Funding search · EIN 941236937 · San Francisco, CA

The James Irvine Foundation

A private foundation (files IRS Form 990-PF). Most private foundations do not take unsolicited applications; the route in is usually a program officer.

1,916
grants reported
$517.6M
total given
2022–2024
filing years
$10,000
median grant

Based on grants this organization reported to the IRS for tax years 20222024. This is what they filed, not a complete record of their giving, and recent years may be incomplete because filings lag.

What they fund

californiacareersmembershipdevelopmentbetterworkersjustprosperity

Funder website ↗Full IRS filings ↗How this is builtReport an error

Funding pattern

What this funder pays for, at what size, and how to position adjacent work. Read from their filings, with every number checked against the record.

Where the money goes

  • Worker power and labor standards enforcement ("Fair Work in California")
  • Regional economic opportunity in inland and rural California ("Priority Communities")
  • Career pathways, community colleges, workforce training ("Better Careers")
  • Immigrant, Black, and formerly incarcerated organizing ("Just Prosperity")
  • Housing affordability policy and tenant organizing
  • Field experiments and evaluation ("Research and Development in CA")

Typical grant

The median grant is $10,000, so most of the 1,916 records are small, likely matching gifts and one-off support. The real program money sits in the top quartile, above roughly $187,000, and the anchor commitments run $1 million to $11 million to intermediaries like Tides Center, community foundations, and CDFIs. Large grants read as multiyear strategy investments to a repeat set of partners rather than annual open-competition awards.

Their words

Phrases from their own grant descriptions, worth speaking back to them.

  • To support Fair Work in California
  • To support Priority Communities in California
  • To support Better Careers in California
  • To support Just Prosperity in California
  • For general operating support

Positioning adjacent work

  • Map your work onto one named line: Fair Work, Better Careers, Priority Communities, Just Prosperity, or Housing Affordability.
  • Research framing lands best under "Research and Development in CA"; ask $425,000 to $1 million, not $50,000.
  • Emphasize low-wage California workers without a bachelor's degree and inland regions like Fresno, Riverside, San Joaquin.
  • Consider a fiscal sponsor or community foundation partner; Tides, Community Partners, and regional foundations receive the largest checks.

Worth knowing: This is a California-only funder, 1,706 of 1,916 grants in state, and the out-of-state recipients in NY and DC are national policy groups doing California work. A small circle of intermediaries takes an outsized share, and the sizing gap between $10,000 median gifts and eight-figure strategy grants means access to the big money is relationship-driven rather than proposal-driven.

Top recipients

Repeat recipients are the strongest signal of whether a funder has an open door or quietly re-funds the same organizations.

  • Tides Center19 grants · $34.1M
  • Inland Empire Community Foundation13 grants · $20.7M
  • San Francisco Foundation6 grants · $16.9M
  • Amalgamated Charitable Foundation6 grants · $16.9M
  • Sierra Health Foundation Center for Health Pr1 grant · $14.0M
  • Community Foundation of San Joaquin5 grants · $10.8M
  • Central Valley Community Foundation1 grant · $10.4M
  • Foundation for California Community Colleges8 grants · $8.2M
  • Chinese Progressive Association10 grants · $7.8M
  • National Domestic Workers Alliance4 grants · $7.0M

Giving over time

$189.4M
2022
$174.1M
2023
$154.1M
2024

Grant history

The 100 largest of 1,916 grants.

  • $15.0M

    Tides Center · San Francisco, CA · 2022

    To strengthen worker organizations in CA

  • $14.0M

    Sierra Health Foundation Center for Health Pr · Sacramento, CA · 2022

    To launch CEMI

  • $11.2M

    Tides Center · Los Angeles, CA · 2024

    To support Fair Work in California

  • $10.4M

    Central Valley Community Foundation · Fresno, CA · 2023

    To support Fresno's inclusive economy

  • $9.3M

    Inland Empire Community Foundation · Riverside, CA · 2022

    For community economic development

  • $8.0M

    Inland Empire Community Foundation · Riverside, CA · 2024

    To support Priority Communities in California

  • $7.5M

    San Francisco Foundation · San Francisco, CA · 2024

    To support Housing Affordability in CA

  • $7.5M

    Community Foundation of San Joaquin · Stockton, CA · 2023

    To advance inclusive economic planning

  • $7.5M

    San Francisco Foundation · San Francisco, CA · 2022

    To expand capacity of housing advocates

  • $6.5M

    Regents of the University of California On Behalf of Its Merced Campus · Merced, CA · 2022

    For the Community and Labor Center

  • $5.6M

    Amalgamated Charitable Foundation · Washington, DC · 2022

    For a new workforce fund

  • $5.0M

    Amalgamated Charitable Foundation · Washington, DC · 2023

    For a new workforce fund

  • $4.4M

    Reinvent Stockton Foundation · Stockton, CA · 2023

    To support youth development in Stockton

  • $4.4M

    Foundation for California Community Colleges · Sacramento, CA · 2024

    To support Better Careers in California

  • $4.0M

    Movement Innovation Collaborative · Oakland, CA · 2024

    To support Research and Development in CA

  • $4.0M

    Latino Community Foundation · San Francisco, CA · 2023

    To advance economic justice for Latinos

  • $3.7M

    Powerswitch Action · Oakland, CA · 2023

    To support low-income workers in CA

  • $3.6M

    National Domestic Workers Alliance · New York, NY · 2024

    To support Fair Work in California

  • $3.5M

    Silicon Valley Community Foundation · Mountain View, CA · 2023

    For the California Black Freedom Fund

  • $3.4M

    Community Foundation for Monterey County · Monterey, CA · 2024

    To support Priority Communities in California

  • $3.3M

    United Way · Los Angeles, CA · 2022

    To support a housing coalition

  • $3.1M

    Liberty Hill Foundation · Los Angeles, CA · 2022

    To support tenant organizing

  • $3.0M

    Tides Center · Los Angeles, CA · 2024

    To support Better Careers in California

  • $3.0M

    Housing California · Sacramento, CA · 2023

    For general operating support

  • $3.0M

    Ventures · Watsonville, CA · 2023

    For a worker-owned business structure

  • $3.0M

    Amalgamated Charitable Foundation · Washington, DC · 2022

    For the Families and Workers Fund, to support efforts to advance good jobs and equitable, effective public benefits for low-wage workers in California and nationwide.

  • $2.8M

    Regents of the University of California · Berkeley, CA · 2024

    To support Priority Communities in California

  • $2.6M

    Regents of the University of California On Behalf of Its Los Angeles Campus · Los Angeles, CA · 2023

    To support workers' rights organizations

  • $2.6M

    Working Partnerships USA · San Jose, CA · 2023

    For general operating support

  • $2.6M

    California Community Foundation · Los Angeles, CA · 2022

    To advance inclusive development

  • $2.5M

    Community Foundation of San Joaquin · Stockton, CA · 2022

    To advance inclusive economic planning

  • $2.5M

    Borealis Philanthropy · Minneapolis, MN · 2024

    To support Research and Development in CA

  • $2.5M

    Coalition for Responsible Community Development · Los Angeles, CA · 2024

    To support Better Careers in California

  • $2.5M

    Common Counsel Foundation · Oakland, CA · 2023

    To invest in a pooled housing fund

  • $2.5M

    Humboldt Area Foundation · Bayside, CA · 2023

    To support climate resilience

  • $2.5M

    College Futures Foundation · Oakland, CA · 2022

    For a partnership with College Futures

  • $2.4M

    Chinese Progressive Association · Oakland, CA · 2023

    For general operating support

  • $2.4M

    Los Angeles Black Worker Center · Los Angeles, CA · 2022

    For general operating support

  • $2.4M

    Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project · Oxnard, CA · 2022

    For general operating support.

  • $2.4M

    Tides Center · Los Angeles, CA · 2024

    To support Just Prosperity in California

  • $2.3M

    Community Partners · Los Angeles, CA · 2022

    To support CA Tribal communities

  • $2.3M

    Capitol Impact Consulting Llc · Sacramento, CA · 2023

    For 2024 Leadership Award grants

  • $2.3M

    Capitol Impact Consulting Llc · Sacramento, CA · 2023

    For leadership award grants in 2023

  • $2.3M

    Capitol Impact Consulting Llc · Sacramento, CA · 2022

    For leadership awards grants in 2022

  • $2.1M

    Community Partners · Los Angeles, CA · 2024

    To support Just Prosperity in California

  • $2.1M

    National Day Laborer Organizing Network · Pasadena, CA · 2022

    To support low-wage day laborers in CA

  • $2.0M

    Chinese Progressive Association · Oakland, CA · 2024

    To support Just Prosperity in California

  • $2.0M

    Ampac Tri-State Cdc · Ontario, CA · 2024

    To support Priority Communities in California

  • $2.0M

    Anti-Recidivism Coalition · Los Angeles, CA · 2024

    For general operating support

  • $2.0M

    Canal Alliance · San Rafael, CA · 2024

    For general operating support

  • $2.0M

    Fresno Community Development Financial Institution · Fresno, CA · 2024

    To support Priority Communities in California

  • $2.0M

    Pico California · Los Angeles, CA · 2024

    For general operating support

  • $2.0M

    Amalgamated Charitable Foundation · Washington, DC · 2023

    For a new nonprofit resilience fund

  • $2.0M

    Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus · San Francisco, CA · 2023

    To support worker rights

  • $2.0M

    Calcef Innovations · Oakland, CA · 2023

    To support tribal economic opportunity

  • $2.0M

    California Calls Education Fund · Los Angeles, CA · 2023

    For general operating support

  • $2.0M

    Charitable Ventures of Orange County · Santa Ana, CA · 2023

    For an economic justice initiative

  • $2.0M

    Neighborhood Funders Group · Oakland, CA · 2023

    For CA community-labor partnerships

  • $2.0M

    Power California · Oakland, CA · 2023

    For general operating support

  • $2.0M

    Public Policy Institute of California · San Francisco, CA · 2023

    For general operating support

  • $2.0M

    Chinese Progressive Association · San Francisco, CA · 2022

    To increase AAPI civic engagement in CA

  • $2.0M

    Foundation for California Community Colleges · Sacramento, CA · 2022

    For inclusive apprenticeship in the IE

  • $2.0M

    Latino Community Foundation · San Francisco, CA · 2022

    For California's Latino Power Fund

  • $2.0M

    Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy · Los Angeles, CA · 2022

    For general operating support.

  • $2.0M

    Pico California · Los Angeles, CA · 2022

    To build CA racial & economic power

  • $1.9M

    University Corporation at Monterey Bay · Seaside, CA · 2023

    For quality jobs in Monterey Bay

  • $1.9M

    California Calls Education Fund · Los Angeles, CA · 2024

    To support Just Prosperity in California

  • $1.8M

    Center On Policy Initiatives · San Diego, CA · 2023

    To support low-wage San Diego workers

  • $1.8M

    Regents of the University of California On Behalf of Its Berkeley Campus · Berkeley, CA · 2023

    To support learning on low-wage work

  • $1.8M

    University of California Berkeley Foundation · Berkeley, CA · 2022

    To produce housing research

  • $1.8M

    Kitchen Table Advisors · Berkeley, CA · 2024

    To support Priority Communities in California

  • $1.8M

    Jobs for the Future · Boston, MA · 2022

    For public sector practice change.

  • $1.7M

    Powerswitch Action · Oakland, CA · 2024

    To support Fair Work in California

  • $1.7M

    Korean Immigrant Workers Advocates of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA · 2023

    For general operating support

  • $1.7M

    Warehouse Worker Resource Center · Ontario, CA · 2022

    To support a low-wage worker network

  • $1.6M

    Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement · San Bernardino, CA · 2023

    To support low-wage workers in the IE

  • $1.6M

    University of California Berkeley Foundation · Berkeley, CA · 2024

    To support Housing Affordability in CA

  • $1.6M

    Grace-Inc · Pasadena, CA · 2023

    To support CalEITC Coalition

  • $1.6M

    Common Counsel Foundation · Oakland, CA · 2023

    To advance community ownership in CA

  • $1.5M

    Action Council of Monterey County · Salinas, CA · 2024

    To support Priority Communities in California

  • $1.5M

    Catalyst California · Los Angeles, CA · 2024

    For general operating support

  • $1.5M

    California Budget & Policy Center · Sacramento, CA · 2023

    For general operating support

  • $1.5M

    Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation · Fresno, CA · 2023

    To support low-income entrepreneurs

  • $1.5M

    Jewish Vocational & Career Counseling Service · San Francisco, CA · 2023

    For general operating support

  • $1.5M

    University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA · 2023

    To support research and narratives in CA

  • $1.5M

    Advancement Project · Los Angeles, CA · 2022

    To foster upward mobility in CA

  • $1.5M

    Calcef Innovations · Oakland, CA · 2022

    For partnerships in the Salton Sea.

  • $1.5M

    Center for Employment Opportunities · New York, NY · 2022

    For program expansion.

  • $1.5M

    The Regents of the University of California · Los Angeles, CA · 2022

    To improve CA policies & public programs

  • $1.5M

    University Corporation at Monterey Bay · Seaside, CA · 2022

    For quality jobs in Monterey Bay.

  • $1.5M

    Warehouse Worker Resource Center · Ontario, CA · 2022

    For general operating support.

  • $1.4M

    Possibility Labs · San Francisco, CA · 2023

    To advance community ownership in CA

  • $1.4M

    Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy · Ventura, CA · 2022

    For general operating support.

  • $1.4M

    Mujeres Unidas Y Activas · San Francisco, CA · 2022

    To support low-income dometic workers

  • $1.4M

    National Domestic Workers Alliance · New York, NY · 2023

    To support low-wage domestic workers

  • $1.4M

    National Domestic Workers Alliance · New York, NY · 2022

    To support low-wage domestic workers.

  • $1.3M

    California Community Foundation · Los Angeles, CA · 2024

    To support Housing Affordability in CA

  • $1.2M

    Maintenance Industry Labor-Management Cooperation Trust Fund · El Monte, CA · 2024

    To support Fair Work in California

  • $1.2M

    Inland Empire Community Foundation · Riverside, CA · 2023

    To support the Black Equity Fund

  • $1.2M

    Regents of the University of California On Behalf of Its Los Angeles Campus · Los Angeles, CA · 2023

    For research on Latino workers

View all 1,916 grants →

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Source: IRS Form 990-PF, Part XV, as filed by the foundation. These are grants already paid — a record of what this funder backs, not an open call.