The McMurtry Family Foundation of 2003 makes a small number of large grants to high-profile research and policy institutions, favoring national universities, biomedical research initiatives, and public policy think tanks. Its giving appears targeted toward advancing scientific research and shaping public policy and higher-education work rather than broad community-level charities.
Concentrated, high-dollar gifts to a few prominent national institutions in a given year; no evidence of many small or local grants or repeated smaller awards to community organizations.
A recurring pattern in Mcmurtry Family Foundation of 2003’s giving is its support for the same institutions across multiple years, often at $100,000 or more per grant. Canary Foundation appears in both 2023 and 2025, Hoover Institution received a $200,000 grant in 2023, and UC Berkeley Foundation received $190,000 in 2024. The foundation’s recent grants also show repeated support for Exploratorium, Habitat for Humanity, Caremessage, Community Solutions Initiative (ieee), Lucille Packard Foundation for Children's Health, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Berkeley Engineering Center. The portfolio points to a preference for established nonprofits and university-linked organizations rather than broad small-grant charity work. Its largest recent grant in the list goes to Canary Foundation for work tied to charitable efforts, while other sizable awards support public policy research, education, science, health, arts, and community service. That mix suggests a funder that backs institutions with national reach and specialized missions, especially those connected to research, higher education, and public-serving programs. The foundation’s giving is organized enough to revisit the same grantees over time, yet flexible enough to span biomedical research, policy, and cultural or human-service organizations.
In biomedical research, the foundation gave $250,000 to Canary Foundation in 2023 and another $100,000 in 2025, both described as support to further and promote charitable efforts. For public policy and research, Hoover Institution received $200,000 in 2023 for the same broad charitable purpose. Higher education is another clear lane: UC Berkeley Foundation received $190,000 in 2024 to further and promote education efforts, and Berkeley Engineering Fund received $110,000 in 2023 for educational purposes. The foundation also backed Berkeley Engineering Center with $100,000 in 2025. Beyond research and education, the foundation supported cultural and community-serving organizations such as Exploratorium, Habitat for Humanity, and Caremessage, each with six-figure grants tied to charitable efforts.
Typical grants are modest to mid-sized, with a p25 of $2,150, a median of $5,000, and a p75 of $31,250, even though the recent grant list includes a cluster of six-figure awards. The pattern suggests selective, larger institutional gifts rather than a broad volume of small awards. Recipients reappear across multiple years, including several repeated awards from 2023 through 2025. The foundation is classified as a Regular Funder, makes no program-related investments, and does not fund individuals. Grant descriptions are broad and usually framed as support to further charitable, educational, or community purposes rather than through a public application process.
$1.8M
$10.5M
$1.2M
$1.9M
Most grants fall between $2K and $31K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$31K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in CA.
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Notable grantees: Canary Foundation, Hoover Institution, UC Berkeley Foundation
Grantmaking is national, with all grants in the data going to U.S. recipients. The strongest concentration is in California, including Palo Alto, Berkeley, San Francisco, East Palo Alto, Oakland, Fremont, and Ashland, Oregon appears as another recurring recipient location. Massachusetts is the top state by grant count, though the grant list here is dominated by California-based organizations. The recent grants show repeated awards to Palo Alto and San Francisco institutions, especially research, health, and cultural nonprofits.
The recent grants point to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions, especially research universities, biomedical research groups, policy institutions, and public-serving nonprofits. Examples in the data include a university foundation, a think tank, a science museum, and health- and community-oriented charities.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Canary Foundation, Exploratorium, Habitat for Humanity, Caremessage, Community Solutions Initiative (ieee), Lucille Packard Foundation for Children's Health, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Berkeley Engineering Center.
The distribution shows a p25 of $2,150, a median of $5,000, and a p75 of $31,250. The recent grants list also includes multiple six-figure awards, so the foundation’s giving includes a small number of much larger institutional grants.
The clearest areas are biomedical research, public policy research, higher education, science and education, and community or cultural support. Recent named recipients include Canary Foundation, Hoover Institution, UC Berkeley Foundation, Berkeley Engineering Fund, Exploratorium, and Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE | OAKLAND, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| EXPLORATORIUM | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION FOR CHILDRENS HEALTH | PALO ALTO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS INITIATIVE (IEEE) | PISCATAWAY, NJ | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| CANARY FOUNDATION | PALO ALTO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| CAREMESSAGE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| EPACENTER ARTS | EAST PALO ALTO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| OREGON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL | ASHLAND, OR | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| BERKELEY ENGINEERING CENTER | BERKELEY, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE EDUCATION EFFORTS. |
| STUDENTS RISING ABOVE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $65,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. |
| WILD AFRICA FOUNDATION | LAFAYETTE, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| EXPLORATORIUM STABILITY FUND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| ABODE SERVICES | FREMONT, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| EASTSIDE COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL | EAST PALO ALTO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. |
| BERKELEY ENGINEERING FUND | BERKELEY, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE EDUCATION EFFORTS. |
| COLLEGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN ANNUAL FUND | BERKELEY, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE EDUCATION EFFORTS. |
| FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE | OAKLAND, CA | $35,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| BERKELEY ART MUSEUM AND PACIFIC FILM ARCHIVE | BERKELEY, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE EDUCATION EFFORTS. |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK | SAN JOSE, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| VILLAGE ENTERPRISE FUND | SAN CARLOS, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| BAKER INSTITUTE FOR CHILDREN WITH HEARING LOSS | PALO ALTO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| RICE 360 INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. |
| BRENTWOOD SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE EDUCATION EFFORTS. |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK | SAN JOSE, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST | PALO ALTO, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM | MONTEREY, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| COMPUTER HISTORY MUSEUM | MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA | $11,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| WORLD MONUMENTS FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| KQED | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. |
| CLIMA FUND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $7,500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| SOCIAL VOYAGERS | REDWOOD CITY, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| STANFORD FUND | STANFORD, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| GUTTMACHER INSTITUTE | NEW YORK CITY, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| MENLO PARK ATHERTON EDUCATION FOUNDATION | ATHERTON, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. |
| SEMPERVIRENS FUND | LOS ALTOS, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| READING PARTNERS | OAKLAND, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. |
| NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| BEARS WITHOUT BORDERS | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| INNISFREE GARDEN | OAKLAND, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| DEMOS | NEW YORK, NY | $4,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| AMAH MUTSUN LAND TRUST | GALT, CA | $4,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| THE WOODS PROJECT | HOUSTON, TX | $4,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| CRAG LAW CENTER | PORTLAND, OR | $3,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| CATHERINE HAMLIN FISTULA FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $3,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD COLUMBIA WILLAMETTE | PORTLAND, OR | $3,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| ROSE HAVEN NURSING CENTER | ROSEBURG, OR | $3,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| HAVEN OF HOPE | APTOS, CA | $3,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
| FRIENDS OF THE HIGH LINE | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS. |
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE
$100,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
EXPLORATORIUM
$100,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS INITIATIVE (IEEE)
$100,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
CANARY FOUNDATION
$100,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
OREGON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
$100,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$100,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
BERKELEY ENGINEERING CENTER
$100,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE EDUCATION EFFORTS.
WILD AFRICA FOUNDATION
$50,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
EXPLORATORIUM STABILITY FUND
$50,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.
BERKELEY ENGINEERING FUND
$50,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE EDUCATION EFFORTS.
COLLEGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN ANNUAL FUND
$40,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE EDUCATION EFFORTS.
FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE
$35,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
BERKELEY ART MUSEUM AND PACIFIC FILM ARCHIVE
$30,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE EDUCATION EFFORTS.
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK
$30,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
BAKER INSTITUTE FOR CHILDREN WITH HEARING LOSS
$25,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
RICE 360 INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH
$25,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK
$20,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM
$15,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
WORLD MONUMENTS FUND
$10,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON
$10,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.
SOCIAL VOYAGERS
$5,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
STANFORD FUND
$5,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.
NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC
$5,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
BEARS WITHOUT BORDERS
$5,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
INNISFREE GARDEN
$5,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
AMAH MUTSUN LAND TRUST
$4,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
CATHERINE HAMLIN FISTULA FOUNDATION
$3,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.
TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
ROSE HAVEN NURSING CENTER
$3,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.
HAVEN OF HOPE
$3,000TO FURTHER AND PROMOTE CHARITABLE EFFORTS.