The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation
The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation is a private foundation based in Larkspur, California. It makes grants to provide charitable assistance to people in need and supports scholarships, educational programs, health and resilience programs, and faith-based programs.
The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation at a glance
In short: The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation gave $3.1M across 41 grants in 2024 (avg $75K), mostly in California. 24% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,059,630
- +22.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 41
- -19.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $74,625
- +52.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $45,000
- Total assets
- $73,901,828
- +13.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (10 of 41, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (69% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 700 Larkspur Landing Circle 199, Larkspur, CA 94939
Phone: (415) 878-7495
Website: https://ahlstenfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Global Strategies ($500K). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
269 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 214 grants of 269 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, California recipients received 69% of grant dollars. New York received 7%, Oregon 6%, and North Carolina and Massachusetts 4% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 41 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 41 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $52K; repeat grants $82K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 76% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 146% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 103% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $832K (2020) to $3.6M (2022). In 2024 it made 41 grants totaling $3.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Global Strategies Albany, CA | To provide charitable assistance in the community. | $500,000 |
| The Ahlsten Foundation Scholarship Larkspur, CA | To provide charitable assistance in the community. | $287,006 |
| Path Ministries International Bend, OR | To provide charitable assistance in the community. | $185,000 |
| Feeding Nations through Education Chico, CA | To provide charitable assistance in the community. | $150,000 |
| First Place for Youth Oakland, CA | To provide charitable assistance in the community. | $150,000 |
| Massachusetts General Hospital Boston, MA | To provide charitable assistance in the community. | $125,000 |
| Legal Assistance for Seniors Oakland, CA | To provide charitable assistance in the community. | $125,000 |
| Shepherd's Gate Livermore, CA | To provide charitable assistance in the community. | $110,000 |
| V Foundation for Cancer Research Cary, NC | To provide charitable assistance in the community. | $100,000 |
| Children Rising Oakland, CA | To provide charitable assistance in the community. | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $73,901,828 | $7,777,701 | $3,002,292 | $3,059,630 | 41 | $3,456,809 | $4,261,607 | $3,370,681 |
| 2023 | $65,240,142 | $6,234,214 | $4,336,800 | $2,490,109 | 51 | $2,924,853 | $815,287 | $2,707,257 |
| 2022 | $51,877,003 | $21,057,560 | $3,945,733 | $3,576,098 | 65 | $2,886,189 | $4,774,498 | $2,112,889 |
| 2021 | $47,479,521 | $27,811,227 | $1,424,110 | $1,243,533 | 57 | $1,377,020 | $1,733,085 | $1,342,213 |
| 2020 | $19,946,913 | $7,763,656 | $1,081,365 | $832,077 | 55 | — | $825,718 | $780,054 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation describes its approach as “Listen, Learn, Love”: listening to the needs of others, learning from their experiences, and supporting them through prayer and support. Its website features scholarships and educational, health and resilience, and faith-based programs.
Examples of organizations receiving 2024 grants illustrate the range of supported work. Global Strategies says it empowers communities in neglected areas of the world to improve the lives of women and children through healthcare. Children Rising describes its mission as helping children rise above challenges created by poverty, violence, and educational inequity. Legal Assistance for Seniors says it protects seniors’ legal rights through education, counseling, and advocacy. Shepherd’s Gate says it serves women and children affected by homelessness, addiction, and domestic violence.
The Eddie Ashley Scholarship serves graduating seniors from low-income backgrounds who demonstrate academic excellence, character, and the ability to overcome obstacles. It serves students at five named Bay Area high schools and awards scholars $20,000 over four years of college, provided they maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA. The foundation describes the scholarship as a relationship with scholars, with board members keeping in touch and offering support and encouragement.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 41 grants totaling $3,059,630. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $500,000, with a median of $45,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $500,000 to Global Strategies; $287,006 to The Ahlsten Foundation Scholarship; $185,000 to Path Ministries International; $150,000 each to Feeding Nations through Education and First Place for Youth; and $125,000 each to Massachusetts General Hospital and Legal Assistance for Seniors. The reported purpose for these grants was “to provide charitable assistance in the community.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Todd C. Ahlsten as President & CEO and Doris C. Ahlsten as Treasurer. It lists Elizabeth Mahon, Micheal Kelly, and Jeff Mazzariello as members.
The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation is led by Todd C Ahlsten, President & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Todd C Ahlsten
President & CEO
Treasurer → President & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Mazzariello
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$10K (2023) → $13K (2024)
Micheal Kelly
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$10K (2023) → $13K (2024)
Elizabeth Mahon
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$13K (2024)
Doris C Ahlsten
Treasurer
President → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Melissa Arciniega (2020–2023) — Executive Director
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 $13K, to Elizabeth Mahon (Member). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation
How much does The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation give each year?
The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation gave $3.1M across 41 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.5M across 51 grants.
What is The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation's typical grant size?
The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $45,000, and its average grant was $74,625, across 41 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation that year got $52K on average.
Where does The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation give grants?
The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation gives mostly in California: 69% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (7%) and Oregon (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Oakland, CA (5 grants), San Francisco, CA (3 grants), New York, NY (2 grants) and Santa Rosa, CA (2 grants).
Does The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 41 grants with a stated purpose on The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To provide charitable assistance in the community." (41 grants).
Who are The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation's largest grantees?
The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Global Strategies ($500,000), The Ahlsten Foundation Scholarship ($287,006) and Path Ministries International ($185,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation?
The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation reported $73.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation fund?
The foundation describes its approach as “Listen, Learn, Love”: listening to the needs of others, learning from their experiences, and supporting them through prayer and support. Its website features scholarships and educational, health and resilience, and faith-based programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Does The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-todd-and-doris-ahlsten-foundation-morg_be4875ef64ff4291ab2c1a5ca49384e1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_821980761_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-todd-and-doris-ahlsten-foundation-morg_be4875ef64ff4291ab2c1a5ca49384e1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Todd and Doris Ahlsten Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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