The Hamister Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Concord, CA EIN: 77-0442967

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.

Key facts about The Hamister Foundation

In short: The Hamister Foundation gave $100K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
77-0442967
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$100,000
Grants made (2024)
7
Average grant
$14,286
Median grant
$10,000
Total assets
$802,545
Primary geography
California (50% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$803K

+2.3% YoY

Annual Giving

$100K

+9.9% YoY

Grant Count

7

-50.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$14K

+119.8% YoY

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.

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.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.

Cities

Santa BarbaraGoletaChicagoMadison

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$25K$50K$75K$100K15 grants2020 13 grants2021 13 grants2022 14 grants2023 7 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $66K (2021) to $100K (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $100K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 7 recipients in 2024

University of Wisconsin Foundation: $25KUniversity of WisconsinFoundation$25KUcsb Foundation: $25KUcsb Foundation$25KUniversity of Chicago: $25KUniversity of Chicago$25KMusic Academy of the West: $10KMusic Academy of the West$10KOpera Santa Barbara: $5KOpera Santa Barbara$5KSanta Barbara Museum of Natural History: $5KSanta Barbara Museum ofNatural History$5KSB Humane Society: $5KSB Humane Society$5K

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

62<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 62 grants of 62 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
University of Wisconsin Foundation Madison, WIScholarships$25,000
Ucsb Foundation Santa Barbara, CAAid School$25,000
University of Chicago Chicago, ILScholarships$25,000
Music Academy of the West Santa Barbara, CAScholarships$10,000
Opera Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CASupport the Arts$5,000
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Santa Barbara, CAFree History Exhibits$5,000
SB Humane Society Santa Barbara, CAAnimal Shelter$5,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$50K$100K$150K$200K2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$802,545$784,829$798,421
Revenue$129,764$90,707$59,681
Expenses$112,048$94,707$74,600
Qualifying Distributions$100,000$94,707$66,000
Net Investment Income$129,764$90,707$51,081
Distributable Amount$2,534$96,936$95,242

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 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

Tracy H Levine — President: $5KTracy H LevinePresident$5K

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.

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