The Story of Stuff Project
The mission of The Story of Stuff Project is to build a movement to change the way we make, use, and throw away stuff.
Key facts about The Story of Stuff Project
In short: The Story of Stuff Project gave $100K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $50K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 46-4334785
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $100,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- Average grant
- $50,000
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $1,447,571
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$1.4M
+34.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$100K
+3.0% YoY
Grant Count
2
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$50K
+3.0% YoY
How The Story of Stuff Project gives
- Giving grew 85% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
About The Story of Stuff Project
Based on IRS filings
The Story of Stuff Project is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Berkeley, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $100K.
Focus Areas
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from The Story of Stuff Project
Grassroots Grants Program
The Story of Stuff Project
Amount
Up to $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Pilot Reuse Fund
The Story of Stuff Project
Amount
Up to $5,000 (estimated based on program structure)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
The Story of Stuff: Grassroots Grants
The Story of Stuff Project
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with The Story of Stuff Project?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 2 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $23K (2020) to $100K (2024). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $100K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Misc grants 5K and Under ($90K). Together the top 2 received $100K.
Grant Size Distribution
9 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 6 grants of 9 (67%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Misc grants 5K and Under Berkeley, CA | small grants program | $90,000 |
| Save Our Forest Assn Inc Rimforest, CA | small grants program | $10,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,447,571 | $1,078,964 | $1,118,190 |
| Revenue | $2,235,976 | $1,598,616 | $1,103,181 |
| Expenses | $1,963,799 | $1,625,570 | $1,616,453 |
| Net Investment Income | — | $172 | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 2, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 11, 2026)
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Story of Stuff Project is led by Michael O'Heaney, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 2 of 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michael O'Heaney
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$110K (2020) → $132K (2024)
Annie Leonard
Board Chair
Director → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Judith Enck
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tommy McDonald
Director
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eleni Sotos
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jericho Apo
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elisa Ringholm
Chief of Staff
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$105K (2023) → $111K (2024)
Andre Carothers
Treasurer
Board Chair → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jen Sokolove
Vice Chair
Director → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Silberman
Secretary
Director → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Amir Talai (2020–2023) — Board Chair
- Former: Carolina Gonzales (2023) — Senior Committee Officer
- Former: Beverly Thorpe (2020–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Kenneth Geiser (2020–2022) — Emeritus
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $132K, to Michael O'Heaney (Executive Dir.). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Story of Stuff Project
How much does The Story of Stuff Project give each year?
The Story of Stuff Project gave $100K across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $97K across 2 grants.
How large is The Story of Stuff Project?
The Story of Stuff Project reported $1.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.2M.
What is The Story of Stuff Project?
The Story of Stuff Project is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Berkeley, CA. It holds $1.4M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does The Story of Stuff Project operate?
The Story of Stuff Project has awarded grants in California, Ohio.
What is The Story of Stuff Project's EIN?
The Story of Stuff Project's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-4334785. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Here's the math on researching The Story of Stuff Project by hand.
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