The Eames Institute
The Eames Institute is a 501(c)(3) public charity with a mission of cultivating curiosity to solve problems at any scale. Our aim is to equip everyone with the living lessons of charles and ray eames so that they can use design to make positive changes in their own world. Preservation, archiving, cataloging, and documenting the design archives of charles and ray eames in preparation of Eames Institute educational programs, scholarly and institutional engagement and loans, and general public access.
The Eames Institute at a glance
In short: The Eames Institute gave $284K across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $35K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $283,900
- +1.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- -50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $35,488
- +102.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $136,160,027
- +62.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (83% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Eames Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Girls Garage ($130K). Together the top 8 received $284K.
Grant Size Distribution
32 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 27 grants of 32 (84%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $140K (2022) to $284K (2024). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $284K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Girls Garage Berkeley, CA | General Support | $130,400 |
| Sonoma Mountain Institute Santa Roas, CA | General Support | $55,000 |
| United States Artists Chicago, IL | General Support | $32,500 |
| My Giant Squid Friend LLC San Francisco, CA | General Support | $30,000 |
| Intersection for the Art San Francisco, CA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Santa Fe Art Institute San Fe, NM | General Support | $10,000 |
| Reuse Alliance Inc Santa Roas, CA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Yale University Press New Haven, CT | General Support | $6,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $136,160,027 | $65,383,124 | $12,161,047 | $283,900 | 8 | $1,553,892 |
| 2023 | $83,887,593 | $61,936,412 | $10,216,021 | $281,000 | 16 | $113,848 |
| 2022 | $34,010,822 | $18,038,535 | $6,652,299 | $140,300 | 8 | — |
| 2021 | $18,964,312 | $22,211,223 | $4,245,906 | — | — | — |
| 2020 | $597,103 | $1,858,384 | $1,973,586 | — | — | — |
| 2019 | $351,941 | $1,738,066 | $1,486,855 | — | — | $40 |
About The Eames Institute
Based on IRS filings
The Eames Institute is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Petaluma, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $136.2M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 8 grants totaling $284K. Net investment income was $1.6M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Eames Institute is led by John Cary, CEO since 2022 (on filings since 2019); 6 of 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
John Cary
CEO
President & CEO → CEO, 2022
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$254K (2019) → $523K (2024)
Emily Anderson
Senior Creative Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$170K (2023) → $177K (2024)
Erik Heywood
Senior Director of Retail
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$150K (2023) → $172K (2024)
Sydnor Elkins
Senior Director of Design & Construction
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$172K (2024)
Melinda Barker
Director, Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Llisa Demetrios
Chief Curator
Manager → Chief Curator, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$138K (2020) → $221K (2024)
Lauen Smith
Chief Experience Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$180K (2023) → $209K (2024)
Former officers (8)
- Former: Sam Grawe (2021–2023) — Chief Brand & Marketing
- Former: Joni Joseph (2021–2022) — Collections Manager & Registrar
- Former: Benjamin Godfrey (2022) — Director Ranch Operations
- Former: Kiman Chheng (2022) — Controller
- Former: Phoebe Shenker (2020–2021) — Former - Chief Planning Officer
- Former: Adam Esposito (2021) — Former - Facilities Manager
- Former: Layla Aguilar (2021) — Former - Farm Manager
- Former: Emily Pidgeon (2019) — COO
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $523K, to John Cary (CEO). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Eames Institute
How much does The Eames Institute give each year?
The Eames Institute gave $284K across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $281K across 16 grants.
What is The Eames Institute's typical grant size?
The Eames Institute's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $35,488, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Eames Institute give grants?
The Eames Institute gives mostly in California: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Santa Roas, CA (2 grants) and San Francisco, CA (2 grants).
Does The Eames Institute give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Eames Institute's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are The Eames Institute's largest grantees?
The Eames Institute's largest 2024 grantees include Girls Garage ($130,400), Sonoma Mountain Institute ($55,000) and United States Artists ($32,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 77% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Eames Institute?
The Eames Institute reported $136.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $65.4M.
What is The Eames Institute?
The Eames Institute is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Petaluma, CA. It holds $136.2M in total assets as of 2024.
What is The Eames Institute's EIN?
The Eames Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-3403946. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS December 15, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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