Spirit of Max Foundation
Spirit of Max Foundation is a private foundation focused on Environment & Animals, based in Mill Valley, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $3.5M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $148K. Net investment income was $73K.
Spirit of Max Foundation at a glance
In short: Spirit of Max Foundation gave $148K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $37K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $147,999
- +23.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- +100.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $37,000
- -38.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $17,500
- Total assets
- $3,529,427
- +28.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (93% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Spirit of Max Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Noyo Center for Marine Science ($113K). Together the top 4 received $148K.
Grant Size Distribution
8 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 5 grants of 8 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Spirit of Max Foundation gives
- Giving grew 640% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 124% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $20K (2022) to $148K (2025). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $148K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Noyo Center for Marine Science Fort Bragg, CA | La Bonetory Design Study / Equip. | $112,500 |
| All About Owls Petaluma, CA | Programs to Schools & Other Orgs. | $25,000 |
| Cornell Orinthology Lab Ithaca, NY | Conservation-Focused Research | $9,999 |
| Adirondack Mountain Club Lake George, NY | General Fund Raiser | $500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,529,427 | $1,013,931 | $236,922 | $147,999 | 4 | $210,404 | $73,460 | $169,061 |
| 2024 | $2,751,802 | $692,530 | $200,204 | $120,000 | 2 | $120,000 | $73,967 | — |
| 2023 | $2,260,102 | $1,242,827 | $100,383 | $90,000 | 1 | $90,000 | $26,260 | — |
| 2022 | $1,118,410 | $411,510 | $43,055 | $20,000 | 1 | $20,000 | $5,748 | — |
| 2021 | $749,955 | $750,001 | $46 | — | — | — | — | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Spirit of Max Foundation reported a distributable amount of $169K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Spirit of Max Foundation is led by Glenn S. Goodman, President An since 2022 (on filings since 2021); none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Glenn S. Goodman
President An
President & Director → President An, 2022
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Philip A. Robb
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Francine R. Lenkiewicz-Goodman
Secretary Tr
Secretary Treasurer & Director → Secretary Tr, 2022
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 Spirit of Max Foundation
How much does Spirit of Max Foundation give each year?
Spirit of Max Foundation gave $148K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $120K across 2 grants.
What is Spirit of Max Foundation's typical grant size?
Spirit of Max Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $17,500, and its average grant was $37,000, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Spirit of Max Foundation give grants?
Spirit of Max Foundation gives mostly in California: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (7%).
Does Spirit of Max Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 25% of Spirit of Max Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is Spirit of Max Foundation?
Spirit of Max Foundation reported $3.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $210K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $169K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Spirit of Max Foundation?
Spirit of Max Foundation is a private foundation focused on Environment & Animals, based in Mill Valley, CA. It holds $3.5M in total assets as of 2025.
What is Spirit of Max Foundation's EIN?
Spirit of Max Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-4104202. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 20, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Spirit of Max Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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