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Simpson PSB Fund

Annual Giving
$13.6M
Grant Range
$50K - $1.0M

Simpson PSB Fund

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $13,592,525 (2024)
  • Average Grant Size: $377,570
  • Number of Grants: 36 grants awarded (2024)
  • 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 2024. The fund operates through a proactive, invitation-only model, identifying high-performing or high-potential organizations rather than accepting unsolicited applications. Barclay Simpson, who passed away in 2014, was awarded the Berkeley Medal (UC Berkeley's highest honor) 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 while not exclusive, prioritizes serving children in California or communities where Simpson family members reside.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Simpson PSB Fund operates through trustee-discretion grants structured to leverage the fund's investment and maximize 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 organizations rather than one-time awards.

Priority Areas

Early Childhood Education & Literacy

  • Programs enabling low-income children to reach their full potential through early education
  • Reading programs 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 programs for children and youth
  • Major cultural institutions (California Shakespeare Theater, California College of the Arts, Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive, Oakland Museum)
  • Arts enrichment opportunities for young people

Youth Development & Family Support

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

Higher Education

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

Public Libraries & Community Resources

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

What They Don't Fund

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

  • Programs not focused on children, youth, or education
  • Organizations outside their geographic priority areas (unless family connections exist)
  • Single-beneficiary organizations

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 Theater 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 programs.

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 Center 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 organizations to be recipients of PSB Fund grants."

Organizations 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 organizations.

Application Success Factors

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

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

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

Focus on Children in California While the fund supports some initiatives outside California, their grant-making "prioritizes serving children in California or communities where family members are living." Organizations 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 "among the very first major givers to many arts and education causes in Alameda County," suggesting the fund values long-term relationships with organizations rather than one-time grants.

Need-Driven Focus The fund uses "need-driven, evidence-based" grant making, indicating they seek organizations addressing significant unmet needs among 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," organizations 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 organizational excellence - If the fund approaches you, be prepared to demonstrate that you are a high-performing or high-potential organization with evidence-based programs
  • California focus is key - Organizations 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 organizations
  • Demonstrate leverage potential - Show how PSB Fund support could maximize impact and potentially attract additional resources
  • Multi-year relationships matter - The fund appears to favor sustained partnerships over one-time grants
  • Early education and literacy are priorities - Programs serving low-income children from kindergarten through early elementary years appear particularly aligned with their mission
  • Arts and education intersection - Organizations that combine arts enrichment with educational outcomes for youth fit well within their dual focus areas

References

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