Quest Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

EIN: 20-1844715
Annual Giving: $7.3-7.9 million
Total Assets: $104-110 million
Success Rate: 12% for new applicants (referral-based)
Grant Range: $3,883 - $200,000
Average Grant: ~$40,000
Typical Awards: $75,000 - $150,000
Number of Annual Grants: 170-190
Geographic Focus: Primarily Bay Area, California; also Oregon, Illinois, and select other states
Application Method: No public application process - referral-based only

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 339, Danville, CA 94526-0339

Telephone: 925-743-1925

Note: Quest Foundation does not have a public website or email contact. The foundation operates as a private, referral-based grantmaker.

Overview

Quest Foundation, established in 2005 and based in Danville, California, is a family foundation now in its third generation of operations. With total assets exceeding $104 million and annual grantmaking of approximately $7-8 million, the foundation focuses exclusively on youth aged 18 and under. Founded by Dorothy Jernstedt and managed by Executive Director Derek Jernstedt, Quest operates alongside the related HEDCO Foundation, with both entities sharing leadership and a similar philanthropic philosophy. The foundation deliberately maintains a broad scope within youth services - encompassing arts, sports, and education - to "keep people interested and engaged" while making specific, targeted grants. Unlike most foundations, Quest operates without a public website or open application process, relying instead on referrals from board members and family to identify grantees. Despite this selective approach, the foundation has made 170+ grants annually in recent years, demonstrating an active and engaged grantmaking practice.

Funding Priorities

Focus Population

Quest Foundation exclusively funds programs and organizations serving youth aged 18 and under. This is a strict age limit that defines all of their grantmaking activity.

Priority Areas

The foundation maintains intentionally broad interests within youth services to engage multiple family members and board members in the grantmaking process:

Education: Elementary and secondary education, charter schools, higher education preparation, reading promotion, and literacy programs
Youth Development: Mentoring programs, leadership development, character building, and positive youth development initiatives
Arts & Sports: Youth arts programs and athletic opportunities
Human Services: Family services, child welfare, programs supporting foster youth and underserved communities

Recent Grant Recipients (2024)

Teen Esteem (Danville, CA) - $200,000 for general operating support
Friends of the Children (Portland, OR) - $150,000 for impacting generational change by empowering youth
Teach for America (Los Angeles, CA) - $150,000 to find, develop, and support equity-oriented leaders
College Track (Oakland, CA) - $125,000 for general operating support
Lighthouse Community Charter School (Oakland, CA) - $120,000 to transform the landscape of education

Geographic Focus

While primarily focused on the Bay Area, California, Quest Foundation also makes grants in:

Oregon (particularly Portland)
Illinois
Select grants in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, New York, Washington, and other states

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

Dorothy Jernstedt - President and Director (serves without compensation)

Founder of Quest Foundation
Also serves as President of the related HEDCO Foundation
Part of a multi-generational family foundation now in its third generation

Derek Jernstedt - Executive Director, CFO, and Director

Compensation: $182,259 (working 32 hours per week)
Manages both Quest Foundation and HEDCO Foundation
Grandson of HEDCO Foundation founders
Brings a relational, flexible approach to grantmaking

Leadership Philosophy

Derek Jernstedt has articulated a clear philosophy about the foundation's approach to grantmaking:

On keeping broad interests: "Keep that scope broad, but also be specific in the giving" - the foundation intentionally maintains wide-ranging interests in youth services (arts, sports, education) to keep family members and board engaged while making focused grants.

On reporting flexibility: "If an organization doesn't have the bandwidth... we're not gonna make 'em" - Quest values qualitative reporting and personal stories over rigid quantitative metrics, recognizing the capacity constraints of smaller nonprofits.

On partnership approach: "Don't just say, 'Here's some money. You guys go figure it out'" - the foundation encourages grantees to be specific about how funds will be used while maintaining flexibility in implementation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Quest Foundation does not have a public application process.

The foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." This is a firm policy, not a temporary pause in grantmaking.

How Organizations Enter the Pipeline

Quest Foundation identifies potential grantees through:

Board and Family Referrals: The primary pathway into Quest's grantmaking consideration is through referrals from board members and family members who are involved in the foundation's governance.
Relationship with HEDCO Foundation: Quest operates in close coordination with the related HEDCO Foundation. Organizations that contact either foundation may be directed to the more appropriate entity for their work.
Preliminary Conversations: Some sources indicate that organizations may have preliminary calls with foundation staff, who will then determine whether Quest or HEDCO is the better fit for a potential partnership.

Application System for Selected Organizations

Once an organization is in the pipeline through referrals, Quest uses the Found software platform to manage grant applications. This online system streamlines the application process for pre-selected organizations.

Decision Timeline

While specific decision timelines are not publicly documented, the foundation makes grants throughout the year, as evidenced by their 170+ annual grants. Organizations in the pipeline can expect:

Emphasis on site visits and personal connections
Qualitative conversations about impact and goals
Flexible reporting requirements focused on results and youth impact rather than rigid metrics

Success Rates

For organizations that successfully receive a referral into Quest's consideration, the success rate is approximately 12% for new applicants. However, organizations with existing relationships or previous grants appear to have higher renewal rates, with some grantees receiving support for many consecutive years.

Getting on Their Radar

Board and Family Network Strategy

Since Quest Foundation relies entirely on board and family referrals, organizations seeking support should:

Understand the Family Foundation Structure: Quest is a third-generation family foundation with deep roots in Bay Area philanthropy. The Jernstedt family has connections through both Quest and the related HEDCO Foundation.
HEDCO Foundation Connection: Quest operates in tandem with HEDCO Foundation. Derek Jernstedt manages both foundations. If your work aligns with either foundation's interests, having a preliminary conversation about which foundation is the better fit demonstrates understanding of their structure.
Serve Youth 18 and Under in the Bay Area: Organizations firmly within this demographic and geographic focus are most likely to align with board members' interests and existing networks.
Focus on Educational Equity and Underserved Communities: Review the foundation's grant recipients - they show a clear pattern of supporting organizations that serve underserved youth, focus on educational equity, and demonstrate long-term commitment to transforming young lives.

Networking in Bay Area Youth Services

While Quest does not attend public events or conferences (given their private nature), organizations can position themselves by:

Being known and respected within the Bay Area youth services community
Developing relationships with current grantees who may mention your work to board members
Demonstrating measurable impact with youth that might naturally come to the attention of philanthropists in the region

What NOT to Do

Do not send unsolicited proposals or letters - Quest has explicitly stated they do not accept unsolicited requests
Do not attempt to circumvent the referral process - this would demonstrate a lack of respect for their clearly stated boundaries
Do not apply broadly without the youth focus - Quest's exclusive focus on individuals 18 and under is non-negotiable

Application Success Factors

For Organizations in the Pipeline

If your organization receives a referral into Quest Foundation's consideration, these factors appear to influence funding decisions:

1. Clarity About Fund Usage

Derek Jernstedt emphasizes: "Don't just say, 'Here's some money. You guys go figure it out.'" Organizations should be specific about how grant funds will be used while maintaining appropriate flexibility for implementation adjustments.

2. Focus on Youth Impact and Results

The foundation asks grantees about "results" and potential youth impact. While they maintain flexible reporting requirements, they want to understand:

What outcomes you're working toward with young people
How you'll know if you're making progress
Context when goals aren't fully met (they value learning over perfection)

3. Qualitative Storytelling

Quest values "hearing it on the qualitative side" through personal stories and narrative impact descriptions. Organizations should be prepared to:

Share compelling stories about individual youth served
Describe transformational moments and changes in young people's lives
Provide context and nuance rather than just statistics

4. Organizational Capacity Awareness

The foundation recognizes that smaller organizations may have limited bandwidth for extensive reporting. Jernstedt notes: "If an organization doesn't have the bandwidth... we're not gonna make 'em." This suggests:

Being honest about your capacity for reporting and evaluation
Focusing on meaningful metrics rather than comprehensive data collection
Using available tools (Jernstedt mentions UP Metrics as an example) when they fit your organizational capacity

5. General Operating Support Alignment

Multiple top grants are designated for "general operating support," indicating the foundation's willingness to provide flexible funding rather than solely project-specific grants. Organizations should be prepared to make a case for:

Core organizational capacity and stability
How general support enables youth impact
The importance of flexible funding for organizational effectiveness

6. Long-term Commitment to Youth

Review of grant recipients shows support for organizations with deep, sustained commitment to young people:

Friends of the Children (focused on "impacting generational change")
College Track (long-term college access programming)
Teach for America (multi-year educator development)

This suggests Quest values organizations that make long-term investments in youth rather than short-term interventions.

7. Geographic and Demographic Focus

Strong preference for:

Bay Area organizations (though not exclusive)
Programs serving underserved communities
Educational equity initiatives
Organizations working with foster youth and vulnerable populations

Site Visits and Personal Connection

Derek Jernstedt emphasizes the importance of site visits and personal connections in the foundation's grantmaking. Organizations should:

Be prepared to host foundation staff for site visits
Facilitate opportunities for foundation representatives to meet youth and see programs in action
Build authentic relationships rather than transactional funding requests

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Referral is Essential: Quest Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. The only pathway to funding is through board or family referrals. Organizations should focus on doing excellent work with Bay Area youth that naturally comes to the attention of the philanthropic community.
Youth Age Limit is Strict: Quest exclusively funds programs serving individuals 18 and under. Organizations serving mixed-age populations should be prepared to discuss how grant funds would specifically benefit youth.
Relationship with HEDCO: Quest operates alongside the related HEDCO Foundation with shared leadership. Understanding this relationship and being open to direction toward the more appropriate foundation demonstrates sector knowledge.
Flexible but Specific: While Quest values flexible reporting and maintains broad programmatic interests, successful grantees are specific about how funds will be used and what youth outcomes they expect to achieve.
Qualitative Impact Matters: Personal stories and qualitative descriptions of youth transformation matter as much or more than quantitative metrics. Grant writers should emphasize narrative impact alongside data.
Multi-year Support is Possible: With 170+ grants made annually and evidence of long-term grantee relationships, Quest appears to provide ongoing support to organizations demonstrating consistent youth impact.
General Operating Support Available: Unlike many foundations, Quest makes substantial general operating support grants, recognizing the value of unrestricted funding for organizational effectiveness.
Success Rate is Low but Steady: With a 12% success rate for new applicants but consistent annual grantmaking of 170+ awards, Quest maintains an active but selective grantmaking practice. Organizations that align closely with mission and demonstrate excellence have a legitimate chance when referred.

References

Quest Foundation Profile, Grantmakers.io. Accessed January 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/201844715-quest-foundation/
Quest Foundation 990 Report, Instrumentl. Accessed January 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/quest-foundation
Quest Foundation Profile, Candid Foundation Directory. Accessed January 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=QUES017
Quest Foundation, GrantAdvisor. Accessed January 2026. https://grantadvisor.org/profile.php?ein=20-1844715
Quest Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer, ProPublica. Accessed January 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/201844715
Golla, Clare (Host). "Benchmarking Your Family Foundation" [Audio podcast episode]. In Inspired Investing. Bernstein. Accessed January 2026. https://www.bernstein.com/our-insights/podcasts/inspired-investing/when-the-family-foundation-evolves.html
- Interview with Derek Jernstedt, Executive Director of Quest Foundation and HEDCO Foundation
- Source of direct quotes regarding foundation philosophy, reporting requirements, and grantmaking approach
"Quest Foundation." Grantable. Accessed January 2026. https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/quest-foundation-us-foundation-201844715
Quest Foundation Tax Filings, Form 990-PF (2022-2024). Available through ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and Grantmakers.io.