Private foundation · EIN 46-1910598 · Napa, California · Philanthropy & grantmaking

First Dollar Foundation

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 2024 Form 990-PF: 39 grants paid, $575K total, median $10K. 51% of grants stayed in California.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2024
39
$575K
Median grant
$10K
Stays in CA
51%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$6.2M

Grants paid in 2024

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
East Side Prep SchoolKirkland, WACharitable$50K
LuminDallas, TXCharitable$50K
Mentis of NapaNapa, CACharitable$40K
Doctors Without BordersNew York, NYCharitable$35K
Give DirectlyNew York, NYCharitable$30K
Helen Keller Int'lNew York, NYCharitable$30K
New IncentivesWalnut, CACharitable$30K
Direct ReliefSanta Barbara, CACharitable$25K
Global PartnershipsSeattle, WACharitable$25K
Himalayan Cataract ProjectWaterbury, VTCharitable$25K
Life You Can SaveBainbridge Island, WACharitable$25K
Upstream USABoston, MACharitable$25K
Seva FoundationBerkeley, CACharitable$20K
Innovations for Poverty ActionNew Haven, CTCharitable$15K
Napa Land TrustNapa, CACharitable$15K
Napa NewsNapa, CACharitable$15K
Immigration Institute of Bay AreaOakland, CACharitable$15K
Against Malaria FoundationKansas City, MOCharitable$10K
Clean Air Task ForceBoston, MACharitable$10K
Girl ScoutsRedding, CACharitable$10K
Malaria ConsrtiumRaliegh, NCCharitable$10K
SF PerformancesSan Francisco, CACharitable$10K
Village EnterprisesSan Carlos, CACharitable$10K
Animal Welfare InstituteWashington, DCCharitable$5,000
Casa-Santa CruzWatsonville, CACharitable$5,000
Community Action NapaNapa, CACharitable$5,000
Global Press InstituteSan Francisco, CACharitable$5,000
Lighthouse for the BlindSan Francisco, CACharitable$5,000
Volcker AllianceNew York, NYCharitable$5,000
Raphael HouseSan Francisco, CACharitable$3,000
SF Symphony Annual FundSan Francisco, CACharitable$3,000
Fact CheckPhiladelphia, PACharitable$2,500
N Central Ohio Land ConservMansfield, OHCharitable$2,000
Connolly RanchNapa, CACharitable$1,000
OkizuNovato, CACharitable$1,000
Boone and Crockett ClubMissoula, MTCharitable$1,000
PelotoniaColunbus, OHCharitable$500
Corporation of Fine Arts SFSan Francisco, CACharitable$400
Mt Veeder Fire SafeNapa, CACharitable$250

By state: California 20 · New York 4 · Washington 3 · Texas 1 · Massachusetts 2 · Vermont 1

About this foundation

First Dollar Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Napa, California, tax-exempt since 2014. 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 First Dollar Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2024 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 First Dollar Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2024 it paid $575K across 39 grants, a median of $10K.

Where does First Dollar Foundation give?

California (20 grants), New York (4 grants), Washington (3 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Napa that accept applications

All in California
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Peter a and Vernice H Gasser Foundationsince 1982 Napa, CA $3.5M78 grants · 2024 $5,000Yes $84M
Isabel and Michael Mondavi Foundationsince 2007 Napa, CA $385K8 grants · 2025 $8,500Yes $5.6M
Doctors Company Foundationsince 2008 Napa, CA $50K1 grants · 2025 $50KYes $4.8M
Boeschen Family Foundationsince 1999 Napa, CA $1.5M16 grants · 2025 $20KYes $4.5M
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