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The Elfenworks Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Elfenworks Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$250k
Granted FY2025still arriving
13
Grants FY2025still arriving
4
States reached
$100k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0194% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2019 to 2025.

International$445kArts & Culture$332kEducation$315kCivil Rights$309kHealth$256kPhilanthropy$149kEnvironment$138kAnimals$100kOther$0
02FY2025 · 13 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k8 grants · $11k
  • $10k–50k3 grants · $50k
  • $50k–250k2 grants · $189k
$1,000
Median grant
4
States reached
$5.4M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY$100,000
IDEAS UNITED LLC$89,100
MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM$25,000
THE CARTER CENTER$15,000
SUTTER HEALTH$10,000
REALIZED IMPACT$5,000
Individual grant recipient$1,000
BAY AREA RESCUE MISSION$1,000
SAMARITAN HOUSE$1,000
ST MARY'S COLLEGE$1,000
ST ANTHONY'S$1,000
COVENANT HOUSE$1,000
CHALLENGED ATHLETES FOUNDATION$50
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY22–25, $20k) land where the poverty rate runs at 12%, against an area that typically sits at 9%. 89% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 9%BAY AREA RESCUE MISSION: $1k → 9%CHALLENGED ATHLETES FOUNDATION: $50 → 11%RIP MEDICAL DEBT: $10k → 13%REALIZED IMPACT: $5k → 10%RIP MEDICAL DEBT: $2k → 13%MISSION HOSPICE & HOME CARE: $100 → 7%ABUNDANT GRACE COASTSIDE WORKER: $1k → 7%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

WA
IL
NY
MA
NJ
CA
MO
VA
AR
TN
GA
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

83%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$1.5M · 15 repeat orgs$301k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +22% since the first grant, against 0% for those funded once.

15 repeat relationships: 7 still active in FY2025, 8 since wound down; 6 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

15
24

Total granted

$1.5M
$283k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+22%
0%

Still filing today

73%
63%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 93% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $18k went to new ones.

50%100%’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Human ServicesInternationalEducationHealthArts & CultureFood & NutritionOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
    3× · 2023–2025 · $300k · revenue +22%
  • FRACTURED ATLAS INC
    4× · 2019–2022 · $299k · revenue +43%
  • UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDATION
    5× · 2019–2024 · $220k · revenue +51%

Funded once

  • LT
    Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care Incgraduated
    one grant, 2020 · $100k · revenue +26%
  • NL
    NEW LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH
    one grant, 2023 · $70k
  • OH
    OPERATION HOPE
    one grant, 2021 · $25k
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Ucsf Foundation Investment Company

The organization provides professional investment management services for endowed gifts and financial assets entrusted to the ucsf foundation.

Education
2
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The mission of mit is to advance knowledge and educate students in science, technology, and other areas of scholarship that will best serve the nation and the world in the 21st century.

Education
3
The Union of Concerned Scientists Inc

The union of concerned scientists puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future.

International
4
California Pacific Medical Center Foundation

MISSION STATEMENT: MISSION: CARING FOR OUR PATIENTS FIRST AND OUR PEOPLE ALWAYS. VISION: TO BE THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE, INTEGRATED AND CONNECTED HEALTH SYSTEM FOR GETTING AND STAYING WELL. VALUES: EXCELLENCE - We deliver high-quality,…

Health
5
Sutter Bay Hospitals

MISSION STATEMENT: MISSION: CARING FOR OUR PATIENTS FIRST AND OUR PEOPLE ALWAYS. VISION: TO BE THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE, INTEGRATED AND CONNECTED HEALTH SYSTEM FOR GETTING AND STAYING WELL. VALUES: EXCELLENCE - We deliver high-quality,…

Health
6
Northern California Institute for Research and Education Inc

To improve the health and well-being of veterans and the general public by supporting a world-class biomedical research program conducted by ucsf faculty at the san francisco veterans affairs health care system.

Health
7
Nuvance Health

Improve the health of every person in our community through the efficient delivery of excellent, innovative and compassionate care.

Health
8
The Uc Davis Foundation

The mission of the uc davis foundation is to secure, steward and manage private gifts for uc davis.

Education
9
Uc Santa Barbara Foundation

The uc santa barbara foundation actively works to further the goals of the university of california, santa barbara. the foundation seeks to maintain and nurture the university's quality and distinction. on behalf of the campus, the…

Education
10
Banner -University Medical Group

Assist banner health complete its mission to make health care easier so life can be better by providing integrated & coordinated care & population health management.

Health
11
Friends of the Earth

Friends of the earth strives for a more healthy and just world by defendng the environment and human health while advancing social and economic justice by conducting research and education, transforming the economy so it protects the…

Environment
12
The San Diego Foundation

The san diego foundation inspires enduring philanthropy and enables community solutions to improve the quality of life in our region.

Philanthropy
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Mission Hospice & Home Care Inc; the most unlike its peers is Burlingame Parksforever Foundation. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

34 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2026.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2026, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 34 of the 48 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
4
Early backer (in before they grew)
33/34
Grantees still filing
21/34
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

IDEAS UNITED LLC: $308,850 · OtherIDEAS UNITED LLCLake Tahoe Wildlife Care Inc: $100,000 · OtherLake Tahoe Wildlife Care IncNEW LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH: $70,000 · OtherNEW LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCHPENINSULA SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION: $26,000 · OtherOPERATION HOPE: $25,000 · Other+21 more: $122,477 · Other+21 moreNORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY: $300,000 · EducationNORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDATION: $220,000 · EducationUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA S…+3 more: $4,000 · EducationGlobal Impact: $250,000 · InternationalGlobal ImpactCHILDFUND INTERNATIONAL USA: $155,487 · InternationalCHILDFUND INTERNATIONA…THE CARTER CENTER INC: $25,000 · InternationalTHE CARTER CENTER INC+3 more: $14,308 · InternationalFRACTURED ATLAS INC: $298,800 · Arts & CultureFRACTURED ATLAS…+1 more: $5,400 · Arts & CultureSilicon Valley Community Foundation: $149,099 · PhilanthropyMONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM FOUNDATION: $125,000 · AnimalsMEDICAL DEBT RESOLUTION INC: $12,400 · Human ServicesRealize Impact: $5,000 · Human ServicesGUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND INC: $3,120 · Human ServicesBAY AREA RESCUE MISSION: $1,000 · Human ServicesAbundant Grace Coastside Worker Inc: $1,000 · Human Services+2 more: $150 · Human Services
Other$652,327Education$524,000International$444,795Arts & Culture$304,200Philanthropy$149,099Animals$125,000Human Services$22,670

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetNORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY: $300,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetFRACTURED ATLAS INC: $298,800 over 4y, 0.4% of budgetGlobal Impact: $250,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDATION: $220,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetCHILDFUND INTERNATIONAL USA: $155,487 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetSilicon Valley Community Foundation: $149,099 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM FOUNDATION: $125,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetLake Tahoe Wildlife Care Inc: $100,000 over 1y, 14% of budgetPENINSULA SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION: $26,000 over 3y, 12% of budgetTHE CARTER CENTER INC: $25,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetMEDICAL DEBT RESOLUTION INC: $12,400 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTHE NATURE CONSERVANCY: $12,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetMILLS COLLEGE: $11,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetAMPLEHARVESTORG INC: $10,000 over 1y, 3.0% of budgetMILLS-PENINSULA HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBURLINGAME PARKSFOREVER FOUNDATION: $10,000 over 1y, 12% of budgetWINGS OF HOPE: $10,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetGIRLS WRITE NASHVILLE: $5,400 over 1y, 7.9% of budgetGUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND INC: $3,120 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetSAMARITAN HOUSE: $3,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetCURE VIOLENCE GLOBAL: $2,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetSAINT MARY'S COLLEGE OF CALIFORNIA: $2,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetUNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF: $1,808 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBAY AREA RESCUE MISSION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCOMMUNITY SOLUTIONS FOR CHILDREN FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetAbundant Grace Coastside Worker Inc: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetHEALTHRIGHT 360: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetOPERATION RESPECT INC: $1,000 over 1y, 1.3% of budgetGOLDEN GATE UNIVERSITY: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSolutions Project Inc: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetMISSION HOSPICE & HOME CARE INC: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCHALLENGED ATHLETES INC: $50 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Silicon Valley Commun…The David and Lucile …Morgan Stanley Global…Vanguard Charitable E…National Philanthropi…American Online Givin…The Blackbaud Giving …Donor Advised Charita…The Bank of America C…Network for GoodPaypal Charitable Giv…Fidelity Investments …
Silicon Valley Community FoundationCA13.7× affinity6 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Silicon Valley Community Foundation · The David and Lucile Packard Foundation · Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · National Philanthropic Trust · American Online Giving Foundation Inc · The Blackbaud Giving Fund · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc · Network for Good · Paypal Charitable Giving Fund · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization The Elfenworks Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Elfenworks Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 20%1%4%8%15%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →median 7%
  • Northeastern University: 7% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
2get no government money at all
8report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
05Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to The Elfenworks Foundation?

Find your warmest path to The Elfenworks Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 48 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Elfenworks’ filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home