The Emmett Foundation concentrates almost exclusively on education, directing large, targeted gifts to a small set of secondary and higher‑education institutions. Grants are sizeable and often repeat to the same beneficiaries, with a geographic emphasis on California (notably UCLA and Stanford) while also supporting nationally prominent private universities and an elite independent boarding school. The foundation’s giving appears focused on institutional strengthening—likely capital, endowment, or program support—rather than broad community philanthropy.
A $1.58 million grant to Cate School in 2025 stands out in Emmett Foundation’s recent record and points to a pattern of concentrated support for education institutions. The foundation’s largest gifts go to a small set of schools and universities, with repeat awards to Cate School, UCLA Foundation, Stanford University, and Yale University. Those grants are described as benefiting education, and the amounts are substantial enough to suggest institutional support rather than broad, open-ended philanthropy. The foundation also appears to maintain long-running ties to some recipients. Cate School received $1,009,000 in 2024 after the 2025 gift, while UCLA Foundation and Stanford University each received multiple awards across consecutive years. Yale University likewise appears more than once, including a $384,000 grant in 2023 and $100,000 grants in 2024 and 2025. Together, these grants show a funder that concentrates on secondary and higher education, with a mix of California institutions and nationally recognized universities. Beyond education, the grant list includes selected support for homeless services, environmental organizations, and science-policy groups, but those awards are smaller than the foundation’s education commitments.
Education is the clearest throughline in the grant record. Emmett Foundation gave $1,581,698 to Cate School in 2025 and $1,009,000 in 2024, both marked to benefit education. It also awarded $900,000 to UCLA Foundation in 2023 and $799,883 in 2024, again for education, showing repeated support for one university-affiliated recipient. The foundation’s higher-education giving extends beyond California. Stanford University received $500,000 in both 2024 and 2025 for education, and Yale University received $384,000 in 2023 plus $100,000 grants in 2024 and 2025. A separate $50,000 grant to University of New Hampshire Foundation in 2023 also benefited education. Outside schools, the foundation has made targeted environmental and public-interest grants. Examples include $55,000 to Natural Resources Defense Council in 2023 for public health and safeguarding nature, and $50,000 to Union of Concerned Scientists in 2023 to promote solutions for healthier democracy and science for environmental justice.
Emmett Foundation’s typical grant size is modest compared with its largest awards: the p25 is $2,000, the median is $2,500, and the p75 is $10,250. The recent grant list also shows a much higher band of targeted institutional gifts, with repeated awards at $50,000 and above to the same organizations across multiple years. That pattern suggests a portfolio that mixes many small grants with a smaller number of large, recurring commitments. The foundation appears to favor repeat relationships rather than one-off support. Cate School, UCLA Foundation, Stanford University, Yale University, Sustainable Conservation, Tompkins Conservation, One Percent for the Planet, Environmental Defense Fund, and The Nature Conservancy each appear more than once in the recent-grants data. Emmett Foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$3.6M
$240K
$3.6M
$3.6M
Most grants fall between $2K and $10K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$10K
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Emmett Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 365 | $12.1M | 99.7% |
| 2 | Italy | 1 |
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Highly concentrated: few, very large grants; repeated support to the same institutions; education‑focused with a mix of regional (California) and national elite university recipients.
Notable grantees: Cate School, UCLA Foundation, Stanford University, Yale University
Grantmaking is heavily California-centered: 65% of grants went to recipients in California, even though the top state by grant count is DC. Recent recipients are clustered in Los Angeles, Carpinteria, Santa Monica, San Francisco, Berkeley, and Ventura, with additional awards in New Haven, New York, Cambridge, Durham, and Burlington. The single non-U.S. country in the recipient distribution is Italy, with 1 grant.
Education is the dominant theme. Recent grants include $1,581,698 and $1,009,000 to Cate School, $900,000 and $799,883 to UCLA Foundation, and $500,000 grants to Stanford University in both 2024 and 2025, all marked to benefit education.
Its listed typical grant size is small, with a p25 of $2,000, a median of $2,500, and a p75 of $10,250. The recent record also includes much larger, repeated institutional awards, including several grants at $50,000 and above.
Yes. Cate School, UCLA Foundation, Stanford University, Yale University, Sustainable Conservation, Tompkins Conservation, One Percent for the Planet, Environmental Defense Fund, and The Nature Conservancy all appear more than once in the recent-grants list.
California receives 65% of the foundation’s grants. Recent recipient cities include Los Angeles, Carpinteria, Santa Monica, San Francisco, Berkeley, and Ventura, while the top state by grant count is DC.
The foundation also gave $77,777 to Union Rescue Mission for homeless shelters, $55,000 to Natural Resources Defense Council for public health and safeguarding nature, $45,000 to Green Science Policy Institute to prevent and protect health from chemicals of concern, and $50,000 to Union of Concerned Scientists for healthier democracy and environmental justice.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
| $7K |
0.3% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CATE SCHOOL | CARPINTERIA, CA | $1,138,801 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT EDUCATION |
| UCLA FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,000,000 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT EDUCATION |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY | STANFORD, CA | $500,000 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT EDUCATION |
| THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $250,000 | 2026 | TO PROTECT AND CREATE PARKS |
| SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO CONSERVE CALIFORNIA'S LAND, AIR AND WATER |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | TO PRESERVE THE LAND AND WILDLIFE |
| ONE PERCENT FOR THE PLANET | BURLINGTON, VT | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT AN ALLIANCE OF BUSINESSES FOR A HEALTHY PLANET |
| NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL | SANTA MONICA, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT WILDLIFE |
| RIVIERA RIDGE SCHOOL | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT EDUCATION |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE CENTER | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT ENDEAVORS TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION |
| THE FUND FOR THE PEOPLE IN PARKS | OAKLAND, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT THE PARKS' PROGRAM REQUIRED BY LAW |
| REWILD | AUSTIN, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT ENVIRONMENT |
| UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $25,000 | 2026 | TO PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH AND THE PLANET |
| SOUTH FORK NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM | BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT ENDEAVORS TO RAISE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE FOUNDATION | DURHAM, NH | $25,000 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT EDUCATION |
| SAINT JOHN'S HEALTH CENTER FOUNDATION | SANTA MONICA, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT ADVANCE INNOVATIVE MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| COLUMBIA LAW SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT EDUCATION |
| CONSERVATION LANDS FOUNDATION | DURANGO, CO | $20,000 | 2026 | TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM |
| GREEN SCIENCE POLICY INSTITUTE | BERKELEY, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | TO FACILITATE SAFER USE OF CHEMICALS TO PROTECT HUMAN AND ECOLOGICAL HEALTH |
| ECOAMERICA | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2026 | TO MOVE SOCIETY TOWARDS CLIMATE SOLUTIONS |
| ALTASEA | SAN PEDRO, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | TO DEVELOP AND SCALE UP RAPID SOLUTIONS FOR SOME OF THE PLANET'S MOST PRESSING CHALLENGES, SUCH AS CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY SUPPLY, AND GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY |
| SEVENTH GENERATION ADVISORS | SANTA MONICA, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO EMPOWER INDVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO CREATE AND ADOPT SOLUTIONS THAT PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT |
| SMITHSONIAN TROPICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | TO PROTECT TROPICAL BIODIVERSITY |
| CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY | OAKLAND, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT WILDLIFE |
| THE LAND TRUST FOR SANTA BARBARA COUNTY | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO PROTECT NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURAL LAND, AND OPEN SPACES FOR PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS |
| CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE | CLAREMONT, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT EDUCATION |
| TIDELINES INSTITUTE | GUSTAVUS, AK | $5,000 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT EDUCATION |
| LOS ANGELES WATERKEEPER | SANTA MONICA, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION OF CLEAN WATER |
| NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM |
| THE CLIMATE CENTER | SANTA ROSA, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO PROTECT CALIFORNIA'S AIR, AND WATER |
| SANTA BABARA COTTAGE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT HEALTH CARE AND RESEARCH |
| DARTMOUTH | HANOVER, NH | $5,000 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT EDUCATION |
| MARE | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT FOSTER CARE SYSTEM |
| TETON SCIENCE SCHOOLS | JACKSON, WY | $5,000 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT EDUCATION |
| ISLAND PRESS | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT ENDEAVORS TO PROTECT AND SUSTAIN THE ENVIRONMENT |
| ENVIRONMENTAL LAW INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH PRACTICAL LAW AND POLICY SOLUTIONS |
| HEAL THE BAY | SANTA MONICA, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT ENDEAVORS TO PREVENT OCEAN POLLUTION |
| CROSSROADS SCHOOL | SANTA MONICA, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT EDUCATION |
| WILDEARTH GUARDIANS | SANTA FE, NM | $5,000 | 2026 | TO SAVE WILDLIFE AND WILD PLACE WORLDWIDE |
| SURFRIDER FOUNDATION | SAN CLEMENTE, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO PROTECT WORLD'S OCEAN, WAVES AND BEACHES |
| COALITION FOR CLEAN AIR | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH, IMPORVE AIR QUALITY AND PREVENT CLIMATE CHANGE |
| CHANNEL ISLANDS RESTORATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION |
| STORYTELLER | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION |
| COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT THE ENVIRONMENT |
| COASTAL RANCHES CONSERVANCY | GAVIOTA, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE THE PRESERVATION OF COASTAL RANCHES |
| GOO GET OIL OUT | SACRAMENTO, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT ENVIRONMENT |
| ENVIRONMENT CALIFORNIA RESEARCH & POLICY CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | TO PROTECT AIR, WATER, AND OPEN SPACES |
| SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION OF SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT SANTA BARBARA COUNTY STUDENTS TO AND THROUGH COLLEGE, GRADUATE, AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOL |
| AMERICAN ALPINE CLUB | GOLDEN, CO | $2,500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT PROTECTING CLIMBING AREAS AND PUBLIC LANDS |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE | OAKLAND, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | TO BENEFIT EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENT |
CATE SCHOOL
$1,138,801TO BENEFIT EDUCATION
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
$500,000TO BENEFIT EDUCATION
TO PRESERVE THE LAND AND WILDLIFE
ONE PERCENT FOR THE PLANET
$50,000TO SUPPORT AN ALLIANCE OF BUSINESSES FOR A HEALTHY PLANET
NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL
$50,000TO BENEFIT WILDLIFE
TO BENEFIT ENDEAVORS TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
THE FUND FOR THE PEOPLE IN PARKS
$25,000TO BENEFIT THE PARKS' PROGRAM REQUIRED BY LAW
REWILD
$25,000TO BENEFIT ENVIRONMENT
SOUTH FORK NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
$25,000TO BENEFIT ENDEAVORS TO RAISE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE FOUNDATION
$25,000TO BENEFIT EDUCATION
TO SUPPORT ADVANCE INNOVATIVE MEDICAL RESEARCH
COLUMBIA LAW SCHOOL
$20,000TO BENEFIT EDUCATION
TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM
TO FACILITATE SAFER USE OF CHEMICALS TO PROTECT HUMAN AND ECOLOGICAL HEALTH
ALTASEA
$15,000TO DEVELOP AND SCALE UP RAPID SOLUTIONS FOR SOME OF THE PLANET'S MOST PRESSING CHALLENGES, SUCH AS CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY SUPPLY, AND GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY
SEVENTH GENERATION ADVISORS
$10,000TO EMPOWER INDVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO CREATE AND ADOPT SOLUTIONS THAT PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT
SMITHSONIAN TROPICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
$10,000TO PROTECT TROPICAL BIODIVERSITY
CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
$10,000TO BENEFIT WILDLIFE
TO PROTECT NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURAL LAND, AND OPEN SPACES FOR PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS
CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE
$10,000TO BENEFIT EDUCATION
TO SUPPORT THE PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION OF CLEAN WATER
TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM
TO SUPPORT HEALTH CARE AND RESEARCH
DARTMOUTH
$5,000TO BENEFIT EDUCATION
MARE
$5,000TO SUPPORT FOSTER CARE SYSTEM
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW INSTITUTE
$5,000TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH PRACTICAL LAW AND POLICY SOLUTIONS
CROSSROADS SCHOOL
$5,000TO BENEFIT EDUCATION
SURFRIDER FOUNDATION
$5,000TO PROTECT WORLD'S OCEAN, WAVES AND BEACHES
TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH, IMPORVE AIR QUALITY AND PREVENT CLIMATE CHANGE
TO SUPPORT ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
STORYTELLER
$2,500TO BENEFIT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
COASTAL RANCHES CONSERVANCY
$2,500TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE THE PRESERVATION OF COASTAL RANCHES
GOO GET OIL OUT
$2,500TO BENEFIT ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENT CALIFORNIA RESEARCH & POLICY CENTER
$2,500TO PROTECT AIR, WATER, AND OPEN SPACES
TO SUPPORT SANTA BARBARA COUNTY STUDENTS TO AND THROUGH COLLEGE, GRADUATE, AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
ROCKY MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE
$2,500TO BENEFIT EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENT