The Diana Dollar Knowles Foundation is a San Francisco–centered funder that prioritizes performing and visual arts, with substantial multi-year support for major city institutions, while also backing local faith-based community services, environmental conservation at Lake Tahoe, and occasional health clinic support. Grants are sizable and targeted, often repeated to the same institutions, signaling long-term institutional philanthropy rather than one-off small grants. The foundation’s giving emphasizes cultural vitality in San Francisco alongside stewardship of nearby natural resources and community service programs tied to religious institutions.
The Diana Dollar Knowles Foundation C/o Hilary C Pierce makes some of its largest grants to San Francisco arts institutions, including a $233,500 package to San Francisco Ballet in 2024 that combined general support, education purposes, and a Nutcracker sensory performance. That mix shows a funder that supports both core institutional operations and audience-facing programming. The same pattern appears in its other major commitments: the foundation gave $100,000 to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco for Fashioning San Francisco and equity school partnership programming, and it backed San Francisco Opera with $75,000 for the Adler Fellowship Program and Boheme Out of the Box. Alongside those cultural grants, the foundation also funds community-serving work in the city, such as Grace Cathedral’s community preschool and San Francisco Free Clinic. Its giving is not limited to one lane of arts patronage. Lake Tahoe conservation and education, youth development, and disability sports also appear in the grant record, suggesting a portfolio that combines long-term support for established institutions with targeted project funding tied to public access, education, and local services.
In the arts, the foundation supports both large institutions and specific programming. It gave $50,000 to Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco for the Mary Cassatt at Work exhibition, and earlier provided $100,000 for education programs tied to Ramses the Great. For performance access, San Francisco Ballet received funding for a Nutcracker sensory performance, alongside general support and education purposes. The foundation also backs faith-linked community programming: Grace Cathedral received $83,000 for community preschool in 2024 and another $50,000 in 2025. Outside the cultural sector, environmental work appears through League to Save Lake Tahoe grants for an Environment Education Center and other resilience-related efforts. It also supports local health access, including general support for San Francisco Free Clinic.
The typical grant size is modest relative to the foundation’s larger awards: p25 is $1,500, median is $5,000, and p75 is $25,000. That distribution sits alongside several much larger, targeted gifts, which indicates a mix of small support grants and larger project-based commitments. The same grantees recur across multiple years, including San Francisco Ballet, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Grace Cathedral, League to Save Lake Tahoe, and San Francisco Free Clinic. The foundation appears to give through a private, locally focused structure rather than a broad open-application model; the record provided does not show an application process. It does, however, show repeated support for institutions over time, especially in the arts and community service sectors.
$532K
$7.9M
$722K
$634K
Most grants fall between $2K and $25K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small set of repeat institutional grantees—especially cultural organizations—with multiple grants over time and occasional support for environmental and faith-linked community programs.
Notable grantees: San Francisco Ballet, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Grace Cathedral, League to Save Lake Tahoe, San Francisco Opera
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in California, which accounts for 92% of grants and is also the top giving state. San Francisco is the main recipient city, with grants to San Francisco Ballet, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Grace Cathedral, San Francisco Opera, and San Francisco Free Clinic. Other California recipients include South Lake Tahoe, Napa, Alpine Meadows, Atherton, and El Cajon. Outside California, the recent-grants list includes one recipient in Boston, showing that the portfolio is overwhelmingly local but not entirely limited to San Francisco proper.
The grant record centers on arts and cultural institutions, especially San Francisco Ballet, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, and San Francisco Opera. It also supports faith-based community services, environmental education at Lake Tahoe, and local health access through San Francisco Free Clinic.
The grant-size distribution is p25 $1,500, median $5,000, and p75 $25,000. Recent awards range from small general-support grants to larger targeted gifts such as $233,500 to San Francisco Ballet and $100,000 to Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
California receives 92% of grants, and San Francisco is the most frequent recipient city. Other California recipient locations in the recent-grants list include South Lake Tahoe, Napa, Alpine Meadows, Atherton, and El Cajon.
Yes. The recent-grants list shows repeated support across multiple years for several organizations, including San Francisco Ballet, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Grace Cathedral, League to Save Lake Tahoe, and San Francisco Free Clinic.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAN FRANCISCO BALLET | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $125,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION - $100,000; GENERAL SUPPORT - $25,000 |
| FINE ARTS MUSEUMS OF SAN FRANCISCO | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION PURPOSES - $50,000; MANET AND MORISOT EXHIBIT - $50,000 |
| GRACE CATHEDRAL | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $85,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL - $25,000; ARTS PROGRAMS - $60,000 |
| SAN FRANCISCO OPERA ASSOCIATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $75,000 | 2026 | BOHEME OUT OF BOX - $50,000; ADLER FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM - $25,000 |
| LEAGUE TO SAVE LAKE TAHOE | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA | $66,900 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION CENTER - $25,000; RAISE THE PADDLE GRANT - $35,000; GENERAL SUPPORT - $6,900 |
| SAN FRANCISCO FREE CLINIC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $35,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ACHIEVE TAHOE | ALPINE MEADOWS, CA | $19,604 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MOVING FORWARD TOWARD INDEPENDENCE | NAPA, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GIRLS ON THE RUN OF THE BAY AREA | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BETHESDA TEACHING MINISTRY | EL CAJON, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LEAGUE TO SAVE LAKE TAHOE | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA | $56,450 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION CENTER - $25,000RAISE THE PADDLE GRANT - $25,000GENERAL SUPPORT - $6,450 |
| GRACE CATHEDRAL | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL |
| SAN FRANCISCO BALLET | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT - $25,000NUTCRACKER SENSORY PERFORMANCE - $25,000 |
| FINE ARTS MUSEUMS OF SAN FRANCISCO | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | MARY CASSATT AT WORK EXHIBITION |
| SAN FRANCISCO FREE CLINIC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GHIBERTI FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $32,000 | 2025 | HOLIDAY MUSIC PROGRAM AT GRACE CATHEDRAL |
| ACHIEVE TAHOE | ALPINE MEADOWS, CA | $18,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GIRLS ON THE RUN OF THE BAY AREA | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MOVING FORWARD TOWARD INDEPENDENCE | NAPA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BETHESDA TEACHING MINISTRY | EL CAJON, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BAY SCHOOL OF SAN FRANCISCO | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PITZER COLLEGE | CLAREMONT, CA | $2,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOLS ATHERTON | ATHERTON, CA | $1,800 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY FOUNDATION | BERKELEY, CA | $1,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MENLO-ATHERTON HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION | MENLO PARK, CA | $1,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY | BRONX, NY | $1,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GUGULETHU BALLET PROJECT | WOODSIDE, CA | $1,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| REDWOOD EMPIRE FOOD BANK | SANTA ROSA, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAN FRANCISCO BALLET | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $233,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT - $8,500EDUCATION PURPOSES - $200,000NUTCRACKER SENSORY PERFORMANCE - $25,000 |
| FINE ARTS MUSEUMS OF SAN FRANCISCO | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | FASHIONING SAN FRANCISCO AND EQUITY SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM |
| GRACE CATHEDRAL | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $83,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL |
| SAN FRANCISCO OPERA | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $75,000 | 2024 | ADLER FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM AND BOHEME OUT OF THE BOX |
| LEAGUE TO SAVE LAKE TAHOE | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA | $52,750 | 2024 | ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION CENTER - $25,000RAISE THE PADDLE GRANT - $25,000GENERAL SUPPORT - $2,750 |
| GHIBERTI FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $40,000 | 2024 | HOLIDAY MUSIC PROGRAM AT GRACE CATHEDRAL |
| SAN FRANCISCO FREE CLINIC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MOVING FORWARD TOWARD INDEPENDENCE | NAPA, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GIRLS ON THE RUN OF THE BAY AREA | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ACHIEVE TAHOE (FORMERLY DISABLED SPORTS USA FAR WEST) | ALPINE MEADOWS, CA | $18,750 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOLS ATHERTON | ATHERTON, CA | $5,250 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BETHESDA TEACHING MINISTRY | EL CAJON, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VIA SERVICES INC | SANTA CLARA, CA | $3,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AFRICA FOUNDATION (USA) | FRIDAY HARBOR, WA | $3,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ALAMEDA BOYS & GIRLS CLUB | ALAMEDA, CA | $1,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| USA WATER POLO | IRVINE, CA | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KQED INC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ALAMEDA MEALS ON WHEELS | ALAMEDA, CA | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UC LAW SAN FRANCISCO (FORMERLY UC HASTINGS FOUNDATION) | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PETALUMA ARTS CENTER | PETALUMA, CA | $900 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FIT KIDS FOUNDATION INC | REDWOOD CITY, CA | $500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FINE ARTS MUSEUMS OF SAN FRANCISCO | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $100,000 | 2023 | EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR RAMSES THE GREAT EXHIBIT |
SAN FRANCISCO BALLET
$125,000EDUCATION - $100,000; GENERAL SUPPORT - $25,000
FINE ARTS MUSEUMS OF SAN FRANCISCO
$100,000EDUCATION PURPOSES - $50,000; MANET AND MORISOT EXHIBIT - $50,000
GRACE CATHEDRAL
$85,000COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL - $25,000; ARTS PROGRAMS - $60,000
SAN FRANCISCO OPERA ASSOCIATION
$75,000BOHEME OUT OF BOX - $50,000; ADLER FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM - $25,000
ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION CENTER - $25,000; RAISE THE PADDLE GRANT - $35,000; GENERAL SUPPORT - $6,900
GENERAL SUPPORT
MOVING FORWARD TOWARD INDEPENDENCE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BETHESDA TEACHING MINISTRY
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION CENTER - $25,000RAISE THE PADDLE GRANT - $25,000GENERAL SUPPORT - $6,450
GRACE CATHEDRAL
$50,000COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL
SAN FRANCISCO BALLET
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT - $25,000NUTCRACKER SENSORY PERFORMANCE - $25,000
FINE ARTS MUSEUMS OF SAN FRANCISCO
$50,000MARY CASSATT AT WORK EXHIBITION
GHIBERTI FOUNDATION
$32,000HOLIDAY MUSIC PROGRAM AT GRACE CATHEDRAL
MOVING FORWARD TOWARD INDEPENDENCE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BETHESDA TEACHING MINISTRY
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PITZER COLLEGE
$2,250GENERAL SUPPORT
SACRED HEART SCHOOLS ATHERTON
$1,800GENERAL SUPPORT
MENLO-ATHERTON HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION
$1,500GENERAL SUPPORT
GUGULETHU BALLET PROJECT
$1,500GENERAL SUPPORT
SAN FRANCISCO BALLET
$233,500GENERAL SUPPORT - $8,500EDUCATION PURPOSES - $200,000NUTCRACKER SENSORY PERFORMANCE - $25,000
FINE ARTS MUSEUMS OF SAN FRANCISCO
$100,000FASHIONING SAN FRANCISCO AND EQUITY SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
GRACE CATHEDRAL
$83,000COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL
SAN FRANCISCO OPERA
$75,000ADLER FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM AND BOHEME OUT OF THE BOX
ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION CENTER - $25,000RAISE THE PADDLE GRANT - $25,000GENERAL SUPPORT - $2,750
GHIBERTI FOUNDATION
$40,000HOLIDAY MUSIC PROGRAM AT GRACE CATHEDRAL
MOVING FORWARD TOWARD INDEPENDENCE
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SACRED HEART SCHOOLS ATHERTON
$5,250GENERAL SUPPORT
BETHESDA TEACHING MINISTRY
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
VIA SERVICES INC
$3,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ALAMEDA BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
$1,500GENERAL SUPPORT
ALAMEDA MEALS ON WHEELS
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UC LAW SAN FRANCISCO (FORMERLY UC HASTINGS FOUNDATION)
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PETALUMA ARTS CENTER
$900GENERAL SUPPORT
FIT KIDS FOUNDATION INC
$500GENERAL SUPPORT
FINE ARTS MUSEUMS OF SAN FRANCISCO
$100,000EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR RAMSES THE GREAT EXHIBIT