Simpson PSB Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $13,592,525 (2023)
• Average Grant Size: $377,570
• Number of Grants: 36 grants awarded (2023)
• Assets: $137.5 million
• Geographic Focus: Primarily California (also Maryland, Oregon, and Washington)
• Application Method: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited proposals

Contact Details

Phone: 925-254-6358
Contact: Sharon Simpson, Chief Executive Officer
Website: www.simpsonpsbfund.org
Location: Orinda, CA 94563

Overview

Founded in 1988 by Barclay Simpson and Sharon Simpson, the Simpson PSB ("Put Something Back") Fund is a private foundation dedicated to ensuring that all children and youth have access to opportunities for educational growth and artistic enrichment. With assets of approximately $137.5 million, the fund distributed $13.6 million in grants in 2023. The fund operates through a proactive, invitation-only model, identifying high-performing or high-potential organisations rather than accepting unsolicited applications. Barclay Simpson, who passed away in 2014, was awarded the Berkeley Medal (UC Berkeley's highest honour) in 2013 and was described as "by far the most generous donor in the history of BAMPFA" (Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive). The fund's grant-making approach is need-driven, evidence-based, and whilst not exclusive, prioritises serving children in California or communities where Simpson family members reside.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The Simpson PSB Fund operates through trustee-discretion grants structured to leverage the fund's investment and maximise overall impact for beneficiaries. With an average grant size of $377,570, the fund makes approximately 36 grants annually. The fund focuses on multi-year partnerships with organisations rather than one-time awards.

Priority Areas

Early Childhood Education & Literacy

• Programmes enabling low-income children to reach their full potential through early education
• Reading programmes for kindergarten through second-grade students (e.g., partnership with Girls Inc. at Lockwood Elementary in Alameda County)
• Early childhood literacy initiatives

Arts & Cultural Institutions

• Arts education programmes for children and youth
• Major cultural institutions (California Shakespeare Theatre, California College of the Arts, Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive, Oakland Museum)
• Arts enrichment opportunities for young people

Youth Development & Family Support

• Programmes creating opportunities for children and youth to live in healthy and safe families and communities
• Youth enrichment and skill-building initiatives
• Organisations serving girls and young women (Girls Inc., GirlSMART)

Higher Education

• University of California Berkeley programmes (Haas School, Athletics, Library, Cal Performances AileyCamp)
• University of Washington's Walter Chapin Simpson Centre for Humanities
• Programmes supporting young entrepreneurs

Public Libraries & Community Resources

• Berkeley Library, Lafayette Library, Walnut Creek Library
• Community-based educational resources

What They Don't Fund

Whilst specific exclusions are not publicly documented, the fund's clear focus on children, youth, education, and arts suggests they do not fund:

• Programmes not focused on children, youth, or education
• Organisations outside their geographic priority areas (unless family connections exist)
• Single-beneficiary organisations

Governance and Leadership

Sharon Simpson serves as Chief Executive Officer and President/Chair of the Board. She served for many years on the board of directors for the California Shakespeare Theatre and continues the philanthropic legacy established with her late husband, Barclay.

K. Lip serves as Treasurer and Secretary of the fund.

Both leadership roles are held on a voluntary basis, with 85% of total fund expenses going directly to programmes.

The late Barclay Simpson was a businessman and philanthropist who believed strongly in the connection between universities and communities. As Kathy Woodward, Director of the Simpson Centre at the University of Washington, noted: "Barclay Simpson believed that strong ties between people from our communities and our universities are essential to the creation of public goods."

The Simpsons' philosophy is captured in their mission of "storytelling is the foundation of a literate society" and their commitment to arts and education as expressed through the fund's name: "Put Something Back."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Simpson PSB Fund does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. This is the most critical information for prospective applicants to understand.

The fund operates through a proactive identification model. According to their official guidance: "The PSB Fund team works proactively to identify the highest-performing or highest-potential organisations to be recipients of PSB Fund grants."

Organisations cannot apply directly for funding. Instead, the fund's staff identifies potential grantees through their own research and networks.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the fund operates on its own timeline for identifying and approaching potential grantees rather than following application cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - as the fund does not accept applications, there are no success rate statistics for applicant organisations.

Application Success Factors

What the Simpson PSB Fund Values (Based on Their Grant-Making Patterns)

Evidence-Based, High-Performing Organisations The fund explicitly states it seeks "the highest-performing or highest-potential organisations." They prioritise organisations that can demonstrate measurable impact and evidence-based approaches to serving children and youth.

Leverage and Maximisation of Impact According to the fund's approach, "PSB Fund grants are structured in ways that will leverage the PSB Fund's investment and maximise overall impact for the organisation's beneficiaries." This suggests they look for organisations where their funding can catalyse additional support or create multiplier effects.

Focus on Children in California Whilst the fund supports some initiatives outside California, their grant-making "prioritises serving children in California or communities where family members are living." Organisations with deep roots in California communities, particularly the Bay Area and Alameda County, align with their historic giving patterns.

Long-Term Partnerships The Simpsons were described as being "amongst the very first major givers to many arts and education causes in Alameda County," suggesting the fund values long-term relationships with organisations rather than one-time grants.

Need-Driven Focus The fund uses "need-driven, evidence-based" grant making, indicating they seek organisations addressing significant unmet needs amongst low-income children and families.

University-Community Connections Given Barclay Simpson's belief that "strong ties between people from our communities and our universities are essential to the creation of public goods," organisations that bridge academic and community resources may be of particular interest.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Don't submit an application - The Simpson PSB Fund does not accept unsolicited proposals and operates through invitation only
• Focus on organisational excellence - If the fund approaches you, be prepared to demonstrate that you are a high-performing or high-potential organisation with evidence-based programmes
• California focus is key - Organisations serving children in California, especially the Bay Area and Alameda County, align with their geographic priorities
• Average grants are substantial - At $377,570 average grant size, the fund makes significant investments in selected organisations
• Demonstrate leverage potential - Show how PSB Fund support could maximise impact and potentially attract additional resources
• Multi-year relationships matter - The fund appears to favour sustained partnerships over one-time grants
• Early education and literacy are priorities - Programmes serving low-income children from kindergarten through early elementary years appear particularly aligned with their mission
• Arts and education intersection - Organisations that combine arts enrichment with educational outcomes for youth fit well within their dual focus areas

References

• Simpson PSB Fund Official Website: www.simpsonpsbfund.org (Accessed December 2024)
• GuideStar Profile - Simpson Foundation (EIN 68-0168017): https://www.guidestar.org/profile/68-0168017 (Accessed December 2024)
• Grantable Foundation Profile - Simpson PSB Fund: https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/simpson-psb-fund-us-foundation-680168017 (Accessed December 2024)
• Candid Foundation Directory - Simpson PSB Fund: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=SIMP025 (Accessed December 2024)
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Simpson Foundation: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/simpson-foundation (Accessed December 2024)
• The Grantsmanship Centre - Simpson PSB Fund: https://www.tgci.com/funder/simpson-psb-fund (Accessed December 2024)
• East Bay Times: "Orinda: Barclay Simpson, businessman and philanthropist, remembered for his generosity, involvement and example" (November 20, 2014): https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2014/11/20/orinda-barclay-simpson-businessman-and-philanthropist-remembered-for-his-generosity-involvement-and-example/ (Accessed December 2024)
• UC Berkeley Arts + Design: "New $50K Berkeley Literary Prize Aims to Help Mid-Career Novelists" (July 2017): https://artsdesign.berkeley.edu/literature/news/new-50k-berkeley-literary-prize-aims-to-help-mid-career-novelists (Accessed December 2024)
• Simpson Centre for the Humanities - Barclay Simpson Scholars: https://simpsoncenter.org/programs/barclay-simpson-scholars-0 (Accessed December 2024)