Stephenson Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Palo Alto, California. Established in 1999, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and is classified as a private grantmaking foundation under the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$21.4M
+2.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.2M
+1.7% YoY
Grant Count
30
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$42K
+1.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Stephenson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's giving priorities focus primarily on:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Science and innovation
- Environmental causes
The foundation gives primarily for education and the environment.
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $20.9 million to $21.4 million
- 2023: $20.9 million in total assets
- Most recent filing: $21,371,271 in total assets
Liabilities: $0 (2023)
Revenue: $1.47 million (2023)
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since July 1999 (EIN: 94-3320092)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $21,371,271 | $20,890,359 | $20,820,653 |
| Revenue | $1,901,258 | $1,474,279 | $471,548 |
| Expenses | $1,424,822 | $1,392,290 | $1,730,998 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,248,103 | $1,226,700 | $1,562,500 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,744,279 | $1,326,499 | $435,489 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,410,855 | $1,282,599 | $1,330,914 |
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
167 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Hoover Institution ($850,000), Folds of Honor ($100,000), American Enterprise Institute ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALL STARS HELPING KIDS SANTA CLARA, CA | TO DISRUPT THE CYCLE OF POVERTY AND ENCOURAGE INNOVATION BY SEED FUNDING START-UP NONPROFITS IN THE BAY AREA. | $2,000 |
| AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE WASHINGTON, DC | TO SUPPORT RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ON ISSUES OF GOVERNMENT, POLITICS, ECONOMICS AND SOCIAL WELFARE | $50,000 |
| AMERICAN FEDERATION OF POLICE AND CONCERNED CITIZENS TITUSVILLE, FL | TO SUPPORT FAMILES OF OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. | $750 |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION DALLAS, TX | TO HELP SUPPORT IN FIGHTING HEART DISEASE AND STROKE. | $250 |
| ANTI CORRUPTION FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | TO MAINTAIN AND BUILD UPON A STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE IN INVETIGATIONS EXPOSING TO CORRUPTION AND CRIMES. | $10,000 |
| ATHERTON POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION REDWOOD CITY, CA | TO SUPPORT THE ATHERTON POLICE DEPARTMENT | $100 |
| ATHERTON POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION REDWOOD CITY, CA | TO SUPPORT THE ATHERTON POLICE DEPARTMENT | $500 |
| BUSINESS EXECUTIVES FOR NATIONAL SOCIETY (BENS) WASHINGTON, DC | TO SUPPORT GOVERNMENT LEADERS IMPLEMENT SOLUTIONS TO THE MOST CHALLENGING PROBLEMS IN NATIONAL SECURITY. | $253 |
| CAL MATTERS OAKLAND, CA | TO PREPARE STUDENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES FOR SUCCESS IN COLLEGE AND IN LIFE | $25,000 |
| COUNCIL OF AMERICAN AMBASSADORS WASHINGTON, DC | TO SUPPORT THE ROLE OF THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR AND THE COUNTRY TEAM IN CARRYING OUT U.S. FOREIGN POLICY AT EMBASSIES AROUND THE WORLD. | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Frank Rimerman is listed as a contact associated with the foundation's address.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BARBARA STEPHENSON | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| THOMAS F STEPHENSON | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Stephenson Foundation has been associated with significant philanthropic initiatives:
**Stephenson Global Prize:** A second annual $1 million prize is now open for nominations, indicating an ongoing commitment to recognizing innovation and achievement.
Second Annual $1 Million Stephenson Global Prize Now Open for Nominations**Pancreatic Cancer Research:** The foundation launched the Stephenson Prize for Innovation in Pancreatic Cancer Research, supported by a $150 million gift to City of Hope.
Second Annual $1 Million Stephenson Global Prize Now Open for Nominations**Exploration Programs:** The foundation supports the Stephenson Explorers Advancement Program, providing grants for exploration initiatives.
The Stephenson Exploration Advancement ProgramSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Stephenson Foundation fund?
The foundation's giving priorities focus primarily on: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Science and innovation • Environmental causes The foundation gives primarily for education and the environment.
How do I apply for a grant from Stephenson Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $100,000 to $850,000. **Annual Giving:** The foundation distributed approximately $1.2 to $1.4 million annually in recent years: • 2023: $1.39 million in expenses • Total giving reported at $1,248,103 (based on most recent IRS 990 filing) **Geographic Focus:** The foundation primarily funds organizations in California, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia.
What size grants does Stephenson Foundation award?
In 2024, Stephenson Foundation awarded 30 grants totaling $1.2M — an average of about $42K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Stephenson Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Stephenson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Stephenson Foundation's EIN?
Stephenson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3320092. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Stephenson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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