The Cismas Foundation
The Cismas Foundation is a private foundation based in Saratoga, California. Its stated purpose is to encourage the formation of the next generation of leaders and empower them to act as catalysts of change for a better world.
The Cismas Foundation at a glance
In short: The Cismas Foundation gave $104K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $9K), top state California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $104,003
- +38.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- +83.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $9,455
- -24.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $4,250
- Total assets
- $4,046,609
- +27.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (35% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Cismas Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s 2024 filing says applications should be submitted to Sorin Cismas as a written letter by email, with or without PDF or JPEG attachments. The letter should concisely describe the cause and reason for the requested contribution. The filing says awards range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars and are made for charitable, cultural, scientific, and educational purposes. It reports no geographic limitations, with the United States and Romania preferred.
- Review Cycle
- The 2024 filing lists no deadline.
- Deadline
- The 2024 filing lists no deadline.
- Contact
Application contact: Sorin Cismas
Mailing address: 14696 Via De Marcos, Saratoga, CA 95070
Phone: (408) 867-0203
Email: sorin@cismas.org
Website: https://cismas.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Cismas Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Via Transilvanica ($55K). Together the top 9 received $83K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($21,159), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
37 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 36 grants of 37 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing reports no geographic limitations and says the United States and Romania are preferred. In 2025, 35% of grant dollars went to recipients in California and 5% to recipients in New Jersey; 60% were listed under an unidentified state entry, and 0% under Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Cismas Foundation gives
- Giving grew 165% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2022 it paid out 43% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $39K (2022) to $104K (2025). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $104K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Via Transilvanica | Extension of Via Transilvanica through Brasov County connecting Saxon villages like Viscri Bran Rsnov and Zarnesti offering diverse landscapes historical sites and unique carved stone markers promoting sustainable tourism and local economies through authentic experiences | $55,487 |
| 2 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $21,159 |
| Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA | Board of Fellows Fundraising | $12,000 |
| Asociatia COOLT | Organization of cultural and educational events | $4,977 |
| Computer History Museum Mountain View, CA | Support for Computer History Museum Mission | $4,250 |
| Victor Zana Livermore, CA | Humanitarian help | $3,000 |
| Asociatia Connections | Romanian Culture and History | $1,480 |
| Holy Cross Monastery Castro Valley, CA | Religious and Charitable Support | $1,000 |
| Anedot Dallas, TX | support individuals facing financial hardship | $500 |
| Holy Resurrection Romanian Orthodox Hayward, CA | Religious and Charitable Support | $150 |
Ready to take the next step with The Cismas Foundation?
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 | $4,046,609 | $1,027,263 | $149,488 | $104,003 | 11 | $111,307 | $573,862 | — |
| 2024 | $3,168,834 | $1,280,752 | $116,147 | $75,371 | 6 | $97,288 | $770,528 | — |
| 2023 | $2,004,229 | $501,316 | $95,264 | $60,354 | 4 | $70,688 | $105,496 | — |
| 2022 | $1,598,177 | $227,836 | $62,567 | $39,222 | 7 | $40,561 | $16,607 | $94,805 |
| 2021 | $1,432,908 | $545,947 | $53,083 | $43,688 | 9 | $43,688 | $7,807 | $69,030 |
| 2020 | $940,044 | $557,778 | $79,026 | $69,000 | 3 | — | $16,282 | $25,577 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it seeks to recognize Romanian achievements and contributions, promote mutual understanding and democratic values alongside cultural heritage, support self-reliance and individual talents, and encourage giving to people who are less fortunate.
Its grants include support for cultural and educational events, tuition for gifted students without the financial means to pay, humanitarian assistance, religious and charitable support, and a museum. The Computer History Museum describes its own mission as decoding technology’s computing past, digital present, and future impact on humanity.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 11 grants totaling $104,003. Grants ranged from $150 to $55,487, with a median grant of $4,250.
The largest reported grant was $55,487 to Via Transilvanica for an extension through Brasov County connecting Saxon villages. Other notable grants included $16,139 to an individual recipient for tuition, $12,000 to Santa Clara University for its Board of Fellows Fundraising, $5,020 to an individual recipient for tuition, $4,977 to Asociatia COOLT for cultural and educational events, and $4,250 to the Computer History Museum for support of its mission.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Octavia Cismas as president, Sorin Cismas as treasurer, and Cristina Florea as secretary.
The Cismas Foundation is led by Octavia Cismas, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Octavia Cismas
President
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cristina Florea
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sorin Cismas
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Cismas Foundation
How much does The Cismas Foundation give each year?
The Cismas Foundation gave $104K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $75K across 6 grants.
What is The Cismas Foundation's typical grant size?
The Cismas Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $4,250, and its average grant was $9,455, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Cismas Foundation give grants?
The Cismas Foundation's top state is California, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Does The Cismas Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on The Cismas Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Cismas Foundation's largest grantees?
The Cismas Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Via Transilvanica ($55,487), Santa Clara University ($12,000) and Asociatia COOLT ($4,977), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($21,159), which are not listed by name. Together they received 70% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Cismas Foundation?
The Cismas Foundation reported $4.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $1.0M.
What does The Cismas Foundation fund?
The foundation says it seeks to recognize Romanian achievements and contributions, promote mutual understanding and democratic values alongside cultural heritage, support self-reliance and individual talents, and encourage giving to people who are less fortunate. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Cismas Foundation?
The foundation’s 2024 filing says applications should be submitted to Sorin Cismas as a written letter by email, with or without PDF or JPEG attachments. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Cismas Foundation's EIN?
The Cismas Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-3032016. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 18, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 22, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 22, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS January 21, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Cismas Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Miramar Charitable Foundation
Ft Mitchell, KY
Miramar Charitable Foundation funds preselected charitable organizations across areas including arts, survivor support, education, science, and journalism, with grants to recipients in multiple states; in 2024, the largest shares went to Colorado, North Carolina, California, New York, and Florida. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $1 million, with a median of $2,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$32.5M
Grants
188
Total Given
$4.5M
McClure Family Foundation
Los Altos, CA
Assets
$2.2M
Grants
1
Total Given
$500
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Kansas City, MO
The foundation funds college access and completion, workforce and career development, entrepreneurship, and related efforts to improve economic mobility, with a primary focus on Kansas City and support for regional and national work. Its 2024 grants had a median of $75,000; it accepts requests through its online portal and says it does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$2.5B
Grants
364
Total Given
$95.0M
The Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Foundation
Palo Alto, CA
The foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations working to improve quality of life and community, advance legal education and professional interests, and carry out charitable, educational, or community activities. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $135,000, with a median of $5,000; most funding went to California, with additional grants elsewhere in the U.S. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.2M
Grants
335
Total Given
$3.1M
Mitchell Kapor Foundation
Oakland, CA
The Mitchell Kapor Foundation funds work advancing racial equity in technology, including computing education, responsible innovation, and technology policy, with a focus on Black, Latine, and Native communities. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1.05 million, with a median of $25,000; it works nationally, with a regional focus on Oakland and priorities in California, Detroit, and Atlanta. It requires applicants to speak with foundation staff before submitting an online request.
Assets
$115.5M
Grants
69
Total Given
$6.4M
The Red Elm Tree Foundation
Lincoln, MA
The Red Elm Tree Foundation supports a varied range of organizations, including arts and music groups, conservation organizations, and public media, with most of its giving going to Massachusetts. In 2025, it awarded 15 grants of $500 to $27,500, with a median grant of $5,000. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$16.7M
Grants
15
Total Given
$101K
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Cismas Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-cismas-foundation-morg_bd427ffe0c844e4da0b990c2d790ccc0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_743032016_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Cismas Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-cismas-foundation-morg_bd427ffe0c844e4da0b990c2d790ccc0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Cismas Foundation'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 Cismas Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?