Jonathan Logan Family Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $7,875,900 (2023)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation-only)
Grant Range: $30,000 - $2,000,000
Average Grant Size: $75,000
Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on Bay Area
Total Assets: $72,767,315

Contact Details

Address: 3003 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA 94704-2516
Phone: 510-540-7774
Website: jonathanloganfamilyfoundation.org
Email: Not publicly listed

Important Note: The foundation does not accept or respond to unsolicited grant proposals or inquiries. All grants are by invitation only.

Overview

The Jonathan Logan Family Foundation was established in 2015 when founder Jonathan C. Logan split from his parents' Reva and David Logan Foundation to pursue his own philanthropic vision focused on social justice. The foundation supports organizations that advance social justice by empowering world-changing work in three primary areas: investigative journalism, documentary film, and arts & culture. The foundation's approach is rooted in the Jewish principle of tikkun olam (repairing the world), reflecting the values instilled by Logan's parents. In 2023, the foundation awarded 66 grants totaling $7,875,900, with assets of approximately $72.8 million. The foundation aims to be "a catalyst for ideas and actions that illuminate the world and create positive change," focusing on partnerships where their support will "make a significant difference."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Investigative Journalism Grants

Grant Range: $75,000 - $2,000,000
Supports investigative reporting that uncovers important truths and advances social justice
Focus on nonprofit newsrooms, particularly women-led organizations
Recent examples: MLK50 ($200,000 over two years), First Amendment Coalition ($600,000 over three years), Howard University Black Press Archives ($2,000,000)

Documentary Film Grants

Grant Range: $30,000 - $1,000,000
Supports documentary production, institutes, events, and venues
Logan Elevate Grant: $30,000 to three emerging women and non-binary filmmakers of color annually (through International Documentary Association)
Berkeley Film Foundation Logan Elevate Grant: Annual funding for emerging filmmakers
Recent examples: Logan Nonfiction Program ($1,000,000), individual documentary projects ranging from development to completion funding

Arts & Culture Grants

Grant Range: Varies widely
Supports cultural organizations and initiatives that promote social justice
Includes theater, music, education, and preservation projects
Examples: Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Los Cenzontles Cultural Arts Academy, AIDS Memorial Quilt

Special Initiatives & President's Fund

Flexible funding for strategic or emerging opportunities outside standard program areas
Democracy Initiative and other social justice focused projects

Educational Partnerships

Major institutional grants for centers and programs
Examples: Temple University journalism center ($1,200,000), University of Chicago Media Center, Spelman College Center for Documentary Film Studies

Priority Areas

Investigative Journalism Focus:

Nonprofit newsrooms holding the powerful accountable
Urban investigative reporting (gun violence, economic inequality, education, health disparities, infrastructure, institutional trust)
Women-led newsrooms that "disrupt the status quo"
Social justice-focused reporting
Press freedom and First Amendment issues
Archival preservation of journalism history

Documentary Film Focus:

Journalistic documentary films
Films by and about marginalized communities
Support for disabled creators, filmmakers of color, and women/non-binary filmmakers
Development funding and mentorship programs
Documentary field-building organizations

Arts & Culture Focus:

LGBTQ+ history and advocacy
Cultural preservation and education
Music and performance with social justice themes
Community-based arts organizations

Cross-Cutting Themes:

Social justice and equity
Amplifying marginalized voices
Systemic change and accountability
Democracy and civic engagement
Urban issues and community impact

What They Don't Fund

While the foundation does not publish explicit exclusions, their tight focus on the three program areas (investigative journalism, documentary film, arts & culture) and invitation-only process means they do not fund:

Organizations outside their three core areas
Projects without a clear social justice orientation
For-profit entities (unless specific film/journalism projects)
General operating support for organizations not already in their portfolio
Unsolicited proposals from any organization

Governance and Leadership

Jonathan C. Logan - Founder, President & CEO
Jonathan Logan established the foundation in 2015 (officially launched grantmaking in late 2016) after serving as a director of the Reva and David Logan Foundation. He serves on the advisory board of the Investigative Reporting Program at UC Berkeley and is a board member at Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting. Logan has stated: "We love a women-led nonprofit newsroom that disrupts the status quo."

Susanne Karin Zuerbig - Treasurer, Director of Operations & Board Director
Oversees foundation operations and financial management.

Barbara Raab - Senior Program Adviser
Provides strategic guidance on grantmaking programs.

Theresa Boylan - Senior Grants Manager & Program Associate
Manages grant portfolio and program relationships.

Board Directors: Stewart Owen and Lily Quinn

The foundation operates with a collaborative, values-aligned approach to grantmaking, emphasizing being "continuously inspired by grantee partners."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Jonathan Logan Family Foundation does not have a public application process.

The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept or respond to unsolicited grant proposals or inquiries. Grant opportunities are extended by invitation only, based on the foundation's proactive research and strategic priorities.

Grants are awarded through:

Proactive identification by foundation leadership and staff
Strategic initiatives in their three program areas
Existing relationships and networks in journalism, film, and arts sectors
Recommendations from trusted sources in the field

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Timeline varies based on grant size and strategic fit. Multi-year grants and major institutional partnerships appear to involve longer discussion periods.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only model means there is no public application pool to measure success rates against.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable for unsolicited applications. Organizations that receive invitation-only grants may receive subsequent invitations for renewed or expanded support based on performance and continued alignment with foundation priorities.

Application Success Factors

Since this is an invitation-only funder, the following insights are based on the foundation's documented preferences and funded projects:

Strong Alignment with Foundation Values:

Jonathan Logan has explicitly stated: "We love a women-led nonprofit newsroom that disrupts the status quo"
Organizations should demonstrate clear social justice orientation and commitment to advancing marginalized voices
Projects that illuminate truth, create accountability, or catalyze positive change align with their mission

Track Record in Core Areas:

Established organizations with proven impact in investigative journalism, documentary film, or arts & culture
Emerging filmmakers supported through structured programs (Logan Elevate) must demonstrate excellence and commitment to journalistic documentary storytelling
Organizations that build the field (IDA, Firelight Media, Catapult Film Fund) receive significant support

Focus on Specific Issues:

Urban issues: gun violence, economic inequality, education disparities, health disparities, infrastructure, institutional trust
Democracy and civic engagement
LGBTQ+ rights and history
Racial justice and equity
Press freedom and institutional accountability

Bay Area Connection (Preferred but Not Required):

While the foundation makes national grants, many grants stay in the Bay Area where the foundation is based
Berkeley and broader Bay Area organizations feature prominently in portfolio

Types of Projects Recently Funded:

Nonprofit newsrooms doing investigative work (International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, ProPublica, Marshall Project, MLK50, Reveal)
Documentary films addressing social justice topics (Barbara Jordan biography, affordable housing, newspaper industry crisis, Huey P. Newton trial)
Organizations supporting filmmakers of color and women filmmakers (Firelight Media, Chicken & Egg Pictures, Logan Elevate Grant recipients)
Cultural preservation (Howard University Black Press Archives, AIDS Memorial Quilt)
Field-building organizations (International Documentary Association, Catapult Film Fund)

Language and Terminology Used:

"Social justice" appears repeatedly as central value
"Empowering world-changing work" reflects ambitious impact orientation
"Catalyst for ideas and actions that illuminate the world"
"Disrupting the status quo"
"Holding the powerful accountable"
"Advancing marginalized voices"

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Invitation-only model: You cannot apply directly to this foundation. Focus instead on building visibility and reputation in investigative journalism, documentary film, or arts & culture sectors where the foundation is active.
Social justice is non-negotiable: Every grant reflects a clear social justice orientation. Projects must demonstrate how they advance equity, accountability, or systemic change.
Women-led and diverse leadership matters: The foundation has explicitly stated preference for women-led nonprofit newsrooms and funds programs specifically for women and non-binary filmmakers of color.
Field presence is key: Foundation leadership serves on boards and advisory committees in journalism and film sectors. Building visibility through these networks (UC Berkeley journalism program, IDA, documentary film community) increases likelihood of being noticed.
Quality over quantity: With average grants of $75,000 and only 66 grants annually from nearly $8 million in giving, the foundation makes selective, often substantial investments in organizations it believes will have significant impact.
Multi-year relationships: Several grantees receive renewed support (MLK50 received grants in both 2022 and 2024), suggesting the foundation values long-term partnerships with high-performing organizations.
Urban issues and accountability journalism: Significant investments in urban investigative reporting centers suggest sustained interest in this area. Organizations addressing gun violence, inequality, education, health disparities, and institutional accountability may align well.

References

Jonathan Logan Family Foundation Official Website - Accessed December 2024
Jonathan Logan Family Foundation - Cause IQ Profile - Foundation financials and overview
Jonathan Logan Family Foundation - Inside Philanthropy - Grantmaking patterns and analysis
What Bay Area Nonprofits Should Know About the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation - Inside Philanthropy, 2018
The Logan Legacy - Inside Philanthropy, October 2022
Jonathan Logan Family Foundation - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - IRS Form 990 filings
Logan Elevate Grant - International Documentary Association - Program details and recipients
MLK50 Receives $200K Grant - MLK50, January 2024
FAC Receives Three-Year, $600,000 Grant - First Amendment Coalition
Jonathan Logan - UC Berkeley Journalism - Leadership biography
Jonathan Logan Family Foundation Grantees Page - Current grantee partners
Jonathan Logan Family Foundation About Page - Mission and team information