Social Impact Commons Inc

The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation

Menlo Park, CA

The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.

Center for Cultural Innovation

Los Angeles, CA

The Center for Cultural Innovation funds artists, culture bearers, creative entrepreneurs, and organizations advancing creative opportunity and community-based economic systems across the United States, with some programs limited to California. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,000 to $500,000, with a median of $50,000; specific programs offer up to $600 or competitive grants of $5,000. Applications are accepted through relevant program processes, including monthly Quick Grant cycles.

Fleishhacker Foundation

San Francisco, CA

The Fleishhacker Foundation funds Bay Area arts and culture, food justice, and services for LGBTQ+ youth, with 2024 grants ranging from $500 to $25,000 and a median of $5,000. Some arts programs accept applications from eligible groups, but the Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for social justice or other discretionary grants; Eureka Fellowship candidates must be nominated.

Kenneth Rainin Foundation

Oakland, CA

The Kenneth Rainin Foundation funds Bay Area artists and arts organizations, early childhood literacy in Oakland, and IBD research worldwide. Its 2024 grants ranged from $75 to $1.3 million, with a median of $25,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests, though some programs accept applications during open cycles.

The Zellerbach Family Foundation

San Francisco, CA

The Zellerbach Family Foundation funds arts and culture, community safety and belonging, and efforts to build community power and transform public systems, with a focus on Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Francisco counties. In 2024, grants ranged from $2,500 to $170,000, with a median of $10,000; its Community Arts program offers grants of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. It accepts unsolicited applications only through the Community Arts program; other grants are by invitation.

Nancy W Marks Charitable Trust

San Francisco, CA

Marin Community Foundation

Novato, CA

Marin Community Foundation funds work in affordable housing and homelessness, community resilience and power, as well as social services, education, arts and conservation, with a focus on marginalized Marin County residents and some broader U.S. and international grantmaking. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Silicon Valley Community Foundation

Mountain View, CA

Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.

New England Foundation for the Arts Incorporated

Boston, MA

NEFA funds arts and culture, including dance, theater, music, public art, and touring or presenting artistic work, through regional, national, and international programs. In 2025 it made 219 grants, ranging from $5,375 to $217,656, with a median of $13,500; applications are accepted through specific programs, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

East Bay Community Foundation

Oakland, CA

East Bay Community Foundation funds arts and culture for social justice, racial-equity capacity building, community organizing and movement building, and inclusive economic models, prioritizing communities affected by structural inequities. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely, and generally support organizations in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Most strategy-guided grants are by invitation, with applications opened periodically; donor-advised fund grants may also be made without an application.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Pittsburgh, PA

The Pittsburgh Foundation funds nonprofits working in basic needs, equity and social justice, environmental action, arts and culture, and economic mobility, with most opportunities for organizations in Allegheny County or primarily serving its residents. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of about $18,600, though awards varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.