The Barrios Trust
The Barrios Trust is a private foundation based in Oakland, California. Founded in Oakland in 1999, it provides grants supporting youth-centered programs in the Oakland Metropolitan area, with an emphasis on educational and developmental experiences for economically disadvantaged young people.
The Barrios Trust at a glance
In short: The Barrios Trust gave $473K across 48 grants in 2025 (avg $10K), mostly in California. 16% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $473,000
- +13.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 48
- +11.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $9,854
- +1.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $1,206,573
- +24.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 16% first-time grantees (7 of 44, 2025)
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Barrios Trust
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Trust states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Its website says that, for the foreseeable future, it will accept applications only from current and past grantees. Eligible grantees may apply on a three-year cycle and are asked to wait one year before reapplying. The board reviews applications in spring and fall; applicants are directed to use the returning-grantee application form. The Trust prefers grants that make up no more than one-third of an organization’s budget in any 12-month period.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists March 1 for the spring meeting and September 1 for the fall meeting. Both 2026 dates have passed as of September 28, 2026.
- Deadline
- The website lists March 1 for the spring meeting and September 1 for the fall meeting.
- Contact
Mailing address: 34 Hiller Drive, Oakland, CA 94618
Phone: (510) 841-7213
Website: https://thebarriostrust.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Barrios Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Earth Island Institute ($25K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $148K.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($27,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
200 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 200 grants of 200 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Trust’s website limits grants to organizations and individuals in the greater Oakland Metropolitan area of Northern California. The 2025 filing data shows that all reported grant dollars went to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 48 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Barrios Trust open to new grantees?
16%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 44 grantees (16%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 48% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 60% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 820% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $188K (2020) to $473K (2025). In 2025 it made 48 grants totaling $473K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Earth Island Institute Berkeley, CA | Bay Area Wilderness Training | $15,000 |
| ARTogether Oakland, CA | Music Program | $15,000 |
| Hack the Hood Oakland, CA | Tech Education & Career Programs | $15,000 |
| Harmony Project Bay Area Daly City, CA | General Support | $15,000 |
| Bay Area Urban Debate Commission Oakland, CA | High School debate programs | $12,500 |
| Aspire Education Project Oakland, CA | Reading Buddies Program | $12,500 |
| Ultimate Impact Oakland, CA | Youth Development Program | $12,500 |
| Oakland Literacy Coalition Oakland, CA | Reading Everywhere Program | $12,500 |
| The Crucible Oakland, CA | Youth Industrial Arts Program | $10,000 |
| Chabot Space Science Center Oakland, CA | General Support | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Barrios Trust?
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 | $1,206,573 | $690,169 | $489,734 | $473,000 | 48 | $476,290 | $522,867 | $58,097 |
| 2024 | $970,191 | $251,802 | $431,834 | $416,000 | 43 | $424,645 | $223,455 | $60,385 |
| 2023 | $1,130,140 | $97,237 | $316,758 | $295,500 | 35 | $310,489 | $91,480 | $63,250 |
| 2022 | $1,332,892 | $570,590 | $314,501 | $295,950 | 38 | $308,131 | $60,868 | $67,123 |
| 2021 | $1,142,696 | $92,557 | $223,907 | $211,310 | 36 | $214,880 | $82,530 | $62,529 |
| 2020 | $1,274,601 | $145,926 | $208,803 | $187,500 | 16 | — | $136,938 | $64,207 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Barrios Trust reported a distributable amount of $58K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Trust’s stated mission is to provide financial assistance to nonprofit organizations and individuals supporting high-quality educational and developmental experiences for economically disadvantaged young people in the Oakland Metropolitan area. Its website says grants may support operational expenses or capital acquisition, and that it also awards scholarships to individuals whose circumstances fit its mission. Organizations must be determined by the IRS to qualify as 501(c)(3) organizations.
Its 2025 grantees illustrate a range of activities. Hack the Hood describes its work as tech-skill-building and career-navigation support for youth and communities of color. ARTogether says its art programs foster compassionate communities where refugees and immigrants can flourish. Ultimate Impact focuses on confidence, teamwork, and accountability through ultimate frisbee, while Aspire Education Project’s stated mission is to ensure Bay Area students have access to a transformative educational mentor. The Bay Area Urban Debate Commission facilitates student participation in debate, and the Oakland Literacy Coalition works toward ensuring every Oakland child learns and loves to read.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the Trust reported 48 grants totaling $473,000. Grant amounts ranged from $2,500 to $15,000, with a median of $10,000. The website lists a grant range of $1,000 to $10,000.
Among the largest 2025 awards were $15,000 each to Earth Island Institute for Bay Area Wilderness Training, ARTogether for its Music Program, Hack the Hood for tech education and career programs, and Harmony Project Bay Area for general support. Awards of $12,500 went to the Bay Area Urban Debate Commission, Aspire Education Project, Ultimate Impact, and the Oakland Literacy Coalition. The Crucible, Chabot Space Science Center, Prescott Circus Theatre, and Destiny Arts Center each received $10,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Trust’s founder statement identifies Warren Wilson as founder and says he and his wife, Joanne, established the organization in 1999. Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing are Joanne Casey, president; Donald Carter, vice president/secretary; and directors Kaylea Perenon, John Fanning, Casey Wilson, and Taj Wilson.
The Barrios Trust is led by Joanne Casey, President on every filing since 2020; 3 of 6 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Joanne Casey
President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$2K (2022) → $0 (2025)
John Fanning
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$1K (2020) → $500 (2025)
Kaylea Perenon
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $1K (2025)
Casey Wilson
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Taj Wilson
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Donald Carter
Vice President & Sect'y
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $1K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $1K, to Kaylea Perenon (Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Barrios Trust
How much does The Barrios Trust give each year?
The Barrios Trust gave $473K across 48 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $416K across 43 grants.
What is The Barrios Trust's typical grant size?
The Barrios Trust's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $9,854, across 48 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Barrios Trust that year got $11K on average.
Where does The Barrios Trust give grants?
The Barrios Trust gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Oakland, CA (31 grants), Berkeley, CA (8 grants) and San Francisco, CA (3 grants).
Does The Barrios Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 13% of The Barrios Trust's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 48) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Barrios Trust's largest grantees?
The Barrios Trust's largest 2025 grantees include Earth Island Institute ($25,000 across 2 grants), Fresh Lifelines for Youth ($17,500 across 2 grants) and ARTogether ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($27,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 12% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Barrios Trust?
The Barrios Trust reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $476K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $58K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Barrios Trust fund?
The Trust’s stated mission is to provide financial assistance to nonprofit organizations and individuals supporting high-quality educational and developmental experiences for economically disadvantaged young people in the Oakland Metropolitan area. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Barrios Trust?
The Trust states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Barrios Trust's EIN?
The Barrios Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3323331. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Barrios Trust accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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 August 5, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Barrios Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Morris Stulsaft Foundation
San Francisco, CA
The Morris Stulsaft Foundation funds Bay Area nonprofits serving children and youth, with priorities including early childhood education, arts participation, foster-care support, educational support, and pathways to work. In 2025, grants ranged from $2,000 to $50,000, with a median of $25,000. Its application information directs applicants to its guidelines; early childhood education and educational support applications are currently limited to returning grantees.
Assets
$34K
Grants
69
Total Given
$1.7M
The Joseph and Vera Long Foundation
Walnut Creek, CA
The Joseph and Vera Long Foundation funds environmental work, youth arts and outdoor learning, maternal health, and healthy aging in Northern California and Hawaii. Its 2025 grants ranged from $10,000 to $800,000, with a median of $25,000; although its website describes an application process for responsive grants, its 2024 filing says it accepts no unsolicited requests.
Assets
$138.7M
Grants
95
Total Given
$5.5M
Bernard E & Alba Witkin Charitable
Berkeley, CA
The foundation supports nonprofits benefiting children in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, especially early-childhood development and programs preparing transition-age foster youth for independence; it also funds some school-based arts and literacy, legal services, and related programs. Most gifts are under $20,000 (2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $110,000). It funds in the East Bay and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$16.9M
Grants
122
Total Given
$2.0M
The Nicholson Family Foundation
Petaluma, CA
The Nicholson Family Foundation funds nonprofit youth programs in arts, education, and social services, especially organizations serving underserved young people and operating on smaller budgets. Its grants are typically around $5,000, with 2025 awards ranging from $1,000 to $25,000, focused on Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties. It accepts Letters of Inquiry through an online form; multi-year grants are by invitation only.
Assets
$6.9M
Grants
49
Total Given
$313K
T Gary and Kathleen Rogers Private
Lafayette, CA
The foundation primarily funds Oakland public education, including schools and nonprofits working with Oakland youth, with some support for UC Berkeley and medical research. In 2024, grants ranged from $30 to $2.15 million, with a median of $2,150; it does not accept unsolicited proposals and was planning to sunset its Oakland education grantmaking by 2025.
Assets
$48.4M
Grants
51
Total Given
$5.4M
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.
Assets
$514.0M
Grants
842
Total Given
$62.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Barrios Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-barrios-trust-morg_a20280a1cf84426fa73c0eac6aa2cd30
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_943323331_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Barrios Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-barrios-trust-morg_a20280a1cf84426fa73c0eac6aa2cd30},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Barrios Trust's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Barrios Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?