The California State Capitol

Form 990-PFTax year 2024EIN 94-6055879

The Christensen Fund

A private foundation in San Francisco, CA. Its return for tax year 2024 lists 134 grants and $13.2 million paid in grants.

Tax year 2024 (period ending Dec 31, 2024), read from the IRS e-file on Nov 11, 2026. Returns reach the IRS 5 to 18 months after the year they describe.

How to apply

Accepts applications

The return gives an application contact and rules, as below.

Contact
An Email Should Be Electronically S
Address Wwwchristensenfundorg
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 644-1620
Form and materials
Prospective grantees are invited to submit full proposals electronically (pre-grant inquiry). The information to be included, not limited to: identity, contact information, tax status, registration and governing documents, financial statements, key officers and major funders, organizational background, governance, key priorities, activities, and practices of the organization. A detailed project purpose, project description, budget, activities, timeline, and anticipated results are required for grants over which the christensen fund exercised expenditure responsibility.
Deadlines
See below
Restrictions
No restrictions

Assets and giving by year

5 returns on file
Grants paid by tax year. The latest year is in blue.
  • Tax year 2024

    $13,235,092

    Grants listed
    134
    Assets, end of year
    $327,090,899
  • Tax year 2023

    $12,878,050

    Grants listed
    150
    Assets, end of year
    $315,696,871
  • Tax year 2022

    $13,980,278

    Grants listed
    142
    Assets, end of year
    $298,535,284
  • Tax year 2021

    $12,226,000

    Grants listed
    99
    Assets, end of year
    $364,587,072
  • Tax year 2020

    $8,397,375

    Grants listed
    103
    Assets, end of year
    $327,023,557

Grants paid in 2024

134 grants, largest first

As listed on the return.

  1. International Work Group for Indigenous AffairsCopenhagen, Denmark

    General support

    $350,000
  2. Indigenous Peoples Rights IncYarmouth, ME

    General support

    $350,000
  3. Snowchange CooperativeLehtoi, Finland

    General support

    $325,000
  4. Rudolf Steiner Foundation DBA RSF Social FinanceSan Francisco, CA

    Support for the pawanka fund

    $300,000
  5. Center for Research and Development in DrylandsMarsabit, Kenya

    General support

    $300,000
  6. Rights and Resources Institute IncWashington, DC

    General support

    $300,000
  7. Drylands Learning and Capacity Building InitiativesNairobi, Kenya

    Genral support

    $280,000
  8. Forest Peoples ProgrammeMoretoninmarsh, United Kingdom

    General support

    $260,000
  9. Indigenous Movement for Peace Advancement and Conflict TransformationNanyuki, Kenya

    General support

    $260,000
  10. Rainforest Foundation IncBrooklyn, NY

    Core support for the global alliance of territorial communities -- a fiscally sponsored project of the rainforest foundation, inc.

    $250,000
  11. Cultural SurvivalCambridge, MA

    General support

    $250,000
  12. International Indian Treaty CouncilTucson, AZ

    General support

    $250,000
  13. International Indian Treaty CouncilTucson, AZ

    Support to engage with the united nations environment programme (unep)

    $250,000
  14. International Indigenous Women's ForumLima, Peru

    General support

    $250,000
  15. International Land and Forest Tenure FacilityStockholm, Sweden

    General support

    $250,000
  16. Native Americans in PhilanthropyWashington, DC

    Support for the tribal community vision partnership

    $250,000
  17. Fondo Defensores AcGuadalajara, Mexico

    General support

    $250,000
  18. Illuminative IncTusla, OK

    General support

    $250,000
  19. Tebtebba Foundation IncBaguio City, Philippines

    General support

    $250,000
  20. Samburu Women TrustNanyuki, Kenya

    General support

    $240,000
  21. Pastoralist Women for Health and EducationIsiolo, Kenya

    General support

    $230,000
  22. Law College Association of the University of ArizonaTucson, AZ

    Support for the united nations special rapporteur

    $225,000
  23. The Pastoralists Indigenous Non Governmental Organization's Forum (pingo's)Arusha, Tanzania

    General support

    $220,000
  24. Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact FoundationChiang Mai, Thailand

    General support

    $200,000
  25. Kivulini TrustIsiolo, Kenya

    General support

    $200,000
  26. Legal Advice CentreNairobi, Kenya

    General support

    $200,000
  27. Namati IncNairobi, Kenya

    General support

    $200,000
  28. Reseau Des Populations Autochtones Et Locales Pour La Gestion Durable Des EYaounde, Cameroon

    General support

    $200,000
  29. Alliance for A Just SocietySeattle, WA

    Support for native organizers alliance -- a fiscally sponsored project of the alliance for a just society

    $200,000
  30. Solidaritas Masyarakat Adat AsiaBogor, Indonesia

    General support

    $170,000
  31. Ogiek Peoples' Development ProgramNakuru, Kenya

    General support

    $160,000
  32. Friends of Lake Turkana TrustLodwar, Kenya

    General support

    $160,000
  33. Alliance for A Just SocietySeattle, WA

    Support for native organizers alliance -- a fiscally-sponsored project of alliance for a just society

    $150,000
  34. Aliansi Masyarakat Adat NusantaraSouth Jakarta, Indonesia

    General support

    $150,000
  35. Colorado Plateau FoundationFlagstaff, AZ

    General support

    $150,000
  36. Denver Art Museum IncDenver, CO

    Core support for an art program

    $150,000
  37. Dynamique Des Groupes de Peuples AutochtonesKinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

    General support

    $150,000
  38. International Work Group for Indigenous AffairsCopenhagen, Denmark

    To enhance participation in united nations human rights processes

    $150,000
  39. RewildAustin, TX

    Support for initiatives in latin america

    $150,000
  40. Resource Conflict InstituteNakuru, Kenya

    General support

    $150,000
  41. Strategies for Northern DevelopmentMoyale, Kenya

    General support

    $150,000
  42. Ujamaa Community Resource TeamArusha, Tanzania

    General support

    $150,000
  43. Drylands Learning and Capacity Building Initiatives (dlci)Nairobi, Kenya

    Promote networking and capacity-building of peoples toward implementing national policies for securing customary tenure, focusing on marsabit and isiolo counties in kenya.

    $150,000
  44. Gayo Pastoral Development InitiativeAddis Ababa, Ethiopia

    General support

    $130,000
  45. Coalition of Pastoralist Civil Society Organizations IncKampala, Uganda

    To enhance the pastoralist network in northeastern uganda and its cross-border collaboration with northern kenya.

    $120,000
  46. Horn of Africa Development InitiativeMarsabit, Kenya

    Support of pastoralist communities in northern kenya.

    $120,000
  47. Indigenous Livelihoods Enhancement PartnersNarok, Kenya

    To support maasai pastoralists

    $120,000
  48. Pastoralists Alliance for Resilience and Adaptation Across NationsNanyuki, Kenya

    General support

    $120,000
  49. Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact FoundationChiang Mai, Thailand

    Support for 2025 meeting in thailand

    $110,000
  50. North Eastern Province AidNairobi, Kenya

    Facilitate dialogue amoung kenya's wajir county cross-border communities

    $110,000
  51. Aliansi Masyarakat Adat NusantaraSouth Jakarta, Indonesia

    Promotion and defense of rights in the the philippines.

    $100,000
  52. Alliance of Local Communities in Hardship AreasMoyale, Kenya

    Support creation of multi-stakeholder platform to promote peoples in dabel artisanal mining sites.

    $100,000
  53. Asociacion Civil de Trabajo Socioambiental de la Amazonia WatanibaCaracas DC, Venezuela

    General support

    $100,000
  54. Frontier Counties Development CouncilNairobi, Kenya

    Support for the frontier counties leaders conference 2024

    $100,000
  55. Indigenous Resource Management Organization-IremoMarsabit, Kenya

    General support

    $100,000
  56. Karamoja Herders of the HornMoroto, Uganda

    To promote dialogue karamoja and turkana peoples

    $100,000
  57. Pastoral Women's CouncilArusha, Tanzania

    General support

    $100,000
  58. Pastoralist Integrated Support ProgrammeMarsabit, Kenya

    Support for the dasanach people

    $100,000
  59. Podaali - Fundo Indigena Da Amazonia BrasileiraManaus, Brazil

    General support

    $100,000
  60. Rainforest Foundation IncBrooklyn, NY

    Rapid response addressing the needs of communities affected by the fires in belize.

    $100,000
  61. Yayasan Anak Dusun PapuaJayapura, Indonesia

    General support

    $100,000
  62. Indian Law Resource Center IncHelena, MT

    General support

    $100,000
  63. Indigenous Media FoundationAnamnagar, Nepal

    General support

    $80,000
  64. Marsabit Women Advocacy and Development OrganizationMarsabit, Kenya

    To document, celebrate, and promote pastoral cultural self-expressions

    $80,000
  65. Mongabay Org CorporationMenlo Park, CA

    General support

    $80,000
  66. Pueblo Originario Kichwa de SarayakuSarayaku, Ecuador

    To increase dialogue with the kichwa people and the greater community

    $80,000
  67. Impact CharitableDenver, CO

    Contribution to a special purpose fund

    $77,250
  68. Global Greengrants Fund IncBoulder, CO

    General support for the environmental defenders collaborative, fiscally sponsored by global greengrants fund, inc.

    $75,000
  69. If Not US Then WhoTarzana, CA

    General support

    $75,000
  70. The National Foundation on Fitness Sports and NutritionWashington, DC

    Support for a sports gathering celebration designed to share the basic foundational principles of lacrosse.

    $75,000
  71. Community Initiatives Facilitation and Assistance New EthiopiaAddis Ababa, Ethiopia

    To support community resilience building, cross-border conflict resolution and fair use of natural resources in partnership with community institutions.

    $60,000
  72. Pastoralists Peoples' InitiativeMarsabit, Kenya

    To support women's participation in decision-making processes, knowledge preservation, and cultural celebration within their community.

    $60,000
  73. Dynamic Agro Pastoralist Development OrganisationKampala, Uganda

    Support the pastoralists' land rights program in northeastern uganda .

    $55,000
  74. Ardha Jabesa FoundationIsiolo, Kenya

    To promote awareness of and support for customary tenure registration, community cohesion, and solidarity in isiolo south.

    $50,000
  75. Business and Human Rights Resource CenterLondon, United Kingdom

    Support for april 2024 event

    $50,000
  76. Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation IncQuezon City, Philippines

    General support

    $50,000
  77. Pastoralist Initiative Development AidMoyale, Ethiopia

    Support the rehabilitation of degraded environments across the ethiopia-kenya border region

    $45,000
  78. Rebuilding Pastoralist LivelihoodsMarsabit, Kenya

    To enhance the resilience of pastoralist communities in marsabit south.

    $45,000
  79. Strategies for Northern DevelopmentMoyale, Kenya

    Address the emergency needs of pastoralists in northern kenya, which has been affected by years of droughts and a destructive flood.

    $35,000
  80. Aliansi Masyarakat Adat NusantaraSouth Jakarta, Indonesia

    Support for an aman-hosted international conference in indonesia in august 2024.

    $30,000
  81. Land Is Life IncNew York, NY

    Event support: cultural event and reception on the occasion of the 23rd session of a united nations permanent forum.

    $30,000
  82. International Work Group for Indigenous AffairsCopenhagen, Denmark

    Support for addressing opportunities in asia

    $30,000
  83. Pastoral Women's CouncilArusha, Tanzania

    Increase democractic participation in ngorongoro conservation area.

    $30,000
  84. Silicon Valley Community FoundationMountain View, CA

    Contribution to the christensen fund donor advised fund.

    $30,000
  85. Ekvnv YefolecvlkeWeogufka, AL

    General support

    $25,000
  86. La Plazita InstituteAlbuquerque, NM

    Engage youth in a multi-media community-building program.

    $25,000
  87. Rainforest Foundation NorwayOslo, Norway

    General support

    $25,000
  88. Asociacion Civil de Trabajo Socioambiental de la Amazonia WatanibaCaracas DC, Venezuela

    Support and resilience building for peoples living in the amazon

    $25,000
  89. Forest Peoples ProgrammeMoretoninmarsh, United Kingdom

    Support for peoples living in uganda.

    $25,000
  90. Ogiek Peoples' Development ProgramNakuru, Kenya

    Rapid response to recover and bolster opdp's office security systems

    $25,000
  91. Fundacion Pro Defensa de la Naturaleza Y Sus DerechosQuito, Ecuador

    Support for emergent actions for the protection of the pachamama.

    $22,000
  92. Solidaire Network IncOakland, CA

    General support

    $20,000
  93. If Not US Then WhoTarzana, CA

    Support for the a partner gathering

    $20,000
  94. Labata Fantalle OrganizationMatahara, Ethiopia

    To enhance the resilience of the karrayyu community

    $20,000
  95. International Funders for Indigenous PeoplesSacramento, CA

    General support

    $15,000
  96. Native Americans in PhilanthropyWashington, DC

    General support

    $15,000
  97. Muuch-KambalIchek, Mexico

    Support for the establishing meeting of the pan-peninsular maya alliance

    $15,000
  98. Synchronicity Earth USA IncDover, DE

    Rapid response following the rio grande do sul flooding affecting communities in southern brazil, including the commission guarani yvyrupa.

    $15,000
  99. Justice FundersOakland, CA

    General support

    $12,500
  100. Rights and Resources Institute IncWashington, DC

    Event on the importance of supporting communities in the congo basin.

    $12,000
  101. Meridian InstituteDillon, CO

    Membership support for climate smile -- a fiscally-sponsored project of meridian institute

    $10,000
  102. Panorama GlobalSeattle, WA

    General support

    $10,000
  103. Edge Funders AllianceSan Francisco, CA

    General support

    $10,000
  104. Companies for CausesWashington, DC

    Support to impact finance center--a fiscally-sponsored project of companies for causes

    $10,000
  105. Possibility LabsConcord, CA

    Support to collective action for just finance--a fiscally-sponsored project of possibility labs

    $10,000
  106. The Aspen Institute IncWashington, DC

    Event support: white house tribal youth forum 2024

    $10,000
  107. International Indian Treaty CouncilTucson, AZ

    Support for project access training

    $10,000
  108. Native American Fish and Wildlife SocietyNorthglenn, CO

    Support for community environmental data tracking training

    $10,000
  109. Rainforest Foundation IncBrooklyn, NY

    Support for advocacy efforts aiming to protect territories in brazil.

    $10,000
  110. Servicios Integrales Emuri AcCreel, Mexico

    Support the representation of collective rights and environmental activists at the cbd-cop16 in cali.

    $10,000
  111. Somos Viento AcMorelia, Mexico

    Humanitarian assistance to the communities in the coastal territories of oaxaca de jurez and guerrero, mxico.

    $10,000
  112. Tsikini AcGuadalajara, Mexico

    Provide access to justice for the coca indigenous community of ayotitln in jalisco, mexico

    $10,000
  113. If Not US Then WhoTarzana, CA

    Support for cop16 engagement

    $8,000
  114. A Foundation Building Strength IncPalo Alto, CA

    General support

    $5,250
  115. Friends of Palo Alto Junior Museum and ZooPalo Alto, CA

    General support

    $5,250
  116. World Central Kitchen IncWashington, DC

    General support

    $5,250
  117. American Indian Science and Engineering SocietyAlbuquerque, NM

    Support for aises national conference

    $5,000
  118. Mongabay Org CorporationMenlo Park, CA

    Support for reporting on human rights abuses in north tanzania

    $5,000
  119. Billion Oyster ProjectNew York, NY

    General support

    $3,000
  120. Congregation Kol Ami IncKansas City, MO

    General support

    $3,000
  121. National Indigenous Women's Resource CenterLame Deer, MT

    General support

    $3,000
  122. PTA North Carolina CongressCarrboro, NC

    General support

    $3,000
  123. Raba Gada USASeattle, WA

    General support

    $3,000
  124. Tarahumara Childrens Hospital Fund of El PasoEl Paso, TX

    Core support for childrens hospital fund of el paso

    $3,000
  125. Head-Royce SchoolOakland, CA

    General support--annual fund

    $3,000
  126. Confluence Philanthropy IncNew York, NY

    General support

    $1,650
  127. City Hope San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA

    General support

    $1,500
  128. Douglas L Jamerson Jr Elementary PTASt Petersburg, FL

    General support

    $1,500
  129. Gulf Beaches Elementary Magnet PTASt Pete Beach, FL

    General support

    $1,500
  130. Las Mananitas Education FoundationSan Francisco, CA

    General support

    $1,500
  131. Little League Baseball IncOakland, CA

    General support

    $1,000
  132. Oakland Literacy Coalition IncOakland, CA

    General support

    $1,000
  133. PTA California Congress of Parents Teachers & Students IncOakland, CA

    General support

    $1,000
  134. Technology Association of GrantmakersChicago, IL

    General support

    $942

Approved for future payment

5 grants

Approved in 2024 and not yet paid.

  1. Native American Rights FundBoulder, CO

    General support

    $500,000
  2. Servicios Integrales Emuri AcCreel, Mexico

    General support

    $400,000
  3. Cultural SurvivalCambridge, MA

    General support

    $250,000
  4. International Indian Treaty CouncilTucson, AZ

    General support

    $250,000
  5. International Land and Forest Tenure FacilityStockholm, Sweden

    General support

    $250,000

Where the money goes

By cause: grants to organizations we matched to the IRS list of exempt organizations, by their category.

  1. Civil rights6 grants $1,025,00028% of the total
  2. Environment12 grants $950,00026% of the total
  3. Human services8 grants $492,50013% of the total
  4. Education5 grants $380,50010% of the total
  5. Community development2 grants $350,0009% of the total
  6. Animals2 grants $160,0004% of the total
  7. 7 other causes13 grants $338,4009% of the total

By State

Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.

  1. Arizona5 grants $885,000
  2. District of Columbia8 grants $677,250
  3. California20 grants $605,000
  4. New York7 grants $409,650
  5. Washington4 grants $363,000
  6. Maine1 grant $350,000
  7. Colorado5 grants $322,250
  8. Massachusetts1 grant $250,000
  9. Oklahoma1 grant $250,000
  10. Texas2 grants $153,000

Officers, directors and trustees

14 people as filed

As filed on the return, with average hours per week and pay from the foundation.

  • Diane ChristensenPRESIDENT Hours 3.7Pay $0
  • Nicole PierretTRUSTEE Hours 3.7Pay $0
  • Michael Christensen-CalvinTREASURER Hours 3.7Pay $0
  • Aletha ColemanTRUSTEE Hours 3.7Pay $0
  • Nichole MaherTRUSTEE Hours 3.7Pay $16,500
  • Christine Smith-MartinTRUSTEE Hours 3.7Pay $15,000
  • Phillippe WallaceTRUSTEE Hours 3.7Pay $16,500
  • Lisa HendricksonBOARD CHAIR Hours 3.7Pay $20,000
  • Joan CarlingTRUSTEE Hours 3.7Pay $10,000
  • Vicky Tauli-CorpuzTRUSTEE Hours 3.7Pay $15,000
  • Ikal AngeleiTRUSTEE Hours 3.7Pay $15,000
  • Terri HenryTRUSTEE Hours 3.7Pay $15,000
  • Carla FredericksCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Hours 40Pay $452,668
  • Matt AguiarCHIEF FINANCIAL AND OPERATING OFFICER Hours 40Pay $284,851

The return

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