The Hamister Foundation
The Hamister Foundation is a private foundation, based in Concord, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $803K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $100K. Net investment income was $130K.
The Hamister Foundation at a glance
In short: The Hamister Foundation gave $100K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $100,000
- +9.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- -50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $14,286
- +119.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $802,545
- +2.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (50% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Hamister Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Wisconsin Foundation ($25K). Together the top 7 received $100K.
Grant Size Distribution
62 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 62 grants of 62 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Hamister Foundation gives
- Giving grew 52% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $66K (2021) to $100K (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $100K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin Foundation Madison, WI | Scholarships | $25,000 |
| Ucsb Foundation Santa Barbara, CA | Aid School | $25,000 |
| University of Chicago Chicago, IL | Scholarships | $25,000 |
| Music Academy of the West Santa Barbara, CA | Scholarships | $10,000 |
| Opera Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA | Support the Arts | $5,000 |
| Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Santa Barbara, CA | Free History Exhibits | $5,000 |
| SB Humane Society Santa Barbara, CA | Animal Shelter | $5,000 |
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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 | $802,545 | $129,764 | $112,048 | $100,000 | 7 | $100,000 | $129,764 | $2,534 |
| 2023 | $784,829 | $90,707 | $94,707 | $91,000 | 14 | $94,707 | $90,707 | $96,936 |
| 2022 | $798,421 | $59,681 | $74,600 | $66,000 | 13 | $66,000 | $51,081 | $95,242 |
| 2021 | $803,748 | $165,599 | $71,054 | $66,000 | 13 | $66,000 | $160,542 | $91,399 |
| 2020 | $709,256 | $12,042 | $81,953 | $72,000 | 15 | — | $37,738 | $80,795 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Hamister Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Hamister Foundation is led by Tracy H. Levine, President since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 2 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Tracy H. Levine
President
CFO → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$5K (2024)
Don Bruce Hamister
Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Margaret S. Hamister (2020) — President
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $5K, to Tracy H Levine (President).
Frequently asked questions about The Hamister Foundation
How much does The Hamister Foundation give each year?
The Hamister Foundation gave $100K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $91K across 14 grants.
What is The Hamister Foundation's typical grant size?
The Hamister Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $14,286, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Hamister Foundation give grants?
The Hamister Foundation gives mostly in California: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Wisconsin (25%) and Illinois (25%). The most frequent recipient cities were Santa Barbara, CA (5 grants).
Does The Hamister Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on The Hamister Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarships" (3 grants).
Who are The Hamister Foundation's largest grantees?
The Hamister Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include University of Wisconsin Foundation ($25,000), Ucsb Foundation ($25,000) and University of Chicago ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 75% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Hamister Foundation?
The Hamister Foundation reported $803K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $100K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Hamister Foundation's EIN?
The Hamister Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0442967. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Hamister Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Hamister Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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