The Tsern Foundation
The Tsern Foundation is a private foundation, 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.
The Tsern Foundation at a glance
In short: The Tsern Foundation gave $80K across 6 grants in 2023 (avg $13K), mostly in California. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $80,000
- -52.9% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 6
- -50.0% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $13,333
- -5.7% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $47,071
- +12.0% vs 2022
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026.
Who The Tsern Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was APU ($20K). Together the top 5 received $60K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($20,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
18 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 18 grants of 18 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Tsern Foundation gives
- In 2023 it paid out well above 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 2022 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $80K (2023) to $170K (2022). In 2023 it made 6 grants totaling $80K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| APU Azusa, CA | Scholarship | $20,000 |
| USA Care Ministries International El Monte, CA | General Operating Budget | $20,000 |
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $20,000 |
| Truth Theological Seminary Arcadia, CA | General Operating Budget | $10,000 |
| 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 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $47,071 | $85,048 | $80,000 | $80,000 | 6 | $80,000 | $48 | $2,193 |
| 2022 | $42,023 | $23 | $170,854 | $169,700 | 12 | $169,700 | $23 | $6,276 |
| 2021 | $223,052 | $275,002 | $54,720 | — | — | — | $2 | $493 |
| 2020 | $2,770 | $63,502 | $78,012 | — | — | — | $2 | $1,478 |
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.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Tsern Foundation is led by Gayle Tsern Strang, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Gayle Tsern Strang
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Ely Tsern
Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
John Tsern
Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Micah Tsern
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "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 Tsern Foundation
How much does The Tsern Foundation give each year?
The Tsern Foundation gave $80K across 6 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $170K across 12 grants.
What is The Tsern Foundation's typical grant size?
The Tsern Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $15,000, and its average grant was $13,333, across 6 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Tsern Foundation give grants?
The Tsern Foundation gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does The Tsern Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 67% of The Tsern Foundation's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Tsern Foundation's largest grantees?
The Tsern Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include APU ($20,000), USA Care Ministries International ($20,000) and Truth Theological Seminary ($10,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($20,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How large is The Tsern Foundation?
The Tsern Foundation reported $47K in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $80K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
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.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
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