Tides Center
Tides Center is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in San Francisco, California, formed in 1994. It provides fiscal sponsorship and operational, grantmaking, and capacity-building support to community-led organizations and social change projects. The organization says its sponsored projects address equity and opportunity, education, and the environment.
Tides Center at a glance
In short: Tides Center gave $55.3M across 461 grants in 2024 (avg $120K), mostly in California. 40% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $55,320,444
- -40.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 461
- +23.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $120,001
- -51.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $297,404,410
- -8.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (185 of 461, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (53% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Tides Center
- How to Apply
-
Begin with the Partner With Us form. If invited to apply, submit the requested programmatic, organizational, financial, governance, and legal information. Approval is followed by onboarding; a project becomes active once paperwork and initial funding are received.
- Review Cycle
- The 2026 cycle 4 application deadline was October 1, 2026, a past deadline. Tides lists an application decision date of November 5 and a start date of December 11 for that cycle.
- Deadline
- The 2026 cycle 4 application deadline was October 1, 2026, a past deadline.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1012 Torney Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94129
Phone: (415) 561-6400
Website: https://tides.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Tides Center funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Tides Advocacy ($13.1M). Together the top 10 received $32.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
2,144 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,296 grants of 2,144 (60%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Tides Center is based in California. In 2024, 53% of its grant dollars went to recipients in California, 15% to New York, 10% to Michigan, 4% to Puerto Rico, and 3% to the District of Columbia. Its filing describes sponsored projects working at local, national, and international levels.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 461 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Tides Center open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 185 of 461 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $73K; repeat grants $151K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $50K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $55.3M (2024) to $159.8M (2022). In 2024 it made 461 grants totaling $55.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tides Advocacy West Hollywood, CA | Equity, Human Rights, and Economic Empowerment | $13,095,792 |
| Tides Foundation Los Angeles, CA | Equity, Human Rights, and Economic Empowerment | $8,837,683 |
| Transforming Research into Action to Improve the Lives of Students Ann Arbor, MI | Equity, Human Rights, and Economic Empowerment | $5,362,697 |
| Women Building up Inc Brooklyn, NY | Equity, Human Rights, and Economic Empowerment | $1,459,854 |
| Haser Inc San Juan, PR | Equity, Human Rights, and Economic Empowerment | $826,000 |
| Regents of the University of California at Berkeley Berkeley, CA | Equity, Human Rights, and Economic Empowerment | $800,723 |
| County of Solano Vallejo, CA | Sustainable Environment | $725,000 |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc New York, NY | Quality Education | $621,200 |
| Givsum Foundation Costa Mesa, CA | Equity, Human Rights, and Economic Empowerment | $457,012 |
| Reinvent South Stockton Coalition Stockton, CA | Equity, Human Rights, and Economic Empowerment | $447,014 |
Ready to take the next step with Tides Center?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $297,404,410 | $265,402,095 | $285,127,373 | $55,320,444 | 461 | $7,743,741 |
| 2023 | $323,415,754 | $233,730,257 | $307,289,944 | $92,957,230 | 373 | $6,588,571 |
| 2022 | $431,562,198 | $281,474,772 | $415,897,054 | $159,769,212 | 488 | $3,382,268 |
| 2021 | $538,607,810 | $516,573,844 | $233,163,253 | $69,497,570 | 405 | $29,562 |
| 2020 | $240,098,427 | $268,746,677 | $197,459,360 | $56,220,878 | 417 | $2,344,268 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Tides Center’s stated mission is to provide social change leaders with comprehensive fiscal sponsorship—including operational, grantmaking, and capacity-building support—to propel the work of community-led organizations. Its 2024 filing describes work on equity and opportunity, education, and the environment. Examples include economic opportunity, human rights policies, reproductive justice, civic engagement, education and career support, environmental sustainability, sustainable agriculture, and food security.
The 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. Tides Advocacy says its mission is to advocate for and make grants supporting social justice, the environment, and democracy. Transforming Research Into Action to Improve the Lives of Students describes work to equip school staff to provide evidence-based, culturally responsible youth mental health programming. Women Building Up says it supports women, girls, and gender-expansive people affected by carceral systems in advancing gender, racial, and social justice. Other grantees include organizations working on community well-being in Puerto Rico, documentary practice and education in the Bronx, and children’s and family policy advocacy.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Tides Center reported 461 grants totaling $55,320,444. Grants ranged from $5,350 to $13,095,792, with a median of $25,000. The largest listed grants included $13,095,792 to Tides Advocacy, $8,837,683 to Tides Foundation, and $5,362,697 to Transforming Research Into Action to Improve the Lives of Students. Other notable awards included $1,459,854 to Women Building Up, $826,000 to HASER, and $800,723 to the Regents of the University of California at Berkeley.
Tides Center’s website describes fiscal sponsorship as a way to support charitable initiatives and says donations to a sponsored project are directed to the fiscal sponsor and restricted to the project’s charitable activities. Applicants first complete the Partner With Us form; Tides may invite a prospective partner to an initial call, and application is by invitation only. Applications are reviewed in four cycles each year. The application asks for information about mission and programs, organizational and employee details, funding and budgets, lobbying and governance, and legal matters. For projects transferring from another fiscal sponsor, financial statements for grants expected to transfer may also be requested later in review.
Eligibility requirements described by Tides include mission alignment, compliance with legal requirements, confirmed funding for 12 months of operations and three months of reserves, and at least one full-time employee employed through Tides Center and based in the United States. Projects should have a U.S. base of operations and U.S.- or territory-based staff, and partners should plan to stay for at least two years. Tides says the typical fee is 9% of revenue; additional fees may apply for some grant sources or non-standard services.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Regina Jackson as director and chair through November 2024 and Trista Harris as director and chair as of November 2024. Other listed directors are Antoinette Klatzky, Cheryl D. Alston, Dylan Orr, Edward G. Lloyd, Jeffery Wallace, Marc Diaz, Shelby Chestnut, and Tim Wang.
Tides Center is led by Amy Lesnick, Chief Executive & President since 2024 (on filings since 2021); 5 of 20 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Amy Lesnick
Chief Executive & President
Chief Executive & President - Pledge % → Chief Executive & President, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$287K (2021) → $340K (2024)
Janiece Evans-Page
CEO
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Talia Milgrom-Elcott
Executive Director
Executive Director - the Starfish Inst. → Executive Director - the Starfish Institute, 2022
Executive Director - the Starfish Institute → Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$281K (2020) → $366K (2024)
Miriam Krinsky
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$354K (2024)
Regina Jackson
Director & Chair
Director - Start → Director, 2022
Director → Director & Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Trista Harris
Director & Chair
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Smolinski
Director of Global Health Threats
President - Ending Pandemics → Director Global Health Threats - Ending Pandemics, 2021
Director Global Health Threats - Ending Pandemics → Director of Global Health Threats, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$330K (2020) → $413K (2024)
Cheryl D. Alston
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edward G. Lloyd
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marc Diaz
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Antoinette Klatzky
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dylan Orr
Director
Director - Start → Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tim Wang
Director
Director - Start → Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffery Wallace
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shelby Chestnut
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nikole Constas
Interim COO
New on the 2024 filing
$475K (2024)
Suneela Jain
Secretary, Chief Legal & Comp Officer
Secretary, Chief Legal & Ethics Officer → Secretary, Chief Legal & Compl. Officer, 2023
Secretary, Chief Legal & Compl. Officer → Secretary, Chief Legal & Comp Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Lum
Treasurer & CFO
On filings since 2023
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen Caldwell
Treasurer & CFO
New on the 2024 filing
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thresa Nelson
Int CFO & Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Michael Fernandez (2020–2023) — Director & Chair
- Former: Tomiquia Moss (2020–2023) — Founder & Chief Executive - All Home
- Former: Holden Lee (2021–2023) — Treasurer & CFO
- Former: Melissa Jones (2023) — Executive Director Bay Area Regl Hlth Inequities Init
- Former: Jennifer Marie Landig (2020–2022) — Assistant Secretary -
- Former: Kelly Fitzsimmons (2020–2022) — Founder, Mng'g Director, Chief Network & Strat Officer
- Former: Sarah Calderon (2022) — Executive Director - Creative Rebuild Ny
- Former: Judith Hill (2020–2021) — Assistant Treasurer & CFO -
- Former: Suzanne Nossell (2020–2021) — Director -
- Former: Tuti Scott (2020–2021) — Former Int. CEO
- Former: Catherine Lenore Anderson (2020) — President - Asj & Csj
- Former: Jacob Weldon (2020) — Director & Advisor
- Former: Jason Wingard (2020) — Director
- Former: Kriss Deiglmeier (2020) — CEO to Adv Int CEO to
- Former: Michael Mosby (2020) — Interim COO
- Former: Peter Mellen (2020) — 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 $475K, to Nikole Constas (Interim COO). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Tides Center
How much does Tides Center give each year?
Tides Center gave $55.3M across 461 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $93.0M across 373 grants.
What is Tides Center's typical grant size?
Tides Center's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $120,001, across 461 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Tides Center that year got $73K on average.
Where does Tides Center give grants?
Tides Center gives mostly in California: 53% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (15%) and Michigan (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (33 grants), Washington, DC (28 grants), Oakland, CA (24 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (21 grants).
Does Tides Center give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 461 grants with a stated purpose on Tides Center's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Equity, Human Rights, and Economic Empowerment" (245 grants), "Quality Education" (97 grants) and "Sustainable Environment" (70 grants).
Who are Tides Center's largest grantees?
Tides Center's largest 2024 grantees include Tides Advocacy ($13,095,792), Tides Foundation ($8,837,683) and Transforming Research into Action to Improve the Lives of Students ($5,362,697), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Tides Center?
Tides Center reported $297.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $265.4M.
What does Tides Center fund?
Tides Center’s stated mission is to provide social change leaders with comprehensive fiscal sponsorship—including operational, grantmaking, and capacity-building support—to propel the work of community-led organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Tides Center?
Begin with the Partner With Us form. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Tides Center's EIN?
Tides Center's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3213100. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Tides Center's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Tides Center funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/tides-center-morg_cde2e01732aa4cc6ba0975279db9c50a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_943213100_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Tides Center funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/tides-center-morg_cde2e01732aa4cc6ba0975279db9c50a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Tides Center'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.
Tides Center down — hundreds of funders to go?