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The Tu Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Tu Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$6.5M
Granted FY2024still arriving
11
Grants FY2024still arriving
4
States reached
$13M
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2024.

Education$15MArts & Culture$14MPhilanthropy$13MHealth$10MScience & Tech$1.0MAnimals$454kInternational$146kCivil Rights$126kOther$0
02FY2024 · 11 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k1 grant · $3k
  • $10k–50k2 grants · $50k
  • $50k–250k3 grants · $319k
  • $250k+5 grants · $19M
$119,062
Median grant
4
States reached
$10M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
AMERICAN ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION FBO MT ONWARD CHARITABLE FUND$13,224,815
GLOBAL GIFTED FOUNDATION$4,683,062
UC-IRVINE FOUNDATION$800,000
PACIFIC SYMPHONY$350,000
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RADIO$250,000
OPERATION MOBILIZATION$119,062
WESTERN IOWA JOURNALISM FOUNDATION$100,000
BRIGHTER UKRAINE FOUNDATION$100,000
SAN MUSAE CULTURAL CENTER$30,000
INTERNATIONAL BIRD RESCUE$20,000
FREEDOM WRITERS FOUNDATION$3,000
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 (FY19–19, $25k) land where the poverty rate runs at 10%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 0% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Its grants skew toward lower-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%SERVING PEOPLE IN NEED: $25k → 10%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

NY
OR
IA
OH
CT
CA
VA
TN
GA
TX
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.

95%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$39M · 22 repeat orgs$2.2M to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +43% since the first grant, against +5% for those funded once.

22 repeat relationships: 9 still active in FY2024, 13 since wound down; 1 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

22
20

Total granted

$39M
$2.1M

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+43%
+5%

Still filing today

77%
50%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 98% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $100k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

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

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
Arts & CultureEducationHealthAnimalsPublic BenefitInternationalOther
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

  • UO
    UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE FOUNDATION
    8× · 2017–2024 · $14M · revenue +51%
  • GG
    GLOBAL GIFTED FOUNDATION
    3× · 2022–2024 · $8.7M · revenue +134% · 100% of their budget
  • SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RADIO
    8× · 2017–2024 · $5.7M · revenue +20%

Funded once

  • US
    UC SAN DIEGO
    one grant, 2020 · $1.0M
  • SC
    SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INSTITUE FOR RES & EDU
    one grant, 2017 · $300k
  • KF
    KOCE-TV FOUNDATION
    one grant, 2017 · $250k · revenue -94%
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
University of Southern California

The central mission of the university of southern california is the development of human beings and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit. the principal means by which our mission is…

Education
2
Public Media Group of Southern California

We use the power of media for public good. we strengthen the civic fabric of southern california, share our distinctive perspective with the rest of the nation, and provide our community with an essential connection to a wider world. we…

Arts & Culture
3
The California Channel

To distribute public affairs and other educational information in order to create an electronic bridge between californians and their public officials, and, in the process educate a new generation of voting citizens and civic leaders who…

—
4
Asian Art Museum Foundation of San Francisco

The asian art museum celebrates, preserves, and promotes asian and asian american art and cultures for local and global audiences. we provide a dynamic forum for exchanging ideas, inviting collaboration, and fueling imagination to deepen…

Arts & Culture
5
National Public Radio Inc

National public radio, inc. ("npr") works collaboratively with member public radio station licensees ("member stations") to create a more informed public, one that is challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of…

Arts & Culture
6
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences

The Television Academy is dedicated to celebrating excellence, innovation and the advancement of the telecommunications arts and sciences through recognition, education and leadership, while fostering a diverse, inclusive and accessible…

—
7
The California Medical Innovations Institute Inc

The Institute is a scientific research center dedicated to conducting basic and applied research to advance the understanding of human disease and the improvement of human health. The Institute fosters an innovative research environment…

Education
8
Los Angeles Opera Company

To serve the public by producing world-class opera that preserves, promotes and advances the art form while embodying the diversity, spirit and artistic sensibility unique to los angeles. we envision an engaged and enlightened community in…

Arts & Culture
9
San Diego Opera Association

Mission: the mission of san diego opera is to deliver exceptional performances and exciting, accessible programs to diverse audiences, focusing on community partnerships, and the transformative and expressive power of the human voice. as…

Arts & Culture
10
United States Naval Institute

Provide an independent forum for those who dare to read, think, speak, and write to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of sea power and other issues critical to global security.

—
11
Ucla Foundation

The ucla foundation is the giving, receiving, and investing arm of the ucla campus. the foundation enables private donors to help build, sustain and advance one of the world's finest academic and research institutions. private philanthropy…

Education
12
Los Angeles World Affairs Council and Town Hall

The organization is a non-partisan, membership based speakers' forum that connects business leaders, community members, and engaged individuals with shared interest in local, national, and global affairs. it provides an open and accessible…

International
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Hope Center for the Arts; the most unlike its peers is Brighter Ukraine Foundation Inc. 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

30 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

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 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 30 of the 43 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.

4
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
7
Early backer (in before they grew)
28/30
Grantees still filing
21/30
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE FOUNDATION: $14,075,000 · EducationUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE FOUNDATIO…University of New Haven: $1,000,000 · EducationUniversity of New Haven+2 more: $220,500 · EducationSOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RADIO: $5,692,565 · Arts & CultureSOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RADIOPacific Symphony: $4,600,000 · Arts & CulturePacific SymphonyCHARLES W BOWERS MUSEUM CORPORATION: $1,250,000 · Arts & CultureCHARLES W BOWERS MUSEUM CORPORATIONORANGE COUNTY MUSIC AND DANCE INC: $1,000,000 · Arts & CultureORANGE COUNTY MUSIC AND DANCE INCWESTERN IOWA JOURNALISM FOUNDATION: $710,000 · Arts & Culture+6 more: $303,000 · Arts & CultureGLOBAL GIFTED FOUNDATION: $8,683,062 · HealthGLOBAL GIFTED FOUNDATIONAmerican Heart Association Inc: $515,000 · HealthPROVIDENCE SPEECH AND HEARING CENTER: $500,000 · Health+1 more: $100,000 · HealthUC SAN DIEGO: $1,000,000 · OtherSOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INSTITUE FOR RES & EDU: $300,000 · OtherKOCE-TV FOUNDATION: $250,000 · OtherOPERATION MOBILIZATION: $125,562 · OtherTHE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR AM POLICY: $105,000 · OtherST JUDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL: $100,000 · OtherMAKE A WISH FOUNDATION: $100,000 · Other+11 more: $228,000 · OtherPDXWildlife: $325,000 · AnimalsINTERNATIONAL BIRD RESCUE: $128,800 · AnimalsBRIGHTER UKRAINE FOUNDATION INC: $100,000 · Public BenefitTHE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR AMERICAN POLICY INC: $80,000 · Public BenefitGo and Do Likewise Inc: $41,300 · InternationalServing People In Need Inc: $25,000 · Human Services
Education$15,295,500Arts & Culture$13,555,565Health$9,798,062Other$2,208,562Animals$453,800Public Benefit$180,000International$41,300Human Services$25,000

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

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE FOUNDATION: $14,075,000 over 8y, 4.2% of budgetGLOBAL GIFTED FOUNDATION: $8,683,062 over 3y, 100% of budgetSOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RADIO: $5,692,565 over 8y, 7.2% of budgetPacific Symphony: $4,600,000 over 6y, 5.7% of budgetCHARLES W BOWERS MUSEUM CORPORATION: $1,250,000 over 2y, 10% of budgetUniversity of New Haven: $1,000,000 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetORANGE COUNTY MUSIC AND DANCE INC: $1,000,000 over 4y, 9.7% of budgetWESTERN IOWA JOURNALISM FOUNDATION: $710,000 over 4y, 66% of budgetAmerican Heart Association Inc: $515,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetPROVIDENCE SPEECH AND HEARING CENTER: $500,000 over 3y, 1.7% of budgetPDXWildlife: $325,000 over 5y, 89% of budgetKOCE-TV FOUNDATION: $250,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetThe Freedom Writers Foundation: $218,000 over 6y, 19% of budgetSOUTH COAST REPERTORY INC: $150,000 over 2y, 0.9% of budgetINTERNATIONAL BIRD RESCUE: $128,800 over 4y, 1.6% of budgetBRIGHTER UKRAINE FOUNDATION INC: $100,000 over 1y, 15% of budgetST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC: $100,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSAN MUSAE CULTURE CENTER: $80,000 over 2y, 31% of budgetTHE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR AMERICAN POLICY INC: $80,000 over 2y, 16% of budgetBOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE SOUTH COAST AREA: $70,000 over 3y, 3.6% of budgetTHE CELL THEATRE COMPANY LTD: $55,000 over 1y, 9.4% of budgetTMIT GLOBAL CORP: $50,000 over 1y, 19% of budgetGo and Do Likewise Inc: $41,300 over 4y, 19% of budgetServing People In Need Inc: $25,000 over 1y, 1.6% of budgetACADEMY FOUNDATION: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSOUTH COAST CHINESE CULTURAL ASSOCIATION: $5,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetNATIONAL CHARITY LEAGUE INC: $4,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION: $3,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetTHE MY HERO PROJECT INC: $2,500 over 1y, 0.4% 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.

Orange County Communi…The Crean FoundationArgyros Family Founda…The Annenberg Foundat…California Community …American Endowment Fo…Jpmorgan Chase Founda…The Bank of America C…Vanguard Charitable E…American Online Givin…National Philanthropi…Paypal Charitable Giv…
Orange County Community FoundationCA22.1× affinity9 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Orange County Community Foundation · The Crean Foundation · Argyros Family Foundation · The Annenberg Foundation · California Community Foundation · American Endowment Foundation · Jpmorgan Chase Foundation · The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · American Online Giving Foundation Inc · National Philanthropic Trust · Paypal Charitable Giving 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 Tu Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Tu Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%6%25%56%100%funder's share of their income ↑0%13%25%38%50%share of the org’s income from government →median 2%
  • University of New Haven: 2% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
0get no government money at all
6report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–50%
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 Tu Foundation?

Find your warmest path to The Tu 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 43 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 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Tu’s 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