Private foundation · EIN 85-2108142 · Cardiff, California · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Stone Steps 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: 9 grants paid, $306K total, median $20K. 33% of grants stayed in California.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2024
9
$306K
Median grant
$20K
Stays in CA
33%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$5.5M

Grants paid in 2024

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
Acumen Fund IncNew York, NYGeneral support$200K
Global CommunitiesSilver Spring, MDGeneral support$20K
Global Witness FoundationPalo Alto, CAGeneral support$20K
Street Business SchoolNiwot, COGeneral support$20K
Sustainable Buyers Guide IncNew York, NYGeneral support$20K
Al Otro LadoSan Ysidro, CAGeneral support$10K
Sanergy IncBrookline, MAGeneral support$10K
Sarara InstituteDenever, COGeneral support$5,000
Third Avenue Charitable Organization (taco)San Diego, CAGeneral support$500

By state: New York 2 · California 3 · Colorado 2 · Maryland 1 · Massachusetts 1

About this foundation

Stone Steps Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Cardiff, California, administered in care of Karen Paterson, tax-exempt since 2020. 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 Stone Steps 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 Stone Steps Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2024 it paid $306K across 9 grants, a median of $20K.

Where does Stone Steps Foundation give?

New York (2 grants), California (3 grants), Colorado (2 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Cardiff that accept applications

All in California
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Sternglanz Foundationsince 2013 Cardiff, CA $100K1 grants · 2025 $100KPreselected only $2.3M
William & Flora Hewlett Foundationsince 1968 Menlo Park, CA $625M2,001 grants · 2024 $150KYes $13B
Sergey Brin Family Foundationsince 2015 San Francisco, CA $699M170 grants · 2024 $1.0MPreselected only $4.1B
Gordon E and Betty I Moore Foundationsince 2001 Palo Alto, CA $403M920 grants · 2024 $200KPreselected only $8.8B
David and Lucile Packard Foundationsince 1964 Los Altos, CA $350M1,029 grants · 2024 $150KYes $8.3B
Good Ventures Foundationsince 2013 Palo Alto, CA $307M565 grants · 2024 $154KPreselected only $5.9B
The California Endowmentsince 1996 Los Angeles, CA $141M845 grants · 2024 $100KPreselected only $4.3B
The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovationsince 2014 Palo Alto, CA $244M379 grants · 2024 $100KPreselected only $1.4B
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