Bothin Foundation Capital Grants

The Bothin Foundation is a private philanthropic organization that provides capital grants to nonprofits in the San Francisco Bay Area. Managed by Pacific Foundation Services, the Foundation prioritizes capital projects that enhance the capacity of service providers, particularly those that serve disadvantaged and underserved populations. Its mission centers on improving access and quality of services in areas such as health, education, and youth development through physical improvements, equipment purchases, and infrastructure upgrades. The Foundation’s grant program supports three specific capital categories: general capital improvements, technology infrastructure, and vehicle acquisitions. Grant funds must be used exclusively for tangible capital expenditures. These include construction, renovation, IT hardware/software systems, and vehicle purchases. Non-capital expenses such as program operations, staffing, or indirect costs are not eligible. If the capital budget exceeds the requested grant amount, applicants must submit a Funder Worksheet outlining how the funding gap will be closed. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or fiscally sponsored organizations with operations in the Bay Area. First-time applicants must submit a copy of their IRS tax-exempt determination letter. Applicants are required to upload various documents including financial statements, annual and project-specific budgets, and a board list. If applying for funding above the amount of the capital project, they must also provide documentation of secured or anticipated additional funding. The application process is entirely online. Applicants must complete both an organization and contact profile before accessing the “New Proposals” section. Applications can only be submitted during designated intake periods, and must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the final day. Deadlines are strict, with no late submissions accepted. The Foundation provides a downloadable application outline to assist in drafting responses and preparing required documentation in advance. Applications are reviewed during three board meeting cycles annually: winter, spring/summer, and fall. The submission windows are scheduled roughly three months prior to each meeting. Decisions are typically issued in the quarter following the submission deadline. All grantees are required to submit a final report with narrative responses and invoices after the grant period concludes, using the same grants portal. For assistance during the application process, applicants may contact the Foundation's Executive Director, Tiffany Wood, at twood@pfs-llc.net. Technical issues with the grants portal should be directed to grantsupport@pfs-llc.net. Based on the 2026 schedule, the next application window opens February 16, 2026 and closes February 27, 2026, with awards distributed in May 2026. The Foundation maintains a recurring seasonal cadence, with the next anticipated cycle in Fall 2026.

Do not start before open date; prepare offline; submit by 5 p.m. for support. Use outline to draft.