Caldwell Fisher Family Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation is described as focusing on education and the climate crisis, and its grant record is led by education, with some environmental work alongside health and welfare, arts, science education and mental health.
- It makes grants by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests, so a small charity should not send a cold application and should first find a way to be invited.
- Typical grants fall between $5,000 and $100,000, and half of its 61 grants to organisations were $25,000 or less, so a modest request in that range fits its usual pattern, though its largest grant was about $12,500,000.
- The filings show grants mainly in Massachusetts, but no geographic focus is stated, so that pattern should not be read as a limit on who may apply.
- Any written material should state the funding purpose clearly.
Overview
Caldwell Fisher Family Foundation is a US private foundation based in Menlo Park, CA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (drawdown.org), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation is described as focusing on education and the climate crisis. Its grant record is led by education and includes environmental work, alongside health and welfare, arts, science education and mental health. Its recipients include universities, museums, environmental groups, and organisations working in health, welfare and the arts. Some grants combine education with environmental or welfare purposes. The filing describes support for preselected charitable organisations only and does not accept unsolicited requests. Written materials should state the funding purpose clearly.
Themes
- Education
- Climate crisis
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Massachusetts.
How to apply
Submit an application in writing, clearly stating the funding purpose in the materials.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 6% 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 61 grants to organisations were $25,000 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: <1%
- The largest single recipient received 74% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 6% of grant dollars went to organisations Caldwell Fisher Family Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 7 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $25,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Harvard Climate Action Accelerator Fund · Education$3,500,0002024 tax year
- National Redistricting Foundation · Education/wellfare$100,0002024 tax year
- Sfmoma · Art$85,0002024 tax year
- Mental Health Coalition · Mental health$25,0002024 tax year
- Exploratorium · Science/education$25,0002024 tax year
- Jane Goodall Institute · Enviornment$5,0002024 tax year
- LandPaths · Enviornment$5,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- John Fisher — CEO / Secretary
- Jennifer Caldwell — President / Vice President
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $25,576,553 | $13,673,600 | $30,860,747 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $6,311,000 | $5,329,400 | $26,629,781 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $90,429 | $3,745,000 | $24,020,753 | 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 Caldwell Fisher Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (650) 233-9000
- Menlo Park, CA
Applying to Caldwell Fisher Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (650) 233-9000
- Menlo Park, CA