Walter S Johnson Foundation
San Francisco, CA · EIN 23-7003595. Reported 217 grants totalling $22.6M to 117 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Walter S Johnson Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $100,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $10,000 and $140,000; the smallest was $5,000 and the largest $1,132,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Project Fund Daf | San Francisco, CA | $2,884,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| John Burton Advocates for Youth | San Francisco, CA | $1,300,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Nevada System of Higher Education | Las Vegas, NV | $800,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| New Ways to Work Inc | Montebello, CA | $800,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| American Bar Association Fund for Justice in Education | Washington DC, DC | $720,000 | 5 | 3 | 2024 |
| Foundation for California Community Colleges | Sacramento, CA | $699,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| California College Pathways - Greater Horizons | Kansas City, MO | $600,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| On the Movevoices | Napa, CA | $600,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc (fund for Education Success) | Washington DC, DC | $500,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Ifoster | Truckee, CA | $500,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| University of Nevada Reno | Reno, NV | $450,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Beyond Emancipation | Oakland, CA | $400,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Foster Kinship | North Las Vegas, NV | $400,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| University of Nevada Las Vegas Foundation | Las Vegas, NV | $400,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Lutheran Social Services of Northern Ca | Concord, CA | $325,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Parents By Choice | Stockton, CA | $325,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Aspiranet | South San Francisco, CA | $300,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| California College Pathways Pooled Fund | Kansas City, MO | $300,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| California Court Appointed Special Advocate Association | San Diego, CA | $300,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Csu Long Beach | Long Beach, CA | $300,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| School House Connection | Washington DC, DC | $300,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Pride Industries | Roseville, CA | $280,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $280,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ca Homeless Youth Project | Sacramento, CA | $250,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Ca Alliance of Caregivers | Sacramento, CA | $240,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Fostering Media Connections | Los Angeles, CA | $240,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Youth Law Center | San Francisco, CA | $240,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Children's Law Center of Ca | Monterey Park, CA | $225,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| National Center for Youth Law | Oakland, CA | $225,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Truckee Meadow Community College Foundaton | Reno, NV | $225,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| A Home Within | Oakland, CA | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Children Now | Oakland, CA | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| First Star Inc | Los Angeles, CA | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Help of Southern Nevada | Las Vegas, NV | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| John Muir Land Trust | Martinez, CA | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Juma Ventures | San Francisco, CA | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Law Foundation of Silicon Valley | San Jose, CA | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada | Las Vegas, NV | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Life Learning Academy | San Francisco, CA | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Raikes Foundationseattle Foundation LB#1069 | Seattle, WA | $200,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Side By Side | San Anselmo, CA | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Soar for Youth | Berkeley, CA | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Think of US | Washington, DC | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Together We Rise | Brea, CA | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Unity Care Group | San Jose, CA | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| University of San Diego (through Childrens Advocacy Institute) | San Diego, CA | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Legal Services Funders Network | Oakland, CA | $175,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Children's Advocacy Alliance of Nv | Las Vegas, NV | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Civicorps Schools | Oakland, CA | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Contra Costa Interfaith Housing | Pleasant Hill, CA | $150,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Legal Aid Association of California | Oakland, CA | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Lutheran Social Services of Northern California | Concord, CA | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Make It Home | San Rafael, CA | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Child Care Law Center | Berkeley, CA | $140,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Legal Aid Association of California (lsfn) | Berkeley, CA | $110,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Alliance for Children's Rights | Los Angeles, CA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ca Local Conservation Corps | Los Angeles, CA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Center for Law and Social Policy (clasp) | Washington, DC | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Eddy House | Reno, NV | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| First Star Academy | Los Angeles, CA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Foster More | Los Angeles, CA | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| New Door Ventures | San Francisco, CA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| San Joaquin County Office of Educational Foundation (greater Valley Conserv | Stockton, CA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Mockingbird Society | Seattle, WA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| UC Berkeley (child Welfare Indicators Project) | Berkeley, CA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| University of California Berkeley (child Welfare Indicators Project) | Berkeley, CA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Western Center on Law and Poverty (wclp) | Los Angeles, CA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Workforce Connections Southern Nv | Las Vegas, NV | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Youth Forward | Sacramento, CA | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Urban Institute | Washington DC, DC | $90,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| National Foster Youth Institute | Washington DC, DC | $80,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Alliance for Community Advocacy | Oakland, CA | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Boosted Diplomas | Reno, NV | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| East Bay Community Law Center | Berkeley, CA | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Educate Tomorrow Corp | Miami Beach, FL | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Olive Crest | Las Vegas, NV | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Public Works Alliance | Santa Barbara, CA | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| First Focus | Washington DC, DC | $70,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Bronco Bench Foundation | Santa Clara, CA | $50,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| San Francisco Recreation & Parks | San Francisco, CA | $48,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Ettie Lee Youth & Family Services | Baldwin Park, CA | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| The Open Window School | Bellevue, WA | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Indian River Soccer Association Inc | Vero Beach, FL | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Kid in the Corner | Scottsdale, AZ | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| New Haven Tennis Outreachyale University | New Haven, CT | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Washoe County School District | Reno, NV | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Contra Costa | Martinez, CA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Open Medicine Foundation | Agoura Hills, CA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Corvallis Homeless Shelter Coalition | Corvallis, OR | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Hand to Hold | Austin, TX | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Linn-Benton Community College Foundation | Albany, OR | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| A Sanctuary for Military Families | Granby, CO | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Bni Foundation Worldwide Inc | Wayne, PA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Camp Hemlock Inc | Burtonsville, MD | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Childcare Resources | Vero Beach, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Childcare Resources of Indian River Inc | Vero Beach, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Community Food Bank Inc | Tucson, AZ | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Find Your Light Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Friends of Maypearl | Maypearl, TX | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Guardians for New Futures Inc | Port St Lucie, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Hibiscus Childrens Center Inc | Jensen Beach, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Hutto Resource Center | Hutto, TX | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine Inc | Lakeland, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Orlando Youth Alliance Inc | Orlando, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Osceola Magnet School | Vero Beach, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Palm Harbor University High School Center for Wellness & Medical | Palm Harber, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Pasco Education Foundation | Land O Lakes, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Paws in Need | San Ramon, CA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| San Francisco Friends School | San Francisco, CA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Pearl Group | Longmont, CO | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Veterans Community Project | Kansas City, MO | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Whole Woman's Health Alliance | Charlottesville, VA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Austin Pets Alive | Austin, TX | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| New Canaan Historical Society | New Canaan, CT | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Planned Parenthood Federation of America | New York, NY | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Pop Up Birthday | Austin, TX | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Trustees of Dartmouth College | Hanover, NH | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
59 of 117 (50%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 56%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Special Project Fund Daf
TO PROMOTE POSITIVE CHANGE TO THE POLICIES AND SYSTEMS THAT ASSIST YOUTH IN BECOMING SUCCESSFUL ADULTS.
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 130 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 52 | $6,518,000 | $100,000 |
| 2022 | 59 | $5,598,000 | $100,000 |
| 2023 | 53 | $5,190,000 | $100,000 |
| 2024 | 53 | $5,335,000 | $75,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Already committed for future years
Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. Walter S Johnson Foundation has 62 of them, worth $7,560,000. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back -- and it also tells you how much of the next year's budget is already spoken for.
| Organization | Location | Approved |
|---|---|---|
| John Burton Advocates for Youth | San Francisco, CA | $465,000 |
| Nevada System of Higher Education | Las Vegas, NV | $400,000 |
| California College Pathways Pooled Fund | Kansas City, MO | $300,000 |
| Nevada System of Higher Education | Las Vegas, NV | $200,000 |
| Ifoster | Truckee, CA | $200,000 |
| New Ways to Work Inc | Montebello, CA | $200,000 |
| New Ways to Work Inc | Montebello, CA | $200,000 |
| John Burton Advocates for Youth | San Francisco, CA | $170,000 |
| Pride Industries | Roseville, CA | $160,000 |
| Foster Kinship | North Las Vegas, NV | $150,000 |
| University of Nevada Las Vegas Foundation | Las Vegas, NV | $150,000 |
| Ifoster | Truckee, CA | $150,000 |
| Truckee Meadow Community College Foundaton | Reno, NV | $150,000 |
| California Court Appointed Special Advocate Association | San Diego, CA | $150,000 |
| Ifoster | Truckee, CA | $150,000 |
Where its money goes
Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 68% of this one's giving went to organizations in California. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $100,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in California.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Walter S Johnson Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.
Address of record on the latest return: 505 Montgomery Street Ste 1200, San Francisco, CA, 94111. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 23-7003595 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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