The Keith Campbell Foundation
The Keith Campbell Foundation is a private foundation based in Bethesda, Maryland. Founded by Keith Campbell in 1998, it supports organizations working to create more equitable and livable communities, with a longstanding focus on the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays and, since 2003, California and the San Francisco Bay watershed.
The Keith Campbell Foundation at a glance
In short: The Keith Campbell Foundation gave $27.9M across 688 grants in 2024 (avg $41K), top state California. 37% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $27,931,184
- +27.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 688
- +69.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $40,598
- -24.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $420,203,097
- +11.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 37% first-time grantees (134 of 361, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (39% 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 Keith Campbell Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Applicants must be US-registered 501(c)(3) public charitable organizations, including educational institutions, or fiscally sponsored projects. New applicants are directed to check whether they have previously received a grant, confirm that their organization or fiscal sponsor is registered, complete an eligibility checklist, and use a prescreener before starting a proposal. The Foundation says previously funded organizations are not eligible to apply through this initial-applicant process. Its unsolicited-grant priorities include organizations operating for at least five years, budgets of $1 million to $12 million, at least five funders of $5,000 or more, and at least five board members; program, equity, leadership, and location priorities also apply. The website describes two unsolicited grant cycles per year, while the 2024 filing states that deadlines are ongoing and directs applicants to the website for application guidance and award restrictions.
- Review Cycle
- The 2024 filing lists deadlines as ongoing. The website describes two unsolicited grant cycles per year.
- Deadline
- The 2024 filing lists deadlines as ongoing.
- Next open deadline
- January 29, 2027 (The Campbell Foundation Grants)
- Contact
Application contact: Julie Hester
Mailing address: 410 Severn Ave Suite 210, Annapolis, MD 21403
Phone: (410) 990-0900
Website: https://campbellfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Keith Campbell Foundation
Who The Keith Campbell Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Resources Legacy Fund ($6.1M across 9 grants). Together the top 10 received $14.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
2,075 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,660 grants of 2,075 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s website identifies the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays as an original focus and says the geographic focus expanded to California and the San Francisco Bay watershed in 2003. Its program pages list California and Chesapeake work across several areas, with California-specific programs in clean and safe drinking water, water management, and cannabis.
For unsolicited grants, the website lists specific eligible areas: Fresno, Kern, Kings, San Francisco, or Tulare counties in California; Dorchester, Wicomico, Worcester, or Somerset counties in Maryland; and Lancaster or York counties in Pennsylvania. In 2024, 39% of grant dollars went to recipients in California, 20% in Maryland, 13% in New York, 8% in Pennsylvania, and 6% in Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 688 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Keith Campbell Foundation open to new grantees?
37%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 134 of 361 grantees (37%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $25K; repeat grants $109K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 57% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 127% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 168% 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 $12.3M (2021) to $27.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 688 grants totaling $27.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated New York, NY | Climate Smart Agriculture | $1,500,000 |
| Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated New York, NY | Resilient Water Systems | $1,500,000 |
| Resources Legacy Fund Sacramento, CA | California Land-Sea Connection | $1,025,000 |
| Resources Legacy Fund Sacramento, CA | California Land-Sea Connection | $1,025,000 |
| Resources Legacy Fund Sacramento, CA | California Land-Sea Connection | $1,025,000 |
| Resources Legacy Fund Sacramento, CA | California Land-Sea Connection | $1,025,000 |
| Multiplier Westwood, MA | Catch Together | $1,000,000 |
| Resources Legacy Fund Sacramento, CA | Sustaining California's Ocean | $800,000 |
| Donorschoose New York, NY | CA, Pa, MD County Focused Funding | $650,000 |
| Center for Independent Documentary Inc Newton, MA | International Music Teacher Documentary | $500,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Keith Campbell Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2024 filing identifies the Foundation’s filing type as Form 990-PF, a private foundation.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $420,203,097 | $41,932,826 | $30,481,730 | $27,931,184 | 688 | $31,666,899 | $40,703,180 | $18,808,933 |
| 2023 | $377,320,425 | $23,062,582 | $31,214,800 | $21,860,899 | 406 | $25,209,643 | $14,916,822 | $18,289,384 |
| 2022 | $374,073,206 | $104,953,410 | $22,432,168 | $19,854,378 | 354 | $22,697,449 | $63,234,013 | $15,612,128 |
| 2021 | $309,938,612 | $72,039,329 | $13,589,586 | $12,300,877 | 312 | $14,802,995 | $43,625,152 | $13,284,746 |
| 2020 | $249,777,891 | $16,485,986 | $24,371,789 | $15,465,130 | 315 | — | $10,582,590 | $11,305,062 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Keith Campbell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $18.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation says it supports organizations working to create more equitable and livable communities, with particular attention to people affected by inequitable environmental and social policies. Its program areas address watershed health and water quality, community-identified needs, agricultural practices and environmental impacts, access to safe drinking water, and water management.
The Foundation’s 2024 grants included support for climate-smart agriculture, resilient water systems, California’s land-sea connection, Chesapeake Bay work, and a revolving loan fund. It also described direct charitable activities involving agricultural productivity and water quality on the Eastern Shore, conservation-delivery capacity, and nutrient-management strategies in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Among the grantees, Environmental Defense Fund describes its work as addressing climate change, pollution, and environmental protection; Resources Legacy Fund says it builds alliances for solutions benefiting people and nature; and Chesapeake Conservancy describes its work as conserving and restoring the Chesapeake Bay watershed’s natural and cultural resources.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 688 grants totaling $27,931,184. Individual grants ranged from $40 to $1,500,000, with a median of $5,000. Examples include two $1.5 million grants to Environmental Defense Fund for climate-smart agriculture and resilient water systems, and four listed grants of $1,025,000 each to Resources Legacy Fund for the California land-sea connection. Other listed grants included $1 million to Multiplier for Catch Together, $650,000 to DonorsChoose for county-focused funding in California, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, and $500,000 each to Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Chesapeake Conservancy.
The Foundation’s website states that it provided more than $28 million in grants in 2025. It also says it has historically allocated more than 8% of its asset base to grants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists D Keith Campbell as chairman, Samantha Campbell as president, Kevin Campbell as treasurer, and Patricia Campbell as director. The Foundation’s website identifies Keith Campbell as its founder and says he is retired from day-to-day Foundation operations. It describes Samantha Campbell as the Foundation’s president and says the California focus was added under her leadership.
The Keith Campbell Foundation is led by Samantha Campbell, President since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 4 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Samantha Campbell
President
President & Director → President & Secretary, 2022
President & Secretary → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$453K (2020) → $519K (2024)
D. Keith Campbell
Chairman
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Campbell
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Campbell
Treasurer
Treasurer & Secretary → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Keith Campbell (2020) — Chairman
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 $519K, to Samantha Campbell (President).
Frequently asked questions about The Keith Campbell Foundation
How much does The Keith Campbell Foundation give each year?
The Keith Campbell Foundation gave $27.9M across 688 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $21.9M across 406 grants.
What is The Keith Campbell Foundation's typical grant size?
The Keith Campbell Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $40,598, across 688 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Keith Campbell Foundation that year got $25K on average.
Where does The Keith Campbell Foundation give grants?
The Keith Campbell Foundation's top state is California, with 39% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Maryland (20%) and New York (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (46 grants), Annapolis, MD (41 grants), Washington, DC (38 grants) and Lancaster, PA (35 grants).
Does The Keith Campbell Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 31% of The Keith Campbell Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (211 of 688) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Tax and Audit Prep" (73 grants), "Membership Dues" (7 grants) and "Deij Capacity Building" (6 grants).
Who are The Keith Campbell Foundation's largest grantees?
The Keith Campbell Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Resources Legacy Fund ($6,100,000 across 9 grants), Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated ($3,000,000 across 2 grants) and Multiplier ($1,105,000 across 3 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Keith Campbell Foundation?
The Keith Campbell Foundation reported $420.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $31.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $18.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Keith Campbell Foundation fund?
The Foundation says it supports organizations working to create more equitable and livable communities, with particular attention to people affected by inequitable environmental and social policies. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Keith Campbell Foundation?
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Keith Campbell Foundation's EIN?
The Keith Campbell Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-2136842. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Keith Campbell Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 October 2026.
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 Keith Campbell Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
The California Wellness Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Wellness Foundation funds California-focused work to improve health and wellness, including community-led efforts, direct services, advocacy, and civic engagement. Its 2024 grants ranged from $150 to $1 million, with a median of $7,500. It is not accepting unsolicited requests in 2026.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
681
Total Given
$48.8M
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Marin Community Foundation funds work in affordable housing and homelessness, community resilience and power, as well as social services, education, arts and conservation, with a focus on marginalized Marin County residents and some broader U.S. and international grantmaking. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
Patagoniaorg
Ventura, CA
PATAGONIAORG funds environmental organizations and projects addressing root causes of environmental problems, including place-based protection, environmental campaigns, and broader inclusion in the movement. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $5,174,555, with a median of $15,000, and funding was concentrated in Virginia and California, with grants also reported in Oregon and Colorado. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
—
Grants
425
Total Given
$13.2M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
More similar funders
More Funders in Maryland
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Keith Campbell Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-keith-campbell-foundation-morg_4a642b2ae45f4fcea082e85cfb96860a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_522136842_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Keith Campbell Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-keith-campbell-foundation-morg_4a642b2ae45f4fcea082e85cfb96860a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Keith Campbell 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 Keith Campbell Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?