The Heising-Simons Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Los Altos, California. Established in 2007, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing sustainable solutions and supporting research, education, and human rights initiatives through strategic philanthropic partnerships.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$810.5M
-7.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$149.6M
-1.7% YoY
Grant Count
671
-5.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$223K
+4.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on four primary areas:
- Climate and Clean Energy: Advancing sustainable solutions in climate and clean energy
- Science: Enabling groundbreaking research in science, with particular emphasis on physics and astronomy
- Early Childhood Education: Enhancing the education of young learners
- Human Rights: Supporting human rights for all people
The foundation envisions a world where people are free to live whole, safe, and dignified lives; all children have access to opportunities that support them to thrive in school, at home, and in the community; scientists encounter and benefit from a more inclusive, robust, and innovative physics and astronomy community in the U.S.; and energy is clean, affordable, safe, and reliable for all.
Grantmaking
The foundation maintains active grant programs with the following characteristics:
How to Apply
**: Interested grantseekers are directed to visit the foundation's website for more information on how to apply.
Ready to take the next step with The Heising-simons Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on California, the District of Columbia, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $810,497,642
- Total Revenues: $60,044,121
- Total Expenses: $193,060,215
- Total Giving: $149,587,063
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $872,096,521
- Total Revenues: $152,079,826
- Total Expenses: $189,529,079
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $810,497,642 | $872,096,521 | $847,180,696 |
| Revenue | $60,044,121 | $152,079,826 | $430,056,379 |
| Expenses | $193,060,215 | $189,529,079 | $177,047,808 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $171,753,489 | $173,552,327 | $164,080,370 |
| Net Investment Income | $47,711,292 | $25,268,631 | $384,927,860 |
| Distributable Amount | $46,467,314 | $44,835,337 | $30,342,749 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Heising-simons Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board Leadership:
- Elizabeth D. Simons, Chair of the Board
- Caitlin Heising, Vice Chair of the Board
- Mark W. Heising, Vice Chair of the Board
Executive Leadership:
- Jennifer Shipp, Interim CEO & President (as of July 2024)
- Kevin Luu, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer
- Chelsey Scaffidi, Secretary
Program Leadership:
- Barbara Chow, Program Director
- Jochen Marshchall, Program Director
The foundation employs 54 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSHMA RAMAN | PRESIDENT & CEO (THRU 7/24/24) | 36.42 | $495,351 |
| JENNIFER SHIPP | SEC (THRU 7/8/24), INTERIM CEO & PRES | 36.3 | $502,909 |
| KEVIN LUU | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER/TREASURER | 37.5 | $392,499 |
| ELIZABETH D SIMONS | CHAIR OF THE BOARD | 20 | — |
| CAITLIN HEISING | VICE CHAIR OF THE BOARD | 5 | — |
| MARK W HEISING | VICE CHAIR OF THE BOARD | 5 | — |
| CHELSEY SCAFFIDI | SECRETARY | 36.36 | $234,623 |
| JUDY BLUMENSTEIN | TREASURER (THRU 1/7/24), FINANCE DIR | 36.33 | $268,339 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has announced several recent grant initiatives:
For Interested Grantseekers - Heising-Simons Foundation**American Mosaic Journalism Prize (2025)**: Two freelance journalists, Latria Graham and Zaydee Sanchez, were awarded the 2025 American Mosaic Journalism Prize for elevating stories of underrepresented communities in the U.S., with awards of $100,000 each.
Announcement: Two Freelance Journalists Awarded $100,000 Each for Elevating**51 Pegasi b Fellowship**: Eight post-doctoral scientists were awarded the 51 Pegasi b Fellowship, supporting early-career researchers in physics and astronomy.
Eight Post-Doctoral Scientists Awarded 51 Pegasi b Fellowship - Heising-Simons**Research Grants**: The foundation has awarded grants to college researchers to boost innovative research initiatives.
Three College researchers receive grants to boost innovative researchContact Information
General Inquiries: [email protected]
Media Contact: [email protected]
Phone: (650) 887-0277
Website: hsfoundation.org
Social Media: The foundation maintains a presence on LinkedIn and operates a YouTube channel.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Cottage Health
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Assets
$172.1M
Grants
6
Total Given
$179K
International Right of Way Association
GARDENA, CA
Assets
$5.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$9K
Quince Interfaith Housing Corporation
LEMON GROVE, CA
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
William & Lillian Schwartz Charitable Foundation
LA JOLLA, CA
Assets
$325K
Grants
1
Total Given
$3K
Covia Foundation
GLENDALE, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
1
Total Given
$4.8M
Yale Ave Housing Inc
LAKE FOREST, CA
Assets
$25K
Grants
1
Total Given
$40K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Heising-simons Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities