The Helen Diller Foundation
The Helen Diller Foundation is a private foundation, based in San Mateo, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $812K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $44.8M.
The Helen Diller Foundation at a glance
In short: The Helen Diller Foundation gave $44.8M across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $6.4M), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $44,769,050
- +284.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- +40.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $6,395,579
- +174.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000,000
- Total assets
- $812,090
- -99.7% vs 2023
- 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 September 2026.
Who The Helen Diller Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Helen Diller Family Foundation ($13.6M across 2 grants). Together the top 4 received $19.8M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($25,000,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
34 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 12 grants of 34 (35%).
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 Helen Diller Foundation gives
- Giving grew 27% 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 $11.6M (2023) to $44.8M (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $44.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $25,000,000 |
| Helen Diller Family Foundation San Francisco, CA | Diller Teen Fellows Program and General Support | $6,950,000 |
| Helen Diller Family Foundation San Francisco, CA | Diller Teen Fellows Program and General Support | $6,600,000 |
| American Society for Technion New York, NY | Helen Diller Quantum Center | $5,000,000 |
| Congregation Emanu-El San Francisco, CA | Investing in the Future Campaign | $950,000 |
| Jewish Community Federation San Francisco, CA | Transformation Fund | $250,000 |
| Congregation Emanu-El San Francisco, CA | Investing in the Future Campaign | $19,050 |
Ready to take the next step with The Helen Diller Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $812,090 | $121,447,642 | $45,133,897 | $44,769,050 | 7 | $120,662,295 | $27,349 |
| 2023 | $244,849,988 | $153,821,274 | $11,971,299 | $11,648,307 | 5 | $153,841,573 | $29,823 |
| 2022 | $103,000,013 | $102,268,369 | $16,300,977 | $15,915,000 | 5 | $102,867,065 | $48,549 |
| 2021 | $17,032,621 | $43,140,762 | $35,610,277 | $35,225,000 | 10 | $51,994,135 | $106,326 |
| 2020 | $9,502,136 | $22,440,000 | $14,585,551 | $14,225,000 | 7 | — | $83,765 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Helen Diller Foundation reported a distributable amount of $27K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Helen Diller Foundation is led by Jaclyn Safier, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jaclyn Safier
President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicolas Elsishans
Audit Chair
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Phyllis Cook
Treasurer & Secretary
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Brian Kataoka (2020–2023) — Audit Chair
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 Helen Diller Foundation
How much does The Helen Diller Foundation give each year?
The Helen Diller Foundation gave $44.8M across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $11.6M across 5 grants.
What is The Helen Diller Foundation's typical grant size?
The Helen Diller Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000,000, and its average grant was $6,395,579, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Helen Diller Foundation give grants?
The Helen Diller 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 state was New York (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (5 grants).
Does The Helen Diller Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 29% of The Helen Diller Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Helen Diller Foundation's largest grantees?
The Helen Diller Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Helen Diller Family Foundation ($13,550,000 across 2 grants), American Society for Technion ($5,000,000) and Congregation Emanu-El ($969,050 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($25,000,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Helen Diller Foundation?
The Helen Diller Foundation reported $812K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $120.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $27K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Helen Diller Foundation's EIN?
The Helen Diller Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-3945624. 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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Helen Diller Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Berkeley International Institute
San Francisco, CA
Assets
$833
Grants
1
Total Given
$20K
The Saisei Foundation
Austin, TX
Assets
$3.0M
Grants
3
Total Given
$442K
Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation Inc No CA Chap
San Francisco, CA
To provide scholarships to academically outstanding united states citizens studying to complete their degrees in science, medicine and engineering, thereby contributing to the worldwide advancement of science and technology.
Assets
$10.1M
Grants
7
Total Given
$1.2M
The International Retinal Research
Birmingham, AL
The International Retinal Research funds research, with recent grants supporting universities and ophthalmology- and retina-related organizations. In 2024, it made nine grants ranging from $10,000 to $525,000, with a median of $77,500, primarily to recipients in Tennessee, Alabama, Massachusetts, and Ohio. Unsolicited requests are not addressed; contact the foundation for application information and deadlines.
Assets
$20.3M
Grants
9
Total Given
$1.7M
New York STEM Cell Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The New York Stem Cell Foundation funds stem cell research, postdoctoral fellowships, and five-year seed awards for early-career stem cell researchers and neuroscientists. In 2025, grants ranged from $61,000 to $600,000, with a median of $300,000, and went to institutions in multiple states; fellowship hosts must be in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut, while investigator awards are open nationally.
Assets
$61.9M
Grants
18
Total Given
$5.8M
Jewish Family and Children's Services
San Francisco, CA
JFCS provides grants to organizations for program support, alongside human services for people of all faiths and backgrounds, with a focus on families, children, older adults, immigrants, and people facing challenges. In 2025, its 20 grants ranged from $6,000 to $57,250, with a median of $11,500; its services focus on San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin County, and Sonoma County, though grants also went to organizations elsewhere. The profile does not say whether JFCS accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$254.8M
Grants
20
Total Given
$424K
More similar funders
More Funders in California
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Helen Diller 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.
The Helen Diller Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?