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The Willow Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Willow 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.

$30k
Granted FY2025still arriving
7
Grants FY2025still arriving
3
States reached
$10k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0189% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2025.

Human Services$57kEnvironment$57kHealth$32kReligion$28kArts & Culture$12kAnimals$9kInternational$7kCrime & Legal$5kOther$0
02FY2025 · 7 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k5 grants · $10k
  • $10k–50k2 grants · $20k
$3,000
Median grant
3
States reached
$128k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
Individual grant recipient$10,000
YOUTH ON THEIR OWN$10,000
NAT'L RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL$3,000
World Central Kitchen$3,000
Palestine Children's Relief Fund$2,500
SAVEABUNNY$1,000
KALW Public Media$500
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 (FY17–25, $58k) land where the poverty rate runs at 15%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%YOUTH ON THEIR OWN: $10k → 15%YOUTH ON THEIR OWN: $10k → 15%YOUTH ON THEIR OWN: $5k → 15%DOWNTOWN WOMENS CENTER: $4k → 14%YOUTH ON THEIR OWN: $5k → 15%YOUTH ON THEIR OWN: $5k → 15%YOUTH ON THEIR OWN: $5k → 15%YOUTH ON THEIR OWN: $5k → 15%YOUTH ON THEIR OWN: $5k → 15%YOUTH ON THEIR OWN: $4k → 15%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
WI
NY
MA
PA
CA
UT
VA
AZ
DC
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.

69%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$186k · 11 repeat orgs$85k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +64% since the first grant, against 0% for those funded once.

11 repeat relationships: 4 still active in FY2025, 7 since wound down; 3 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

11
20

Total granted

$186k
$79k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+64%
0%

Still filing today

64%
30%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 80% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $6k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

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

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
EnvironmentArts & CultureInternationalHuman ServicesReligionEmploymentOther
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

  • YO
    YOUTH ON THEIR OWN
    9× · 2017–2025 · $54k · revenue +138%
  • ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATED
    3× · 2017–2019 · $12k · revenue +202%
  • S
    SAVEABUNNY
    6× · 2019–2025 · $6k · revenue +102%

Funded once

  • OD
    Open Doors With Brother Andrew Inc
    one grant, 2019 · $10k · revenue +27%
  • 3
    350ORG
    one grant, 2020 · $10k · revenue -37%
  • SB
    SAINT BEDE THE VENERABLE
    one grant, 2020 · $10k
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
Kqed Inc

See schedule okqed serves the people of northern california with a community-supported alternative to commercial media, providing the knowledge needed to make informed decisions; convening community dialogue; bringing the arts to everyone;…

Arts & Culture
2
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
3
Npr International Operations Inc

Npr international operations, inc. ("nprio") supports the international newsgathering activities of national public radio, inc. through bureaus and offices established locally in foreign countries.

—
4
American Flood Coalition Inc

To drive transformational adaptation to protect communities across the country from higher seas, stronger storms, and more frequent flooding.

Environment
5
Food & Water Watch

Food & water watch conducts extensive research and public education to ensure the food and water we consume is safe, accessible and sustainably produced. so we can all enjoy and trust in what we eat and drink, we help people take charge of…

Food & Nutrition
6
The Water Research Foundation

The purpose of the water research foundation (wrf) is a definitive research organization to advance the science of all things water to better meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. to engage exclusively in…

Environment
7
Us Digital Response

U.s. digital response is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that helps governments, nonprofits, and public entities respond quickly to critical public needs. the organization serves the public by leveraging a network of pro bono…

Public Safety & Disaster
8
Npr Foundation

The npr foundation ("foundation") is organized and operated exclusively for the benefit of its sole supported organization, national public radio, inc. ("npr inc."). the foundation supports npr inc. through various activities such as…

—
9
Cdp North America Inc

Cdp north america, inc. 's ("cdp-na") vision for the future is a thriving economy that works for people and planet in the long term. we focus investors and companies on taking urgent action to build a truly sustainable economy by measuring…

Environment
10
The Humane Society for Seattleking County

Seattle humane promotes the human-animal bond by saving and serving pets in need, regardless of age, ability, circumstance or geography.

Animals
11
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
12
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…

—
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Medecins Sans Frontieres Usa Inc; the most unlike its peers is Downtown Women's Center. 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

18 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. 18 of the 34 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)
7
Early backer (in before they grew)
16/18
Grantees still filing
12/18
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

Individual grant recipient: $30,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipientNAT'L RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL: $25,500 · OtherNAT'L RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCILIndividual grant recipient: $15,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipientSAINT BEDE THE VENERABLE: $10,000 · OtherSAINT BEDE THE VENERABLEIndividual grant recipient: $7,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipientSAVEABUNNY: $6,000 · Other+14 more: $26,000 · Other+14 moreYOUTH ON THEIR OWN: $54,000 · Human ServicesYOUTH ON THEIR OWNDOWNTOWN WOMEN'S CENTER: $4,000 · Human ServicesDOWNTOWN WOMEN'S CENTERENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATED: $12,000 · EnvironmentENVIRONMENTAL…350ORG: $10,000 · Environment350ORGNATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL INC: $9,000 · EnvironmentNATURAL RESOU…NORTHWEST CENTER: $29,000 · EmploymentNORTHWEST CE…Open Doors With Brother Andrew Inc: $10,000 · ReligionIMMACULATE HEART MEDIA INC: $2,000 · ReligionSAN FRANCISCO CINEMATHEQUE: $5,000 · Arts & CultureOUR RESCUE: $5,000 · Arts & CultureKALW PUBLIC MEDIA INC: $500 · Arts & CultureMEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC: $4,500 · InternationalWORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC: $3,000 · InternationalPALESTINE CHILDREN'S RELIEF FUND: $2,500 · International
Other$119,500Human Services$58,000Environment$31,000Employment$29,000Religion$12,000Arts & Culture$10,500International$10,000

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 budgetYOUTH ON THEIR OWN: $54,000 over 9y, 0.2% of budgetNORTHWEST CENTER: $29,000 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATED: $12,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetOpen Doors With Brother Andrew Inc: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budget350ORG: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL INC: $9,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSAVEABUNNY: $6,000 over 6y, 0.3% of budgetSAN FRANCISCO CINEMATHEQUE: $5,000 over 3y, 1.6% of budgetOUR RESCUE: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC: $4,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetDOWNTOWN WOMEN'S CENTER: $4,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE SAN FRANCISCO SCHOOL: $3,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetEVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY SUPPORT FUND INC: $2,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetLaw Enforcement Legal Defense Fund: $1,000 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.

  • Who funds YOUTH ON THEIR OWN ↗
  • Who funds NORTHWEST CENTER ↗
  • Who funds ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATED ↗
  • Who funds Open Doors With Brother Andrew Inc ↗
  • Who funds 350ORG ↗
  • Who funds NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL INC ↗
  • Who funds SAVEABUNNY ↗
  • Who funds SAN FRANCISCO CINEMATHEQUE ↗
  • Who funds OUR RESCUE ↗
  • Who funds MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC ↗
  • Who funds DOWNTOWN WOMEN'S CENTER ↗
  • Who funds THE SAN FRANCISCO SCHOOL ↗
  • Who funds WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC ↗
  • Who funds PALESTINE CHILDREN'S RELIEF FUND ↗
  • Who funds EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY SUPPORT FUND INC ↗
  • Who funds IMMACULATE HEART MEDIA INC ↗
  • Who funds Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund ↗
  • Who funds KALW PUBLIC MEDIA INC ↗

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.

Verizon FoundationVanguard Charitable E…National Philanthropi…Donor Advised Charita…American Online Givin…Fidelity Investments …Amazonsmile Foundation
Verizon FoundationNJ11.2× affinity4 shared granteesties to 6 of 6Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Verizon Foundation · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · National Philanthropic Trust · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · American Online Giving Foundation Inc · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · Amazonsmile Foundation

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 Willow Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Willow Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 10%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%10%20%30%40%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    1get no government money at all
    4report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–40%
    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.

    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 34 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 Willow’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