
The Chamberlin Family Philanthropy concentrates its giving in substantial, targeted grants to a small number of organizations, split between civic and cultural institutions in Hawaii and community needs and arts organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Major gifts support investigative/local journalism and civic engagement in Hawaii, Bay Area performing and visual arts, and local food security/anti-hunger efforts. The foundation tends to make repeat and sizable grants to flagship organizations rather than many small awards.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a handful of organizations with several repeat recipients; geographically focused on Hawaii and the East Bay (Contra Costa/Solano/Berkeley), combining civic media, education, arts, and basic needs funding.
Chamberlin Family Philanthropy C/o Stephen W & Susan C Chamberlin makes unusually targeted grants through a pure donor-advised fund structure, with repeated support for a small set of organizations in Hawaii and the San Francisco Bay Area. The pattern is visible in its recent grants: Honolulu Civil Beat received $110,000 in 2023 and another $100,000 in 2025 for program support, while Berkeley Repertory Theater was awarded $100,000 in 2025. Those large awards sit alongside steady support for public-interest reporting, arts institutions, and community organizations rather than a broad scatter of small gifts. The funder’s portfolio includes civic journalism, K–12 education, performing and visual arts, and local food security. Recent awards show both recurring and one-time gifts, with some organizations returning across multiple years. Its giving is concentrated enough to reveal clear priorities, yet broad enough to include media, schools, museums, theaters, and anti-hunger providers. Across the recent grant list, program support is the common thread, indicating that the Chamberlin family philanthropy tends to back operating work and project activity rather than isolated one-off purchases.
Public-interest reporting is one of the clearest themes in the recent grant list. Honolulu Civil Beat received $110,000 in 2023 and $100,000 in 2025 for program support, showing a repeated commitment to journalism in Hawaii. Education support also appears in Hawaii. Tfa Hawaii was awarded $100,000 in 2025, and Kalaheo High School Foundation received $10,000 in 2025 for program support. That mix suggests attention to both teacher pipeline work and school-based support. Arts giving reaches both large institutions and local cultural groups. Honolulu Museum of Art received $50,000 in 2025, and East Bay Center for the Performing Arts received $10,000 in 2025. The foundation also backed Berkeley Repertory Theater with $100,000 in 2025. Food security is another recurring area. Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano County received $50,000 in 2024 and another $50,000 in 2025, while Jelly's Place received $10,000 in 2025.
$588K
$3M
$287K
$623K
Most grants fall between $3K and $5K, with a median of $4K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$4K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Notable grantees: Honolulu Civil Beat, TFA Hawaii, Berkeley Repertory Theater, Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano County, Honolulu Museum of Art
Typical grants are relatively modest even though a few awards are much larger: the p25 is $2,500, the median is $4,000, and the p75 is $5,000. That profile points to a base of smaller grants with selective larger commitments. The recent list also shows repeat funding, including organizations that appear in multiple years and, in some cases, multiple awards to the same recipient. The foundation is a pure DAF provider, and the recent grants are all program support rather than unrestricted gifts described in the data. It accepts no unsolicited applications.
Giving is heavily concentrated in California, which accounts for 72% of grants and is also the top state by grant count. Within the state, recent recipients include Berkeley, Concord, Richmond, San Pablo, Vacaville, Livermore, Oakland, San Francisco, El Cajon, Point Richmond, and Los Angeles. Hawaii is the other major cluster, with Honolulu and Kailua appearing repeatedly in the recent grants. Every grant in the recipient country distribution went to the United States.
Recent grants show support for public-interest journalism, K–12 education, arts and culture, and food security. Examples include Honolulu Civil Beat for journalism, Tfa Hawaii for education, Honolulu Museum of Art and Berkeley Repertory Theater for arts, and Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano County for anti-hunger work.
Yes. Several recipients appear more than once in the recent grant list. Honolulu Civil Beat received grants in 2023 and 2025, Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano County appears in 2024 and 2025, and La Mision Children's Fund appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The grant-size distribution is centered on small awards: p25 is $2,500, median is $4,000, and p75 is $5,000. The recent list also includes larger program-support grants, such as $100,000 and $110,000 awards, but those sit above the typical range.
No. The active grant program is listed as general grantmaking by the founders, and it says the fund accepts no unsolicited applications.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT | HONOLULU, HI | $100,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATER | BERKELEY, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TFA HAWAII | HONOLULU, HI | $100,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HONOLULU MUSEUM OF ART | HONOLULU, HI | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FOOD BANK OF CC & SOLANO COUNTY | CONCORD, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PTA HI CONGRESSAIKAHI PTA | KAILUA, HI | $13,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| VACAVILLE SOLANO SERVICES (OPPORTUNITY HOUSE) | VACAVILLE, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| JELLY'S PLACE | SAN PABLO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| EAST BAY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | RICHMOND, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LA MISION CHILDREN'S FUND | EL CAJON, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| VACAVILLE SOLANO SERVICES (OPPORTUNITY HOUSE) | VACAVILLE, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| 3LS THE ACADEMY (PHILANTHOPIC VENTURES) | OAKLAND, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| KALAHEO HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION | KAILUA, HI | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LIVERMORE HIGH SSGN | LIVERMORE, CA | $6,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CHOOSE COLLEGE EDUCATION FOUNDATION | HAYWARD, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SUPPLY BANK | OAKLAND, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| READING PARTNERS | OAKLAND, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ONE LIVING SANCTUARY | MARTINEZ, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| JUSTICE IN MOTION | BROOKLYN, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YOUNG AUDIENCES OF NO CA | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NEGUS IN NATURE | MARIETTA, GA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CANINE COMPANIONS | SANTA ROSA, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YOUNG LEGACIES INC | OAK RUN, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MONTHLY MIRACLES | LIVERMORE, CA | $4,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ANIMAL FIX CLINIC | PINOLE, CA | $3,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TAHOE INSTITUTE FOR NATURAL SCIENCE | INCLINE VILLAGE, NV | $3,400 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF N LAKE TAHOE | KINGS BEACH, CA | $3,300 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CORAZON HEALDSBURG | HEALDSBURG, CA | $3,300 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CHABOT SPACE AND SCIENCE CENTER | OAKLAND, CA | $3,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE FOUNDATION | SAN PABLO, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES - SANTA CRUZ | WATSONVILLE, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NORTHERN CA INTERNATIONAL DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION | BRENTWOOD, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES - SANTA CRUZ | WATSONVILLE, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE FOUNDATION | SAN PABLO, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NORTHERN CA INTERNATIONAL DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION | BRENTWOOD, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR EARLY INTERVENTION ON DEAFNESS | BERKELEY, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR EARLY INTERVENTION ON DEAFNESS | BERKELEY, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PAWS OF HONOR | WILLIAMSBURG, VA | $2,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ENSEMBLE FOUNDATION | WALNUT CREEK, CA | $1,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FOOD BANK OF CONTRA COSTA & SOLANO COUNTY | CONCORD, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YOUNG LEGACIES INC | OAKLAND, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LA MISION CHILDREN'S FUND | EL CAJON, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| JUSTICE IN MOTION | BROOKLYN, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TIPPING POINT COMMUNITY | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $6,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LIVERMORE HIGH SCHOOL SSGN | LIVERMORE, CA | $6,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| AFRICAN AMERICAN SHAKESPEARE COMPANY | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LOVE NEVER FAILS | DUBLIN, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATER
$100,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
TFA HAWAII
$100,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
FOOD BANK OF CC & SOLANO COUNTY
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PTA HI CONGRESSAIKAHI PTA
$13,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
VACAVILLE SOLANO SERVICES (OPPORTUNITY HOUSE)
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
JELLY'S PLACE
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
LA MISION CHILDREN'S FUND
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
VACAVILLE SOLANO SERVICES (OPPORTUNITY HOUSE)
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
KALAHEO HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
LIVERMORE HIGH SSGN
$6,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CHOOSE COLLEGE EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
SUPPLY BANK
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ONE LIVING SANCTUARY
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
YOUNG AUDIENCES OF NO CA
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
NEGUS IN NATURE
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CANINE COMPANIONS
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
YOUNG LEGACIES INC
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MONTHLY MIRACLES
$4,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ANIMAL FIX CLINIC
$3,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
TAHOE INSTITUTE FOR NATURAL SCIENCE
$3,400PROGRAM SUPPORT
CORAZON HEALDSBURG
$3,300PROGRAM SUPPORT
CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$2,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES - SANTA CRUZ
$2,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
NORTHERN CA INTERNATIONAL DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION
$2,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES - SANTA CRUZ
$2,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$2,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
NORTHERN CA INTERNATIONAL DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION
$2,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
PAWS OF HONOR
$2,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ENSEMBLE FOUNDATION
$1,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
FOOD BANK OF CONTRA COSTA & SOLANO COUNTY
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
YOUNG LEGACIES INC
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
LA MISION CHILDREN'S FUND
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
LIVERMORE HIGH SCHOOL SSGN
$6,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
AFRICAN AMERICAN SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT