The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation
The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation is a private foundation established in 2018 and based in Larkspur, California. The foundation is dedicated to grant making in order to provide charitable assistance to those in need, with a stated mission of "Equipping the Vulnerable with Resources to Thrive."
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$73.9M
+13.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.1M
+22.9% YoY
Grant Count
41
-19.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$75K
+52.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's guiding principle is reflected in Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
The foundation supports programs across several key areas:
- Scholarships & Educational Programs
- Health & Resilience Programs
- Faith-Based Programs
Grantmaking
The foundation maintains an active grant-making program with the following characteristics:
Grant Range
$100,000 to $500,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation has a national (U.S.) geographic focus for its grant making.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $73,901,828
- Total Revenues: $7,777,701
- Total Expenses: $3,002,292
- Annual Giving: Approximately $3.9 million
Staffing: The foundation reports zero full-time employees, with board members contributing minimal hours on a volunteer basis.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $73,901,828 | $65,240,142 | $51,877,003 |
| Revenue | $7,777,701 | $6,234,214 | $21,057,560 |
| Expenses | $3,002,292 | $4,336,800 | $3,945,733 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,456,809 | $2,924,853 | $2,886,189 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,261,607 | $815,287 | $4,774,498 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,370,681 | $2,707,257 | $2,112,889 |
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
241 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Global Strategies ($500,000), The Ahlsten Foundation Scholarship ($287,006), Path Ministries International ($185,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| EastBay Formosan United Methodist C Walnut Creek, CA | To provide charitable assistance in the community. | $38,500 |
| International Justice Mission Washington, DC | To provide charitable assistance in the community. | $50,000 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospita Memphis, TN | To provide charitable assistance in the community. | $65,000 |
| St Luke Lutheran Church Santa Rosa, CA | To provide charitable assistance in the community. | $38,500 |
| V Foundation for Cancer Research Cary, NC | To provide charitable assistance in the community. | $100,000 |
| World Resources Group Harrisonburg, VA | To provide charitable assistance in the community. | $30,000 |
| World Vision Tacoma, WA | To provide charitable assistance in the community. | $1,624 |
| Wounded Warrior Project Jacksonville, FL | To provide charitable assistance in the community. | $30,000 |
| Global Strategies Albany, CA | To provide charitable assistance in the community. | $500,000 |
| St Mark Lutheran Church San Francisco, CA | To provide charitable assistance in the community. | $27,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by:
- Todd C. Ahlsten – President & CEO
- Doris C. Ahlsten – Treasurer
- Elizabeth Mahon – Board Member
- Micheal Kelly – Board Member
- Jeff Mazzariello – Board Member
The foundation operates with limited staffing, relying primarily on volunteer board leadership.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Todd C Ahlsten | President & CEO | 1 | — |
| Doris C Ahlsten | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Elizabeth Mahon | Member | 1 | $12,500 |
| Micheal Kelly | Member | 1 | $12,500 |
| Jeff Mazzariello | Member | 1 | $12,500 |
Contact Information
Address: 700 Larkspur Landing Circle, Suite 199 Larkspur, CA 94939
Phone: 415-231-6500
Email: doris@ahlstenfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation fund?
The foundation's guiding principle is reflected in Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." The foundation supports programs across several key areas: • **Scholarships & Educational Programs** • **Health & Resilience Programs** • **Faith-Based Programs**
How do I apply for a grant from The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation?
The foundation maintains an active grant-making program with the following characteristics: **Grant Activity:** • Made 43 grants in 2024 • Grant range: $100,000 to $500,000 • Median grant size: $45,000 **Recent Notable Grants (2024):** • Global Strategies: $500,000 • PATH International Otino Waa Children's Village: $185,000 • First Place for Youth: $150,000 **Application Process:** The foundation is not currently accepting unsolicited applications. Prospective grantees should note that the foun…
Where does The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation make grants?
The foundation has a national (U.S.) geographic focus for its grant making.
What size grants does The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation award?
In 2024, The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation awarded 41 grants totaling $3.1M — an average of about $75K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation's EIN?
The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-1980761. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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