The Crary Social Ecology Fund
The Crary Social Ecology Fund is an independent private foundation based in Mill Valley, California. Established in 2007, the organization operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity dedicated to grantmaking in support of social and environmental causes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.2M
-13.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$754K
-31.4% YoY
Grant Count
3
-78.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$251K
+220.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Crary Social Ecology Fund reported a distributable amount of $104K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding interests include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Environmental Education
- Science Education
The foundation maintains a particular focus on California-based initiatives.
Grantmaking
Ready to take the next step with The Crary Social Ecology Fund?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations and initiatives based in California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $1,160,263
- Total Revenue: $256,559
- Total Expenses: $775,879
- Total Giving: $753,799
Tax-Exempt Status: The foundation has maintained tax-exempt status since September 2007.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,160,263 | $1,342,518 | $1,737,690 |
| Revenue | $256,559 | $441,886 | $542,565 |
| Expenses | $775,879 | $1,118,033 | $1,045,248 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $757,999 | $1,102,733 | $1,014,150 |
| Net Investment Income | $247,837 | $431,979 | $525,523 |
| Distributable Amount | $104,432 | $131,039 | $173,267 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
69 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include California Community Foundation ($503,799), Veteran Rites Inc ($200,000), The Escala Initiative ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION LOS ANGELES, CA | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES | $503,799 |
| THE ESCALA INITIATIVE LOS ANGELES, CA | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES | $50,000 |
| VETERAN RITES INC BURLINGAME, CA | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES | $200,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN L CRARY | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| BARBARA W CRARY | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 389 Molino Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941-3301
Telephone: 650-455-2651
EIN: 26-0667193
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Crary Social Ecology Fund fund?
The foundation's primary funding interests include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Environmental Education • Science Education The foundation maintains a particular focus on California-based initiatives.
How do I apply for a grant from The Crary Social Ecology Fund?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $5,000 to $597,601. **Recent Grantmaking Activity:** The foundation has provided support to organizations working in environmental and social justice sectors. Notable recent grants include $175,000 to Environmental Progress for operating support.
Where does The Crary Social Ecology Fund make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations and initiatives based in California.
What size grants does The Crary Social Ecology Fund award?
In 2024, The Crary Social Ecology Fund awarded 3 grants totaling $754K — an average of about $251K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Crary Social Ecology Fund required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Crary Social Ecology Fund reported a distributable amount of $104K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Crary Social Ecology Fund's EIN?
The Crary Social Ecology Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0667193. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Crary Social Ecology Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Gochnauer Family Foundation
CORONA DEL MAR, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
39
Total Given
$313K
Cottage Health
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Assets
$172.1M
Grants
6
Total Given
$179K
International Right of Way Association
GARDENA, CA
Assets
$5.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$9K
Quince Interfaith Housing Corporation
LEMON GROVE, CA
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
William & Lillian Schwartz Charitable Foundation
LA JOLLA, CA
Assets
$325K
Grants
1
Total Given
$3K
Covia Foundation
GLENDALE, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
1
Total Given
$4.8M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Crary Social Ecology Fund on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Crary Social Ecology Fund to a real strategy.