grants.
What is San Jose Public Library Foundation's typical grant size?
San Jose Public Library Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $97,436, and its average grant was $144,366, across 18 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from San Jose Public Library Foundation that year got $66K on average.
Where does San Jose Public Library Foundation give grants?
San Jose Public Library Foundation gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were San Jose, CA (15 grants).
Does San Jose Public Library Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on San Jose Public Library Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Enable Lifelong LRN" (7 grants) and "Drive Digital Emp" (7 grants).
Who are San Jose Public Library Foundation's largest grantees?
San Jose Public Library Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include San Jose Public Library ($1,230,023 across 7 grants), Franklin-McKinley School District ($355,000) and Alum Rock School District ($200,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is San Jose Public Library Foundation?
San Jose Public Library Foundation reported $7.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.1M.
What does San Jose Public Library Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to support educational programs and resources through the public library, schools, and community-based organizations to create an educated, equitable, empowered, and engaged community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from San Jose Public Library Foundation?
San Jose Public Library Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check sjplf.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is San Jose Public Library Foundation's EIN?
San Jose Public Library Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0142379. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated November 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
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 18, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 5, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 29, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work San Jose Public Library Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in San Jose Public Library Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). San Jose Public Library Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 7, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/san-jose-public-library-foundation-morg_9d077cab16af475ab8ff31e49c18945d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_770142379_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{San Jose Public Library Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/san-jose-public-library-foundation-morg_9d077cab16af475ab8ff31e49c18945d},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-07. 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 San Jose Public Library 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.
San Jose Public Library Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?