The Morrison & Foerster Foundation
The Morrison & Foerster Foundation is one of the oldest law firm-affiliated charitable foundations in the United States, established in 1986 by partners at the law firm Morrison & Foerster LLP. Based in San Francisco, California, the Foundation enables lawyers and staff members of Morrison & Foerster to focus their charitable giving on nonprofit organizations serving communities where the firm maintains operations. The Foundation is designated as a 501(c)(3) public charity and has contributed over $84 million since its inception to a wide variety of nonprofit organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.2M
-10.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.6M
+44.2% YoY
Grant Count
228
+16.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
+24.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission is to enable the people of Morrison & Foerster and the Foundation's board of directors to focus their charitable giving on nonprofit organizations serving the communities where they live and work. The Foundation is driven by core values of commitment to service, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and nurturing a just, equitable society.
The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in four primary program areas:
- Disadvantaged Children and Youth: Grants to U.S. nonprofit organizations serving disadvantaged children and youth in communities where Morrison & Foerster LLP has offices
- Scholarships and Education: Charitable grants to U.S. nonprofit organizations providing scholarship and fellowship programs that benefit children and youth, or encourage public service and diversity in higher education and the legal profession, as well as grants to public and nonprofit private universities attended by undergraduate recipients of organization-sponsored scholarships
- Legal Services: Grants to U.S. nonprofit organizations providing reduced- or no-cost legal services to persons of limited means in communities where Morrison & Foerster LLP has offices
- Health, Basic Needs, and Arts: Grants to U.S. nonprofit organizations in communities where Morrison & Foerster LLP has offices that support the health and well-being of others, serve people struggling to meet basic needs of sufficient food and safe shelter, or seek to enrich communities through artistic endeavor
The Foundation's broader focus areas include legal aid, civil rights, and equity in education, healthcare, housing, and the arts.
Grantmaking
In September 2024, the Foundation announced its largest set of grants in history to commemorate its 40th anniversary. The 40th Anniversary Special Project Grants Program distributed $1.7 million in large grants to nonprofit organizations broadly serving disadvantaged youth and families, with an additional $400,000 distributed to 10 youth and community-focused nonprofit organizations, totaling $2.1 million in special project grants.
How to Apply
The Foundation works exclusively with organizations with which Morrison & Foerster employees maintain interest and connections. The best approach for prospective grantees is to reach out to employees at local Morrison & Foerster operations via the firm's staff or offices directory pages.
Ready to take the next step with The Morrison & Foerster Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation prioritizes grantmaking in the following U.S. locations where Morrison & Foerster maintains offices:
- Denver
- Los Angeles
- New York City
- Northern Virginia
- San Diego
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Silicon Valley
- Washington, D.C.
Internationally, the Foundation gives to organizations in:
- Europe: Brussels, Berlin, and London
- Asia: Generally supports U.S.-based organizations that work broadly on the continent
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $3,535,965
- Total Revenue: $5,060,819
- Total Expenses: $4,466,752
- Total Giving: $4,437,983
The Foundation has no employees and is funded primarily by Morrison & Foerster's lawyers and staff members.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,161,769 | $3,535,965 | $2,941,898 |
| Revenue | $5,518,053 | $5,060,819 | $4,580,728 |
| Expenses | $5,892,249 | $4,466,752 | $4,053,418 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $163,506 | $126,173 | $28,316 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Equal Justice Works ($335,000), Myriad Usa Inc ($256,418), Oakland Reach ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS WASHINGTON, DC | FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM, GENERAL SUPPORT | $335,000 |
| MYRIAD USA INC NEW YORK, NY | INTEGRATED BRILLIANT EDUCATION - RESTRICTED PROGRAM SUPPORT, CHILD'S DREAM FOUNDATION | $256,418 |
| OAKLAND REACH OAKLAND, CA | RESTRICTED PROGRAM SUPPORT | $150,000 |
| DE NOVO CENTER FOR JUSTICE AND HEALING INC CAMBRIDGE, MA | RESTRICTED PROGRAM SUPPORT | $112,500 |
| DREAM PROJECT INC ARLINGTON, VA | RESTRICTED PROGRAM SUPPORT, GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,600 |
| ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN OF NEW YORK INC NEW YORK, NY | RESTRICTED PROGRAM SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| DC CENTRAL KITCHEN INC WASHINGTON, DC | RESTRICTED PROGRAM SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS OF NYC INC NEW YORK, NY | RESTRICTED PROGRAM SUPPORT, GENERAL SUPPORT | $85,000 |
| BAY AREA LEGAL AID OAKLAND, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $75,000 |
| LAWYERS' COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS OF THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $75,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Jamie Levitt serves as Chair of the Morrison & Foerster Foundation Board. The Foundation's board includes partners from each of the firm's geographic regions and comprises 14 fully independent members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMIE A LEVITT | CHAIR/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KENNETH A KUWAYTI | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| TREVOR L JAMES | SECRETARY/DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| CAITLIN SINCLAIRE BLYTHE | VICE-PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| DALE E CALDWELL | VICE-PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| THOMAS TH CHOU | VICE-PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| DAVID A EPHRAIM | VICE-PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| BRIAN M KRAMER | VICE-PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| JACLYN LIU | VICE-PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| SCOTT F LLEWELLYN | VICE-PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| PAUL D MCKENZIE | VICE-PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| HANNO TIMNER | VICE-PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| ALEX VAN DER WOLK | VICE-PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| J ALEX WARD | VICE-PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| ARTHUR M KELLER | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In September 2024, the Foundation celebrated its 40th anniversary by announcing $2.1 million in special project grants—the largest set of grants in its history. This milestone grant distribution included $1.7 million in large Special Project Grants to nonprofit organizations serving disadvantaged youth and families, plus $400,000 distributed to 10 additional youth and community-focused nonprofit organizations.
The Morrison & Foerster Foundation Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary ...According to Foundation leadership, the 40th Anniversary Special Project Grants Program reflects the Foundation's commitment to supporting organizations that "dedicate their time and resources to helping meet the critical unmet needs of disadvantaged young people, giving them tools and hope for a successful future."
The Morrison & Foerster Foundation Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary ...The Foundation published its 2024 Annual Report documenting charitable donations and giving programs for that year.
Foundation Annual Report 2022 - CerosSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Morrison & Foerster Foundation fund?
The Foundation's mission is to enable the people of Morrison & Foerster and the Foundation's board of directors to focus their charitable giving on nonprofit organizations serving the communities where they live and work. The Foundation is driven by core values of commitment to service, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and nurturing a just, equitable society. The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in four primary program areas: • **Disadvantaged Children and Youth**: Grants to U…
How do I apply for a grant from The Morrison & Foerster Foundation?
In September 2024, the Foundation announced its largest set of grants in history to commemorate its 40th anniversary. The 40th Anniversary Special Project Grants Program distributed $1.7 million in large grants to nonprofit organizations broadly serving disadvantaged youth and families, with an additional $400,000 distributed to 10 youth and community-focused nonprofit organizations, totaling $2.1 million in special project grants. The 40th Anniversary Special Project Grants Program represents …
Where does The Morrison & Foerster Foundation make grants?
The Foundation prioritizes grantmaking in the following U.S. locations where Morrison & Foerster maintains offices: • Denver • Los Angeles • New York City • Northern Virginia • San Diego • San Francisco Bay Area • Silicon Valley • Washington, D.C. Internationally, the Foundation gives to organizations in: • **Europe**: Brussels, Berlin, and London • **Asia**: Generally supports U.S.-based organizations that work broadly on the continent
What size grants does The Morrison & Foerster Foundation award?
In 2024, The Morrison & Foerster Foundation awarded 228 grants totaling $4.6M — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Morrison & Foerster Foundation's EIN?
The Morrison & Foerster Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3006979. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Morrison & Foerster Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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