Eschaton Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $162,695 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $5,212 - $139,695
• Geographic Focus: Primarily California, with support for organizations nationally and internationally
• Total Assets: $17.3 million (2024)

Contact Details

Resource Center for Nonviolence (Operating Name)

• Address: 612 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
• Phone: 831-423-1626
• Email: rcnvinfo@gmail.com
• Website: https://rcnv.org
• Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 9am-5pm; Saturday & Sunday: By Appointment

Overview

Founded in 1972, the Eschaton Foundation is a Santa Cruz-based public charity with total assets of $17.3 million and annual giving of approximately $162,695 (2023). The foundation operates under the public name "Resource Center for Nonviolence" (RCNV) and promotes the philosophy and practice of nonviolence inspired by leaders such as Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez, and Dolores Huerta. The foundation's dual mission encompasses both direct educational programming through RCNV's community center and grant-making to support other nonviolence organizations around the country and the world. With significant assets generated primarily through investment income ($809,075 in 2024), the foundation takes a strategic approach to advancing nonviolent social change through carefully selected partnerships with like-minded organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes selective grants to organizations promoting nonviolence and antiracism. Based on available data:

• Grant Range: $5,212 - $139,695
• Application Method: No public application process identified
• Recent Activity: 2 awards in 2023, 1 award in 2022, 1 award in 2021

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

• Organizations promoting the philosophy and practice of nonviolence
• Antiracism initiatives and education
• Nonviolent social change movements
• Peace and justice organizations
• Educational programs and documentary projects related to nonviolent resistance (e.g., supported production of "The Boys Who Said No," a documentary about nonviolent opposition to the Vietnam War draft)

Geographic Scope:

• Primary focus: California
• Also supports organizations nationally and internationally that promote nonviolence

What They Don't Fund

Information about exclusions is not publicly available. Given their focused mission on nonviolence and antiracism, organizations whose work does not align with these core principles would likely not be eligible.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors (2024)

• Ilene Fienman, President
• Joe Williams, Vice President
• Peter Klotz-chamberlin, Secretary
• Gabriela Triguero, Treasurer
• All 8 board members are independent

Staff

• Silvia Morales, Executive Director (Salary: $68,355 in 2024)
• Contact for volunteer inquiries: silvia@rcnv.org

Governance Structure

The foundation maintains a conflict of interest policy and operates with full board independence, though Charity Navigator notes the organization lacks formal whistleblower and document retention policies and financial statements.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Eschaton Foundation does not appear to have a public application process. There is no information available on their website or in public databases about grant application procedures, deadlines, or eligibility criteria. The foundation appears to identify and select grantees through its own networks and relationships within the nonviolence movement.

Organizations interested in potential funding should contact the foundation directly at rcnvinfo@gmail.com or 831-423-1626 to inquire whether they consider unsolicited requests or operate solely on an invitation basis.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. The limited grant activity (1-2 awards annually in recent years) suggests a highly selective process.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. Given the small number of grants made annually (1-2 awards), competition is likely significant for those organizations that come to the foundation's attention.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available.

Application Success Factors

Given the lack of public application guidelines, potential applicants should consider the following based on the foundation's documented priorities:

Alignment with Core Mission:

• Organizations must demonstrate a clear commitment to nonviolence as both philosophy and practice
• Work should reflect the principles of leaders like Gandhi, MLK Jr., Cesar Chavez, and Dolores Huerta
• Integration of antiracism work appears to be an important priority

Types of Organizations Supported:

• The foundation has supported documentary film projects about nonviolent resistance (e.g., "The Boys Who Said No")
• Education and training programs focused on nonviolent social change
• Organizations working on peace and justice issues through a nonviolence lens

Relationship Building:

• As the foundation operates the Resource Center for Nonviolence community center, engaging with RCNV's programs and events may provide opportunities to connect with foundation leadership
• The foundation's connection to the broader nonviolence movement suggests that organizations embedded in these networks may be more visible to decision-makers

Geographic Considerations:

• While the foundation primarily focuses on California, it does support organizations nationally and internationally
• Organizations outside California should demonstrate how their work advances nonviolence in ways that align with the foundation's philosophy

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This foundation does not accept open applications. Grants appear to be made through invitation or existing relationships within the nonviolence movement.

• Small, selective grant-making: With only 1-2 grants annually, funding opportunities are extremely limited and highly competitive.

• Mission alignment is critical: The foundation's commitment to nonviolence is rooted in specific philosophical traditions (Gandhi, MLK Jr., Cesar Chavez). Organizations must authentically embody these principles.

• Relationship building may be key: Engaging with the Resource Center for Nonviolence (RCNV) programs, events, or community space in Santa Cruz could provide visibility to foundation leadership.

• Significant resources behind modest giving: With $17.3 million in assets supporting $162,695 in annual grants, the foundation appears to be building its endowment while supporting a mix of its own programs and external organizations.

• Contact directly for inquiries: Organizations believing they are a strong fit should reach out to rcnvinfo@gmail.com or call 831-423-1626 to explore whether unsolicited inquiries are considered.

• Long-term commitment to nonviolence: Founded in 1972, this is an established foundation with over 50 years of work in the nonviolence movement—they value depth of commitment and authentic practice over trendy initiatives.

References

1. Cause IQ - Eschaton Foundation Resource Center for Nonviolence. Accessed January 22, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/eschaton-foundation,237209584/

2. Charity Navigator - Eschaton Foundation Profile. Accessed January 22, 2026. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/237209584

3. Instrumentl - Eschaton Foundation 990 Report. Accessed January 22, 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/eschaton-foundation

4. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Eschaton Foundation. Accessed January 22, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237209584

5. Resource Center for Nonviolence - Official Website. Accessed January 22, 2026. https://rcnv.org

6. GuideStar - Eschaton Foundation Profile. Accessed January 22, 2026. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/23-7209584

7. Fund for Nonviolence - InfluenceWatch. Accessed January 22, 2026. https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/fund-for-nonviolence/