The Louise M Davies Foundation concentrates giving in the San Francisco Bay Area with a strong, consistent emphasis on supporting Catholic and faith-based K–12 schools (tuition assistance and general operating support), diocesan and parish needs (priest retirement, church organizations, Catholic media), and major local cultural institutions (San Francisco Symphony and Opera). Grants are typically unrestricted or program/general support and frequently directed to longstanding local partners, reflecting a preference for sustaining institutions that serve religious education, faith formation, and civic cultural life.
Louise M Davies Foundation’s giving shows a clear pattern of repeated support for Catholic schools, parish institutions, and Bay Area cultural anchors. In 2024 and 2023, the foundation made multiple $50,000 grants to the San Francisco Symphony and the San Francisco Opera Association, pairing arts support with steady funding for Catholic K–8 schools such as St Peter’s School, St John Catholic School, and Saint James School. The foundation also backs tuition assistance, general operating support, and related school needs at institutions including Immaculate Conception Academy, Ecole Notre Dame Des Victoires, and Marin Catholic High School. Its grantmaking also reaches beyond classrooms into diocesan priorities and faith formation. The Archdiocese of San Francisco received support for priests’ retirement, while Sophia Institute received grants for teacher instruction. Across the recent grants list, the pattern is less about one-time experiments and more about recurring relationships with local organizations that serve education, religion, and civic culture in San Francisco and surrounding Bay Area communities. The result is a portfolio centered on sustaining established institutions rather than funding isolated projects.
Catholic education is the most visible thread in the foundation’s recent giving. Bay Area Scholarhips for Inner-city received $50,000 in 2024 and $25,000 in 2023 for scholarships to Catholic kindergarten through 8th grade schools in San Francisco. St Peter’s School received $35,000 in 2024 and $35,000 in 2023 for tuition assistance and a symphony Christmas tree, while St Brigid School received $25,000 in 2024 and $25,000 in 2023 for general support. The foundation also supports broader faith and diocesan needs. The Archdiocese of San Francisco received $25,000 in 2024 and $25,000 in 2023 for priests’ retirement fund support, and Sophia Institute received $30,000 in both 2023 and 2024 for teacher instruction. Cultural institutions are another consistent focus. San Francisco Symphony received $50,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2023 for Christmas programs and a guest conductor endowment fund, while the San Francisco Opera Association received $50,000 in each year for general support for opera.
Typical grants cluster in the mid-five-figure range, with a p25 of $5,000, a median of $15,000, and a p75 of $25,000. The recent grants list also includes several $30,000, $35,000, and $50,000 awards, showing a mix of standard operating and program support alongside larger institutional gifts. Recurring awards are common: many recipients appear in both 2023 and 2024, including schools, the archdiocese, and arts organizations. The foundation gives through a family foundation structure and funds individuals as well as organizations, while making no program-related investments. Grants appear to be made by invitation or direct relationship rather than through an open application process, based on the pattern of named institutional recipients.
$1M
$22.5M
$2M
$1.4M
Most grants fall between $5K and $25K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Concentrated, repeat giving to a relatively small set of local organizations: medium-to-large grants (commonly $30k–$100k) often issued in two installments to the same grantees, prioritizing renewal/ongoing operating support over one-off project funding.
Notable grantees: San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Opera Association, Bay Area Scholarships for Inner-City, Archdiocese of San Francisco, Immaculate Conception Academy
Grantmaking is strongly centered in California, which accounts for 78% of grants and is the top state by grant count. San Francisco appears most often, with additional Bay Area recipients in Kentfield, Concord, and Santa Paula. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 100 grants in the United States. The geographic pattern points to a regional funder focused on the San Francisco Bay Area rather than a national grantmaker.
The foundation’s recent grants concentrate on Catholic K–8 schools, diocesan and parish support, Catholic media and faith-formation organizations, and major Bay Area performing arts institutions. Recent recipients include school, church, and arts institutions in San Francisco and nearby Bay Area communities.
Yes. Several recipients appear in both 2023 and 2024, including San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Opera Association, Bay Area Scholarhips for Inner-city, St Peter’s School, St Brigid School, Mission Dolores Academy, Archdiocese of San Francisco, Wood Rose Academy, Marin Catholic High School, and Sophia Institute.
The typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include multiple $30,000, $35,000, and $50,000 grants.
California receives 78% of the foundation’s grants, and San Francisco is the most frequent recipient city. Other recent California recipient cities include Kentfield, Concord, and Santa Paula, and all recent grants in the provided data go to U.S.-based organizations.
Recent grants support Catholic school tuition assistance and general operating costs, priests’ retirement, teacher instruction, and the performing arts. Named examples include grants for Catholic K–8 scholarships, priests’ retirement fund support, and opera and symphony programming.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $75,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS AND GUEST CONDUCTOR ENDOWMENT FUND |
| SAN FRANCISCO OPERA ASSOCIATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $75,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERA |
| ST PETER'S SCHOOL | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $35,000 | 2026 | TUITION ASSISTANCE AND SYMPHONY CHRISTMAS TREE |
| ST ANTHONY-IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8TH GRADE SCHOOL |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION ACADEMY | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | TUITION ASSISTANCE |
| MARIN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL | KENTFIELD, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARHIPS FOR DESERVING STUDENTS AND SCHOOL EQUIPMENT |
| ST ANTHONY FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $26,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BAY AREA SCHOLARHIPS FOR INNER-CITY | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARHIPS TO CATHOLIC KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8TH GRADE SCHOOLS IN SAN FRANCISCO |
| ST BRIGID SCHOOL | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8TH GRADE SCHOOL |
| SAN FRANCISCO BALLET | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ARCHDIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | PRIESTS' RETIREMENT FUND |
| SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MISSION DOLORES ACADEMY | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8TH GRADE SCHOOL |
| AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATER | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WOOD ROSE ACADEMY | CONCORD, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR KINDERGAREN THROUGH 8TH GRADE SCHOOL |
| GOLDEN STATE NATIONAL PARKS CONSERV | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THOMAS AQUINAS COLLEGE | SANTA PAULA, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR COLLEGE |
| KOLBE ACADEMY TRINITY PREP | NAPA, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | TUITION ASSISTANCE |
| CAMPHILL COMMUNITIES CALIFORNIA | SOQUEL, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED |
| ST JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8TH GRADE SCHOOL |
| VIVALON | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| THE SAINT JOSEPH FOUNDATION | HOPEDALE, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR CHURCH RIGHTS ORGANIZATION |
| LARKIN STREET YOUTH SERVICES | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE SOCIETY OF CALIFORNIA PIONEERS | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY |
| MONTEREY MUSEUM OF ART | MONTEREY, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | FOR INSURANCE AND CONINUTING ADMINISTRATION OF THE DAVIES COLLECTION OF WESTERN ART |
| THE CARDINAL NEWMAN SOCIETY | MANASSAS, VA | $15,000 | 2026 | FOR GENERAL PURPOSES |
| ST PATRICK'S SEMINARY UNIVERSITY | MENLO PARK, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CATHOLIC LEAGUE FOR RELIG CIV RIGHT | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS AND CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION |
| HOLY ANGELS SCHOOL | COLMA, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHPS FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED STUDENTS |
| STAR OF THE SEA SCHOOL | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THOMAS MORE COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS | MERRIMACK, NH | $15,000 | 2026 | FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, AND THE ANTHONY ESOLEN PROFESSORSHIP |
| ECOLE NOTRE DAME DES VICTOIRES | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | TUITION ASSISTANCE AND OPERATIONAL EXPENSES |
| RIEKES CENTER | MENLO PARK, CA | $13,000 | 2026 | FOR THE RALLY FOR RIEKES 2020 |
| SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL PREPATORY | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHPS AND TUITION AID |
| KEEP THE FAITH INC | RAMSEY, NJ | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION |
| ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN HIGH SCHOOL FUND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOPHIA INSTITUTE | MANCHESTER, NH | $10,000 | 2026 | TEACHER INSTRUCTION |
| MARINE MAMMAL CENTER | SAVASALITO, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WOODSIDE PRIORY SCHOOL | PORTOLA VALLEY, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARHIPS FOR THE JOHN ERKMAN SCHOLARHSIP FUND |
| RELEVANT RADIO | LOOMIS, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RADIO STATION NETWORK |
| ST ELIZABETH PARISH SCHOOL | ALTADENA, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TUNNELS TO TOWERS | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST MARYS CATHEDRAL CHOIR SCHOOL | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CATHEDRAL OF ST MARY OF THE ASSUMPT | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $7,500 | 2026 | SUPPORT DOCENT SCHOOL PROGRAM AND CATHOLIC SCHOOL CHOIR PROJECT |
| THE INSTITUTE ON RELIGION DEMOCRACY | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY OF SAN F | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ACTON INSTITUTE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| IGNATIUS PRESS | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
SUPPORT CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS AND GUEST CONDUCTOR ENDOWMENT FUND
SAN FRANCISCO OPERA ASSOCIATION
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OPERA
ST PETER'S SCHOOL
$35,000TUITION ASSISTANCE AND SYMPHONY CHRISTMAS TREE
ST ANTHONY-IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SC
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8TH GRADE SCHOOL
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION ACADEMY
$30,000TUITION ASSISTANCE
MARIN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
$30,000SCHOLARHIPS FOR DESERVING STUDENTS AND SCHOOL EQUIPMENT
ST ANTHONY FOUNDATION
$26,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SCHOLARHIPS TO CATHOLIC KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8TH GRADE SCHOOLS IN SAN FRANCISCO
ST BRIGID SCHOOL
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8TH GRADE SCHOOL
SAN FRANCISCO BALLET
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ARCHDIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO
$25,000PRIESTS' RETIREMENT FUND
MISSION DOLORES ACADEMY
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8TH GRADE SCHOOL
AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATER
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WOOD ROSE ACADEMY
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR KINDERGAREN THROUGH 8TH GRADE SCHOOL
THOMAS AQUINAS COLLEGE
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR COLLEGE
KOLBE ACADEMY TRINITY PREP
$20,000TUITION ASSISTANCE
GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED
ST JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8TH GRADE SCHOOL
THE SAINT JOSEPH FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR CHURCH RIGHTS ORGANIZATION
LARKIN STREET YOUTH SERVICES
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GENERAL SUPPORT FOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY
FOR INSURANCE AND CONINUTING ADMINISTRATION OF THE DAVIES COLLECTION OF WESTERN ART
ST PATRICK'S SEMINARY UNIVERSITY
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CATHOLIC LEAGUE FOR RELIG CIV RIGHT
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS AND CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION
HOLY ANGELS SCHOOL
$15,000SCHOLARSHPS FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED STUDENTS
STAR OF THE SEA SCHOOL
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THOMAS MORE COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
$15,000FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, AND THE ANTHONY ESOLEN PROFESSORSHIP
ECOLE NOTRE DAME DES VICTOIRES
$15,000TUITION ASSISTANCE AND OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
RIEKES CENTER
$13,000FOR THE RALLY FOR RIEKES 2020
SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL PREPATORY
$10,000SCHOLARSHPS AND TUITION AID
KEEP THE FAITH INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION
ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN HIGH SCHOOL FUND
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SOPHIA INSTITUTE
$10,000TEACHER INSTRUCTION
WOODSIDE PRIORY SCHOOL
$10,000SCHOLARHIPS FOR THE JOHN ERKMAN SCHOLARHSIP FUND
RELEVANT RADIO
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR RADIO STATION NETWORK
ST ELIZABETH PARISH SCHOOL
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST MARYS CATHEDRAL CHOIR SCHOOL
$7,500GENERAL SUPPORT
CATHEDRAL OF ST MARY OF THE ASSUMPT
$7,500SUPPORT DOCENT SCHOOL PROGRAM AND CATHOLIC SCHOOL CHOIR PROJECT
THE INSTITUTE ON RELIGION DEMOCRACY
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY OF SAN F
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ACTON INSTITUTE
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
IGNATIUS PRESS
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT