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Walter S. Johnson Foundation

Annual Giving
$5.2M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.6M
Decision Time
3mo

Walter S. Johnson Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5,190,000 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $111,397,435
  • Decision Time: 2-6 months
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $600,000+
  • Average Grant: $97,925
  • Geographic Focus: Northern California (45 counties) and Nevada (all counties)
  • Application Type: Invitation only

Contact Details

Address: Walter S. Johnson Foundation, c/o Whittier Trust, 505 Montgomery St, Suite 1200, San Francisco, CA 94111-6529

Phone: (415) 283-1854

Website: https://wsjf.org/

Email: Yali Lincroft, Program Director - ylincroft@whittiertrust.com

Overview

The Walter S. Johnson Foundation was established in 1968 in California by Walter S. Johnson (1884-1978), a San Francisco businessman who founded the American Box Corporation (later American Forest Products Corporation) and helped establish the Friden Calculating Machine Company. Johnson gained public recognition in 1959 for leading a major gift to reconstruct San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts. He developed an interest in supporting foster youth through a friendship with a nonprofit serving this population. Today, the foundation assists young people ages 14-26 who are disconnected from education and employment in Northern California and Nevada to become successful adults. With total assets exceeding $111 million and annual giving of approximately $5.2 million distributed across 53 grants, the foundation focuses on educational and employment opportunities for transition-aged foster youth and other vulnerable young people. The foundation has received recognition through its leadership, with Program Director Yali Lincroft receiving the 2024 John Burton Advocate for Youth Champion of the Year award and the 2013 White House Champion for Change award.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates three primary focus areas:

1. California College Pathways & Nevada Foster Youth Success Initiative ($100,000 - $600,000)

  • Supports current and former foster youth in post-secondary education
  • Includes campus housing, year-round housing availability, mentoring, financial aid assistance, and academic support services
  • Application: Invitation only
  • Recent example: $600,000 for two years to participate in the pooled CCP Fund addressing foster youth educational outcomes in California

2. Reforming Systems ($100,000 - $400,000)

  • Funds policy reform initiatives and public/private partnerships addressing systemic barriers
  • Supports initiatives like California College Pathways, Nevada Foster Youth Success Initiative, and TAY-Hub
  • Multi-year grants typically provided
  • Recent example: Nevada System of Higher Education received six years of funding totaling $1.2 million

3. Employment and Career Opportunities ($30,000 - $400,000)

  • Supports work-readiness training, apprenticeships, and employer partnerships
  • Connects vulnerable youth to jobs and career pathways
  • Recent example: California Local Conservation Corps Foundation received $400,000 for 2 years to build statewide capacity for employment opportunities for opportunity youth

Small Grants ($2,000 - $25,000)

  • Conference support, travel support, research studies, and capacity building
  • Rolling basis for eligible organizations
  • Examples: $15,000 for CA Foster Youth Education Summit participation; $20,000 for NYEC Annual Forum participation

Priority Areas

The foundation supports organizations and efforts in the following areas:

  • Transition-Aged Foster Youth: Creating integrated systems of services for current and former foster youth that ensure successful transition to adulthood
  • Educational and Job Training Programs: Programs targeting specific needs of young people requiring wrap-around services and basic needs support
  • System Integration: Government and social service systems that connect to make accessing services and benefits easier for young people and providers
  • Youth Leaders: Helping young people become engaged, motivated citizens in their communities
  • Capacity Building: Increasing organizational effectiveness of youth organizations and agencies

The foundation emphasizes relational grantmaking and supports grantees' organizational improvements to become more effective and efficient, with a strong belief in partnerships that support sustainable solutions.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not fund:

  • Individuals
  • Arts or film projects
  • International organizations
  • Ongoing general operating costs (with rare exceptions for organizations aligned with Walter S. Johnson's lifetime giving)
  • Capital campaigns
  • Endowments
  • County chapters (typically only state-level organizations are invited to apply)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

  • Nate Bruckner - President
  • Sandy Bruckner - Vice President
  • David Shackelton - Treasurer & Chair, Investments Committee
  • Monty Johnson - Chair, Grants Committee
  • Christopher Rupright - Chair, Audit Committee
  • Katie Hayden - Trustee
  • Kaitlyn Tamulonis - Trustee
  • Kristin Johnson - Trustee

Staff

Ashley Fontanetta - Executive Director Previously worked in financial services and nonprofit management, including roles as a Financial Advisor and director of a nonprofit serving chronically-ill youth in Los Angeles and the Bay Area.

Yali Lincroft, MBA - Program Director Vice President of Whittier Trust's Philanthropic Services. Received the 2024 John Burton Advocate for Youth Champion of the Year award, 2024 CA Association of Local Conservation Corps Partner of the Year, the 2018 Bernard Osher Philanthropist of the Year from the Network of CA Community College Foundations, and the 2013 White House Champion for Change recognition.

Chuck Hoblitzelle - Grants Manager Manages the grantmaking process, including philanthropic due diligence, budget reviews, and database maintenance. Has 15+ years of nonprofit program management experience.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Walter S. Johnson Foundation operates an invitation-only application process. Organizations cannot submit unsolicited proposals.

Five-Step Process:

  1. Determine eligibility - Organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public agencies, or projects sponsored by public charities serving Northern California and Nevada
  2. Check project fit - Review foundation funding priorities and previous grantees to ensure alignment
  3. Contact program staff - Email Yali Lincroft (ylincroft@whittiertrust.com) with a Letter of Inquiry describing your organization and project
  4. Submit proposal (by invitation only) - If invited, the foundation will provide application materials
  5. Await decision - Board meetings occur quarterly; decisions communicated by program staff

Important Notes:

  • The foundation does not accept or review unsolicited proposals or sales requests
  • A Letter of Inquiry is often requested before consideration for a proposal invitation
  • Organizations should review the foundation's funding priorities and list of previous grants before reaching out

Decision Timeline

  • Board meetings: Four times per year (February, May, July/August, and November)
  • Proposal deadlines: Generally due 3 months prior to board meetings
  • Review period: 2-6 months for program staff to conduct due diligence (may include site visits, reference checks, and program/financial assessment)
  • Notification: Program staff will keep applicants informed about proposal status and notify organizations if and when their proposal will be presented to the Board and when to expect a decision

Funding Duration

The foundation typically provides no more than two or three years of consecutive funding to grantees.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, the foundation's invitation-only model suggests a selective process:

  • 53 grants awarded in 2023
  • 59 grants awarded in 2022
  • 52 grants awarded in 2021
  • 38 grants awarded in 2020

The foundation operates through targeted, relationship-based grantmaking rather than open application cycles.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Given the invitation-only nature of the application process, organizations interested in future consideration should maintain contact with program staff and continue to align their work with foundation priorities.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Strategic Priorities The foundation emphasizes that organizations should "review their funding priorities and list of previous grants to determine whether your efforts advance one or more of the Foundation's goals and objectives." Successful applicants demonstrate clear alignment with the foundation's focus on transition-aged foster youth (ages 14-26) and vulnerable young people disconnected from education and employment.

Geographic Service Area Organizations must serve eligible counties in Northern California (45 counties including Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sacramento, and others) or Nevada (all counties). State-level organizations are preferred over county chapters.

Evidence of System Integration The foundation values programs that help "government and social service systems connect to make accessing services and benefits easier for young people and providers." Projects demonstrating partnerships, collaboration, and sustainable solutions are prioritized.

Focus on Outcomes for Youth Ages 14-26 Programs must specifically target transition-aged youth, with emphasis on wrap-around services, basic needs support, education, employment, and pathways to successful adulthood.

Relational Approach and Capacity Building The foundation "believes in relational grantmaking and supports grantees' organizational improvements to become more effective and efficient." Organizations should be prepared for site visits, reference checks, and ongoing communication with program staff.

Examples of Recently Funded Work Recent grants demonstrate the foundation's priorities:

  • California College Pathways: $600,000 for foster youth post-secondary education support
  • Nevada System of Higher Education: $1.2 million over six years for systemwide Foster Youth Success Initiative
  • TAY-Hub at UC Berkeley: $100,000 for research and evaluation on transition-age youth
  • California Local Conservation Corps Foundation: $400,000 for employment opportunities for opportunity youth
  • UNLV Fostering Scholars Program: $300,000 for two years
  • American Bar Association Legal Center for Foster Care and Education: $400,000 for two years

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only process: Do not submit unsolicited proposals. Instead, contact Program Director Yali Lincroft with a Letter of Inquiry to explore fit before investing application effort.
  • Geographic focus matters: Ensure your organization serves Northern California (45 eligible counties) or Nevada. State-level organizations are strongly preferred over county chapters.
  • Age range is critical: Programs must specifically serve young people ages 14-26, with emphasis on foster youth and those disconnected from education and employment.
  • Multi-year funding typical: The foundation typically provides 2-3 years of consecutive funding, with grants ranging from small awards ($2,000-$25,000) to major multi-year commitments ($300,000-$600,000+).
  • System change and collaboration valued: The foundation prioritizes partnerships, policy reform, and system integration efforts that create sustainable solutions beyond individual program delivery.
  • Long review timeline: Plan for 2-6 months of due diligence including potential site visits and reference checks. Proposals are typically due 3 months before quarterly board meetings.
  • Relational approach: The foundation emphasizes relationships with grantees and supports organizational capacity building. Expect ongoing communication and partnership beyond just grant funding.

References

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