The Litchfield Foundation
The Litchfield Foundation is a private foundation based in San Rafael, California. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including organizations connected with a state park, a public library, education, and community services.
The Litchfield Foundation at a glance
In short: The Litchfield Foundation gave $71K across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $6K), mostly in California. 50% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $71,064
- +20.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- +71.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $5,922
- -29.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $2,529,472
- +75.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 50% first-time grantees (5 of 10, 2024; small sample)
- 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. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Litchfield Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 828 Mission Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: (415) 459-2000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Litchfield Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Friends of China Camp ($15K). Together the top 9 received $64K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($7,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
56 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 56 grants of 56 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in California. The listed 2024 recipients include organizations in San Rafael, Kentfield, Ross, and Sonoma.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Litchfield Foundation open to new grantees?
50%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 5 of 10 grantees (50%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $9K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 40% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 28% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 81% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $56K (2021) to $80K (2022). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $71K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Friends of China Camp San Rafael, CA | Charity Committeed to Keeping China Camp Open | $15,000 |
| Extrafoodorg San Rafael, CA | Use excess food from any marin organization and deliver to nonprofit partners who serve vulnerable communities | $10,000 |
| San Rafael Public Library Foundation San Rafael, CA | Building a Better Library for San Rafael | $10,000 |
| College of Marin Kentfield, CA | Scholarship Fund in Support of Recipient | $5,536 |
| College of Marin Kentfield, CA | Scholarship Fund in Support of Recipient | $5,302 |
| Shifting Gears USA San Rafael, CA | Develop, enhance, and support vocational training in young adults | $5,000 |
| St Anselm Church Restoration Ross, CA | Restore and Renovate Saint Anselm Church | $5,000 |
| 2 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $7,500 |
| College of Marin (Scholarship Reimbursement) Kentfield, CA | Scholarship Fund in Support of Recipient | $4,901 |
| Downtown Street Teams San Rafael, CA | Help end homelessness through the dignity of work and community | $2,500 |
Ready to take the next step with The Litchfield Foundation?
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 | $2,529,472 | $1,089,792 | $96,324 | $71,064 | 12 | $71,064 | $70,689 | $87,237 |
| 2023 | $1,440,208 | $41,450 | $82,294 | $58,800 | 7 | $58,800 | $23,217 | $67,734 |
| 2022 | $1,327,659 | $237,368 | $99,056 | $79,850 | 13 | $79,850 | $221,174 | $63,072 |
| 2021 | $1,436,397 | $118,097 | $73,054 | $55,600 | 9 | $55,600 | $97,279 | $65,987 |
| 2020 | $1,294,829 | $52,630 | $81,757 | $64,300 | 15 | — | $37,413 | $59,812 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Litchfield Foundation reported a distributable amount of $87K 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 foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations whose own descriptions identify work in several areas. Friends of China Camp says it provides interpretive and educational services as part of the California State Parks system and operates China Camp State Park. The San Rafael Public Library Foundation describes its work as promoting construction and furnishing of a new library building and educating the public.
An individual recipient says it supports first-generation, under-resourced Marin County students through leadership development and academic and social support. Kid Scoop News says it aims to give Bay Area children something they want to read. Shifting Gears USA describes its purposes as promoting interest in automobiles and automotive history and educating the community, including younger people, about automotive culture.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 12 grants totaling $71,064. Grant amounts ranged from $325 to $15,000, with a median of $5,000. Notable grants included $15,000 to Friends of China Camp; $10,000 each to ExtraFood.org and the San Rafael Public Library Foundation; $5,536, $5,302, and $4,901 in scholarship-related grants to College of Marin; and $5,000 each to Shifting Gears USA, St Anselm Church Restoration, and an individual recipient
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Charles Litchfield as managing director.
The Litchfield Foundation is led by Charles Litchfield, Managing Director on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Charles Litchfield
Managing Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Perry Litchfield (2020–2021) — Board Member
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 Litchfield Foundation
How much does The Litchfield Foundation give each year?
The Litchfield Foundation gave $71K across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $59K across 7 grants.
What is The Litchfield Foundation's typical grant size?
The Litchfield Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $5,922, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Litchfield Foundation that year got $6K on average.
Where does The Litchfield Foundation give grants?
The Litchfield Foundation gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were San Rafael, CA (5 grants) and Kentfield, CA (3 grants).
Does The Litchfield Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on The Litchfield Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship Fund in Support of Recipient" (3 grants).
Who are The Litchfield Foundation's largest grantees?
The Litchfield Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Friends of China Camp ($15,000), College of Marin ($10,838 across 2 grants) and Extrafoodorg ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($7,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Litchfield Foundation?
The Litchfield Foundation reported $2.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $71K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $87K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Litchfield Foundation fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations whose own descriptions identify work in several areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Litchfield Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Litchfield Foundation's EIN?
The Litchfield Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-2488698. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Litchfield Foundation 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 30, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Litchfield Foundation funds
Public, Societal Benefit Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Litchfield Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Freitas Foundation
San Rafael, CA
The foundation supports schools, community services, and organizations focused on youth development, health, and education, primarily in California, with some funding in Florida. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $30,000, with a median of $5,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.4M
Grants
22
Total Given
$116K
Mario Ghilotti Family Foundation
San Rafael, CA
Assets
$53K
Grants
4
Total Given
$69K
Leonard & Beryl Buck Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Leonard & Beryl Buck Foundation supports nonprofit charitable, religious, and educational activities in Marin County, California, including education, affordable housing, economic security, health, arts, social justice, and environmental work. In 2025, its 57 grants ranged from $8,500 to $7.7 million, with a median of $200,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
57
Total Given
$27.1M
Episcopal Impact Fund FKA Episcopal Charities
San Francisco, CA
Episcopal Impact Fund supports Bay Area nonprofits addressing housing security and poverty relief, especially through supportive or interim housing and services for families, youth, and young adults. Its Housing Security Grants are typically $30,000–$50,000 for one year, for organizations serving Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, or San Mateo County; poverty-relief grants are by invitation only for Diocese of California churches and ministries. The profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted for Housing Security Grants.
Assets
$7.1M
Grants
12
Total Given
$386K
Charles & Barbara Goodman Foundation
San Rafael, CA
The foundation supports organizations in education, older-adult and community services, and the arts, with nearly all 2025 grant funding going to California recipients. Its 2025 grants ranged from $250 to $110,000, with a median of $15,000. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1M
Grants
15
Total Given
$340K
The Kennenth and Joan Gosliner
San Rafael, CA
The foundation supports a range of charitable causes, including older-adult services, local history, reproductive rights, public media, animal care, and hunger relief. In 2025, grants ranged from $1,000 to $5,000, with a median of $2,000; most funding went to California, with some grants in Washington, DC, and Tennessee. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5M
Grants
22
Total Given
$51K
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Litchfield Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-litchfield-foundation-morg_28b0ac73839b4180a66b7c27401d7539
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_472488698_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Litchfield Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-litchfield-foundation-morg_28b0ac73839b4180a66b7c27401d7539},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Litchfield 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 Litchfield Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?