The Crary Social Ecology Fund
The Crary Social Ecology Fund is a private foundation based in Mill Valley, California. Its 2025 filing is marked as a final return, indicating that the foundation has terminated or is winding down.
The Crary Social Ecology Fund at a glance
In short: The Crary Social Ecology Fund gave $1.9M across 3 grants in 2025 (avg $633K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,897,763
- +151.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 3
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $632,588
- +151.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $310,767
- 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.
How to apply to The Crary Social Ecology Fund
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Because the 2025 filing is marked as a final return, this policy should not be taken as a current application opportunity.
- Contact
Mailing address: 389 Molino Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone: (650) 455-2651
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Crary Social Ecology Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was California Community Foundation ($1.7M across 2 grants). Together the top 2 received $1.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
61 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 26 grants of 61 (43%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Crary Social Ecology Fund gives
- Giving grew 88% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $255K (2020) to $1.9M (2025). In 2025 it made 3 grants totaling $1.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California Community Foundation Los Angeles, CA | Charitable Activities | $1,386,996 |
| California Community Foundation Los Angeles, CA | Charitable Activities | $310,767 |
| Veteran Rites Inc Burlingame, CA | Charitable Activities | $200,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2023 included 14 grants; 2024 and 2025 each included 3 grants.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | $-1,667 | $1,910,934 | $1,897,763 | 3 | $1,901,988 | $11,514 | $52,381 |
| 2024 | $1,160,263 | $256,559 | $775,879 | $753,799 | 3 | $757,999 | $247,837 | $104,432 |
| 2023 | $1,342,518 | $441,886 | $1,118,033 | $1,098,558 | 14 | $1,102,733 | $431,979 | $131,039 |
| 2022 | $1,737,690 | $542,565 | $1,045,248 | $1,010,000 | 22 | $1,014,150 | $525,523 | $173,267 |
| 2021 | $2,240,373 | $695,762 | $760,317 | $725,957 | 19 | $730,082 | $673,065 | $232,737 |
| 2020 | $2,304,928 | $357,637 | $277,586 | $255,000 | 11 | — | $341,257 | $193,122 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Crary Social Ecology Fund reported a distributable amount of $52K 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 foundation’s 2025 filing describes its grants as for charitable activities. Among its 2025 grantees, the California Community Foundation says its mission is “to invest in, partner with, and amplify the community to build a good life.” This is the grantee’s mission, not a stated mission of the Crary Social Ecology Fund.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported three grants totaling $1,897,763. Grant amounts ranged from $200,000 to $1,386,996, with a median of $310,767. The listed recipients were the California Community Foundation, which received two grants of $1,386,996 and $310,767, and Veteran Rites Inc, which received $200,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists John L Crary and Barbara W Crary as trustees.
The Crary Social Ecology Fund's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Barbara W. Crary
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John L. Crary
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 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 Crary Social Ecology Fund
How much does The Crary Social Ecology Fund give each year?
The Crary Social Ecology Fund gave $1.9M across 3 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $754K across 3 grants.
What is The Crary Social Ecology Fund's typical grant size?
The Crary Social Ecology Fund's median grant in 2025 was $310,767, and its average grant was $632,588, across 3 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Crary Social Ecology Fund give grants?
The Crary Social Ecology Fund 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 Los Angeles, CA (2 grants).
Does The Crary Social Ecology Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on The Crary Social Ecology Fund's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Activities" (3 grants).
What does The Crary Social Ecology Fund fund?
The foundation’s 2025 filing describes its grants as for charitable activities. Among its 2025 grantees, the California Community Foundation says its mission is “to invest in, partner with, and amplify the community to build a good life.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Crary Social Ecology Fund?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2025, The Crary Social Ecology Fund reported a distributable amount of $52K 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 2020–2025.
Does The Crary Social Ecology Fund 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 7, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 22, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 8, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
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