Kattom Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1.5-3.2 million (recent years)
• Success Rate: N/A - Invitation-only funder
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $250,000 (typical); up to millions for strategic partners
• Geographic Focus: U.S., with strong California presence

Contact Details

• Website: https://tomkatfoundation.org/
• Phone: (415) 529-5692
• Email: Not publicly available
• Address: 111 Sutter Street, 10th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104

Overview

The Kattom Foundation (formerly TomKat Foundation until 2023) is a private independent foundation established in 2007 by billionaire Tom Steyer and Kathryn "Kat" Taylor, CEO of Beneficial State Bank. With EIN 205730928, the foundation has distributed over $75 million in grants since 2016, focusing on three strategic pillars: Good Money (financial empowerment), Good Food (sustainable agriculture), and Good Energy (climate solutions). The foundation operates with a low-profile, invitation-only approach to grant-making, prioritizing innovative organizations working toward climate stability, healthy food systems, and broad economic prosperity. Notable institutional partnerships include the $40 million TomKat Center for Sustainable Energy at Stanford and the $25 million Yale Energy Sciences Institute.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through strategic invitation-only grants rather than formal programs:

• Strategic Partnerships: $250,000 - $3 million (multi-year collaborations with aligned organizations)
• Program Grants: $10,000 - $250,000 (supporting specific initiatives within priority areas)
• Capacity Building: Variable amounts for organizational development

Priority Areas

Good Money

• Financial empowerment and inclusion
• Beneficial banking initiatives
• Community development financial institutions
• Economic justice and equitable financial services

Good Food

• Sustainable and regenerative agriculture
• Healthy food systems and access
• Animal welfare and humane farming practices
• Food security and sovereignty

Good Energy

• Climate change mitigation and adaptation
• Clean energy transition
• Environmental conservation
• Climate policy and advocacy

What They Don't Fund

• Unsolicited proposals (strict invitation-only policy)
• Individual assistance or scholarships
• Organizations outside their three focus areas
• General operating support for organizations not in existing partnerships

Governance and Leadership

Founders and Officers:

• Kathryn A. Taylor - President; CEO of Beneficial State Bank, advocate for community banking and economic justice
• Thomas F. Steyer - Secretary & Treasurer; Billionaire investor, climate activist, former 2020 presidential candidate

Neither officer receives compensation for their foundation roles. The foundation maintains a small, focused board structure with the founders maintaining direct oversight of grant-making decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Kattom Foundation explicitly states it "does not accept unsolicited proposals" and "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations." Grants are awarded through:

• Board-initiated outreach to aligned organizations
• Recommendations from existing grantees and partners
• Strategic partnerships identified through the founders' networks
• Organizations that come to their attention through impact in priority areas

Getting on Their Radar

Based on analysis of their grant-making patterns:

• Network with existing grantees: Organizations like Center for Ecoliteracy, Point Blue Conservation Science, and Movement Strategy Center have received multiple grants, suggesting they could provide introductions
• Engage with their institutional partners: The TomKat Center at Stanford and Yale Energy Sciences Institute represent deep relationships where connections might be made
• Participate in Beneficial State Bank's community initiatives: Given Kat Taylor's role as CEO, organizations working with Beneficial State Bank may gain visibility
• Build visibility in California climate and food systems networks: Many grantees operate in these spaces where the founders are actively engaged

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed due to invitation-only nature

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only funder

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation-only funder

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates by invitation only, success factors are based on analysis of organizations they have funded:

• Innovation and systems change approach: The foundation consistently funds organizations working on transformative rather than incremental change
• Multi-stakeholder collaboration: Many funded projects involve partnerships across sectors
• California presence or national climate impact: Strong preference for California-based work or initiatives with national climate implications
• Track record of impact: Funded organizations typically have demonstrated success and established reputations
• Alignment with founder interests: Organizations working on issues Tom Steyer and Kat Taylor personally champion (climate action, beneficial banking, regenerative agriculture)
• Capacity for scale: Preference for organizations that can leverage grants for broader systemic impact

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Kattom Foundation is strictly invitation-only; do not submit unsolicited proposals
• Focus on building relationships with their existing grantees as the primary pathway to consideration
• Organizations must align closely with one of three pillars: Good Money, Good Food, or Good Energy
• Larger grants ($1M+) go to organizations with established, ongoing partnerships with the foundation
• The foundation prefers innovative, systems-change approaches over traditional service delivery
• California-based organizations or those with national climate impact have strongest alignment
• Building visibility through impact and networks is more important than direct outreach

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Kattom Foundation (EIN 205730928) - Multiple years of Form 990 data accessed February 2024
• Foundation Directory Online - Kattom Foundation Profile - Accessed February 2024
• Grantome.com - TomKat Foundation Grant History - Accessed February 2024
• Stanford University - TomKat Center for Sustainable Energy announcement and updates - Accessed February 2024
• Yale University - Yale Energy Sciences Institute founding and support documentation - Accessed February 2024
• Various Form 990-PF filings (2020-2024) - IRS database
• Beneficial State Bank website - Leadership profiles - Accessed February 2024