Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation
The Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation is a private foundation based in Solvang, California. Its 2025 filing reports $88,000 in grants to 12 organizations.
Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation at a glance
In short: Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation gave $88K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $7K), mostly in California. 8% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $88,000
- -15.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- +9.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $7,333
- -22.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,500
- Total assets
- $233,842
- -21.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (1 of 12, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 606 Alamo Pintado Rd 3-333, Solvang, CA 93463
Phone: (805) 910-5472
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was People Helping People ($25K). Together the top 10 received $86K.
Grant Size Distribution
56 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 53 grants of 56 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in California and 1% to a recipient in Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 12 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $7K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 92% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−7%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 299% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $84K (2019) to $109K (2020). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $88K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| People Helping People Solvang, CA | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Direct Relief Santa Barbara, CA | General | $25,000 |
| Cottage Hospital of Sta Ynez Valley Solvang, CA | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Pasadena Humane Society Pasadena, CA | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Stuart C Gildred Family YMCA Santa Ynez, CA | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Surfrider Foundation San Clemente, CA | Ventura County Chapter | $2,000 |
| Cares 4PAWS Santa Barbara, CA | General | $2,000 |
| American Women for International Un Schaumberg, IL | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Arts Outreach Los Olivos, CA | General | $1,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Tom & Nancy Elsaesser 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $233,842 | $28,822 | $89,150 | $88,000 | 12 | $88,100 | $27,772 | $29,421 |
| 2024 | $296,204 | $99,188 | $105,100 | $104,000 | 11 | $104,100 | $98,188 | $30,365 |
| 2023 | $349,523 | $67,810 | $96,089 | $94,000 | 9 | $94,100 | $65,821 | — |
| 2022 | $377,802 | $11,058 | $97,365 | $95,000 | 10 | $95,000 | $11,058 | — |
| 2021 | $464,109 | $148,485 | $97,257 | $95,000 | 14 | $95,000 | $78,350 | — |
| 2020 | $412,881 | $135,422 | $109,757 | $108,500 | 14 | — | $79,606 | $32,062 |
| 2019 | $387,216 | $50,789 | $86,551 | $84,000 | 16 | — | $50,789 | $32,615 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation reported a distributable amount of $29K for 2025 — 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 available filings do not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas including humanitarian aid, cancer care, community services, animal welfare, arts education, and nature conservation.
Among its grantees, Direct Relief describes its mission as improving the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies. The Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara says it supports cancer diagnosis, treatment, research, technology, and support programs. Arts Outreach describes providing arts education and experiences, particularly for students in the Santa Ynez Valley, Los Alamos, and Lompoc. The California Nature Art Museum says it seeks to inspire people to enjoy, value, and conserve wildlife and natural areas through art.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation made 12 grants totaling $88,000. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $25,000, with a median grant of $3,500.
The largest grants were $25,000 each to People Helping People in Solvang and Direct Relief in Santa Barbara; $10,000 each to Cottage Hospital of Sta. Ynez Valley and Pasadena Humane Society; and $5,000 each to Stuart C Gildred Family YMCA and Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara. Other 2025 recipients included Surfrider Foundation, Cares 4Paws, American Women for International UN, Arts Outreach, California Nature Art Museum, and Elverhoj Museum.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Thomas P Elsaesser as President/Director and Nancy S Elsaesser as Secretary/Treasurer/Director.
Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation is led by Thomas P. Elsaesser, President & Director on every filing since 2019; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Thomas P. Elsaesser
President & Director
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy S. Elsaesser
Secretary, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation
How much does Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation give each year?
Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation gave $88K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $104K across 11 grants.
What is Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation's typical grant size?
Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $3,500, and its average grant was $7,333, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation that year got $10K on average.
Where does Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation give grants?
Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation gives mostly in California: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Solvang, CA (4 grants) and Santa Barbara, CA (3 grants).
Does Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 92% of Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 12) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation's largest grantees?
Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include People Helping People ($25,000), Direct Relief ($25,000) and Cottage Hospital of Sta Ynez Valley ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 68% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation?
Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation reported $234K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $88K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $29K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation fund?
The available filings do not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas including humanitarian aid, cancer care, community services, animal welfare, arts education, and nature conservation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation's EIN?
Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 71-1042217. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Tom & Nancy Elsaesser 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
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 10, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 16, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 18, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 5, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Live grants for the work Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Wood-Claeyssens Foundation
Santa Barbara, CA
The Wood-Claeyssens Foundation supports California nonprofits, primarily in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, across areas including health care, education, museums, animal welfare, and community programs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $30,000. It accepts requests from qualified 501(c)(3) organizations and asks applicants to submit a letter and supporting documents.
Assets
$131.3M
Grants
112
Total Given
$8.4M
Higgins-Trapnell Family Foundation
Solvang, CA
Assets
$1.1M
Grants
1
Total Given
$65K
The Janet Langdon Handtmann
Santa Ynez, CA
The foundation supports schools, scholarships, health and humanitarian services, museums, and equestrian organizations, primarily in California. In 2025, grants ranged from $500 to $15,000, with a median of $2,250. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected charitable organizations.
Assets
$757K
Grants
20
Total Given
$74K
Kim and Andrew D Busch Family Foundation
Pasadena, CA
The Kim and Andrew D Busch Family Foundation supports organizations in education, wildlife rehabilitation, health and hospice care, public safety, scholarships, conservation, and other areas. In 2024, it awarded 40 grants totaling $210,000, ranging from $500 to $78,100, with a median grant of $1,000; most funding went to California organizations. It funds only preselected charities and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.7M
Grants
40
Total Given
$210K
Santa Barbara Foundation
Santa Barbara, CA
The Santa Barbara Foundation supports a wide range of community needs in Santa Barbara County, including behavioral and physical health, food and shelter, education, conservation, and arts programs. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of $25,000, though individual awards varied widely. It invites applicants to review program opportunities and eligibility requirements and apply through each program’s stated process; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$503.6M
Grants
447
Total Given
$107.7M
Ann Jackson Family Foundation
Santa Barbara, CA
The Ann Jackson Family Foundation funds capital, operating, and program work across health and human services, arts, community infrastructure, and education, primarily for organizations serving Santa Barbara County, especially the South County. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $200,000, with a median of $10,000. It accepts proposals on a rolling basis, but says it does not consider unsolicited proposals from organizations serving outside Santa Barbara County unless a trustee requests one.
Assets
$91.7M
Grants
249
Total Given
$3.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/tom-and-nancy-elsaesser-foundation-morg_eac85c4113f8423abf1321477884ab77
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_711042217_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Tom \& Nancy Elsaesser Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/tom-and-nancy-elsaesser-foundation-morg_eac85c4113f8423abf1321477884ab77},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Tom & Nancy Elsaesser 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.
Tom & Nancy Elsaesser Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?