The Fred Gellert Family Foundation
The Fred Gellert Family Foundation is a family-run private foundation based in Mill Valley, California, established in San Francisco in 1958. It supports work in sustainability, community support and social services, advanced and specialized education, and reproductive health, with its primary focus in the Greater Bay Area, particularly Marin and San Francisco.
The Fred Gellert Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Fred Gellert Family Foundation gave $195K across 45 grants in 2024 (avg $4K), mostly in California. 24% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $194,500
- +39.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 45
- +36.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $4,322
- +2.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $5,493,495
- -2.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (11 of 45, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (89% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Fred Gellert Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Its filing describes written requests and names the foundation as the contact.
- Review Cycle
- February 1 and August 1.
- Deadline
- February 1 and August 1.
- Contact
Application contact: The Fred Gellert Family Foundation
Mailing address: 1038 Redwood Hwy Bldg B Ste 2, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone: (415) 381-7575
Website: https://fgfamilyfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Fred Gellert Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Mountain Play Association ($20K). Together the top 10 received $115K.
Grant Size Distribution
229 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 229 grants of 229 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation identifies the Greater Bay Area, particularly Marin and San Francisco, as its primary focus, while also considering national and international initiatives. In 2024, 89% of grant dollars went to recipients in California, 6% to Massachusetts, and 5% to Washington, DC. The filing states that grants outside environmental, health, and education programs are restricted to San Mateo, San Francisco, and Marin counties.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 45 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Fred Gellert Family Foundation open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 45 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 56% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 39% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 110% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $133K (2022) to $350K (2020). In 2024 it made 45 grants totaling $195K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Play Association San Rafael, CA | Education | $20,000 |
| Pseads San Anselmo, CA | Education | $20,000 |
| Green Science Policy Institute Berkeley, CA | Environment | $15,000 |
| Climate Center Cotati, CA | Environment | $10,000 |
| Free Speech for People Amherst, MA | Environment | $10,000 |
| Resource Renewal Institute Fairfax, CA | Environment | $10,000 |
| Reproductive Freedom for All Foundation Washington, DC | Healthcare | $10,000 |
| Vivalon San Rafael, CA | Social Services | $8,500 |
| Extrafoodorg Kentfield, CA | Social Services | $6,000 |
| Enriching Lives Through Music San Rafael, CA | Education | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Fred Gellert Family 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,493,495 | $332,532 | $434,055 | $194,500 | 45 | $298,386 | $196,863 | $271,784 |
| 2023 | $5,622,810 | $192,532 | $376,862 | $139,500 | 33 | $242,261 | $93,109 | $278,874 |
| 2022 | $5,784,134 | $-165,354 | $360,229 | $133,000 | 29 | $225,541 | — | $292,567 |
| 2021 | $6,534,207 | $356,210 | $530,745 | $317,000 | 58 | $402,543 | $228,007 | $324,330 |
| 2020 | $6,608,247 | $-9,481 | $616,045 | $350,000 | 64 | — | — | $344,151 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Fred Gellert Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $272K for 2024 — 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 stated aim is to “encourage a sustainable quality of life for present and future generations.” Its website identifies four focus areas: long-term sustainability planning; community support and social services; advanced and specialized education; and reproductive health.
Its stated priorities include environmental stewardship and education, programs for underserved children, support for at-risk youth, services for families in crisis, and improved access to health care. Grantees’ missions illustrate the range of work supported: Mountain Play Association produces live theatrical experiences and an outdoor production intended to strengthen community; Pseads develops education programs in areas including science, writing, service learning, and social justice; and Green Science Policy Institute works to reduce harmful chemicals in consumer products and building materials to protect human health and the environment. Vivalon describes its work as advancing older adults’ and people with disabilities’ independence, health, and quality of life.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 45 grants totaling $194,500. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $20,000, with a median of $2,000. Its largest awards included $20,000 each to Mountain Play Association and Pseads; $15,000 to Green Science Policy Institute; and $10,000 each to Climate Center, Free Speech for People, Resource Renewal Institute, and Reproductive Freedom for All Foundation.
The foundation says it awards both one-year and multi-year grants, likes to provide seed money for new ideas, and supports organizations that encourage collaboration and coalition building. It awards grants to nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organizations. Its filing lists five program areas: education, environment, health, community service, and discretionary. Grants outside environmental, health, and education programs are restricted to San Mateo, San Francisco, and Marin counties.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Fred Gellert and Annette Gellert as co-directors.
The Fred Gellert Family Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Annette Gellert
Co-Director
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fred Gellert
Co-Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
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 Fred Gellert Family Foundation
How much does The Fred Gellert Family Foundation give each year?
The Fred Gellert Family Foundation gave $195K across 45 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $140K across 33 grants.
What is The Fred Gellert Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Fred Gellert Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,000, and its average grant was $4,322, across 45 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Fred Gellert Family Foundation that year got $3K on average.
Where does The Fred Gellert Family Foundation give grants?
The Fred Gellert Family Foundation gives mostly in California: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Massachusetts (6%) and District of Columbia (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (10 grants), San Rafael, CA (8 grants), Tiburon, CA (4 grants) and Sausalito, CA (3 grants).
Does The Fred Gellert Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 45 grants with a stated purpose on The Fred Gellert Family Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education" (15 grants), "Social Services" (12 grants) and "Environment" (9 grants).
Who are The Fred Gellert Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Fred Gellert Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Mountain Play Association ($20,000), Pseads ($20,000) and Green Science Policy Institute ($15,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Fred Gellert Family Foundation?
The Fred Gellert Family Foundation reported $5.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $298K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $272K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Fred Gellert Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated aim is to “encourage a sustainable quality of life for present and future generations.” Its website identifies four focus areas: long-term sustainability planning; community support and social services; advanced and specialized education; and reproductive health. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Fred Gellert Family Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Fred Gellert Family Foundation's EIN?
The Fred Gellert Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-6062859. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Fred Gellert Family Foundation 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Fred Gellert Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-fred-gellert-family-foundation-morg_d2adf9ada6f449709e9604d68e761035
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_946062859_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Fred Gellert Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-fred-gellert-family-foundation-morg_d2adf9ada6f449709e9604d68e761035},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 Fred Gellert Family 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.
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