Creekside Foundation concentrates its philanthropic investments almost entirely in private education, with repeated, sizeable grants to a single Bay Area independent secondary school and to a selective liberal arts university. Grants are targeted to institutional sustainability priorities—financial aid at Crystal Springs Uplands School and capital/facilities support at Wesleyan—suggesting a donor interest in maintaining access to elite independent schools and strengthening campus infrastructure.
Creekside Foundation’s recent giving is dominated by repeated six-figure support for a small set of institutions, led by Wesleyan University and Crystal Springs Uplands School. Across 2023 through 2025, the foundation returned to both recipients multiple times, using gifts for facilities, capital campaigns, and financial aid rather than one-off project work. That pattern points to an emphasis on strengthening core institutional capacity and student access at long-established schools. At Crystal Springs Uplands School, Creekside Foundation backed the Thrive Together capital campaign in three consecutive years and also funded student financial assistance, faculty development, and underwriting for Crystal Fest. At Wesleyan University, the foundation supported the facilities fund, scholarship and financial aid programs, the Wesleyan Fund, and an endowed scholarship. The portfolio also extends to children’s health, with gifts to the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health for the prematurity research center support fund, capital facilities, and annual fund support. The resulting profile is concentrated, repeated, and institution-centered, with most grants landing in California.
Private education is the clearest through line in Creekside Foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $500,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025 to Crystal Springs Uplands School for the Thrive Together capital campaign, alongside additional support for financial assistance, faculty recruitment and retention, and faculty development. It also made a $300,000 grant in 2023 and another in 2024 for the Sustaining Our Values financial aid initiative. Higher education appears in a parallel track. Creekside Foundation awarded Wesleyan University $900,000 in 2025 for the facilities fund, plus grants for the scholarship endowment fund, the Endowed Wesleyan Scholarship, the Wesleyan Fund, scholarship and financial aid programs, and the women’s lacrosse endowment fund. Beyond education, the foundation supported pediatric health through the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, including gifts for the DACHS prematurity research center support fund and the LPCH capital facilities fund.
Creekside Foundation’s typical grant size sits at $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The grant list also includes repeated larger commitments in the $300,000 to $900,000 range, showing a mix of standard grants and major multiyear institutional support. The same recipients appear across multiple years, especially Crystal Springs Uplands School and Wesleyan University, which suggests recurring relationships rather than isolated awards. The foundation is a private foundation, and it also funds individuals.
$1.9M
$14.3M
$10.9M
$1.9M
Most grants fall between $5K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Highly concentrated: few, large grants to a very small number of repeat grantees; multi-year or multi-grant commitments focused on institutional sustainability rather than broad grantmaking across causes.
Notable grantees: Crystal Springs Uplands School, Wesleyan University
Grantmaking is regionally concentrated. California recipients account for 52% of grants, and the recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Most named California recipients are in the Bay Area, including Hillsborough, Palo Alto, San Mateo, and New York outside the state appears only once in the recent list. The top state by grant count is Idaho, even though the foundation’s headquarters are in San Francisco, California.
Its recent grants go primarily to private schools and universities. Crystal Springs Uplands School received multiple grants for capital, financial aid, and faculty-related priorities, while Wesleyan University received support for facilities, scholarships, the Wesleyan Fund, and women’s lacrosse. The foundation also gave to a children’s health philanthropy organization.
Yes. Crystal Springs Uplands School appears in multiple years with grants for the Thrive Together capital campaign and financial aid support. Wesleyan University also recurs across 2023, 2024, and 2025 for facilities, scholarships, and annual fund-style support.
The typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes larger institutional grants such as $500,000 and $900,000.
California recipients receive 52% of grants. Recent named recipients are concentrated in Bay Area locations such as Hillsborough, Palo Alto, and San Mateo, while the overall recipient-country distribution is entirely in the United States.
Yes, though education is the main pattern. Recent grants include support for the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health for prematurity research and capital facilities, and a grant to One Love Foundation for relationship health education programs.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | MIDDLETOWN, CT | $900,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE FACILITIES FUND. |
| CRYSTAL SPRINGS UPLANDS SCHOOL | HILLSBOROUGH, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE THRIVE TOGETHER CAPITAL CAMPAIGN. |
| LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN'S HEALTH | PALO ALTO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE DACHS PREMATURITY RESEARCH CENTER SUPPORT FUND. |
| LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN'S HEALTH | PALO ALTO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE LPCH CAPITAL FACILITIES FUND. |
| CRYSTAL SPRINGS UPLANDS SCHOOL | HILLSBOROUGH, CA | $65,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE CRYSTAL FEST FUND AND FOR UNDERWRITING. |
| WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | MIDDLETOWN, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE WESLEYAN FUND. |
| WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | MIDDLETOWN, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE ENDOWED WESLEYAN SCHOLARSHIP. |
| LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN'S HEALTH | PALO ALTO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FUND. |
| WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | MIDDLETOWN, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF WOMEN'S LACROSSE. |
| THE ONE LOVE FOUNDATION | BALTIMORE, MD | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET. |
| KUKIO HOOMANA FUND | KAILUA KONA, HI | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT. |
| PENINSULA BRIDGE PROGRAM | SAN MATEO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE BUILDING BRIDGES EVENT. |
| CRYSTAL SPRINGS UPLANDS SCHOOL | HILLSBOROUGH, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE CRYSTAL ANNUAL FUND. |
| THE CAREY SCHOOL | SAN MATEO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE CAREY FUND. |
| MOUNT TAMALPAIS SCHOOL | MILL VALLEY, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN. |
| THERE WITH CARE OF THE BAY AREA | REDWOOD CITY, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT. |
| BATES COLLEGE | LEWISTON, ME | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT. |
| WOOD RIVER BICYCLE COALITION | HAILEY, ID | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT. |
| ST LUKE'S WOOD RIVER FOUNDATION | KETCHUM, ID | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT. |
| CRYSTAL SPRINGS UPLANDS SCHOOL | HILLSBOROUGH, CA | $500,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE THRIVE TOGETHER CAPITAL CAMPAIGN. |
| WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | MIDDLETOWN, CT | $400,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE FACILITIES FUND. |
| CRYSTAL SPRINGS UPLANDS SCHOOL | HILLSBOROUGH, CA | $300,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE SUSTAINING OUR VALUES FINANCIAL AID INITIATIVE. |
| LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN'S HEALTH | PALO ALTO, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE LPCH CAPITAL FACILITIES FUND. |
| LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN'S HEALTH | PALO ALTO, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE PREMATURITY RESEARCH CENTER SUPPORT FUND. |
| LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN'S HEALTH | PALO ALTO, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FUND. |
| CRYSTAL SPRINGS UPLANDS SCHOOL | HILLSBOROUGH, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE CRYSTAL FUND. |
| WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | MIDDLETOWN, CT | $50,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE WESLEYAN FUND. |
| WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | MIDDLETOWN, CT | $50,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND. |
| CRYSTAL SPRINGS UPLANDS SCHOOL | HILLSBOROUGH, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE CRYSTAL FEST FUND-A-NEED EVENT. |
| ONE LOVE FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET. |
| WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | MIDDLETOWN, CT | $25,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE WESLEYAN FUND. |
| THE THACHER SCHOOL | OJAI, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FUND. |
| WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | MIDDLETOWN, CT | $25,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE WOMEN'S LACROSSE ENDOWMENT FUND. |
| PENINSULA BRIDGE | SAN MATEO, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FUND. |
| THE CAREY SCHOOL | SAN MATEO, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE CAREY FUND. |
| BATES COLLEGE | LEWISTON, ME | $5,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FUND. |
| FOUR WINDS WESTWARD HO | DEER HARBOR, WA | $5,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FUND. |
| FIREHAWKS LACROSSE CLUB | REDWOOD CITY, CA | $2,500 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FUND. |
| ST LUKE'S WOOD RIVER FOUNDATION | KETCHUM, ID | $1,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE HOSPITAL NEEDS ONLY FUND. |
| WOOD RIVER TRAILS COALITION | HAILEY, ID | $500 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FUND. |
| SILVER CREEK ALLIANCE INC | PICABO, ID | $500 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FUND. |
| CRYSTAL SPRINGS UPLANDS SCHOOL | HILLSBOROUGH, CA | $500,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE THRIVE TOGETHER CAPITAL CAMPAIGN. |
| WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | MIDDLETOWN, CT | $400,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE FACILITIES FUND. |
| CRYSTAL SPRINGS UPLANDS SCHOOL | HILLSBOROUGH, CA | $300,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE SUSTAINING OUR VALUES FINANCIAL AID INITIATIVE. |
| WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | MIDDLETOWN, CT | $50,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE WESLEYAN FUND. |
| CRYSTAL SPRINGS UPLANDS SCHOOL | HILLSBOROUGH, CA | $50,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND FACULTY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. |
| CRYSTAL SPRINGS UPLANDS SCHOOL | HILLSBOROUGH, CA | $50,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE FUND A NEED FOR FACULTY RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION, AND STUDENT FINANCIAL AID. |
| WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | MIDDLETOWN, CT | $50,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIP AND FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS. |
| LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN'S HEALTH | PALO ALTO, CA | $50,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE LUCILE PACKARD CHILDREN'S FUND. |
| THE CAREY SCHOOL | SAN MATEO, CA | $33,334 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE EXPANDING POSSIBILITIES CAPITAL CAMPAIGN. |
CRYSTAL SPRINGS UPLANDS SCHOOL
$500,000TO SUPPORT THE THRIVE TOGETHER CAPITAL CAMPAIGN.
TO SUPPORT THE DACHS PREMATURITY RESEARCH CENTER SUPPORT FUND.
TO SUPPORT THE LPCH CAPITAL FACILITIES FUND.
TO SUPPORT THE CRYSTAL FEST FUND AND FOR UNDERWRITING.
BATES COLLEGE
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT.
WOOD RIVER BICYCLE COALITION
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT.
CRYSTAL SPRINGS UPLANDS SCHOOL
$500,000TO SUPPORT THE THRIVE TOGETHER CAPITAL CAMPAIGN.
CRYSTAL SPRINGS UPLANDS SCHOOL
$300,000TO SUPPORT THE SUSTAINING OUR VALUES FINANCIAL AID INITIATIVE.
TO SUPPORT THE LPCH CAPITAL FACILITIES FUND.
TO SUPPORT THE PREMATURITY RESEARCH CENTER SUPPORT FUND.
TO SUPPORT THE CRYSTAL FEST FUND-A-NEED EVENT.
BATES COLLEGE
$5,000TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FUND.
FOUR WINDS WESTWARD HO
$5,000TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FUND.
FIREHAWKS LACROSSE CLUB
$2,500TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FUND.
WOOD RIVER TRAILS COALITION
$500TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FUND.
SILVER CREEK ALLIANCE INC
$500TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FUND.
CRYSTAL SPRINGS UPLANDS SCHOOL
$500,000TO SUPPORT THE THRIVE TOGETHER CAPITAL CAMPAIGN.
CRYSTAL SPRINGS UPLANDS SCHOOL
$300,000TO SUPPORT THE SUSTAINING OUR VALUES FINANCIAL AID INITIATIVE.
TO SUPPORT THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND FACULTY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.
TO SUPPORT THE FUND A NEED FOR FACULTY RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION, AND STUDENT FINANCIAL AID.
TO SUPPORT THE LUCILE PACKARD CHILDREN'S FUND.