Shockwave Foundation
Shockwave Foundation is a San Francisco, California-based private foundation that supports climate resilience and adaptation, with an emphasis on strengthening food and water systems. It uses philanthropic grants, impact investments, and partnerships to back solutions intended to help communities withstand climate shocks and scale.
Shockwave Foundation at a glance
In short: Shockwave Foundation gave $1.0M across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $86K), top state New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,030,849
- +7.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- +50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $85,904
- -28.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $3,981,479
- +27.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (25% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Shockwave Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funding partnerships. It says it proactively selects organizations through a curated process that leverages its network; requests for funding received through its contact page will not be answered.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2168 15Th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114
Phone: (650) 906-8438
Website: HTTPS://SHOCKWAVE.ORG
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Shockwave Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Myriad USA ($184K). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
29 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 15 grants of 29 (52%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says its philanthropic grants focus mainly on organizations in Africa, Central and South America. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were directed to New York (25%), Colorado (15%), California (10%), Maryland (10%), and Tennessee (10%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Shockwave Foundation gives
- 50% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 194% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 950% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $351K (2021) to $1.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Myriad USA New York, NY | Support for africa sand dam foundation and global resilience partnership | $183,513 |
| Catholic Relief Services Baltimore, MD | Support for Blue Harvest | $100,000 |
| Bloodwater Nashville, TN | Support Educational Development Activities | $100,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy Arlington, VA | Support Africa Water Funds | $100,000 |
| Global Development Incubator Washington, DC | To build startups and partnerships driving social impact around the world | $100,000 |
| Semilla Nueva Boise, ID | Support for the Mission to Reduce Chronic Malnutrition | $100,000 |
| Roddenberry Foundation Sherman Oaks, CA | To co fund the +1 global fund for food security program | $100,000 |
| Global Greengrants Fund Inc Boulder, CO | Support for Agroecology Fund | $75,000 |
| Saha Global New York, NY | Dugouts + Climate Strategy | $75,000 |
| Water for People Greenwood Village, CO | Climate Resilient Wash Study | $75,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Shockwave Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,981,479 | $2,049,359 | $1,257,487 | $1,030,849 | 12 | $1,238,254 | $1,968,600 | $130,339 |
| 2023 | $3,126,799 | $128,359 | $1,181,296 | $958,000 | 8 | $1,111,267 | $109,332 | $371,962 |
| 2022 | $3,940,941 | $4,342,920 | $747,227 | $600,000 | 7 | $730,908 | $2,283,367 | $141,208 |
| 2021 | $466,046 | $553,462 | $457,211 | $350,800 | 2 | $454,389 | $472,772 | $16,827 |
| 2020 | $369,428 | $405,894 | $40,458 | — | — | — | $15,040 | $956 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Shockwave Foundation reported a distributable amount of $130K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Shockwave’s stated mission is to fuel bold innovation for climate resilience by empowering frontline communities to thrive amid rapid change. Its funding priorities include water resource management, nature-based solutions, data and decision-making tools, and finance and governance platforms for water security. For food security, it identifies agroecology and regenerative agriculture, climate-resilient agriculture technologies and products, and agricultural finance and economic resilience initiatives.
The foundation describes its philanthropic support as focused mainly on organizations in Africa, Central and South America. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations and initiatives addressing water, agriculture, food security, and climate resilience. For example, Semilla Nueva says it aims to improve farming-family incomes and nutrition; Water for People says it works to develop high-quality water and sanitation access sustained by strong communities, businesses, and governments; and Saha Global says it provides capital, training, and support to women operating rural water-treatment centers. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Shockwave reported 12 grants totaling $1,030,849. Grants ranged from $336 to $183,513, with a median of $100,000. The foundation says its grants and program-related investments range from $25,000 to $1,000,000, and that it uses a curated, proactive selection process to identify partners.
Notable 2024 grants included $183,513 to MYRIAD USA for support for Africa Sand Dam Foundation and Global Resilience Partnership; $100,000 to Catholic Relief Services for Blue Harvest; $100,000 to Blood:Water for educational development activities; $100,000 to The Nature Conservancy for Africa water funds; $100,000 to Global Development Incubator to build startups and partnerships for social impact; and $100,000 to Semilla Nueva to support its mission to reduce chronic malnutrition. Other 2024 grants included $100,000 to Roddenberry Foundation, $75,000 each to Global Greengrants Fund, Saha Global, and Water for People, $22,000 to Alliance for Global Water Adaptation, and $336 to Pacific Institute.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Paul Traina as director, chair, secretary, and treasurer.
Shockwave Foundation is led by Paul Traina, Director, Chair, Secretary & Treasurer on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Paul Traina
Director, Chair, Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Shockwave Foundation
How much does Shockwave Foundation give each year?
Shockwave Foundation gave $1.0M across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $958K across 8 grants.
What is Shockwave Foundation's typical grant size?
Shockwave Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $100,000, and its average grant was $85,904, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Shockwave Foundation give grants?
Shockwave Foundation's top state is New York, with 25% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Colorado (15%) and California (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (2 grants).
Does Shockwave Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Shockwave Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Shockwave Foundation's largest grantees?
Shockwave Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Myriad USA ($183,513), Catholic Relief Services ($100,000) and Bloodwater ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Shockwave Foundation?
Shockwave Foundation reported $4.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $130K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Shockwave Foundation fund?
Shockwave’s stated mission is to fuel bold innovation for climate resilience by empowering frontline communities to thrive amid rapid change. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Shockwave Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funding partnerships. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Shockwave Foundation's EIN?
Shockwave Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-0933937. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Shockwave Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Shockwave Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/shockwave-foundation-morg_dd28300fc7f74456a383ed02ad3032be
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_850933937_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Shockwave Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/shockwave-foundation-morg_dd28300fc7f74456a383ed02ad3032be},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Shockwave 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.
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