The Leo J & Celia Carlin Fund
The Leo J & Celia Carlin Fund is a private foundation based in Berkeley, California. It makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
The Leo J & Celia Carlin Fund at a glance
In short: The Leo J & Celia Carlin Fund gave $331K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $331K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $330,531
- +992.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- -97.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $330,531
- +37050.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $330,531
- Total assets
- $6,569
- -98.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Leo J & Celia Carlin Fund
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The fund does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 127 University Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94710
Phone: (510) 841-4123
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Leo J & Celia Carlin Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Tides Foundation ($331K).
Grant Size Distribution
163 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 162 grants of 163 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to a recipient in California. The available grant information does not establish a broader geographic focus.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How The Leo J & Celia Carlin Fund gives
- Giving grew 968% 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 $30K (2023) to $331K (2024). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $331K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tides Foundation Los Angeles, CA | General Support | $330,531 |
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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 | $6,569 | $186,830 | $339,124 | $330,531 | 1 | $337,160 | $185,074 | $5,334 |
| 2023 | $323,381 | $42,714 | $49,310 | $30,250 | 34 | $47,441 | $39,311 | $16,188 |
| 2022 | $332,268 | $56,933 | $49,029 | $32,700 | 43 | $40,638 | $51,485 | $17,995 |
| 2021 | $455,613 | $20,367 | $45,943 | $30,950 | 44 | $36,697 | $13,871 | $21,776 |
| 2020 | $427,167 | $45,142 | $49,736 | $37,300 | 41 | — | $39,363 | $18,136 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Leo J & Celia Carlin Fund reported a distributable amount of $5K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the fund is provided. Its 2024 grant went to Tides Foundation, which describes its own mission as advancing equity by partnering with funders and changemakers to shift resources and power to communities historically denied both. Tides says it does this through funds, fiscal sponsorship programs, and philanthropic services.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the fund reported one grant totaling $330,531. The sole grant was to Tides Foundation for general support. In 2023, it reported 34 grants totaling $30,250; in 2022, it reported 43 grants totaling $32,700. The 2024 grant amount was also the smallest, largest, and median grant reported for that year.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Joy Carlin as Secretary/Director, Nicholas Carlin as President/Director, Alexander Carlin as Vice President/Director, and Nancy Carlin as Treasurer/Director.
The Leo J & Celia Carlin Fund is led by Nicholas A Carlin, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nicholas A Carlin
President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alexander Carlin
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joy Carlin
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Carlin
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Dion Griffin (2020–2022) — CFO
- Former: Elisabeth Wagstaffe (2020) — Assistant Secretary
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 Leo J & Celia Carlin Fund
How much does The Leo J & Celia Carlin Fund give each year?
The Leo J & Celia Carlin Fund gave $331K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $30K across 34 grants.
How large is The Leo J & Celia Carlin Fund?
The Leo J & Celia Carlin Fund reported $7K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $337K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Leo J & Celia Carlin Fund fund?
No mission statement for the fund is provided. Its 2024 grant went to Tides Foundation, which describes its own mission as advancing equity by partnering with funders and changemakers to shift resources and power to communities historically denied both. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Leo J & Celia Carlin Fund?
The fund does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does The Leo J & Celia Carlin Fund make grants?
All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to a recipient in California. The available grant information does not establish a broader geographic focus.
What is The Leo J & Celia Carlin Fund's EIN?
The Leo J & Celia Carlin Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3143163. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Leo J & Celia Carlin Fund accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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