The Munger Charitable Trust Number One in Pasadena directs all of its recent giving to a single philanthropic intermediary, Greater Horizons, via an in‑kind gift of Berkshire Hathaway stock for general operating support. Rather than funding operating nonprofits or programs directly, the trust appears to be channeling assets into a donor-advised/charitable giving vehicle to be regranted or managed by that intermediary. This suggests the foundation operates mainly as a funder of philanthropic infrastructure and donor-directed giving.
Highly concentrated: a single large in-kind gift to one intermediary (Greater Horizons). No evidence of diversified or repeated funding to multiple programmatic grantees—use of securities transfer indicates asset-based philanthropy via a DAF-style organization.
A defining feature of Munger Charitable Trust Number One C/o William H Borthwick is that its recent giving is routed almost entirely through Greater Horizons, including large in-kind transfers of Berkshire Hathaway stock for general operating support. That pattern places the trust closer to a philanthropic funding conduit than a direct program grantmaker. Across the recent grants list, most awards are structured as securities gifts rather than cash, and the trust has also supported a small number of operating nonprofits in California and beyond through the same asset-based approach. The largest recent grant is a $1,550,460 transfer to Greater Horizons, followed by another $522,864 grant to the same intermediary and a $491,088 grant in a separate filing year. The trust’s recent recipients also include Southern California Public Radio, Westridge School for Girls Inc, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, and Advancement Project. Those named recipients show a mix of philanthropic infrastructure, media, education, legal services, and cultural support, all within a grantmaking pattern centered on publicly traded securities and general support rather than restricted project funding.
The trust’s clearest cause-area pattern is support for philanthropic infrastructure. In 2025, it gave $1,550,460 to Greater Horizons and another $522,864 to the same intermediary, both described as Berkshire Hathaway securities for general operating support. That same intermediary received a $491,088 grant in 2025 under a separate filing, reinforcing the role of donor-advised or regranting infrastructure in the trust’s giving. Outside that channel, the trust has funded California-based public-interest and community institutions. It gave $258,377 to Southern California Public Radio in Pasadena and $150,000 to Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles in Glendale. Education and cultural support also appear in the recent list, including $197,807 to Westridge School for Girls Inc in Pasadena and $99,408 to Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. A smaller $26,000 grant to Advancement Project in Los Angeles adds another general-support example.
$3.5M
$154.9M
$128.4M
$3.5M
Most grants fall between $162K and $433K, with a median of $252K.
25th Percentile
$162K
Median
$252K
75th Percentile
$433K
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Notable grantees: Greater Horizons
Typical recent grants are large: the 25th percentile is $161,952, the median is $251,504, and the 75th percentile is $432,910. The trust’s recent filings show a repeated pattern of giving to the same intermediary across years and multiple grants within 2025, suggesting ongoing rather than one-off support. Its structure is consistent with a private charitable trust that does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. The grants are frequently in-kind transfers of Berkshire Hathaway securities, with book value and valuation method reported alongside the awards.
Giving is local in scope and heavily concentrated in California. By grant count, 80% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state of California, and the remaining recent grants are still domestic. Pasadena appears repeatedly as a recipient city through Southern California Public Radio and Westridge School for Girls Inc, while Glendale and Santa Barbara also show up in the recent list. One grant went to Washington, DC through Our American Future Foundation, and all recent grants in the data are in the United States.
Its recent giving centers on philanthropic infrastructure through Greater Horizons, plus California-based nonprofits in media, education, legal services, and cultural work. The recent list includes Southern California Public Radio, Westridge School for Girls Inc, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, and Advancement Project.
Recent grants are sizable. The typical range is $161,952 at the 25th percentile, $251,504 at the median, and $432,910 at the 75th percentile. The largest recent grant listed is $1,550,460.
Repeat recipients appear in the recent data. Greater Horizons received multiple grants in 2025, and Southern California Public Radio appears in both 2024 and 2025. That points to an ongoing relationship with some recipients rather than purely one-time awards.
The trust’s grantmaking is local, with 80% of grants going to recipients in California. Pasadena is a recurring recipient city, and the recent list also includes Glendale and Santa Barbara in California, plus one recipient in Washington, DC.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GREATER HORIZONS | KANSAS CITY, CA | $1,550,460 | 2025 | (1) DESCRIPTION: 2 SHARES OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY CLASS A SECURITIES (2) BOOK VALUE: $1,221,336 (3) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE BOOK VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE RECEIVED BY THE FOUNDATION. (4) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE FAIR MARKET VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE DONATED. (5) DATE OF THE GIFT: 04/22/2025 (6) PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GREATER HORIZONS | KANSAS CITY, CA | $522,864 | 2025 | (1) DESCRIPTION: 990 SHARES OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY CLASS B SECURITIES (2) BOOK VALUE: $450,411 (3) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE BOOK VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE RECEIVED BY THE FOUNDATION. (4) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE FAIR MARKET VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE DONATED. (5) DATE OF THE GIFT: 04/24/2025 (6) PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GREATER HORIZONS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $491,088 | 2025 | (1) DESCRIPTION: 950 SHARES OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY CLASS B SECURITIES (2) BOOK VALUE: $397,188 (3) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE BOOK VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE RECEIVED BY THE FOUNDATION. (4) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE FAIR MARKET VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE DONATED. (5) DATE OF THE GIFT: 04/22/2025 (6) PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RADIO | PASADENA, CA | $258,377 | 2025 | (1) DESCRIPTION: 486 SHARES OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY CLASS B SECURITIES (2) BOOK VALUE: $197,855 (3) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE BOOK VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE RECEIVED BY THE FOUNDATION. (4) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE FAIR MARKET VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE DONATED. (5) DATE OF THE GIFT: 04/15/2025 (6) PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OUR AMERICAN FUTURE FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $252,846 | 2025 | (1) DESCRIPTION: 550 SHARES OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY CLASS B SECURITIES (2) BOOK VALUE: $36,476 (3) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE BOOK VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE RECEIVED BY THE FOUNDATION. (4) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE FAIR MARKET VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE DONATED. (5) DATE OF THE GIFT: 09/19/2024 (6) PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WESTRIDGE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS INC | PASADENA, CA | $197,807 | 2025 | (1) DESCRIPTION: 436 SHARES OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY CLASS B SECURITIES (2) BOOK VALUE: $119,911 (3) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE BOOK VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE RECEIVED BY THE FOUNDATION. (4) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE FAIR MARKET VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE DONATED. (5) DATE OF THE GIFT: 09/24/2024 (6) PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles | GLENDALE, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| SANTA BARBARA MARITIME MUSEUM | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $99,408 | 2025 | (1) DESCRIPTION: 218 SHARES OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY CLASS B SECURITIES (2) BOOK VALUE: $14,458 (3) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE BOOK VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE RECEIVED BY THE FOUNDATION. (4) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE FAIR MARKET VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE DONATED. (5) DATE OF THE GIFT: 09/20/2024 (6) PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RADIO | PASADENA, CA | $250,162 | 2024 | (1) DESCRIPTION: 596 SHARES OF BERSHIRE HATHAWAY CLASS B SECURITIES (2) BOOK VALUE: $39,530 (3) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE BOOK VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE RECEIVED BY THE FOUNDATION. (4) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE FAIR MARKET VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE DONATED. (5) DATE OF THE GIFT: 04/01/2024 (6) PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ADVANCEMENT PROJECT | LOS ANGLES, CA | $26,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
(1) DESCRIPTION: 2 SHARES OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY CLASS A SECURITIES (2) BOOK VALUE: $1,221,336 (3) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE BOOK VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE RECEIVED BY THE FOUNDATION. (4) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE FAIR MARKET VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE DONATED. (5) DATE OF THE GIFT: 04/22/2025 (6) PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
(1) DESCRIPTION: 990 SHARES OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY CLASS B SECURITIES (2) BOOK VALUE: $450,411 (3) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE BOOK VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE RECEIVED BY THE FOUNDATION. (4) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE FAIR MARKET VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE DONATED. (5) DATE OF THE GIFT: 04/24/2025 (6) PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
(1) DESCRIPTION: 950 SHARES OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY CLASS B SECURITIES (2) BOOK VALUE: $397,188 (3) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE BOOK VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE RECEIVED BY THE FOUNDATION. (4) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE FAIR MARKET VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE DONATED. (5) DATE OF THE GIFT: 04/22/2025 (6) PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RADIO
(1) DESCRIPTION: 486 SHARES OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY CLASS B SECURITIES (2) BOOK VALUE: $197,855 (3) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE BOOK VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE RECEIVED BY THE FOUNDATION. (4) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE FAIR MARKET VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE DONATED. (5) DATE OF THE GIFT: 04/15/2025 (6) PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
OUR AMERICAN FUTURE FOUNDATION
$252,846(1) DESCRIPTION: 550 SHARES OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY CLASS B SECURITIES (2) BOOK VALUE: $36,476 (3) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE BOOK VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE RECEIVED BY THE FOUNDATION. (4) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE FAIR MARKET VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE DONATED. (5) DATE OF THE GIFT: 09/19/2024 (6) PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WESTRIDGE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS INC
$197,807(1) DESCRIPTION: 436 SHARES OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY CLASS B SECURITIES (2) BOOK VALUE: $119,911 (3) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE BOOK VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE RECEIVED BY THE FOUNDATION. (4) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE FAIR MARKET VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE DONATED. (5) DATE OF THE GIFT: 09/24/2024 (6) PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles
$150,000CHARITABLE
SANTA BARBARA MARITIME MUSEUM
$99,408(1) DESCRIPTION: 218 SHARES OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY CLASS B SECURITIES (2) BOOK VALUE: $14,458 (3) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE BOOK VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE RECEIVED BY THE FOUNDATION. (4) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE FAIR MARKET VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE DONATED. (5) DATE OF THE GIFT: 09/20/2024 (6) PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RADIO
$250,162(1) DESCRIPTION: 596 SHARES OF BERSHIRE HATHAWAY CLASS B SECURITIES (2) BOOK VALUE: $39,530 (3) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE BOOK VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE RECEIVED BY THE FOUNDATION. (4) METHOD USED TO DETERMINE FAIR MARKET VALUE: AVERAGE OF THE HIGH/LOW ON THE DATE THE SECURITIES WERE DONATED. (5) DATE OF THE GIFT: 04/01/2024 (6) PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT