The Leonard & Beryl Buck Foundation concentrates substantial, place-based investments in Marin County and the broader Bay Area, prioritizing affordable housing, early childhood and K–12 success, safety-net health services, and immigrant/legal and basic needs supports. While the foundation makes a few very large programmatic gifts outside this geography (notably to aging research), most grants are multi-year or repeated awards to local nonprofits and public-school entities to fund capital projects, program expansions, and core operating support.
A defining feature of the Leonard & Beryl Buck Foundation C/o Wells Fargo Bank is its repeated, large-scale support for Marin County institutions, especially work tied to aging, housing, early childhood, health access, and basic needs. The largest recent grant went to Buck Institute for Research on Aging in Novato for a major project, a signal of how the foundation uses sizable gifts to back institutional priorities over time. Alongside that aging-focused grant, the foundation has made substantial awards to Marin Community Foundation for program-related support in Marin, reinforcing a place-based strategy rather than a broad national one. That pattern shows up across nonprofit and public-sector partners in San Rafael, Novato, and nearby Bay Area cities. The foundation funds capital projects, acquisition and rehabilitation, operating support, and initiative funding. Recent examples include support for a healthy aging center, a new health center, and early school success work in Marin. It also backs affordable housing projects and immigrant legal services, indicating a portfolio that combines long-term systems investments with direct support for residents. The giving is large by nonprofit standards, with many awards in the seven-figure range and repeated support to the same organizations across years. Much of the work centers on Marin County, with a smaller set of major gifts beyond that geography.
Aging and health are two visible themes in the foundation’s portfolio. In 2024, it gave $2,180,500 to Vivalon to help complete the Healthy Aging Center, and $1,394,500 to Ritter Center to support a new health center. It also awarded $709,500 to Marin City Health and Wellness Center for capital renovations to its health facility. Early childhood and K–12 support is another clear line of giving. The foundation granted $1,893,000 to Marin Child Care Council for access to quality child care and healthy eating active living, and $1,373,000 to Marin County Office of Education for the Early School Success Initiative. Novato Unified School District also received $784,000 for early school success work. Housing and basic needs appear in parallel with those education and health grants. Eden Housing Inc. received $2,400,000 for affordable housing projects, and Homeward Bound of Marin received $1,321,000 for basic needs and support to Marin residents. Canal Alliance also received support for immigration legal services.
$27.1M
$1.1B
$62.8M
$42.6M
Most grants fall between $50K and $300K, with a median of $101K.
25th Percentile
$50K
Median
$101K
75th Percentile
$300K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in CA.
STACEY R ASHTON
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Concentrated, high-dollar philanthropy with many repeat grants: a small set of large, multi-year or multi-grant commitments dominate giving (capital and program support), primarily targeted to Marin County organizations, while occasional sizable out-of-area gifts fund national research partners.
Notable grantees: Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Marin Community Foundation, Marin County Office of Education, Eden Housing Inc, Canal Alliance
Typical grant size is substantial: the p25 is $50,000, the median is $100,950, and the p75 is $300,000. The recent record also includes repeated seven-figure awards, which suggests a mix of mid-sized operating and initiative support alongside major project grants. Several recipients appear in consecutive years, including 10000 Degrees, Marin Child Care Council, Marin Community Foundation, Homeward Bound of Marin, Marin County Office of Education, and Novato Unified School District. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
The foundation’s giving is heavily concentrated in California, especially Marin County cities such as Novato, San Rafael, and Sausalito. Recent grants also land in San Francisco, Hayward, and Oakland, with San Rafael appearing frequently among recipient locations. Recipient geography is entirely U.S.-based in the provided grant list, with 199 grants to U.S. organizations and no non-U.S. recipient countries shown. The top giving state is California, distinct from the headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Its recent grants consistently support aging services, affordable housing, early childhood and school success, health center capital work, immigrant legal services, and basic needs for Marin residents. The largest awards in the file are tied to institutional projects, including research, community health, and housing.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including 10000 Degrees, Marin Child Care Council, Marin Community Foundation, Homeward Bound of Marin, Marin County Office of Education, and Novato Unified School District. That pattern points to ongoing support rather than one-time awards.
The listed distribution shows a p25 of $50,000, a median of $100,950, and a p75 of $300,000. The recent grant list also includes several awards above $1 million, especially for capital projects and major initiatives.
California is the top state by grant count, and many recipient organizations are in Marin County cities such as Novato, San Rafael, and Sausalito. Other California recipients in the recent list include San Francisco, Oakland, and Hayward.
It is classified as a regular funder. The profile also shows no grants to individuals and no program-related investments.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUCK INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH ON AGING | NOVATO, CA | $7,675,008 | 2026 | BUCK FOUNDATION MAJOR PROJECTS |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY GREATER SAN FRANCISCO INC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $3,000,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN MARIN |
| ALCOHOL JUSTICE | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $1,535,002 | 2026 | BUCK FOUNDATION MAJOR PROJECTS |
| CENTER FOR VOLUNTEER AND NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP OF MARIN (CVNL) | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $1,200,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN MARIN |
| BUCK INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATION | NOVATO, CA | $1,023,334 | 2026 | BUCK FOUNDATION MAJOR PROJECTS |
| THE SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,000,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT ALL HOME REGIONAL HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION FUND'S PILOT PROGRAM IN MARIN COUNTY |
| COMMUNITY LAND TRUST ASSOCIATION OF WEST MARIN | POINT REYES STATION, CA | $1,000,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT INTERIM HOUSING IN WEST MARIN |
| EDEN HOUSING INC | HAYWARD, CA | $1,000,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE COAST GUARD AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT IN WEST MARIN |
| MARIN WILDFIRE PREVENTION AUTHORITY | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $728,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN MARIN |
| HOMEWARD BOUND OF MARIN | NOVATO, CA | $666,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT CREATING WORKFORCE HOUSING AND ENDING VETERAN HOMELESSNESS IN MARIN |
| BOLINAS COMMUNITY LAND TRUST INC | BOLINAS, CA | $500,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING EFFORTS IN STINSON BEACH |
| MARIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | NOVATO, CA | $500,000 | 2026 | MATCH STAFF, DIRECTOR, TRUSTEE, AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER GIFTS TO MARIN NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ON A ONE-TO-ONE BASIS |
| MARIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | NOVATO, CA | $450,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT EVENTS HOSTED BY COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN MARIN |
| GREENBELT ALLIANCE (PEOPLE FOR OPEN SPACE INC) | OAKLAND, CA | $450,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MARIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | NOVATO, CA | $443,100 | 2026 | SUPPORT CONTRACTS FOR THIRD PARTY EVALUATION; STRATEGIC RESEARCH/ADVISING; AND GRANTEE CONVENING |
| MARIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | NOVATO, CA | $425,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE A GRANT FROM COMMUNITY POWER INITIATIVE GRANTMAKING BUDGET, TO COMMUNITY POWER INITIATIVE PROGRAM SUPPORT FUND. FUNDS WILL SUPPORT CONVENING, COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND CAPACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMMUNITY POWER INITIATIVE |
| GRID ALTERNATIVES | OAKLAND, CA | $350,000 | 2026 | ASSESS AND PLAN FOR OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE THROUGH DIRECT PAY INCENTIVES IN MARIN COUNTY |
| LEGAL AID OF MARIN | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $330,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN MARIN |
| MARIN COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $300,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE SCHOOLSRULE MARIN EQUITY IN EDUCATION FUND |
| COMMUNITY LAND TRUST ASSOCIATION OF WEST MARIN | POINT REYES STATION, CA | $250,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING EFFORTS IN WEST MARIN |
| SOCIAL JUSTICE COLLABORATIVE | BERKELEY, CA | $248,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN MARIN |
| FIRE SAFE MARIN | SAN ANSELMO, CA | $218,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN MARIN |
| GRID ALTERNATIVES | OAKLAND, CA | $215,000 | 2026 | ASSESS AND PLAN FOR OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE THROUGH DIRECT PAY INCENTIVES IN MARIN COUNTY |
| CANAL ALLIANCE | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $204,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN MARIN |
| MULTICULTURAL CENTER OF MARIN | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $200,000 | 2026 | CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT TO MULTICULTURAL CENTER OF MARIN |
| MARIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | NOVATO, CA | $200,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT CATCHAFIRE Y7 CONTRACT |
| THE CEDARS OF MARIN | ROSS, CA | $200,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT GROUP HOME CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS |
| NON-PROFIT HOUSING ASSOCIATION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $200,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT REGIONAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING EFFORTS IN MARIN |
| ENTERPRISE COMMUNITY PARTNERS INC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $200,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT REGIONAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING EFFORTS |
| FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $192,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN MARIN |
| MARIN ENVIRONMENTAL HOUSING COLLABORATIVE (MEHC) | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $175,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HOUSING COALITION |
| MARIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | NOVATO, CA | $171,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT CATCHAFIRE Y7 CONTRACT |
| COMMUNITY LAND TRUST ASSOCIATION OF WEST MARIN | POINT REYES STATION, CA | $150,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT INTERIM AND PERMANENT HOUSING SOLUTIONS FOR HOUSEHOLDS LIVING ON RANCHES IN UNINHABITABLE CONDITIONS AND/OR AT RISK OF DISPLACEMENT |
| PLAY MARIN | SAUSALITO, CA | $150,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN MARIN |
| COMMUNITY LAND TRUST ASSOCIATION OF WEST MARIN | POINT REYES STATION, CA | $150,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT INTERIM AND PERMANENT HOUSING SOLUTIONS FOR HOUSEHOLDS LIVING ON RANCHES IN UNINHABITABLE CONDITIONS AND/OR AT RISK OF DISPLACEMENT |
| MULTICULTURAL CENTER OF MARIN INC | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $150,000 | 2026 | EDUCATE AND ENGAGE MARIN CITY RESIDENTS IN SMALL-SCALE NATURE-BASED ADAPTATIONS TO ADDRESS STORMWATER DRAINAGE ISSUES AND OTHER CONCERNS |
| MARIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | NOVATO, CA | $109,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE FY25 ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET SUPPORT FOR THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS INITIATIVE |
| ADOBE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT | FREMONT, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BOLINAS COMMUNITY LAND TRUST INC | BOLINAS, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING EFFORTS IN STINSON BEACH |
| HOMEWARD BOUND OF MARIN | NOVATO, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT A PREDEVELOPMENT PROJECT FOR UNHOUSED SENIORS IN SAN RAFAEL |
| CANAL ALLIANCE | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE ACQUISITION AND PRESERVATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS IN THE CANAL COMMUNITY OF SAN RAFAEL |
| COASTAL QUEST | BERKELEY, CA | $95,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT INITIAL ENGAGEMENT TO CREATE A COUNTYWIDE CLIMATE COLLABORATIVE |
| MARIN WILDFIRE PREVENTION AUTHORITY | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $88,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN MARIN |
| LEGAL AID OF MARIN | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $80,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT ONE-TIME COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH HIRING AN EXPERIENCED, BILINGUAL MANAGING ATTORNEY THAT WILL INCREASE LAM'S HOUSING WORK, PARTICULARLY IN WEST MARIN |
| MARIN ENVIRONMENTAL HOUSING COLLABORATIVE (MEHC) | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $75,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HOUSING COALITION |
| IMMIGRANT LEGAL RESOURCE CENTER | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $71,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN MARIN |
| MARIN COUNTY COOPERATION TEAM | SAUSALITO, CA | $70,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT AND INVEST IN MARIN CITY YOUTH TOWARD GLOBAL MENTORSHIP, PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT REINVESTMENT PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE |
| DANCE PALACE COMMUNITY CENTER | POINT REYES STATION, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN MARIN |
| ALIADOS HEALTH | PETALUMA, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT MARIN'S HEALTH CENTERS TO BECOME MORE CLIMATE RESILIENT |
| MARIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | NOVATO, CA | $35,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY ADVOCACY MARIN 24X7 FUND |
PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN MARIN
ALCOHOL JUSTICE
$1,535,002BUCK FOUNDATION MAJOR PROJECTS
PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN MARIN
BUCK INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATION
$1,023,334BUCK FOUNDATION MAJOR PROJECTS
SUPPORT ALL HOME REGIONAL HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION FUND'S PILOT PROGRAM IN MARIN COUNTY
SUPPORT INTERIM HOUSING IN WEST MARIN
SUPPORT THE COAST GUARD AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT IN WEST MARIN
MARIN WILDFIRE PREVENTION AUTHORITY
$728,000PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN MARIN
SUPPORT CREATING WORKFORCE HOUSING AND ENDING VETERAN HOMELESSNESS IN MARIN
BOLINAS COMMUNITY LAND TRUST INC
$500,000SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING EFFORTS IN STINSON BEACH
MATCH STAFF, DIRECTOR, TRUSTEE, AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER GIFTS TO MARIN NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ON A ONE-TO-ONE BASIS
SUPPORT EVENTS HOSTED BY COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN MARIN
SUPPORT CONTRACTS FOR THIRD PARTY EVALUATION; STRATEGIC RESEARCH/ADVISING; AND GRANTEE CONVENING
PROVIDE A GRANT FROM COMMUNITY POWER INITIATIVE GRANTMAKING BUDGET, TO COMMUNITY POWER INITIATIVE PROGRAM SUPPORT FUND. FUNDS WILL SUPPORT CONVENING, COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND CAPACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMMUNITY POWER INITIATIVE
GRID ALTERNATIVES
$350,000ASSESS AND PLAN FOR OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE THROUGH DIRECT PAY INCENTIVES IN MARIN COUNTY
MARIN COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
$300,000SUPPORT THE SCHOOLSRULE MARIN EQUITY IN EDUCATION FUND
SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING EFFORTS IN WEST MARIN
SOCIAL JUSTICE COLLABORATIVE
$248,000PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN MARIN
GRID ALTERNATIVES
$215,000ASSESS AND PLAN FOR OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE THROUGH DIRECT PAY INCENTIVES IN MARIN COUNTY
CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT TO MULTICULTURAL CENTER OF MARIN
SUPPORT REGIONAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING EFFORTS IN MARIN
SUPPORT REGIONAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING EFFORTS
FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER
$192,000PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN MARIN
MARIN ENVIRONMENTAL HOUSING COLLABORATIVE (MEHC)
$175,000SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HOUSING COALITION
SUPPORT INTERIM AND PERMANENT HOUSING SOLUTIONS FOR HOUSEHOLDS LIVING ON RANCHES IN UNINHABITABLE CONDITIONS AND/OR AT RISK OF DISPLACEMENT
PLAY MARIN
$150,000PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN MARIN
SUPPORT INTERIM AND PERMANENT HOUSING SOLUTIONS FOR HOUSEHOLDS LIVING ON RANCHES IN UNINHABITABLE CONDITIONS AND/OR AT RISK OF DISPLACEMENT
EDUCATE AND ENGAGE MARIN CITY RESIDENTS IN SMALL-SCALE NATURE-BASED ADAPTATIONS TO ADDRESS STORMWATER DRAINAGE ISSUES AND OTHER CONCERNS
PROVIDE FY25 ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET SUPPORT FOR THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS INITIATIVE
ADOBE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BOLINAS COMMUNITY LAND TRUST INC
$100,000SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING EFFORTS IN STINSON BEACH
SUPPORT A PREDEVELOPMENT PROJECT FOR UNHOUSED SENIORS IN SAN RAFAEL
SUPPORT THE ACQUISITION AND PRESERVATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS IN THE CANAL COMMUNITY OF SAN RAFAEL
SUPPORT INITIAL ENGAGEMENT TO CREATE A COUNTYWIDE CLIMATE COLLABORATIVE
MARIN WILDFIRE PREVENTION AUTHORITY
$88,000PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN MARIN
SUPPORT ONE-TIME COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH HIRING AN EXPERIENCED, BILINGUAL MANAGING ATTORNEY THAT WILL INCREASE LAM'S HOUSING WORK, PARTICULARLY IN WEST MARIN
MARIN ENVIRONMENTAL HOUSING COLLABORATIVE (MEHC)
$75,000SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HOUSING COALITION
PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN MARIN
MARIN COUNTY COOPERATION TEAM
$70,000SUPPORT AND INVEST IN MARIN CITY YOUTH TOWARD GLOBAL MENTORSHIP, PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT REINVESTMENT PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT IN MARIN
SUPPORT MARIN'S HEALTH CENTERS TO BECOME MORE CLIMATE RESILIENT
PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY ADVOCACY MARIN 24X7 FUND