Quest Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation says it focuses on young people who have not had a fair shake, defining youth as 18 and under, and its remit also covers arts, sports and education, so your work needs to serve that group to fit.
- The filing records it as invitation only and as not accepting unsolicited requests, although its application section describes an online process, so a warm referral from someone connected to the foundation is the safer route, since it says board members and family prospect and refer organisations doing good work.
- Most of its grants fall between $18,000 and $75,000, with a median of $32,500, so a modest request near that size fits, though this typical band is not a ceiling because its largest grant was $200,000.
- In its latest filing, 88% of its grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had also funded in earlier filings, which suggests that relationships matter a great deal, and its filings show grants mainly in California and Oregon, although no geographic focus is stated.
- When you write, it asks how many young people you plan to impact and how you will assess whether the work makes a difference, and it is flexible about reporting when an organisation lacks the capacity for it.
Overview
Quest Foundation is a US private foundation based in Danville, CA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (bernstein.com), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
Quest Foundation says it focuses on young people who have not had a fair shake, defining youth as 18 and under. Its remit is broad: it includes arts and sports, alongside education ranging from teacher and principal training to special education and technology for schools. The grant records show support for youth mentoring, educational access, literacy, scholarships, physical activity and play, and organisations providing child and family services and shelter. Many grants are recorded as general operating support. The foundation describes a private approach, relying on board members and family for prospecting and referrals to organisations doing good work.
Themes
- Youth
- Arts
- Sports
- Education
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in California and Oregon.
How to apply
Grant applications are submitted through an online application process.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 88% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 538 grants to organisations were $32,500 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The foundation asks applicants how many young people they plan to impact and how they will assess whether the work makes a difference. (as reported in other published sources)
- The foundation is flexible about reporting when an organisation does not have the capacity for it. (as reported in other published sources)
- Board members and family prospect and refer organisations doing good work. (as reported in other published sources)
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 5%
Outside the US or with no state on the filing: 1%
- The largest single recipient received 2% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 88% of grant dollars went to organisations Quest Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- <1% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 173 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $35,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Teen Esteem · General operating support$200,0002024 tax year
- Friends of the Children Portland · Impacting generational change by empowering youth who are facing the greatest obstacles through relationships with professional mentors$150,0002024 tax year
- Friends Of The Children - SF Bay Area · General operating support$150,0002024 tax year
- Teach for America · Finds, develops, and supports equity-oriented leaders-individually and in teams-so they can transform education and expand opportunity with children, starting in the classroom$150,0002024 tax year
- College Track · General operating support$125,0002024 tax year
- Lighthouse Community Charter School · To transform the landscape of education for historically underserved students in oakland.$120,0002024 tax year
- Oakland Public Education Fund · Think college now science program$115,0002024 tax year
- Safe and Sound · General operating support$100,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Jennifer Jernstedt — Secretary, Audit Committee Chair & Director
- Dorothy Jernstedt — President & Director
- Derek Jernstedt — Executive Director, CFO & Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $8,360,439 | $7,861,029 | $97,905,568 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $8,851,339 | $7,336,150 | $104,441,761 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $8,297,441 | $7,523,675 | $109,508,317 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.
Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.
Data privacy and security by default
Your organisation's past successful grants and experience
AI analysis of what reviewers want to see
A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours
Spotted something that needs correcting? Let us know
At a glance
Applying to Quest Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Danville, CA
Applying to Quest Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Danville, CA