Stephen M Silberstein Foundation
The Stephen M. Silberstein Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1997 in California by Stephen M. Silberstein, founder of Innovative Interfaces, a software company specializing in digital library management. Based in Belvedere, California, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) private foundation with a focus on progressive philanthropic causes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$74.0M
-3.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.5M
+23.4% YoY
Grant Count
47
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$182K
+23.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Stephen M Silberstein Foundation reported a distributable amount of $9.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation funds work across a diverse range of issue areas, including:
- Education
- Public affairs and policy
- Human rights and the defense and preservation of individual rights and liberties
- Environment
- Arts and culture
- Libraries
- Educational radio broadcasting
The foundation's giving extends beyond the Bay Area to support work nationally and internationally, with particular geographic concentration in California, New York, and Washington D.C.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not maintain a strong web presence and does not provide a clear public application process. It prefers a proactive approach to grantmaking rather than accepting unsolicited applications or letters of intent. Prospective grantees are advised to network with past grantees to establish connections with the foundation.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports projects across multiple U.S. locations, with primary geographic focus in:
- California
- New York
- Washington D.C.
- Alaska
- New Mexico
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Most Recent Filing (2023):
- Total assets: $76,963,334–$77,000,000
- Total revenues: $4,080,261
- Total expenses: $6,998,194
- Total liabilities: $0
The foundation maintains substantial assets that support ongoing grantmaking activity.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $73,957,652 | $76,963,334 | $79,881,267 |
| Revenue | $5,642,213 | $4,080,261 | $5,636,039 |
| Expenses | $8,647,894 | $6,998,194 | $5,655,993 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $8,647,894 | $6,998,194 | $5,526,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,324,931 | $3,108,410 | $4,733,098 |
| Distributable Amount | $9,516,058 | $8,205,292 | $7,843,571 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
232 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Mcf Donor Advised Fund ($4,000,000), Media Matters for America ($350,000), American Civil Liberties Union Foundation ($300,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 10000 DEGREES SAN RAFAEL, CA | TO ACHIEVE EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND TO SUPPORT STUDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME BACKGROUNDS TO AND THORUGH COLLEGE TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND POSITVELY IMPACT THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THE WORLD. | $25,000 |
| ALAMEDA COUNTY COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OAKLAND, CA | FOOD DISTRIBUTION TO THOSE IN NEED. | $100,000 |
| ALASKA WILDERNESS LEAGUE ANCHORAGE, AK | PROMOTE AND PROTECT AMERICA'S PUBLIC LANDS IN ALASKA | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION SAN FRANCISCO, CA | DEFEND & PRESERVE INDIVIDUAL RIGHT & LIBERTIES | $300,000 |
| AMIGOS DE LAS AMERICAS - EAST BAY CHAPTER OAKLAND, CA | PROMOTE YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACROSS THE AMERICAS | $25,000 |
| CALIFORNIA BUDGET & POLICY CENTER SACRAMENTO, CA | ACCESS TO USEFUL ANALYSES OF STATE BUDGET TO IMPROVE PUBLIC POLICIES AND WELL-BEING OF CALIFORNIANS | $15,000 |
| CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY SACRAMENTO, CA | CONSERVING CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS AND THEIR NATURAL HABITATS | $10,000 |
| CALMATTERS SACRAMENTO, CA | INFORM CALIFORNIANS THROUGH MEANINGFUL JOURNALISM ABOUT THE PLAYERS, POLITICS, AND INTERESTS THAT SHAPE THE ISSUES THAT AFFECT THEIR LIVES | $50,000 |
| CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS WASHINGTON, DC | SUPPORT RESEARCH & EDUCATION IN ECONOMICS | $150,000 |
| CENTER FOR POLITICAL ACCOUNTABILITY WASHINGTON, DC | SUPPORTS POLITICAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND DISCLOSURE | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Stephen M. Silberstein – President and Treasurer
- Paul Silberstein – Secretary
Both serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEPHEN M SILBERSTEIN | PRESIDENT & TREASURER | 4 | — |
| PAUL SILBERSTEIN | SECRETARY | 4 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Stephen M Silberstein Foundation fund?
The foundation funds work across a diverse range of issue areas, including: • Education • Public affairs and policy • Human rights and the defense and preservation of individual rights and liberties • Environment • Arts and culture • Libraries • Educational radio broadcasting The foundation's giving extends beyond the Bay Area to support work nationally and internationally, with particular geographic concentration in California, New York, and Washington D.C.
How do I apply for a grant from Stephen M Silberstein Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2023: $8,537,600 • Total expenses in 2023: $6,998,194 • Made 48 grants in 2023 • Typical award range: $10,000–$4,000,000 **Recent Grantees Include:** • University of California Berkeley Foundation ($2,500,000 for education) • Media Matters for America ($400,000 for educational radio broadcasting) • Human Rights Watch ($300,000 for defending and preserving individual rights and liberties) • American Civil Liberties Union Foundation • Brave New Foundation • K…
Where does Stephen M Silberstein Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports projects across multiple U.S. locations, with primary geographic focus in: • California • New York • Washington D.C. • Alaska • New Mexico
What size grants does Stephen M Silberstein Foundation award?
In 2024, Stephen M Silberstein Foundation awarded 47 grants totaling $8.5M — an average of about $182K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Stephen M Silberstein Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Stephen M Silberstein Foundation reported a distributable amount of $9.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Stephen M Silberstein Foundation's EIN?
Stephen M Silberstein Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1852739. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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