Private foundation · EIN 94-3211277 · Burlingame, California · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Swanson 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 2025 Form 990-PF: 6 grants paid, $1.2M total, median $162K. 67% of grants stayed in California.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
6
$1.2M
Median grant
$162K
Stays in CA
67%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$22M

Grants paid in 2025

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
MIT - Ras (1969) Biotech Center of the Koch Inst of Integ Cancer ResearchCambridge, MAEducation$500K
KqedSan Francisco, CAPublic service$300K
San Francisco BalletSan Francisco, CAEducation$250K
Damon Runyon Cancer Research FoundationNew York, NYHealth care$74K
Mills Peninsula Hospital FoundationBurlingame, CAHealth care$50K
Tahoe Truckee Community FoundationTruckee, CAPublic service$50K

By state: California 4 · Massachusetts 1 · New York 1

About this foundation

Swanson Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Burlingame, California, administered in care of Robert Swanson, tax-exempt since 1995. 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 Swanson Foundation 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 Swanson Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $1.2M across 6 grants, a median of $162K.

Where does Swanson Foundation give?

California (4 grants), Massachusetts (1 grants), New York (1 grants), per its latest filing.

More foundations near Burlingame that accept applications

All in California
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Next Gen Personal Financesince 2018 Burlingame, CA $1.1M20 grants · 2024 $52KPreselected only $40M
Schmaier Family Foundationsince 2020 Burlingame, CA $1.2M16 grants · 2025 $50KPreselected only $18M
Michael Toshio Cure for Cancer Foundationsince 2020 Burlingame, CA $200K1 grants · 2024 $200KPreselected only $14M
J&k Lau Foundationsince 2020 Burlingame, CA $638K7 grants · 2024 $75KPreselected only $14M
Kim and Harold Louie Family Foundationsince 2007 Burlingame, CA $452K38 grants · 2024 $6,250Yes $7.1M
Hoefer Family Foundationsince 1958 Burlingame, CA $447K38 grants · 2025 $5,000Preselected only $5.0M
San Francisco Humanities Incsince 1967 Burlingame, CA $221K30 grants · 2025 $7,500Yes $3.5M
Ito Foundation USAsince 1999 Burlingame, CA $470K4 grants · 2024 $80KPreselected only $2.8M
Email me matching grants