The Lois & Irving Blum Foundation appears to make concentrated, intermediary-driven grants rather than funding many direct-service nonprofits. In the available record the foundation made a single large contribution to The Tides Foundation, indicating it likely channels its philanthropy through fiscal sponsors to support progressive social change and advocacy initiatives. The pattern suggests a preference for using established philanthropic intermediaries to distribute funds rather than managing a broad portfolio of direct grantees.
A $1.463 million grant to The Tides Foundation in 2024 stands out in The Lois & Irving Blum Foundation Inc’s recent record, and it fits a broader pattern of using philanthropic intermediaries to move money into advocacy and social change work. The foundation’s grants repeatedly flow through fiscal sponsors and education funds rather than directly to a wide set of operating nonprofits, with support also going to organizations tied to human rights, civic engagement, labor organizing, veterans organizing, and traffic-safety advocacy. That intermediary structure appears alongside a mix of general operating support, project support, and program-specific awards. Recent recipients include Uc Berkeley Human Rights Center, Winward Fund, Common Defense Education Fund, Transportation Alternatives, and Riders Alliance. The largest listed award is a 2024 general operating grant to The Tides Foundation, while other sizable grants in the record support fiscal sponsors and advocacy vehicles in Washington, DC, New York, California, and beyond. The foundation’s latest 990 year on file is 2024, and its recent grants show national grantmaking with a strong preference for issue-based organizations and funders that can channel resources to campaigns, fellows, and organizing efforts.
Human rights and legal advocacy are a visible thread in the foundation’s giving. It awarded $320,000 to Uc Berkeley Human Rights Center for a fellowship program, and $125,000 to The Human Rights Center Uc Berkeley School of Law for project support. The foundation also backed genocide-prevention work with $80,000 to Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities for general operating support. Civic participation and voter work appear in grants such as $200,000 to Georgia Alliance Education Fund for general support and $175,428 to Fusion Partnerships Fiscal Sponsor for Teachers' Democracy Project for project support. Labor and worker organizing also shows up through a $100,000 grant to Amalgamated Foundation for the New Worker Organizing Fund/Fiona Community Response Fund.
Typical awards cluster in the mid-five-figure range: p25 is $15,000, median is $25,000, and p75 is $50,000. The recent record also includes several six- and seven-figure grants, which indicates a blend of standard grants and larger anchor commitments. The foundation appears to support recurring partners across multiple years, including The Tides Foundation, Common Defense Education Fund, Transportation Alternatives, Riders Alliance, Conflict Awareness Project, Auschwitz Institute, and Amalgamated Foundation. Its DAF classification is Regular Funder, and it made grants in 2024 and 2023 in the available record. The pattern is heavily weighted toward operating, general, and project support rather than restricted capital funding.
$3.9M
$10.8M
$1.3M
$4.2M
Most grants fall between $15K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
About 12% of grants go to recipients in NY.
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Concentrated: a single large grant to a philanthropic intermediary (Tides), suggesting use of fiscal sponsorship to route funding to multiple or targeted progressive causes rather than many small direct grants.
Notable grantees: The Tides Foundation
Grantmaking is national, with recipients spread across the US and 100% of listed grants going to US organizations. California is the top state by grant count, and Maryland accounts for 12% of grants, but the foundation’s recent awards reach far beyond its Baltimore headquarters. New York City appears frequently through grants to New York University Law School, Common Defense Education Fund, Transportation Alternatives, Riders Alliance, and Auschwitz Institute. Washington, DC is another recurring hub via Winward Fund, Amalgamated Foundation, and Win Without War Education Fund. Other recipient locations include Berkeley, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Raleigh, and Youngstown.
Recent grants point to intermediary and advocacy-oriented organizations, including The Tides Foundation, Winward Fund, Amalgamated Foundation, and Open Collective Foundation fiscal sponsorships. The record also includes human rights, civic engagement, labor organizing, veterans organizing, and traffic-safety groups.
The foundation’s typical awards sit in the mid-five-figure range: p25 is $15,000, median is $25,000, and p75 is $50,000. At the same time, the record includes larger commitments such as $1,463,000 to The Tides Foundation and $320,000 to Uc Berkeley Human Rights Center.
Yes. The recent record shows repeat support for The Tides Foundation, Common Defense Education Fund, Transportation Alternatives, Riders Alliance, Conflict Awareness Project, Auschwitz Institute, and Amalgamated Foundation across 2023 and 2024.
Its giving is national, with 100% of listed grants going to US organizations. California leads by grant count, while Maryland accounts for 12% of grants. Recent recipient cities include New York, San Francisco, Berkeley, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Raleigh, and Youngstown.
The record shows support for human rights and fellowship programs at Uc Berkeley Human Rights Center, genocide-prevention work at Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities, civic participation through Georgia Alliance Education Fund, worker organizing through Amalgamated Foundation, and transportation and street-safety advocacy through Transportation Alternatives and Riders Alliance.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASSETS UNDER MOVEMENT | WASHINGTON, DC | $3,800,000 | 2026 | ANONYMOUS 1001 FUND |
| GUERNICA CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF JAMAICA | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | HURRICANE RELIEF FUND |
| UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND COLLEGE PARK | COLLEGE PARK, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| AMERICAN UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $4,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| PITZER COLLEGE | CLAREMONT, CA | $2,025 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| AMALGAMATED CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,050,000 | 2025 | ANONYMOUS 1001 FUND |
| CONFLICT AWARENESS PROJECT | ASHLAND, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INDIGENOUS WOMEN RISING | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY | BALTIMORE, MD | $5,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY | ATLANTA, GA | $5,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| THE TIDES FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,463,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FUSION PARTNERSHIPS FISCAL SPONSOR FOR TEACHERS' DEMOCRACY PROJECT | BALTIMORE, MD | $175,428 | 2024 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| IMAGINE NC FIRST | RALEIGH, NC | $175,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMON DEFENSE EDUCATION FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $125,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER UC BERKELEY SCHOOL OF LAW | BERKELEY, CA | $125,000 | 2024 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES | NEW YORK, NY | $125,000 | 2024 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| PA ALLIANCE FOUNDATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $125,000 | 2024 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| ASSOCIATED JEWISH COMMUNITY FEDERATION OF BALTIMORE INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $100,000 | 2024 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| RIDERS ALLIANCE | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMALGAMATED FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $82,500 | 2024 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| CONFLICT AWARENESS PROJECT | ASHLAND, VA | $80,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AUSCHWITZ INSTITUTE FOR THE PREVENTION OF GENOCIDE AND MASS ATROCITIES | NEW YORK, NY | $80,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OHIO ORGANIZING COLLABORATIVE | YOUNGSTOWN, OH | $75,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OPEN COLLECTIVE FOUNDATION FISCAL SPONSOR FOR THE WV DEMOCRACY FUND | COVINA, CA | $75,000 | 2024 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| WINDWARD FUND FISCAL SPONSOR FOR THE HEARTLAND FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2024 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| WORC-EP (WESTERN ORGANIZATION RESOURCE COUNCIL - EDUCATIONAL PROJECT) FISCA | BILLINGS, MT | $75,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WIN WITHOUT WAR EDUCATION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SPRING STREET CLIMATE FUND | BROOKLYN, NY | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE CENTER FOR POPULAR DEMOCRACY | BROOKLYN, NY | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MAINE PEOPLE'S RESOURCE CENTER | PORTLAND, ME | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BUSINESS EDUCATION FUND DBA MAIN STREET ALLIANCE | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JEWS UNITED FOR JUSTICE | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| IOWA CITIZENS FOR COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT (IOWA CCI) | DES MOINES, IA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NEW YORK UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2024 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| THE GUERNICA CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL CENTER FOR YOUTH LAW | OAKLAND, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WORKING AMERICA EDUCATION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WINDWARD FUND FISCAL SPONSOR FOR THE HEARTLAND FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2024 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| WOLA | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PEF ISRAEL ENDOWMENT FUND INC FISCAL SPONSOR FOR BLUE WHITE FUTURE | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2024 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| PEOPLE'S ACTION | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CITIZEN ACTION OF WISCONSIN EDUCATION FUND | MILWAUKEE, WI | $40,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| RURAL ARIZONA ENGAGEMENT (RAZE) | COOLIDGE, AZ | $40,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CASA DE MARYLAND | LANGLEY PARK, MD | $40,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHISPA ARIZONA A PROGRAM OF THE LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS EDUCATION FU | PHOENIX, AZ | $40,000 | 2024 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| PEF ISRAEL ENDOWMENT FUND FISCAL SPONSOR FOR BEIT BERL COLLEGE - 58-002 | NEW YORK, NY | $40,000 | 2024 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| AZ AANHPI FOR EQUITY (ONE ARIZONA) | TEMPE, AZ | $40,000 | 2024 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| NEW VENTURE FUND FISCAL SPONSOR FOR AMERICA VOTES | WASHINGTON, DC | $30,000 | 2024 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND COLLEGE PARK
$5,000SCHOLARSHIP
SCHOLARSHIP
PITZER COLLEGE
$2,025SCHOLARSHIP
AMALGAMATED CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
$5,050,000ANONYMOUS 1001 FUND
CONFLICT AWARENESS PROJECT
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
INDIGENOUS WOMEN RISING
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY
$5,000SCHOLARSHIP
PROJECT SUPPORT
THE HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER UC BERKELEY SCHOOL OF LAW
$125,000PROJECT SUPPORT
AMALGAMATED FOUNDATION
$82,500PROJECT SUPPORT
CONFLICT AWARENESS PROJECT
$80,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
OPEN COLLECTIVE FOUNDATION FISCAL SPONSOR FOR THE WV DEMOCRACY FUND
$75,000PROJECT SUPPORT
WORC-EP (WESTERN ORGANIZATION RESOURCE COUNCIL - EDUCATIONAL PROJECT) FISCA
$75,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE CENTER FOR POPULAR DEMOCRACY
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BUSINESS EDUCATION FUND DBA MAIN STREET ALLIANCE
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
IOWA CITIZENS FOR COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT (IOWA CCI)
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PROJECT SUPPORT
RURAL ARIZONA ENGAGEMENT (RAZE)
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHISPA ARIZONA A PROGRAM OF THE LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS EDUCATION FU
$40,000PROJECT SUPPORT
PROJECT SUPPORT
AZ AANHPI FOR EQUITY (ONE ARIZONA)
$40,000PROJECT SUPPORT