Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund Grant in California

The Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund is a private philanthropic organization that supports nonprofit initiatives aligned with its values of democracy, education, the environment, reproductive health, and the Jewish community. The Fund aims to foster systemic and sustainable change through strategic grantmaking that advances civil liberties, educational equity, environmental sustainability, access to reproductive healthcare, and Jewish community vitality. Their grant priorities reflect the principles and commitment of the Goldman Fund’s Board of Directors, emphasizing a secure, democratic Jewish state and opposition to antisemitism. Eligible applicants must be U.S.-based public charities with current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or have a fiscal sponsor that qualifies under this designation. The Fund will not consider applications for deficit funding, grants to individuals, academic research, events, conferences, or film and documentary projects. Organizations may only apply once per year and cannot hold more than one active grant at a time. Additionally, organizations that promote antisemitic views or question Israel's legitimacy are not eligible for support. The Goldman Fund's primary program areas include Democracy and Civil Liberties, Education and Literacy, Environment, Jewish Community, and Reproductive Health and Rights. Additional funding areas—Health and Recreation, San Francisco Bay Area Institutions and Projects, and Special Projects—are available by invitation only. Each core program has defined goals and geographic criteria. For example, Democracy and Civil Liberties funding supports projects that operate nationally or across multiple states to expand voting access, reduce the influence of money in politics, and prevent gun violence. Education support is focused on K-12 public education in San Francisco or civic education efforts across multiple states. Environmental grants fund projects ranging from national sustainable industry reforms to local Bay Area climate resilience. The application process begins with a Letter of Inquiry (LOI), submitted according to guidelines found on the Fund’s website. If the LOI is accepted, applicants are invited via email to submit a full proposal. Specific instructions for proposal preparation are also available on the Fund's site. There are no fixed deadlines for submission; the Fund accepts proposals on a rolling basis. However, organizations may only submit one request per year, and reapplications after a denial are allowed one year following the previous submission. Board decisions are made quarterly. Grant amounts vary and are based on the size and scope of the project, the applicant's budget, and other sources of support. The Fund rarely covers 100% of a project’s budget and does not publicly disclose maximum or minimum funding levels. Grant reports must be submitted according to the guidelines outlined on the Fund’s website. If any issues arise during the application process, organizations are encouraged to contact the grants manager directly at grantsmanager@ldgfund.org for clarification or support.

Contact the fund to fix errors in submitted applications or to update account contact information. Submit only one request annually.