Private foundation · EIN 20-3874924 · Hillsborough, California · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Michael & Sally Mayer Familyfoundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 16 grants paid, $91K total, median $5,000. 75% of grants stayed in California.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
16
$91K
Median grant
$5,000
Stays in CA
75%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$1.7M

Grants paid in 2025

16 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
San Mateo Service League Hope HouseRedwood City, CAGeneral operating expenses$17K
Rose City Park SchoolPortland, ORGeneral operating expenses$16K
FIRST Presbyterian Church of BurlingameBurlingame, CAGeneral operating expenses$12K
Heart for HumanityNovato, CAGeneral operating expenses$10K
Family ConnectionsMenlo Park, CAGeneral operating expenses$7,500
Los Lomitas Education FoundationMenlo Park, CAGeneral operating expenses$6,000
AbilitypathRedwood City, CAGeneral operating expenses$5,000
San Mateo PalSan Mateo, CAGeneral operating expenses$5,000
SF SPCASan Francisco, CAGeneral operating expenses$5,000
Jewish LegacyOak Park, MIGeneral operating expenses$2,500
LymelightBurlingame, CAGeneral operating expenses$2,500
Archbishop Riordan High SchoolSan Francisco, CAGeneral operating expenses$1,000
Hillsdale CollegeHillsdale, MIGeneral operating expenses$1,000
FioliWoodside, CAGeneral operating expenses$250
San Mateo FellowshipSan Mateo, NYGeneral operating expenses$206
The Five Buckets Four Shovels FoundationSan Francisco, CAGeneral operating expenses$25

By state: California 12 · Oregon 1 · Michigan 2 · New York 1

About this foundation

Michael & Sally Mayer Familyfoundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Hillsborough, California, administered in care of Rosemary Mayer, tax-exempt since 2006. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Michael & Sally Mayer Familyfoundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Michael & Sally Mayer Familyfoundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $91K across 16 grants, a median of $5,000.

Where does Michael & Sally Mayer Familyfoundation give?

California (12 grants), Oregon (1 grants), Michigan (2 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Hillsborough that accept applications

All in California
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Eugene and Marilyn Stein Family Foundationsince 1998 Hillsborough, CA $8.3M20 grants · 2025 $10KPreselected only $19M
Michael and Catherine Podell Fundsince 2005 Hillsborough, CA $520K20 grants · 2024 $16KYes $15M
Addiego Foundationsince 2014 Hillsborough, CA — —Preselected only $15M
Probst Fam Foundationsince 2004 Hillsborough, CA $251K6 grants · 2024 $16KPreselected only $8.1M
Bella Charitable Foundationsince 2015 Hillsborough, CA $271K18 grants · 2025 $10KPreselected only $6.7M
Oshea Foundationsince 1961 Hillsborough, CA $471K27 grants · 2024 $10KPreselected only $5.7M
Ischemia Research & Education Foundationsince 1992 Hillsborough, CA $26K1 grants · 2024 $26KPreselected only $4.0M
Jin and Xiaqing Wu Family Foundationsince 2013 Hillsborough, CA $128K5 grants · 2024 $20KPreselected only $3.3M
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