The David S and Brenda K Carlson Foundation

Grantmaker Walnut Creek, CA EIN: 68-0467243

The David S and Brenda K Carlson Foundation is a nonprofit organization, based in Walnut Creek, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 8 grants totaling $180K.

Key facts about The David S and Brenda K Carlson Foundation

In short: The David S and Brenda K Carlson Foundation gave $180K across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $23K), top state Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.

EIN
68-0467243
Latest 990 filing
Form 990 filing, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$180,000
Grants made (2024)
8
Average grant
$22,500
Median grant
$17,500
Total assets
$2,148,117
Primary geography
Illinois (44% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated October 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing

Total Assets

$2.1M

+16.3% YoY

Annual Giving

$180K

+68.2% YoY

Grant Count

8

+14.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$23K

+47.2% YoY

How The David S and Brenda K Carlson Foundation gives

  • Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+20%). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

5states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.

Cities

ChicagoWalnut CreekAlexandriaMartinezSan FranciscoTampaAntiochAlbert LeaPalm DesertSkokie

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$50K$100K$150K$200K9 grants2020 9 grants2021 10 grants2022 7 grants2023 8 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $100K (2020) to $180K (2024). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $180K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 8 recipients in 2024

North Park University: $70KNorth Park University$70KSalvation Army: $20KSalvation Army$20KShriners for Children Hospital: $20KShriners for Children Hospital$20KUCSF Foundation Rheumatology: $20KUCSF Foundation Rheumatology$20KSt Johns Lutheran Church: $15KSt Johns Lutheran Church$15KJohn Muir Health Foundation: $15KJohn Muir Health Foundation$15KLoaves and Fishes of Contra Costa: $10KLoaves and Fishes of ContraCosta$10KHenry Knueppel School Endowment Fun: $10KHenry Knueppel SchoolEndowment Fun$10K

The largest 2024 recipient was North Park University ($70K). Together the top 8 received $180K.

Grant Size Distribution

43 grants across all recorded years

38<$50K5$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 38 grants of 43 (88%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
North Park University Chicago, ILPrivate Universityevangelical Covenant$70,000
Salvation Army Alexandria, VAProviding Assistance to the Poor$20,000
Shriners for Children Hospital Tampa, FLPatient Care Research and Education$20,000
UCSF Foundation Rheumatology San Francisco, CAMedical Research and Training$20,000
St Johns Lutheran Church Palm Desert, CAReligious Ministering$15,000
John Muir Health Foundation Walnut Creek, CASupport for Hospital Patient Care$15,000
Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa Martinez, CAFeeding the Poor$10,000
Henry Knueppel School Endowment Fun Chicago, ILPrivate School Sponsored by St Johns Lutheran$10,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$250K$500K$750K$1M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$2,148,117$1,846,324$1,822,149
Revenue$487,668$151,901$42,395
Expenses$182,530$109,343$134,679
Qualifying Distributions—$107,000—
Net Investment Income—$85,204$118,323

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

The David S and Brenda K Carlson Foundation is led by David S. Carlson, CEO on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • David S. Carlson

    CEO

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Brenda K. Carlson

    CFO & Secretary

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 David S and Brenda K Carlson Foundation

How much does The David S and Brenda K Carlson Foundation give each year?

The David S and Brenda K Carlson Foundation gave $180K across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2023 it gave $107K across 7 grants.

What is The David S and Brenda K Carlson Foundation's typical grant size?

The David S and Brenda K Carlson Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $17,500, and its average grant was $22,500, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.

Where does The David S and Brenda K Carlson Foundation give grants?

The David S and Brenda K Carlson Foundation's top state is Illinois, with 44% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. The next largest states were California (33%) and Virginia (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (2 grants).

Does The David S and Brenda K Carlson Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on The David S and Brenda K Carlson Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 filing were described as general or operating support.

Who are The David S and Brenda K Carlson Foundation's largest grantees?

The David S and Brenda K Carlson Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include North Park University ($70,000), Salvation Army ($20,000) and Shriners for Children Hospital ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is The David S and Brenda K Carlson Foundation?

The David S and Brenda K Carlson Foundation reported $2.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Its revenue that year was $488K.

What is The David S and Brenda K Carlson Foundation's EIN?

The David S and Brenda K Carlson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 68-0467243. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

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