UpStart Bay Area is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Oakland, California that operates as a startup accelerator and venture network for Jewish entrepreneurs. The organization supports entrepreneurs at various stages of venture development, from idea stage through growth stage, by providing expertise, community connections, and capital access.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.4M
-63.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.8M
+14.6% YoY
Grant Count
31
-18.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$59K
+40.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: We accelerate growth, nurture ideas, and advance new experiences for the Jewish community by connecting impact-driven entrepreneurs to expertise, community, and capital.
Core Purpose: To inspire and empower impact-driven entrepreneurs as they dream, build, and create new experiences within the Jewish community and the world we share. The organization aims to bring "bold Jewish ideas to light" by helping entrepreneurs reach new audiences in ways that are meaningful, more inclusive, and create a brighter future for the Jewish community.
Values: The organization is powered by Jewish wisdom, ethics, and values, remains radically human-centered, and embraces change and agility.
Grantmaking
UpStart Bay Area functions as both a nonprofit accelerator and a grantmaking entity. According to recent financial filings:
Grant Range
** $31,000 (2024); $21,000 (2023)
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization serves 44 communities and has a geographic focus including California, New York, and Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- 2024: $1.4 million
- 2023: $3.75 million
- 2022: $5.3 million
Annual Expenses:
- 2023: $6.08 million
- 2024: $6.8 million
Revenue:
- 2023: $4.63 million
Liabilities:
- 2023: $248,000
Staffing: The organization has 26-28 employees.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,355,629 | $3,750,262 | $5,268,133 |
| Revenue | $4,096,349 | $4,632,384 | $7,572,356 |
| Expenses | $6,825,997 | $6,075,903 | $4,924,962 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $94,040 | $67,103 | $404 |
| 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
169 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Upstart Bay Area
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Aaron Katler serves as CEO of UpStart Bay Area. He is based in Berkeley, California.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AARON KATLER | CEO | 40 | $279,354 |
| ALIZA MAZOR | CHIEF FLD BLD OFC. | 40 | $194,734 |
| JED SNERSON | CFOO | 40 | $182,972 |
| ALEEZA LUBIN | MANAGING DIR. | 40 | $152,355 |
| SARAH KORNHAUSER | MAN. DIR.,PROG. | 40 | $148,903 |
| WHITNEY WEATHERS | MAN. DIR., DEIJ | 40 | $142,230 |
| REBECCA KADURU | CHIEF STRAT. OFF. | 40 | $123,778 |
| KATE HOLSAPPLE | MEMBER | 2.5 | — |
| RAYMOND STERN | Treasurer | 2.5 | — |
| RACHEL CORT | MEMBER | 2.5 | — |
| MONICA RODRIGUEZ KUNIYOSHI | MEMBER | 2.5 | — |
| DAVID FORMAN | MEMBER | 2.5 | — |
| JONATHAN SCHILIT | Secretary | 2.5 | — |
| MARK ACHLER | Chair | 2.5 | — |
| EMERI HANDLER | MEMBER | 2.5 | — |
| LEILI DAVARI | MEMBER | 2.5 | — |
| JULIE MALEK | MEMBER | 2.5 | — |
| ANDY CHENG | MEMBER | 2.5 | — |
| GAMAL PALMER | MEMBER | 2.5 | — |
| VICKI DANSKY | MEMBER | 2.5 | — |
| JONATHAN HOROWITZ | MEMBER | 2.5 | — |
| DAVID WAGONFELD | MEMBER | 2.5 | — |
| LEV TSYPIN | MEMBER | 2.5 | — |
| KENDELL PINKNEY | MEMBER | 2.5 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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