Metta Fund
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- Metta Fund concentrates its giving on caregiving and social connectedness, backing organisations led by and serving people of colour that advance the health and well-being of older San Franciscans, so fit matters: work outside these themes or outside San Francisco (its stated geographic priority) is unlikely to match.
- The foundation says it does not accept unsolicited requests and works by invitation only, so a direct cold application is not the way in; building visibility and relationships in the caregiving and social-connectedness space is the realistic path.
- Typical grants run from $2,000 to $110,000, with the median grant at $75,000 and the largest $225,000, so a modest to mid-sized request is the sensible benchmark.
- A large share of grant dollars, 83%, went to organisations already funded in the two prior filings, pointing to a relationship-led, repeat-giving pattern rather than a wide-open annual competition.
- Grant writers should time any outreach around building the kind of community connection the foundation looks for, rather than around a formal deadline, since none is given.
Overview
Metta Fund is a US private foundation based in San Francisco, CA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2025, TY2024, TY2023) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
Metta Fund advances the health and well-being of older San Franciscans through grantmaking and community partnerships. It partners with nonprofits providing direct services and advocating for policies that drive change, with grantmaking centred on caregiving and social connectedness. The Fund invests in community-driven strategies and focuses on organisations led by and serving people of colour to build thriving, multigenerational communities. Its approach uses a racial-equity lens and flexible funding to strengthen organisational capacity. In caregiving, its interests include training and job readiness for paid caregivers, culturally and linguistically appropriate information and services, and advocacy, research and storytelling that elevate caregivers’ value and rights.
Themes
- Caregiving
- Social connectedness
Geographic Focus
Priority: San Francisco.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2025 filing, 83% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2023 or TY2024 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2023, TY2024 and TY2025 filings, half of its 161 grants to organisations were $75,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- It focuses on organisations led by and serving people of colour and invests in community-driven strategies.
- It seeks leaders deeply connected to their communities who elevate community needs and challenge the status quo.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2023–2025.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 6% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2025, 83% of grant dollars went to organisations Metta Fund had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 3% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 52 grants in tax year 2025 by size
Median $100k (tax year 2025)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Justice in Aging · General operating support$225,0002025 tax year
- San Francisco Senior and Disability Action · General operating support$200,0002025 tax year
- Mission Action · San francisco immigrant legal and education network (sfilen) and the rapid response network (rrn)$200,0002025 tax year
- Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders · Diverse elders coalition$175,0002025 tax year
- CARA Education Fund · General operating support$175,0002025 tax year
- Mujeres Unitas Y Activas · General operating support$175,0002025 tax year
- Richmond Neighborhood Center · Sfnct's healthy behaviors for aging & older adults$165,0002025 tax year
- Booker T. Washington Community Service Center · Equity community organizing (eco) project in san francisco$110,0002025 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Parvin Manuchehri — Director
- Roberta Vargas — Director
- Debra Plousha-Moore — Director
- Thurman White — Treasurer, Director (Started 05/01/25)
- Sonia Melara — Secretary, Director (Started 05/01/25)
- John Woodward — Vice Chair, Director
- Jarmin Yeh — Board Chair, Director
- Janet Y Spears — President & CEO
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 tax year | $6,111,824 | $2,765,000 | $71,673,019 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $7,246,787 | $2,751,500 | $72,258,215 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
| 2025 tax year | $5,814,901 | $4,010,600 | $78,839,650 | Filing for 2025 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
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to Metta Fund?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
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Contact
- San Francisco, CA
- mettafund.org
Applying to Metta Fund?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- San Francisco, CA
- mettafund.org