The Whitman Institute
The Whitman Institute is a private foundation, based in San Francisco, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2023. In 2023, it awarded 1 grant totaling $57K.
The Whitman Institute at a glance
In short: The Whitman Institute gave $57K across 1 grant in 2023 (avg $57K), mostly in California. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $56,879
- -81.1% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 1
- -87.5% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $56,879
- +51.2% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $56,879
- 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 Whitman Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Thousand Currents ($57K).
Grant Size Distribution
79 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 54 grants of 79 (68%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2023 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How The Whitman Institute gives
- Giving fell 96% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2022 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 2019 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $57K (2023) to $1.4M (2020). In 2023 it made 1 grant totaling $57K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Thousand Currents San Francisco, CA | Civic Engagement | $56,879 |
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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 | — | — | $74,565 | $56,879 | 1 | $67,815 | — | — |
| 2022 | $74,986 | $-307,894 | $902,037 | $300,879 | 8 | $856,084 | — | $28,780 |
| 2021 | $1,286,459 | $68,144 | $1,138,346 | $577,557 | 10 | — | $40,277 | $82,374 |
| 2020 | $2,355,505 | $240,965 | $1,931,105 | $1,350,000 | 20 | — | $205,208 | $159,700 |
| 2019 | $4,047,252 | $535,918 | $1,956,306 | $1,250,000 | 40 | — | $487,490 | $239,550 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Whitman Institute is led by John Esterle, Co-Executive Director & Secretary on every filing since 2019; none of the 7 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
John Esterle
Co-Executive Director & Secretary
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$146K (2019) → $0 (2023)
Pia Infante
Co-Executive Director
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$146K (2019) → $0 (2023)
Jorge Blandon
Chair
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jamie Allison
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shannon Farley
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sonya Childress
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vanessa Whang
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2022 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2022 filing was $175K, to Pia Infante (Co-Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Whitman Institute
How much does The Whitman Institute give each year?
The Whitman Institute gave $57K across 1 grant in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $301K across 8 grants.
Where does The Whitman Institute operate?
The Whitman Institute has awarded grants in Alabama, Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Washington.
What is The Whitman Institute's EIN?
The Whitman Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-2984079. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2023.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 13, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
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Figures come from The Whitman Institute'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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