Tsuha Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation based in Escondido, California. Established in 2012 and tax-exempt since March 2015, the foundation operates as a family foundation focused on anti-poverty grantmaking and supporting nonprofit organizations working to create systemic change.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$693K
-16.1% YoY
Grant Count
14
-6.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$49K
-10.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The Tsuha Foundation is a private foundation that envisions a more equitable world. We support organizations that come alongside low income people to break the cycle of poverty. Where appropriate, we provide our grantees with professional support in addition to monetary funding.
Primary Funding Focus:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Community & Civic Engagement
The foundation emphasizes trust-based philanthropy, recognizing that authentic partnerships with grantees—rather than restrictive funding practices—better serve nonprofit innovation and growth.
Grantmaking
The foundation accepts applications.
Grant Range
$3,260 to $1,090,000
Average Grant
amount varies by year
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- California
- Hawaii
- District of Columbia
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Most Recent Filing (2024):
- Total Assets: $5,954,479
- Total Revenues: $2,140,946
- Total Expenses: $796,068
- Total Giving: $692,750 to $1,006,506
- Giving Rate: Approximately 15.6% of assets
Historical Assets (2023):
- Total Assets: $5.28M to $7.1M
- Total Expenses: $1M
- Total Giving: $826,000 to $872,000
Investment Income:
- 2024: $159,353
- 2023: $152,340
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
93 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Circles Usa ($150,000), Oregon Health & Science University Foundation ($127,000), Wallin Education Partners ($80,750).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACE FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | TO SUPPORT ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES. | $25,000 |
| ASIAN AMERICAN FUTURES IRVINE, CA | TO SUPPORT THE NEXT GENERATION OF ASIAN AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS TO BUILD A MULTIRACIAL FUTURE IN WHICH EVERYONE CAN THRIVE. | $15,000 |
| ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND WASHINGTON, DC | ASSIST IN PROVIDING ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION AND RESOURCES TO STUDENTS. | $15,000 |
| BAYLOR UNIVERSITY WACO, TX | TO SUPPORT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY. | $30,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS HAWAII INC HONOLULU, HI | TO SUPPORT ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING PROGRAMS TO HELP HAWAII'S YOUTH. | $10,000 |
| BREAD FOR THE WORLD INSTITUTE WASHINGTON, DC | TO ASSIST IN ANALYZING AND EDUCATING ON HUNGER ISSUES IN THE U.S. AND AROUND THE WORLD. | $25,000 |
| CIRCLES USA ALBUQUERQUE, NM | TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN POVERTY. | $150,000 |
| LIFE REMODELED DETROIT, MI | TO SUPPORT THE REPURPOSING OF VACANT SCHOOL BUILDINGS INTO ONE STOP HUBS OF OPPORTUNITY FOR ENTIRE FAMILIES TO THRIVE. | $30,000 |
| MEMPHIS TEACHER RESIDENCY MEMPHIS, TN | TO ASSIST IN RECRUITING, TRAINING AND SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE TEACHERS IN A CHRISTIAN CONTEXT. | $50,000 |
| NOMI NETWORK INC NEW YORK, NY | TO ASSIST IN ENDING HUMAN TRAFFICKING. | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board members and directors include:
- Jennifer Pelling (Director, President)
- Sherri Nee (Director, Secretary)
- Wallace Tsuha (Director)
- Tammy Funasaki (Director, Treasurer)
The foundation employs 3 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER PELLING | DIRECTOR, PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| SHERRI NEE | DIRECTOR, SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| WALLACE TSUHA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TAMMY FUNASAKI | DIRECTOR, TREASURER | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2024, the Tsuha Foundation awarded Memphis Teacher Residency (MTR) with the 2024 Breaking the Cycle Award in recognition of MTR's outstanding work in helping create a more equitable world by training educators.
The foundation underwent significant organizational changes in 2023, renewing its commitment to anti-poverty grantmaking and implementing a more streamlined, focused approach to its work.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Tsuha Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** The Tsuha Foundation is a private foundation that envisions a more equitable world. We support organizations that come alongside low income people to break the cycle of poverty. Where appropriate, we provide our grantees with professional support in addition to monetary funding. **Primary Funding Focus:** • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Community & Civic Engagement The foundation emphasizes trust-based philanthropy, recognizing tha…
How do I apply for a grant from Tsuha Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant range: $3,260 to $1,090,000 • Median grant size: $50,000 • Average grant amount varies by year **Recent Grant Activity (2024):** • Total giving: $692,750 to $1,006,506 • Number of grants: 15-21 grants annually • Recent grantees include: • OHSU Foundation ($127,000) • Wallin Education Partners ($80,750) • Punahou School ($60,000) **Application Process:** The foundation accepts applications.
Where does Tsuha Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • California • Hawaii • District of Columbia
What size grants does Tsuha Foundation award?
In 2024, Tsuha Foundation awarded 14 grants totaling $693K — an average of about $49K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Tsuha Foundation's EIN?
Tsuha Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-1547854. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Tsuha Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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