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John and Marcia Goldman Foundation

Annual Giving
$7.4M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M

John and Marcia Goldman Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,401,145 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $300.8 million (2019)
  • Decision Time: Variable (3 board meetings per year)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $125,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Mid-Peninsula region (southern San Mateo County to northern Santa Clara County), San Francisco Bay Area
  • Open Application Program: Youth Development only

Contact Details

Website: https://jmgoldmanfoundation.org/

Address: San Francisco, CA

Grant Inquiries: Foundation staff are available to answer questions and clarify funding issues through the website contact form.

Overview

Established in 1997 by John and Marcia Goldman, this San Francisco Bay Area family foundation has grown to hold approximately $300.8 million in assets and distributed $7.4 million in grants in 2023. The foundation's assets expanded significantly in 2011 when the Richard & Rhoda Goldman Fund (John's parents' foundation) was dissolved and its assets transferred. Connected to the Levi Strauss philanthropic legacy through John's grandparents (Walter & Elise Haas, Sr. Fund), the foundation focuses on improving quality of life for individuals and communities in the Bay Area and beyond. The foundation concentrates its grantmaking in two primary areas: youth development in the mid-Peninsula region and health research for autoimmune diseases and autism spectrum disorder. In 2014, the foundation joined the Divest-Invest movement, committing to divest entirely from fossil fuel enterprises.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Youth Development (Open Application)

  • The foundation's only program area accepting unsolicited applications
  • Geographic focus: Mid-Peninsula region (southern San Mateo County to northern Santa Clara County)
  • Supports opportunities for underserved children, youth, and families
  • Grant range: $5,000 - $125,000+ (based on historical data)
  • Application method: Rolling basis, Letter of Inquiry required first
  • Typical grants made: 139 awards in 2022, 151 awards in 2021

Science & Health (Foundation-Initiated Only)

  • Current focus: Autism spectrum disorders and autoimmune disorders
  • Does not accept unsolicited proposals
  • Supports translational research and health services to improve health outcomes and quality of life for patients and families

Arts & Culture (Foundation-Initiated Only)

  • Enriches cultural landscape of Bay Area community
  • Fosters access to the arts, supports creativity, enhances cultural education
  • Does not accept unsolicited proposals

Special Initiatives (Foundation-Initiated Only)

  • Jewish Life
  • Reproductive Health and Rights
  • Civic and Community projects
  • Emergency response and social services

Priority Areas

Youth Development program priorities include:

  • Social entrepreneurship and economic opportunity
  • Test preparation and college access
  • Immigration services
  • Housing advocacy
  • Employment barrier removal
  • Education equity initiatives
  • Early intervention education
  • Foster youth job training
  • Youth arts initiatives
  • Safe spaces for creative programming

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly does not fund:

  • Ongoing operating support (generally)
  • Event sponsorship
  • Film making
  • Branding and marketing
  • Individual use or personal funding
  • Deficit funding
  • Political lobbying

Additional Restrictions:

  • Organizations cannot reapply for a period of three years after completion of a previous grant
  • Overhead/indirect costs capped at 10%

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

John Goldman - President

  • Bay Area native raised with strong Jewish philanthropic values (tzedakah and tikkun olam)
  • Son of Richard and Rhoda Goldman, who founded the Richard & Rhoda Goldman Fund in 1951 (distributed nearly $700 million to 2,500+ nonprofits before dissolving)
  • Grandson of Walter and Elise Haas, Sr., connected to Levi Strauss philanthropic legacy

Quotes from John Goldman:

  • On his mother's influence: "Giving back is like breathing. It's something natural we do as human beings... you should enjoy what you have, but in equal measure you should give."
  • On youth focus: "Our focus in the beginning was strictly on young people. We felt it was important to give them the chance to succeed."
  • On community-driven approach: "We are truly grateful to the youth for taking the lead and for teaching us the importance of community-driven solutions."
  • On East Palo Alto work: "After many years of making grants in East Palo Alto, we asked the youth what they wanted for their city. Their response – a safe space and quality programming to explore art and creativity as a vehicle to support their dreams and uplift their community – propelled us to listen and act to fulfill their vision."

Marcia Goldman - Secretary & Treasurer

  • Bay Area native with background as an autism educator
  • This personal experience led to expanded support for families affected by autism through research, treatment, and support services

Staff

Amy Lyons - Executive Director

  • Previously served as executive director of the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund before its dissolution in 2012

Maria Kong - Director, Grants & Operations

Sophia Colamarino, Ph.D. - Director, Science & Health

Tara Genea Wilson - Director, Youth Development

Philanthropic Philosophy

From the founders' message: "It is a privilege and a joy to be responsive to community needs and to address issues about which we care deeply." The Goldmans emphasize responsive listening and community-driven solutions, having established their foundation to address economic inequality and recognizing that "too many families were being excluded from the economic prosperity of the region."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

  • Required before full proposal submission
  • No deadline - accepted on a rolling basis
  • Maximum two pages, narrative form
  • Must include coversheet (available for download from website)
  • Submit via email

LOI Must Include:

  • Organization name, mission, overview, and current annual operating budget
  • Title, amount, and description of proposed project, including total project budget
  • Description of how intended outcomes align with the foundation's youth grantmaking goals

Important: Letters of Inquiry will only be accepted for programs and projects that serve youth and their families in Mid-Peninsula communities (southern San Mateo County to northern Santa Clara County).

Step 2: Full Proposal (By Invitation Only)

  • Full proposals accepted only upon invitation by the foundation after LOI review
  • Foundation staff will notify applicants whether to proceed to proposal stage

Eligible Organizations:

  • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits or equivalent
  • Organizations with appropriate fiscal sponsorship arrangements accepted
  • Does not respond to requests for personal/individual funding

Decision Timeline

Board Meetings: Three times per year (generally Spring, Summer, and Winter)

Review Process: Prior to each board meeting, the grantmaking process typically involves:

  1. Proposal review by foundation staff
  2. Iterative discussion with applicant (may include site visit, program and financial assessments, reference checks)
  3. Staff recommendations to board
  4. Final board decisions

Important Note: The foundation states "it is not possible to predict how long the decision-making process will take." Factors influencing timing include:

  • When proposal is vetted relative to next board meeting date
  • Amount of due diligence required
  • Whether board requests additional information before decision

The foundation strives to keep applicants apprised of proposal status throughout the process.

Grant Payment: Typically arrives within one month of approval.

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation made:

  • 139 awards in 2022
  • 151 awards in 2021

Given that Youth Development is the only open application area and the foundation distributes approximately $7.4 million annually across multiple program areas (most of which are foundation-initiated), competition for Youth Development grants is likely significant.

Reapplication Policy

Three-Year Waiting Period: The foundation does not generally entertain new proposals from the same organization for a period of three years after completion of a previous grant, in order to promote the widest possible base of support for grantees.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities

Geographic Alignment is Critical: For Youth Development grants, organizations must serve youth and families specifically in the Mid-Peninsula region (southern San Mateo County to northern Santa Clara County). The foundation has deliberately concentrated its resources in this geographic area.

Community-Driven Approach: The foundation values listening to community needs. John Goldman's example of asking East Palo Alto youth what they wanted demonstrates this philosophy. Applications should show evidence of youth voice and community input in program design.

Focus on Underserved Populations: The foundation specifically targets "underserved children, youth and their families" and addresses "critical service gaps." Applications should clearly demonstrate how they serve populations excluded from economic prosperity.

Measurable Outcomes: LOIs must describe "how the intended outcomes align with the Foundation's youth grantmaking goals." Be specific about measurable impacts on young people's life trajectories.

Budget Discipline: The foundation caps overhead/indirect costs at 10%. This is strictly enforced, so applicants should structure budgets accordingly and demonstrate efficient use of grant funds for direct programming.

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Youth Leadership and Voice: Given John Goldman's statement that "we are truly grateful to the youth for taking the lead," applications that demonstrate youth involvement in program design and decision-making align with foundation values.

Addressing Economic Inequality: The founders established the foundation specifically to address economic inequality and families "being excluded from the economic prosperity of the region." Strong applications connect their work directly to economic opportunity and mobility.

Long-Term Impact: The foundation seeks to "improve young people's life trajectories" - not just provide short-term services. Applications should articulate long-term transformational impacts.

Staff Are Available: The foundation explicitly states that "foundation staff are available to answer questions and clarify funding issues." Consider reaching out before submitting LOI to ensure alignment.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Submitting proposals outside the Mid-Peninsula geographic area for Youth Development grants
  • Including overhead/indirect costs above 10%
  • Requesting funding for excluded categories (operating support, events, branding, etc.)
  • Reapplying within three years of a previous grant completion
  • Submitting unsolicited proposals for Science & Health, Arts & Culture, or Special Initiatives programs
  • Not clearly demonstrating service to underserved youth populations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic focus is non-negotiable: Youth Development grants are only available for organizations serving the Mid-Peninsula region (southern San Mateo County to northern Santa Clara County). Do not apply if you serve other areas.

  • Two-step process required: Never submit a full proposal without first receiving an invitation after LOI review. The LOI is your opportunity to make a compelling case for alignment.

  • 10% overhead cap is strict: Budget accordingly and be prepared to justify all costs as direct programming expenses.

  • Community voice matters: Demonstrate how youth and community members have shaped your program design. The foundation values "community-driven solutions" and programs that let "the youth lead."

  • Three-year waiting period: Plan your foundation funding strategy carefully. If you receive a grant, you cannot reapply for three years after completion, so make your project count.

  • Foundation-initiated programs dominate: Youth Development is the only open application area. Approximately $7.4 million in annual giving is distributed across multiple program areas, most by invitation only, so competition for open grants is significant.

  • Timing is unpredictable: With only three board meetings per year and variable review timelines, apply early and do not rely on specific decision dates for organizational planning.

References

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