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.
$42.1M
$1.1B
$62.1M
$55.3M
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.
2024
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2024.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUCK INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH ON AGING | NOVATO, CA | $7,269,982 | 2024 | SUPPORT MAJOR PROJECT |
| VIVALON | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $2,180,500 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE COMPLETION OF THE HEALTHY AGING CENTER |
| EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY SERVICES OF SAN FRANCISCO | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,000,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE ACQUISITION/REHABILITATION OF 1251 SOUTH ELISEO DRIVE |
| MARIN CHILD CARE COUNCIL | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $1,893,000 | 2024 | ACCESS TO QUALITY CHILD CARE AND HEALTHY EATING ACTIVE LIVING |
| CANAL ALLIANCE | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $1,855,000 | 2024 | VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND THE ACQUISITION OF A NEW PROPERTY HEADQUARTERS |
| MARIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | NOVATO, CA | $1,835,098 | 2024 | VARIOUS PROGRAM RELATED SUPPORT FOR MARIN |
| 10000 DEGREES | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $1,800,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT COLLEGE ACCESS AND SUCCESS |
| ALCOHOL JUSTICE | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $1,453,996 | 2024 | SUPPORT MAJOR PROJECT |
| RITTER CENTER | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $1,394,500 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE NEW HEALTH CENTER |
| MARIN COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $1,373,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE EARLY SCHOOL SUCCESS INITIATIVE |
| HOMEWARD BOUND OF MARIN | NOVATO, CA | $1,321,000 | 2024 | BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS |
| UPTOGETHER | OAKLAND, CA | $1,100,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT A MARIN GUARANTEED INCOME DEMONSTRATION PROJECT |
| NORTH BAY CHILDREN'S CENTER INC | NOVATO, CA | $1,000,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE C STREET CAMPUS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT |
| BRIDGE HOUSING CORPORATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,000,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF TWO AFFORDABLE HOUSING APARTMENTS IN TERRA LINDA |
| BUCK INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATION | NOVATO, CA | $969,331 | 2024 | SUPPORT MAJOR PROJECT |
| NOVATO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | NOVATO, CA | $784,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE EARLY SCHOOL SUCCESS INITIATIVE |
| CENTER FOR VOLUNTEER AND NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP OF MARIN | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $761,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR FY 23 |
| MARIN CITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER | SAUSALITO, CA | $709,500 | 2024 | CAPITAL RENOVATIONS FOR MCHWC'S HEALTH CENTER FACILITY |
| MARIN COMMUNITY CLINIC | NOVATO, CA | $701,400 | 2024 | CAMPAIGN FOR THE NEXT DECADE |
| SAN RAFAEL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $671,825 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE EARLY SCHOOL SUCCESS INITIATIVE |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY GREATER SAN FRANCISCO INC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $650,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP PROJECT |
| MULTICULTURAL CENTER OF MARIN INC | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $458,550 | 2024 | BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS |
| LEGAL AID OF MARIN | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $424,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR CIVIL LAW MATTERS |
| MARIN HORIZON SCHOOL INCORPORATED | MILL VALLEY, CA | $350,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE PROVISION OF TODDLER CHILD CARE IN MARIN CITY |
| NORTH MARIN COMMUNITY SERVICES | NOVATO, CA | $339,000 | 2024 | BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS |
| SF-MARIN FOOD BANK | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $339,000 | 2024 | BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS |
| EDEN HOUSING INC | HAYWARD, CA | $300,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE EDUCATIONAL HOUSING COMPONENT OF THE OAK HILL PROJECT |
| SAUSALITO MARIN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | SAUSALITO, CA | $262,500 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE EARLY SCHOOL SUCCESS INITIATIVE |
| COMMUNITY ACTION MARIN | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $256,800 | 2024 | PROVIDE BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS |
| REDWOOD COMMUNITY HEALTH COALITION | PETALUMA, CA | $237,250 | 2024 | SUPPORT ALIADOS HEALTH INTEGRATED HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY OF MARIN COUNTY | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $234,000 | 2024 | BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS |
| WEST MARIN COMMUNITY SERVICES | POINT REYES STATION, CA | $234,000 | 2024 | BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS |
| CENTER FOR DOMESTIC PEACE | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $234,000 | 2024 | BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS |
| ADOPT A FAMILY OF MARIN | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $220,000 | 2024 | BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS |
| SHORELINE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | TOMALES, CA | $220,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE EARLY SCHOOL SUCCESS INITIATIVE |
| WEST MARIN SENIOR SERVICES | POINT REYES STATION, CA | $201,500 | 2024 | BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS |
| COLLEGE OF MARIN FOUNDATION | KENTFIELD, CA | $200,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT REBUILDING COLLEGE OF MARIN'S BOLINAS FIELD STATION |
| PARENT SERVICES PROJECT INC | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $200,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE EARLY SCHOOL SUCCESS INITIATIVE |
| PETALUMA HEALTH CENTER INC | PETALUMA, CA | $176,250 | 2024 | QUALITY HEALTHCARE DELIVERY FOR OLDER ADULTS IN WEST MARIN |
| MARIN PROMISE PARTNERSHIP | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $170,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT COLLEGE ACCESS AND SUCCESS |
| YWCA GOLDEN GATE SILICON VALLEY | SAN JOSE, CA | $163,900 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE FIFTYPLUS EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM |
| MARIN CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $161,500 | 2024 | BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS |
| SAN GERONIMO VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER | SAN GERONIMO, CA | $160,000 | 2024 | BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS |
| PHYSICIAN FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $160,000 | 2024 | EDUCATE AND ENGAGE RESIDENTS IN CLIMATE CHANGE ADVOCACY |
| MARIN SHAKESPEARE COMPANY | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $157,000 | 2024 | CONSTRUCTION OF THE CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS, EDUCATION, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE |
| PERFORMING STARS OF MARIN | SAUSALITO, CA | $155,250 | 2024 | BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS |
| AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE OF MARIN (AIM) | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $130,000 | 2024 | THE HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS COLLABORATIVE AND ROLLIN ROOT |
| FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $129,375 | 2024 | OPERATING SUPPORT FOR FAMILY LAW MATTERS FOR LOW-INCOME MARIN RESIDENTS |
| HUCKLEBERRY YOUTH PROGRAMS INC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $125,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT COLLEGE ACCESS AND SUCCESS |
| FRONT PORCH COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION | GLENDALE, CA | $122,400 | 2024 | HOME MATCH MARIN AND MARKET DAY MARIN |
BUCK INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH ON AGING
$7,269,982SUPPORT MAJOR PROJECT
VIVALON
$2,180,500SUPPORT THE COMPLETION OF THE HEALTHY AGING CENTER
EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY SERVICES OF SAN FRANCISCO
$2,000,000SUPPORT THE ACQUISITION/REHABILITATION OF 1251 SOUTH ELISEO DRIVE
MARIN CHILD CARE COUNCIL
$1,893,000ACCESS TO QUALITY CHILD CARE AND HEALTHY EATING ACTIVE LIVING
CANAL ALLIANCE
$1,855,000VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND THE ACQUISITION OF A NEW PROPERTY HEADQUARTERS
MARIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$1,835,098VARIOUS PROGRAM RELATED SUPPORT FOR MARIN
10000 DEGREES
$1,800,000SUPPORT COLLEGE ACCESS AND SUCCESS
ALCOHOL JUSTICE
$1,453,996SUPPORT MAJOR PROJECT
RITTER CENTER
$1,394,500SUPPORT THE NEW HEALTH CENTER
MARIN COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
$1,373,000SUPPORT THE EARLY SCHOOL SUCCESS INITIATIVE
HOMEWARD BOUND OF MARIN
$1,321,000BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS
UPTOGETHER
$1,100,000SUPPORT A MARIN GUARANTEED INCOME DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
NORTH BAY CHILDREN'S CENTER INC
$1,000,000SUPPORT THE C STREET CAMPUS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
BRIDGE HOUSING CORPORATION
$1,000,000SUPPORT OF TWO AFFORDABLE HOUSING APARTMENTS IN TERRA LINDA
BUCK INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATION
$969,331SUPPORT MAJOR PROJECT
NOVATO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$784,000SUPPORT THE EARLY SCHOOL SUCCESS INITIATIVE
CENTER FOR VOLUNTEER AND NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP OF MARIN
$761,000SUPPORT THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR FY 23
MARIN CITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER
$709,500CAPITAL RENOVATIONS FOR MCHWC'S HEALTH CENTER FACILITY
MARIN COMMUNITY CLINIC
$701,400CAMPAIGN FOR THE NEXT DECADE
SAN RAFAEL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
$671,825SUPPORT THE EARLY SCHOOL SUCCESS INITIATIVE
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY GREATER SAN FRANCISCO INC
$650,000SUPPORT FOR AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP PROJECT
MULTICULTURAL CENTER OF MARIN INC
$458,550BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS
LEGAL AID OF MARIN
$424,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR CIVIL LAW MATTERS
MARIN HORIZON SCHOOL INCORPORATED
$350,000SUPPORT THE PROVISION OF TODDLER CHILD CARE IN MARIN CITY
NORTH MARIN COMMUNITY SERVICES
$339,000BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS
SF-MARIN FOOD BANK
$339,000BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS
EDEN HOUSING INC
$300,000SUPPORT THE EDUCATIONAL HOUSING COMPONENT OF THE OAK HILL PROJECT
SAUSALITO MARIN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$262,500SUPPORT THE EARLY SCHOOL SUCCESS INITIATIVE
COMMUNITY ACTION MARIN
$256,800PROVIDE BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS
REDWOOD COMMUNITY HEALTH COALITION
$237,250SUPPORT ALIADOS HEALTH INTEGRATED HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY OF MARIN COUNTY
$234,000BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS
WEST MARIN COMMUNITY SERVICES
$234,000BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS
CENTER FOR DOMESTIC PEACE
$234,000BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS
ADOPT A FAMILY OF MARIN
$220,000BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS
SHORELINE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$220,000SUPPORT THE EARLY SCHOOL SUCCESS INITIATIVE
WEST MARIN SENIOR SERVICES
$201,500BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS
COLLEGE OF MARIN FOUNDATION
$200,000SUPPORT REBUILDING COLLEGE OF MARIN'S BOLINAS FIELD STATION
PARENT SERVICES PROJECT INC
$200,000SUPPORT THE EARLY SCHOOL SUCCESS INITIATIVE
PETALUMA HEALTH CENTER INC
$176,250QUALITY HEALTHCARE DELIVERY FOR OLDER ADULTS IN WEST MARIN
MARIN PROMISE PARTNERSHIP
$170,000SUPPORT COLLEGE ACCESS AND SUCCESS
YWCA GOLDEN GATE SILICON VALLEY
$163,900SUPPORT THE FIFTYPLUS EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
MARIN CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
$161,500BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS
SAN GERONIMO VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER
$160,000BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS
PHYSICIAN FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INC
$160,000EDUCATE AND ENGAGE RESIDENTS IN CLIMATE CHANGE ADVOCACY
MARIN SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
$157,000CONSTRUCTION OF THE CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS, EDUCATION, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
PERFORMING STARS OF MARIN
$155,250BASIC NEEDS AND SUPPORT TO MARIN RESIDENTS
AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE OF MARIN (AIM)
$130,000THE HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS COLLABORATIVE AND ROLLIN ROOT
FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER
$129,375OPERATING SUPPORT FOR FAMILY LAW MATTERS FOR LOW-INCOME MARIN RESIDENTS
HUCKLEBERRY YOUTH PROGRAMS INC
$125,000SUPPORT COLLEGE ACCESS AND SUCCESS
FRONT PORCH COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION
$122,400HOME MATCH MARIN AND MARKET DAY MARIN