The Tsern Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in SAN FRANCISCO, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2023. As of 2023, the organization holds $47K in total assets. In 2023, it awarded 6 grants totaling $80K. Net investment income was $48.
Financial Overview
From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$47K
+12.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$80K
-52.9% YoY
Grant Count
6
-50.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$13K
-5.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Tsern Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About The Tsern Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Tsern Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in SAN FRANCISCO, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2023. As of 2023, the organization holds $47K in total assets. In 2023, it awarded 6 grants totaling $80K. Net investment income was $48.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $47,071 | $42,023 | $223,052 |
| Revenue | $85,048 | $23 | $275,002 |
| Expenses | $80,000 | $170,854 | $54,720 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $80,000 | $169,700 | — |
| Net Investment Income | $48 | $23 | $2 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,193 | $6,276 | $493 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2023
Grant Size Distribution
18 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2023 grants, the largest include Apu ($20,000), Usa Care Ministries International ($20,000), California Crosspoint ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| APU AZUSA, CA | SCHOLARSHIP | $20,000 |
| USA CARE MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL EL MONTE, CA | GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET | $20,000 |
| TRUTH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY ARCADIA, CA | GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET | $10,000 |
| CALIFORNIA CROSSPOINT HAYWARD, CA | BUILDING FUND AND SCHOLARSHIP | $20,000 |
| CHRISTIAN SEMINARY SCHOOL WEST COVINA, CA | SCHOLARSHIP AND GENERAL OPERATIONS | $5,000 |
| CHINA SOURCE - CHRISTIAN MISSIONS CHINO HILLS, CA | SCHOLARSHIP AND GENERAL OPERATIONS | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
From 2023 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN TSERN | VICE PRESIDE | — | — |
| GAYLE TSERN STRANG | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| ELY TSERN | SECRETARY | — | — |
| MICAH TSERN | TREASURER | — | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Tsern Foundation?
The Tsern Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in SAN FRANCISCO, CA. It holds $47K in total assets as of 2023.
How large is The Tsern Foundation?
As of 2023, The Tsern Foundation holds $47K in total assets with $85K in annual revenue. It awarded 6 grants totaling $80K in 2023.
Where does The Tsern Foundation operate?
The Tsern Foundation has awarded grants in California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Nevada, Virginia.
What size grants does The Tsern Foundation award?
In 2023, The Tsern Foundation awarded 6 grants totaling $80K — an average of about $13K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Tsern Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, The Tsern Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Tsern Foundation's EIN?
The Tsern Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-2169326. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Tsern Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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