The George and Judy Marcus Family Foundation II focuses its philanthropy on large, place-based gifts that primarily support Bay Area cultural institutions, health care and patient-support organizations, and local human services. Their portfolio emphasizes arts endowments and museums alongside major health-related grants (notably to UCSF and a regional cancer support group), with additional support for faith-based social services and animal welfare. Grants are few but sizable, suggesting strategic investments in institutions they view as sustaining community infrastructure and cultural life.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small number of regional institutions — mix of repeat funding (UCSF) and one-time multi-million-dollar endowment-style gifts; focused geographically in the San Francisco Bay Area.
A $5 million grant to Montalvo Arts Center sets the tone for The George and Judy Marcus Family Foundation II: large, place-based gifts to institutions that anchor civic, cultural, and community life. The foundation’s recent giving also includes major support for the Fine Arts Museums Foundation’s Renee Dreyfus Endowment, showing a clear commitment to museum and arts endowment work rather than short-term project funding. Alongside arts philanthropy, the foundation has made repeated sizable grants to UCSF Foundation, indicating sustained support for academic medical and clinical work. Its portfolio extends into Bay Area human services and community organizations, including Catholic Charities, Bay Area Cancer Connections, and Humane Society Silicon Valley. That mix points to a funder that backs established institutions with operating or general-purpose support, often at levels far above ordinary community grants. The result is a grantmaking pattern centered on organizational stability, cultural stewardship, and service capacity across the Bay Area and select related institutions elsewhere.
Arts and cultural institutions are a major part of the foundation’s recent activity. In 2023, it gave $5,000,000 to Montalvo Arts Center for its general fund and $4,000,000 to the Fine Arts Museums Foundation’s Renee Dreyfus Endowment. Health-related giving is another recurring area: UCSF Foundation received $2,000,000 in 2023, $2,000,000 in 2024, and $2,000,000 in 2025. The foundation also supported community health access with $2,000,000 to Bay Area Cancer Connections in 2025. Faith-based and humanitarian service appears in grants such as $3,000,000 to Catholic Charities in 2024 and $250,000 to United Religions Initiative in 2024. Animal welfare is present as well, through $2,010,000 to Humane Society Silicon Valley in 2023 and $50,000 to San Francisco Zoological Society in 2024.
Typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile, but the recent-grants list shows a much larger upper tier for institutional gifts. The foundation appears to favor repeated support for selected organizations: UCSF Foundation received three separate $2,000,000 grants across 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Cofam appears in both 2023 and 2025. The pattern also includes multi-year support for American School of Classical Studies at Athens and Crossroad Institute. It is a family foundation, and the grants shown are nonprofit grants rather than program-related investments or individual funding.
$5.2M
$68.9M
$4.8M
$5.2M
Most grants fall between $5K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Notable grantees: UCSF Foundation, Montalvo Arts Center, Fine Arts Museums Foundation (Renee Dreyfus Endowment), Catholic Charities, Humane Society Silicon Valley
Grantmaking is strongly California-centered: 66% of grants go to recipients in CA, and the foundation’s top city cluster includes San Francisco, Saratoga, San Mateo, Milpitas, Chula Vista, and San Jose. San Francisco appears repeatedly as a recipient city, including arts, health, and faith-based organizations. Outside California, the foundation has also supported organizations in Charlottesville, New York, Chicago, Baltimore, Brookline, Princeton, New Orleans, Annandale, and Washington, DC. All recent-grant recipients in the dataset are in the US.
The recent grants show a strong mix of arts and culture, health care and patient support, faith-based social services, and animal welfare. Examples include arts institutions in Saratoga and San Francisco, medical support through UCSF Foundation, and community service organizations such as Catholic Charities and Humane Society Silicon Valley.
Yes. UCSF Foundation received $2,000,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025. American School of Classical Studies at Athens appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Crossroad Institute appears in 2024 and 2025, and Cofam appears more than once as well.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent-grants list also includes several much larger institutional gifts, including multiple grants at $2,000,000 and above.
California is the main geography in the grant record, with 66% of grants going to recipients in CA. Recent California recipients include organizations in San Francisco, Saratoga, San Mateo, Milpitas, Chula Vista, and San Jose.
The pattern is regional, with the largest concentration in California and all recent grants in the US. The foundation also gives outside California to organizations in places such as New York, Chicago, Baltimore, Brookline, Princeton, New Orleans, Annandale, and Washington, DC.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCSF FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,000,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| BAY AREA CANCER CONNECTIONS | SAN MATEO, CA | $2,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| CROSSROAD INSTITUTE | BROOKLINE, MA | $150,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| AMERICAN SCHOOL OF CLASSICAL STUDIES AT ATHENS | PRINCETON, NJ | $75,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| COFAM | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $60,750 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| AHEPA CHARITABLE FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| KAFENIA PEACE COLLECTIVE | PALO ALTO, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| HOOVER INSTITUTION | STANFORD, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| NATIONAL HELLENIC SOCIETY | ANNANDALE, VA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| HUMANE SOCIETY SILICON VALLEY | MILPITAS, CA | $27,500 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ELIOS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $26,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| THE INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF EASTERN CHRISTIANITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| JOHN BURTON ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| COMMUNITY SERVICES AGENCY | MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| PROJECT MEXICO | CHULA VISTA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| SAN FRANCISCO INTERFAITH COUNCIL | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| A SAFE HAVEN FOR NEWBORNS | MIAMI, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARION | BOSTON, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| THE ORDER OF SAINT ANDREW THE APOSTLE | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| THE HELLENIC INITIATIVE | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| IOCC | BALTIMORE, MD | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH | SAN JOSE, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| NATIONAL HELLENIC MUSEUM | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| UNITED RELIGIONS INITIATIVE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $12,500 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| LIFEMOVES | SANTA CLARA, CA | $12,500 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| MARINE CORPS HERITAGE FOUNDATION | TRIANGLE, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| A CHANCE IN LIFE | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| KQED | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| EACH GREEN CORNER | SAN MATEO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN NETWORK | SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| PRESENTATION HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FUND | SAN JOSE, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| EPACENTER | EAST PALO ALTO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ST NICHOLAS & ST WILLIAM CATHOLIC CHURCH | LOS ALTOS, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| CATHOLIC WORKER HOUSE | REDWOOD CITY, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| LOS ALTOS HISTORY MUSEUM | LOS ALTOS, CA | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| PALO ALTO POLICE OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION | PALO ALTO, CA | $5,500 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| KENNEDY'S DISEASE ASSOCIATION | ATLANTA, GA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| POOR CLARES | SPOKANE, WA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE | HOUSTON, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| THE WILLIE BROWN INSTITUTE ON POLITICS AND PUBLIC POLICY | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION | OAKLAND, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| VALLEY HEALTH FOUNDATION | SAN JOSE, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| ACLU FOUNDATION | NEW YORK CITY, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| CHP 11-99 FOUNDATION | COSTA MESA, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| SAN FRANCISCO HOST COMMITTEE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| EAST PALO ALTO KIDS FOUNDATION | PALO ALTO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| SISTERS OF THE PRESENTATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
UCSF FOUNDATION
$2,000,000CHARITY
BAY AREA CANCER CONNECTIONS
$2,000,000GENERAL FUND
GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
$200,000GENERAL FUND
CROSSROAD INSTITUTE
$150,000CHARITY
AMERICAN SCHOOL OF CLASSICAL STUDIES AT ATHENS
$75,000CHARITY
COFAM
$60,750GENERAL FUND
AHEPA CHARITABLE FUND
CHARITY
KAFENIA PEACE COLLECTIVE
$30,000GENERAL FUND
HOOVER INSTITUTION
$30,000GENERAL FUND
NATIONAL HELLENIC SOCIETY
$30,000GENERAL FUND
HUMANE SOCIETY SILICON VALLEY
$27,500GENERAL FUND
ELIOS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
$26,000GENERAL FUND
THE INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF EASTERN CHRISTIANITY
$25,000GENERAL FUND
JOHN BURTON ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH
$25,000CHARITY
COMMUNITY SERVICES AGENCY
$25,000GENERAL FUND
PROJECT MEXICO
$25,000CHARITY
SAN FRANCISCO INTERFAITH COUNCIL
$25,000GENERAL FUND
A SAFE HAVEN FOR NEWBORNS
$25,000GENERAL FUND
ARION
$25,000GENERAL FUND
THE ORDER OF SAINT ANDREW THE APOSTLE
$25,000CHARITY
THE HELLENIC INITIATIVE
$25,000CHARITY
IOCC
$25,000CHARITY
SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
$20,000GENERAL FUND
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
$15,000CHARITY
NATIONAL HELLENIC MUSEUM
$15,000GENERAL FUND
UNITED RELIGIONS INITIATIVE
$12,500GENERAL FUND
LIFEMOVES
$12,500GENERAL FUND
MARINE CORPS HERITAGE FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL FUND
A CHANCE IN LIFE
$10,000GENERAL FUND
KQED
$10,000GENERAL FUND
EACH GREEN CORNER
$10,000GENERAL FUND
ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN NETWORK
$10,000CHARITY
PRESENTATION HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$10,000GENERAL FUND
EPACENTER
$10,000GENERAL FUND
ST NICHOLAS & ST WILLIAM CATHOLIC CHURCH
$10,000CHARITY
CATHOLIC WORKER HOUSE
$10,000GENERAL FUND
LOS ALTOS HISTORY MUSEUM
$7,500GENERAL FUND
PALO ALTO POLICE OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION
$5,500GENERAL FUND
KENNEDY'S DISEASE ASSOCIATION
$5,000GENERAL FUND
POOR CLARES
$5,000GENERAL FUND
DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE
$5,000GENERAL FUND
THE WILLIE BROWN INSTITUTE ON POLITICS AND PUBLIC POLICY
$5,000GENERAL FUND
SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL FUND
VALLEY HEALTH FOUNDATION
$5,000CHARITY
ACLU FOUNDATION
$5,000CHARITY
CHP 11-99 FOUNDATION
$5,000CHARITY
AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE
$5,000GENERAL FUND
SAN FRANCISCO HOST COMMITTEE
$5,000GENERAL FUND
EAST PALO ALTO KIDS FOUNDATION
$5,000CHARITY
SISTERS OF THE PRESENTATION
$5,000GENERAL FUND