Walter S Johnson Foundation

In 2024, the foundation awarded $5,335,000 through 53 grants. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $588,000, with a median grant of $75,000. Among the largest awards were $588,000 to Special Project Fund DAF, $300,000 to the American Bar Association Fund for Justice in Education, and $300,000 to the California College Pathways Pooled Fund. Other notable grants included $225,000 to Lutheran Social Services of Northern California, $200,000 to iFoster, and $170,000 to John Burton Advocates for Youth. The listed grant purposes describe support for positive change in policies and systems that help youth become successful adults.

The foundation’s application process is by invitation after eligibility is determined; it often requests a Letter of Inquiry before considering a proposal invitation. It says it does not accept unsolicited proposals. Eligible applicants include charitable organizations, public agencies, and projects sponsored by public charities. The foundation requests a narrative proposal describing the need, methods, goals and anticipated results; the sponsoring agency; project budget, other funding and amount requested; and documentation of tax-exempt and public-charity status. The 2024 filing states that grants may not exceed one-third of an organization’s budget. The foundation does not fund individuals, sectarian religious purposes, scholarships, memorial campaigns, endowments, capital or construction projects, or deficit funding. Its website also excludes arts and film projects, international organizations, land acquisitions, capital campaigns, and endowments, and says it generally does not fund ongoing general operating costs. It typically provides no more than two or three consecutive years of funding. Multi-year grantees must submit interim reports annually and a final report; final reports are due two months after the grant period ends unless otherwise specified.