Aphorism Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and works by invitation only, so a cold proposal is unlikely to get a hearing; look first for an introduction through someone who knows it.
- Its filings describe general support across a broad mix of organisations, including universities, science and technology groups, public-policy bodies, leadership organisations and food-assistance charities, so fit depends on the relationship as much as on the field of work.
- About 8 in 10 of its 78 grants to organisations fall between $63,000 and $2,200,000, with a median of $900,000 and a largest grant of $14,500,000; that band is typical rather than a limit, so size any request to your own needs.
- In the most recent filing, 57% of grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in one of its two earlier filings, so new applicants are approaching a largely established set of grantees.
- The filing states no geographic focus; the grants shown are mainly in Massachusetts, California and District of Columbia, but that is a pattern in past giving, not a rule on who may apply.
Overview
Aphorism Foundation is a US private foundation based in San Francisco, CA.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 12 October 2026.
Priority Areas
Its filings describe the grants as general support and record awards to a broad mix of organisations. Recipients include universities and research institutions, science and technology organisations, public-policy groups, leadership and management organisations, and food-assistance charities. The recorded portfolio therefore spans several types of charitable and educational organisations rather than one recipient type. The largest recorded shares of grant dollars went to organisations in Massachusetts and California, with further support recorded for organisations in the District of Columbia and New York. The filings do not identify a single named funding field.
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Massachusetts, California and District of Columbia.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 57% 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 78 grants to organisations were $900,000 or less.
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 22% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 57% of grant dollars went to organisations Aphorism Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- <1% of grant dollars went directly to organisations outside the US (Canada, United Kingdom).
- 5% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 27 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $1M (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Earth Species Project · General support$10,005,3002024 tax year
- Probabilistic Computing Foundation · General support$10,000,0002024 tax year
- Science for America · General support$3,000,0002024 tax year
- New America Foundation · General support$2,200,0002024 tax year
- Second Harvest Food Bank · General support$2,000,0002024 tax year
- CZ Biohub Network · General support$2,000,0002024 tax year
- Connected Learning Alliance · General support$1,865,0002024 tax year
- Mathesar Foundation · General support$1,498,5002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Frank F Huang — Secretary
- Reid Hoffman — Ppres / Treasurer / Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $13,583,296 | $12,846,893 | $1,051,342,844 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $61,346,228 | $55,144,755 | $1,051,825,346 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $44,517,473 | $43,449,493 | $1,057,987,675 | 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
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At a glance
Applying to Aphorism Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- San Francisco, CA
Applying to Aphorism Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- San Francisco, CA