Lisa & Douglas Goldman Fund
The Lisa & Douglas Goldman Fund is a private foundation based in San Francisco that awards grants across civic engagement, education and early literacy, climate resilience, antisemitism response, and reproductive rights. The official site publishes mission and financial information, a searchable grants database, recent grants (including a 2024 press release), and guidance for prospective applicants.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose work aligns with the funder's stated priorities (civic engagement, education/early literacy, climate resilience, antisemitism response, reproductive rights), with credible program impact and a case for general operating support or capacity-building.
Good Fit
- • 501(c)(3) status and clear alignment with one of the foundation’s priority areas.
- • Programs based in the Bay Area or California, or demonstrable regional relevance plus scalable/national work.
- • Requests for general operating support or capacity building with evidence of measurable outcomes.
- • Willingness to submit an initial letter of inquiry and follow the foundation’s review process.
Geography
Grants in the latest year reached recipients across 18 U.S. states (and one Canadian province), with notable activity in DC, NY and IL, although a majority of grant dollars (58%) were awarded within California.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows a large and diverse recipient base (194 distinct grantees and 301 grants) across multiple sectors and grant sizes; financial concentration exists but does not dominate the recipient mix.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of newcomer access includes a public application pathway (initial letter of inquiry, online form, and contact email) and a substantial number of new grantees in 2024 (73 new recipients, ~38%), indicating unfamiliar applicants have a realistic path into the portfolio.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
