The Parrhesia Foundation
The Parrhesia Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in San Rafael, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2022 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $192K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $13K. Net investment income was $8K.
The Parrhesia Foundation at a glance
In short: The Parrhesia Foundation gave $13K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $3K), mostly in New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $12,959
- +12125.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- +400.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $2,592
- +2345.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $750
- Total assets
- $191,747
- -6.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New York (79% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Parrhesia Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was CF Europe ($10K). Together the top 5 received $13K.
Grant Size Distribution
9 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 9 grants of 9 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Parrhesia Foundation gives
- In 2025 it paid out 206% of 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 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $106 (2024) to $13K (2025). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $13K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CF Europe New York, NY | General Fund | $10,187 |
| Archdiocese of San Francisco San Francisco, CA | General Fund | $1,661 |
| CNEWOrg Berlin, MA | General Fund | $750 |
| Homeless Prenatal Program San Francisco, CA | General Fund | $261 |
| National Catholic Reporter Kansas City, MO | General Fund | $100 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $191,747 | $11,117 | $24,283 | $12,959 | 5 | $21,984 | $7,583 | $10,683 |
| 2024 | $204,913 | $9,915 | $7,513 | $106 | 1 | $5,498 | $6,220 | $10,441 |
| 2023 | $202,511 | $7,520 | $4,339 | $748 | 3 | $4,338 | $7,520 | $9,711 |
| 2022 | $199,330 | $199,330 | — | — | — | — | $2 | $823 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Parrhesia Foundation reported a distributable amount of $11K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Parrhesia Foundation is led by Nels Thygeson, CEO on every filing since 2022; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Nels Thygeson
CEO
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Megan Thygeson
Secretary
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2025. "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 Parrhesia Foundation
How much does The Parrhesia Foundation give each year?
The Parrhesia Foundation gave $13K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $106 across 1 grant.
What is The Parrhesia Foundation's typical grant size?
The Parrhesia Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $750, and its average grant was $2,592, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Parrhesia Foundation give grants?
The Parrhesia Foundation gives mostly in New York: 79% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (15%) and Massachusetts (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Francisco, CA (2 grants).
Does The Parrhesia Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Parrhesia Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Parrhesia Foundation's largest grantees?
The Parrhesia Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include CF Europe ($10,187), Archdiocese of San Francisco ($1,661) and CNEWOrg ($750), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 97% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Parrhesia Foundation?
The Parrhesia Foundation reported $192K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $22K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $11K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Parrhesia Foundation?
The Parrhesia Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in San Rafael, CA. It holds $192K in total assets as of 2025.
What is The Parrhesia Foundation's EIN?
The Parrhesia Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 92-1309810. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 8, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2025
Live grants for the work The Parrhesia Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Creative Impact Grants $500 - $2,500 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Parrhesia Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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