The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation
The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert is a private foundation based in San Francisco, California. Its 2023 filing reports grants to California schools and Catholic Charities CYO, including support for school projects and senior services and camp and retreat programs.
The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation at a glance
In short: The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation gave $363K across 7 grants in 2023 (avg $52K), mostly in California. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $363,067
- -99.0% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 7
- -83.3% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $51,867
- -93.7% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The filing directs applicants to the foundation’s grant proposal guidelines for details on proposals and awards. It states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It does not accept applications from organizations with a fiscal sponsor or whose tax-exempt status is pending.
- Review Cycle
- Refer to the foundation’s grant proposal guidelines.
- Deadline
- Refer to the foundation’s grant proposal guidelines.
- Contact
Application contact: John J Fitzpatrick Exec Dir
Mailing address: 455 Hickey Boulevard Suite 509, Daly City, CA 94015
Phone: (650) 985-2082
Email: info@gellertfoundation.org
Website: https://gellertfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was St Philip's School ($100K). Together the top 6 received $313K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($50,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
266 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 177 grants of 266 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation stated that giving was restricted to the nine counties of the Greater San Francisco Bay Area: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma. All reported 2023 grant dollars went to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation gives
- Giving fell 84% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above 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 2020 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $363K (2023) to $34.6M (2022). In 2023 it made 7 grants totaling $363K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| St Philip's School San Francisco, CA | St. Philip's School Center for the Arts Project | $100,000 |
| Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School Daly City, CA | Sunset Grant | $50,000 |
| Saint Cecilia Elementary School San Francisco, CA | St. Cecilia School: Science Lab Space Implementation | $50,000 |
| Saint Charles Elementary School San Carlos, CA | Sustainability and Improvement for the Future | $50,000 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $50,000 |
| Saint Stephen Elementary School San Franciso, CA | Stronger Together"""" in Cougar Country | $50,000 |
| Catholic Charities CYO San Francisco, CA | Catholic charities senior services programs and cccyo camp & retreat center | $13,067 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | $-34,535 | $527,039 | $363,067 | 7 | $455,376 | — | $2,753 |
| 2022 | $561,574 | $115,248 | $35,168,755 | $34,625,000 | 42 | $34,882,285 | $140,204 | $86,602 |
| 2021 | $35,615,259 | $8,606,084 | $9,971,213 | $9,146,205 | 121 | $9,425,463 | $8,273,249 | $2,233,422 |
| 2020 | $36,980,388 | $2,800,925 | $3,047,173 | $2,297,213 | 96 | — | $2,404,107 | $2,028,641 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation reported making 7 grants totaling $363,067. Grants ranged from $13,067 to $100,000, with a median grant of $50,000. The largest grant was $100,000 to St. Philip’s School for its Center for the Arts project. Other $50,000 grants included awards to an individual recipient Elementary School, Saint Cecilia Elementary School, Saint Charles Elementary School, an individual recipient Elementary School, and an individual recipient Charities CYO received $13,067 for senior services programs and its camp and retreat center.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Robert Grassilli as chairman of the board; Andrew Cresci as vice-chair; Michael King as treasurer; John J. Fitzpatrick as secretary and executive director; and Christine Whelan and Kevin Flynn as directors.
The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation is led by John J. Fitzpatrick, Secretary & Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 4 of 6 officers listed in 2023 are compensated.
Officers on the 2023 filing
John J. Fitzpatrick
Secretary & Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$187K (2020) → $60K (2023)
Robert J Grassilli
Chairman of the Board
Chair → Chairman of the Board, 2022
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
$6K (2020) → $3K (2023)
Christine Whelan
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$6K (2020) → $3K (2023)
Kevin Flynn
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew A Cresci
Vice Chair of the Board
Vice Chair → Vice Chair of the Board, 2022
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
$6K (2020) → $0 (2023)
Michael J King
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
$6K (2020) → $3K (2023)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Carol Conroy (2020) — Director
- Former: J Malcolm Visbal (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $60K, to John J Fitzpatrick (Secretary/Executive Director). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation
How much does The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation give each year?
The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation gave $363K across 7 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $34.6M across 42 grants.
What is The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation's typical grant size?
The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $50,000, and its average grant was $51,867, across 7 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation give grants?
The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (3 grants).
Does The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2023: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation's 2023 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation's largest grantees?
The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include St Philip's School ($100,000), Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School ($50,000) and Saint Cecilia Elementary School ($50,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($50,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How do I apply for a grant from The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation?
The filing directs applicants to the foundation’s grant proposal guidelines for details on proposals and awards. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation's EIN?
The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-6062858. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
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