Silicon Schools Fund Inc is an Oakland, California-based public charity that funds the launch and expansion of innovative schools and supports education organizations and tools intended to improve teaching and learning. Founded in 2012, it invests in California educators and entrepreneurs developing new school models and education technology.
Key facts about Silicon Schools Fund Inc
In short: Silicon Schools Fund Inc gave $6.0M across 51 grants in 2024 (avg $118K), mostly in California. 31% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 45-4860788
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,036,344
- Grants made (2024)
- 51
- Average grant
- $118,360
- Median grant
- $100,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (16 of 51, 2024)
- Total assets
- $26,689,403
- Primary geography
- California (91% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$26.7M
+1.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.0M
+20.3% YoY
Grant Count
51
+15.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$118K
+3.8% YoY
Is Silicon Schools Fund Inc open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 16 of 51 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $95K; repeat grants $129K. How we count
Medians: $78K first-time, $104K 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The fund’s stated mission is to improve education by supporting the launch of excellent new schools, improving academic instruction in existing schools, and funding bold education innovations. It describes partner organizations as “labs of innovation and proof points for the sector.”
Its investments include charter, district, and independent K–12 schools, as well as education support providers and technology-enabled tools. For schools, its criteria include an innovative educational model, strong leadership, a financially sustainable model based on California public funding at full enrollment, and a strategy for scalability. It also supports academic providers with demonstrated student impact, including providers that help schools implement rigorous curricula and aligned interventions or train and coach educators.
Examples of grantees’ own stated missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Aspire Public Schools says it works to open and operate high-quality charter schools in low-income neighborhoods and improve outcomes for underserved students. Summit Public Schools says it operates college-preparatory California charter schools and programs to develop teachers and school leaders. Khan Academy describes its mission as providing “a free world-class education for anyone, anywhere.”
Grantmaking
In filing year 2023, the fund reported 44 grants totaling $5,016,898. Grant amounts ranged from $15,000 to $441,639, with a median of $100,000. The largest awards included $441,639 to Aspire Public Schools, $400,000 to Yu Ming #2, $326,950 to Fortune School, and $288,691 to Clovis Global Academy. The stated purpose for each was to support school operations. Summit Public Schools received $137,500 to support school operations and leadership training.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Silicon Schools Fund Inc
Ready to take the next step with Silicon Schools Fund Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The fund says it invests in California educators and entrepreneurs and describes its work as California-based. In 2023, all reported grant dollars went to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 51 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.5M (2021) to $6.3M (2022). In 2024 it made 51 grants totaling $6.0M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Summit Public Schools ($591K). Together the top 10 received $2.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
212 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 94 grants of 212 (44%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Summit Public Schools Redwood City, CA | To Support Operations of the School | $591,061 |
| Kipp nor Cal Oakland, CA | To Support Operations of the School | $384,948 |
| Allegiance STEAM Academy Chino, CA | To Support Operations of the School | $375,424 |
| Golden Charter Academy Fresno, CA | To Support Operations of the School | $333,684 |
| Rocketship Education Redwood City, CA | To Support Operations of the School | $237,250 |
| American River Collegiate Academy Orangevale, CA | To Support Operations of the School | $217,211 |
| Magnolia Public Schools Los Angeles, CA | To Support Operations of the School | $200,000 |
| Polytechnic Academy Hollister, CA | To Support Operations of the School | $200,000 |
| Unbound Stockton Community School Stockton, CA | To Support Operations of the School | $200,000 |
| Kairos Luminary Academy HS Vacaville, CA | To Support Operations of the School | $166,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $26,395,521 | $7,600,788 | $7,946,477 | $5,016,898 |
| 2022 | $26,025,925 | $6,685,576 | $8,764,964 | $6,255,333 |
| 2021 | $28,590,142 | $9,890,035 | $6,983,032 | $4,486,280 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $26,689,403 | $26,395,521 | $26,025,925 |
| Revenue | $8,239,053 | $7,600,788 | $6,685,576 |
| Expenses | $8,614,408 | $7,946,477 | $8,764,964 |
| Net Investment Income | $484,600 | $295,944 | $176,051 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 23, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 1, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 21, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing listed John Fisher as treasurer; Grace Voorhis, Lisa Sobrato Sonsini, Shauntel Garvey, and Tommy Chang as directors; and Brian Greenberg as CEO. It also listed Amy Ng, Robert Schwartz, Caitrin Wright, and Kelly Garcia as partners, with Caitrin Wright additionally listed as secretary.
The fund’s team page identifies Caitrin Wright as CEO and Kelly Garcia as associate partner. It describes Wright as leading strategy, investor relations, and guidance of the board and team, and Garcia as leading instructional improvement work and elements of the fund’s academic programs.
Silicon Schools Fund Inc is led by Caitrin Wright, CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 6 of 13 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Caitrin Wright
CEO
Partner → Partner & Secretary, 2021
Partner & Secretary → CEO, 2024
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$246K (2020) → $354K (2024)
Brian Greenberg
Director
CEO → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$399K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Lisa Sobrato Sonsini
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shauntel Garvey
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tommy Chang
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Grace Voorhis
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Felix Ruano
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen Donohue
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Ng
Partner
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$119K (2020) → $189K (2024)
Robert Schwartz
Partner
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$188K (2020) → $133K (2024)
Kelly Garcia
Partner
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$132K (2023) → $257K (2024)
Elena Sanin
Partner
New on the 2024 filing
50 hrs/week
$170K (2024)
John Fisher
Treasurer
Treasurer & Secretary → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Loretta Hickman (2020–2021) — Partner
- Former: Michael Horn (2020–2021) — 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 $354K, to Caitrin Wright (CEO). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 827 Broadway 300, Oakland, CA 94607
Phone: (510) 394-5697
Website: https://siliconschools.com
Frequently asked questions about Silicon Schools Fund Inc
How much does Silicon Schools Fund Inc give each year?
Silicon Schools Fund Inc gave $6.0M across 51 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $5.0M across 44 grants.
What is Silicon Schools Fund Inc's typical grant size?
Silicon Schools Fund Inc's median grant in 2024 was $100,000, and its average grant was $118,360, across 51 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Silicon Schools Fund Inc that year got $95K on average.
Where does Silicon Schools Fund Inc give grants?
Silicon Schools Fund Inc gives mostly in California: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Oakland, CA (7 grants), Hollister, CA (5 grants), Sacramento, CA (4 grants) and Redwood City, CA (3 grants).
Does Silicon Schools Fund Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 51 grants with a stated purpose on Silicon Schools Fund Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Support Operations of the School" (45 grants) and "To Support the Expansion of the Innovation Program" (6 grants).
Who are Silicon Schools Fund Inc's largest grantees?
Silicon Schools Fund Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Summit Public Schools ($591,061), Kipp nor Cal ($384,948) and Allegiance STEAM Academy ($375,424), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Silicon Schools Fund Inc?
Silicon Schools Fund Inc reported $26.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.2M.
What does Silicon Schools Fund Inc fund?
The fund’s stated mission is to improve education by supporting the launch of excellent new schools, improving academic instruction in existing schools, and funding bold education innovations. It describes partner organizations as “labs of innovation and proof points for the sector.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Silicon Schools Fund Inc?
Silicon Schools Fund Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check siliconschools.com for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Silicon Schools Fund Inc's EIN?
Silicon Schools Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-4860788. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Silicon Schools Fund Inc by hand.
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