Solid Rock Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,900,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $50,000 - $350,000
• Geographic Focus: Primarily California and Maryland
• Application Method: Invitation only - no public application process

Contact Details

Address: 3053 Fillmore St #171, San Francisco, CA 94123-4009

Phone: 650-862-5001

Note: This foundation does not accept unsolicited funding requests.

Overview

Established in August 1992 in California, the Solid Rock Foundation is a private family foundation with total assets of approximately $63 million. The foundation distributed $3.9 million in grants in 2024 across 19 awards. The foundation's mission centers on supporting the education and advancement of disadvantaged youth, with particular emphasis on tuition-free schools for low-income students, homeless family services, youth development programs, and affordable housing initiatives. The foundation operates on a preselected basis, making contributions to organizations chosen by its board of trustees rather than through a public application process.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant program with trustee-directed grantmaking. Recent grants have ranged from $50,000 to $350,000, with a median grant size of approximately $200,000.

Recent Grant Recipients (2024):

• Living Classrooms Foundation: $350,000
• Compass Family Services: $300,000
• Mother Seton Academy: $300,000

Priority Areas

Education: Tuition-free schools for low-income students, K-12 education programs, youth academies

Youth Development: Summer camps, mentorship programs, youth services, programs supporting students' transition to adulthood

Housing & Homelessness: Interim housing for homeless families, affordable home construction for low-income families

Family Services: Programs supporting families in need, comprehensive support services for vulnerable families

Geographic Focus

• Primary: California (approximately 68% of grants)
• Secondary: Maryland (approximately 26% of grants)
• Limited: Washington DC and other locations

What They Don't Fund

As a private family foundation with preselected grantees, the foundation does not fund unsolicited requests from any organizations.

Governance and Leadership

The Solid Rock Foundation is governed by a family board of trustees:

• President: Mayo Shattuck IV / Jennifer Budge (leadership has rotated)
• Vice President: Elizabeth Budge D'Hemery
• Treasurer: Joseph Budge
• Secretary: Willa Kathleen Budge / Willa Callahan

All board members serve without compensation, consistent with family foundation governance practices. The Budge family appears to be the primary family behind the foundation's establishment and continued operations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees to organizations they have identified and selected.

Grant Distribution Pattern

The foundation has maintained consistent grantmaking over recent years:

• 2024: 19 grants totaling $3,909,522
• 2023: 19 grants totaling $2,965,000
• 2022: 21 grants
• 2021: 15 grants

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation proactively identifies and selects grant recipients rather than reviewing applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

For organizations not currently funded:

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, there is no application process to optimize. Organizations seeking support would need to be identified by the trustees through their networks and due diligence processes.

For currently funded organizations:

Multi-year relationships appear common. Organizations that have demonstrated strong outcomes in youth education, family services, and housing for vulnerable populations are the foundation's primary funding focus. The foundation shows loyalty to organizations delivering measurable impact in their priority areas.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications
• Family foundation structure: Governed by the Budge family with decisions made by trustees
• Consistent focus areas: Education for disadvantaged youth, homeless family services, and affordable housing remain constant priorities
• Multi-year support likely: The foundation appears to maintain ongoing relationships with selected organizations
• Geographic concentration: Strong preference for California-based organizations (68% of grants), with secondary focus on Maryland
• Substantial grant sizes: Median grant of $200,000 indicates the foundation makes significant investments in selected organizations
• Mission alignment critical: Organizations must work directly with low-income families and youth to align with foundation priorities

References

• Grantmakers.io Profile - Solid Rock Foundation. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/943155938-solid-rock-foundation/ (Accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Solid Rock Foundation (EIN: 94-3155938). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/943155938 (Accessed January 2026)
• CauseIQ - Solid Rock Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/solid-rock-foundation,943155938/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Instrumentl - Solid Rock Foundation 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/solid-rock-foundation-e7741209-7f9f-470a-85bc-f4c7d7bddce3 (Accessed January 2026)
• IRS Form 990-PF filings for Solid Rock Foundation (2021-2024)