The Mental Insight Foundation is a private foundation established in 1996 in California and based in Sonoma/Walnut Creek, CA. The foundation was founded by Bill Kimpton as a vehicle for philanthropic giving. The organization is designated as a 501(c)(3) and has been tax-exempt since August 1997.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
-100.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$91K
-98.2% YoY
Grant Count
1
-98.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$91K
+36.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Mental Insight Foundation's mission is to assist people in developing healthier mental attitudes and to promote meaningful insights into the human mind. The foundation's primary goals are to:
- Enhance people's mental health and well-being
- Help make it possible for all people to lead full lives
- Assist in reintegrating isolated people back into society
The foundation characterizes itself as focused on innovation and support for projects with potential for impact, with a high tolerance for risk. It makes selective first-time grants that intelligently seed the fields in which it serves and supports programs that increase mental insight into life and human nature. The foundation operates with a sense of compassion and respect for all living things.
Primary funding areas include education, philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking, and human services, with a focus primarily in California.
Grantmaking
Grant awards typically range from $1,000 to $856,283. Recent grant activity shows a median grant amount of $50,000, with 76 grants distributed in the most recent reporting period.
Ready to take the next step with The Mental Insight Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Based on the most recent available filings:
- Total Assets: $106,000 (as of 2024 tax year)
- Total Distributions: $5.8 million (2024 tax year)
- Total Giving: $90,632 (2025 filing)
- Revenue: $505,786 (2022)
- Expenses: $3,499,304 (2022)
Historical asset information shows the foundation previously held $18.1 million in assets and $9.3 million in net assets in earlier reporting periods.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $106,375 | $6,359,523 |
| Revenue | $5,873 | $325,406 | $1,652,147 |
| Expenses | $112,204 | $5,755,734 | $3,776,330 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $90,632 | $5,825,681 | $3,800,429 |
| Net Investment Income | — | $260,672 | $1,532,730 |
| Distributable Amount | — | $209,130 | $456,931 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 1 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
201 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include San Francisco Foundation ($90,632).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Foundation San Francisco, CA | Charitable | $90,632 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board and leadership include:
- David Herskovits (President)
- Robert P. Bunje (Treasurer)
- Isabelle Kimpton (Secretary)
- Barry Bunshoft (Director)
- Jennifer Catherine Egan (Director)
- Laura Kimpton (Director)
- Kay Kimpton Walker (Chair, Audit Committee)
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Herskovits | President | 1 | — |
| Robert P Bunje | Treasurer | 8 | — |
| Isabelle Kimpton | Secretary | 1 | — |
| Barry Bunshoft | Director | 8 | — |
| Jennifer Catherine Egan | Director | 1 | — |
| Laura Kimpton | Director | 1 | — |
| Kay Kimpton Walker | Chair-Audit Com | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported projects aligned with its mission, including funding for mental health initiatives and organizations working in mental health, crisis intervention, and related areas. The foundation filed a final return as of 2025, indicating a significant transition in its operations.
Funding Announced for Projects Supported by Cittaslow USASubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Mental Insight Foundation fund?
The Mental Insight Foundation's mission is to assist people in developing healthier mental attitudes and to promote meaningful insights into the human mind. The foundation's primary goals are to: • Enhance people's mental health and well-being • Help make it possible for all people to lead full lives • Assist in reintegrating isolated people back into society The foundation characterizes itself as focused on innovation and support for projects with potential for impact, with a high tolerance fo…
How do I apply for a grant from The Mental Insight Foundation?
Grant awards typically range from $1,000 to $856,283. Recent grant activity shows a median grant amount of $50,000, with 76 grants distributed in the most recent reporting period.
Where does The Mental Insight Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on California.
What size grants does The Mental Insight Foundation award?
In 2025, The Mental Insight Foundation awarded 1 grants totaling $91K — an average of about $91K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Mental Insight Foundation's EIN?
The Mental Insight Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3256579. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Mental Insight Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Gochnauer Family Foundation
CORONA DEL MAR, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
39
Total Given
$313K
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
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Mental Insight 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
Go from researching The Mental Insight Foundation to a real strategy.