What Ahlsten Foundation does

The Ahlsten Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private non-profit foundation established in 2017 by Todd and Doris Ahlsten and headquartered in Larkspur, California. The foundation operates four core program areas: the Eddie Ashley Scholarship Program, which provides $20,000 disbursed over four years to selected college-bound students; Educational Programs; Health & Resilience Programs; and Faith-Based Programs. Its programmatic activity is delivered through a network of approximately 30 partner organizations, with the foundation serving as a grantmaker and convenor rather than a direct service provider. Since inception, the foundation has supported more than 45 Eddie Ashley Scholars.

The foundation's business model is that of a traditional family foundation: capital is contributed by the founding family and deployed via grants to qualifying non-profit partners and individual scholarship recipients. There is no earned revenue, fee-for-service, or product commercialization. In 2024-2025, the foundation demonstrated rapid-response grantmaking capacity by deploying over $250,000 in disaster relief funding across multiple partners responding to wildfires and hurricanes. In February 2026 it established a partnership with the V Foundation to fund colon cancer research, expanding into dedicated medical research funding for the first time. Governance rests with a board that was expanded in March 2023 with the addition of Mike Kelly and Jeff Mazzariello. The foundation relocated its offices to Larkspur Landing Circle in March 2019 and does not disclose audited financials.

Name

Ahlsten Foundation

Legal name

Ahlsten Foundation

Website

https://ahlstenfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Ahlsten Foundation is a family-operated 501(c)(3) established in 2017 by Todd and Doris Ahlsten, providing multi-year scholarships and grants in education, health and resilience, and faith-based programs through a network of approximately 30 partner organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Educational scholarship programs
• Charitable grantmaking
• Community health programs
• Faith-based funding
• Nonprofit foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Larkspur

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Ahlsten Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation that awards the Eddie Ashley Scholarship ($20,000 distributed over 4 years to qualifying low-income graduating high school seniors from specific Bay Area high schools) and distributes program grants to non-profit organizations across three verticals: Educational Programs, Health & Resilience Programs, and Faith Based Programs. It also provides disaster relief funding to affected communities and supports organizations globally such as Global Strategies for maternal and child health in Africa.

Product overview

Ahlsten Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization offering grantmaking programs in four main areas: the Eddie Ashley Scholarship (a $20,000 award distributed over 4 years for high school seniors from low-income backgrounds), Educational Programs (supporting youth development and academic opportunity), Health & Resilience Programs (supporting healthcare and community well-being), and Faith Based Programs (supporting faith-driven organizations serving those in need). The organization does not operate a technology product; it functions as a philanthropic foundation focused on scholarships and program grants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Eddie Ashley Scholarship A four-year scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors from low-income backgrounds at specific Bay Area high schools (De Anza, El Cerrito, Kennedy Richmond, Richmond, San Rafael), recognized for academic excellence, character, and the ability to overcome obstacles. Recipients receive $20,000 distributed over 4 years of college plus laptop provision and ongoing mentorship from board members.
• Educational Programs Grants Program grants to non-profit organizations that bring opportunity and hope to children through educational programs. Supported partners include Beyond 12, Children Rising, Ed Fund West, Firefighter Youth Academy, SOAR for Youth (96% graduation / 90% college attendance rates), Students Rising Above, and World Relief Greater Honduras. Includes the Camp Achieve summer program in Richmond (collaboration with WCCUSD, Ed Fund, and City of Richmond Recreation Dept).
• Health & Resilience Programs Grants Program grants to non-profit organizations improving the health and well-being of communities domestically and globally. Supported partners include Adopt a Family, American Heart Association, Direct Relief, First Place for Youth, First Responder's Children's Foundation, Global Strategies (maternal/child health in Africa), Healey Center for ALS at Mass General Brigham, Opportunity Junction, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Wounded Warrior Project. Also includes targeted disaster relief funding.
• Faith Based Programs Grants Program grants to faith-driven charitable organizations responding to community needs. Supported partners include Feeding Nations, International Justice Mission, Many Hopes, Matthew 25 Ministries, PATH International, Serge, Shepherd's Gate, World Vision, and Foster the City. The foundation's mission is anchored in the Micah 6:8 scripture (act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God).

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% of SOAR for Youth students graduate from high school, 90% attend college (supported by Ahlsten Foundation)
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• V FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2026The Ahlsten Foundation partnered with the V Foundation to help fund the fight against colon cancer research. The partnership was announced in February 2026 and reflects the foundation's commitment to supporting health initiatives.
• Direct ReliefminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2025Ahlsten Foundation donated $50,000 to Direct Relief for Southern California wildfire relief ($50,000) and $25,000 for Hurricane Helene/Milton relief. Direct Relief provides medications and medical supplies to those in need.
• First Responder's Children's FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2025Ahlsten Foundation donated $100,000 to First Responder's Children's Foundation for Southern California wildfire relief. FRCF provides financial aid and essential supplies to firefighters, EMT, and law enforcement officers whose homes were damaged or lost.
• Matthew 25 MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2024Ahlsten Foundation donated $50,000 to Matthew 25 Ministries for Hurricane Helene and Milton relief efforts.
• Samaritan's PurseminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2024Ahlsten Foundation donated $25,000 to Samaritan's Purse headquartered in North Carolina for Hurricane Helene and Milton relief efforts.
• Faith NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith Network is a key partner that runs the CareerBridge program. The Ahlsten Foundation sponsors the Eddie Ashley Scholarship through Faith Network and attends their annual gala. Faith Network focuses on raising reading and math proficiency in children and youth in East Oakland.
• SOAR for YouthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSOAR for Youth helps foster youth transition through adolescence into adult life with hope, confidence and independence. The Ahlsten Foundation is proud to support this organization which has 96% high school graduation and 90% college attendance rates among its students.
• First Tee - Silicon ValleyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Tee - Silicon Valley develops youth through golf with emphasis on core values and life skills. 50% of participants receive financial assistance. The organization has been in existence since 2005 and is the top performing chapter nationally.
• Global StrategiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Strategies improves maternal and child health in underserved African countries. Founded by Dr. Art Ammann (who passed away in 2021), the organization operates entirely by African teams. The Ahlsten Foundation has supported GS for over 5 years after Doris Ahlsten felt a personal connection following her own pregnancy complications.
• Feeding NationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based organization focused on feeding those in need. Listed as a supported faith-based program.
• International Justice MissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based organization focused on justice. Listed as a supported faith-based program.
• Many HopesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based organization. Listed as a supported faith-based program.
• PATH InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based organization. Listed as a supported faith-based program.
• SERGEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based organization. Listed as a supported faith-based program.
• Shepherd's GateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based organization providing shelter and support. Listed as a supported faith-based program.
• World VisionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based humanitarian organization. Listed as a supported faith-based program.
• Foster the CityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based organization focused on foster care. Listed as a supported faith-based program.
• Adopt A FamilyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth and resilience program partner providing family support services.
• American Heart AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth and resilience program partner focused on cardiovascular health.
• First Place for YouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth and resilience program partner focused on youth development.
• Wounded Warrior ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth and resilience program partner supporting wounded veterans.
• Mass General Hospital/BrighamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth and resilience program partner, specifically the Healey Center for ALS research.
• St. Vincent de Paul SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth and resilience program partner providing charitable assistance.
• Opportunity JunctionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth and resilience program partner focused on employment and opportunity.
• Legal Assistance for SeniorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth and resilience program partner providing legal support.
• Beyond12minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational program partner helping students access higher education.
• Children's RisingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational program partner.
• Ed Fund WestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational program partner that collaborated with Ahlsten Foundation on Camp Achieve summer program in Richmond.
• Firefighter Youth AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational program partner.
• Students Rising AboveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational program partner supporting students from underserved backgrounds.
• World Relief Greater HondurasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational program partner.
• Camp AchieveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA 9-week summer camp program providing academic support to students ages 6-12 in Richmond Unified School District. Ahlsten Foundation supported a field trip to the Exploratorium for 162 students and 51 adults. Major collaboration between WCCUSD, Ed Fund, and City of Richmond Recreation Dept.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Marin Community Foundation: Bay Area-based community foundation serving Marin County with multi-cause grantmaking including education, health, and equity programs. Highly comparable as a geographically-focused community foundation in the same Bay Area philanthropic ecosystem with overlapping cause areas.
• East Bay Community Foundation: Bay Area community foundation with strong education equity and youth development focus. Directly comparable as it serves overlapping East Bay communities including Richmond where Ahlsten focuses scholarship efforts, with similar scholarship and non-profit grantmaking models.
• The San Francisco Foundation: One of the largest community foundations in the Bay Area, focused on education, health, and community resilience in the region. Comparable as a Bay Area multi-cause grantmaker with education and health programs serving similar communities.
• The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara: Scholarship-focused foundation providing multi-year college funding and support to low-income students. Highly comparable in primary mission (college scholarships for low-income students) and operating model, though serves a different California region.

Broad incumbents

• Silicon Valley Community Foundation: Larger community foundation serving the broader Bay Area with significantly greater assets and grantmaking scale. Comparable in mission and geographic focus but operates at materially larger scale and broader program scope.
• The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation: Major Bay Area foundation with education and other program areas, founded by HP co-founder. Comparable geographic base and education focus, but operates at vastly larger scale across national and international grantmaking.
• Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation: Large Bay Area foundation with environmental, health, and education programs. Comparable as a Bay Area private foundation with multi-cause grantmaking, though operates at significantly larger endowment and program scale.

Regional players

• California Community Foundation: Los Angeles-based community foundation serving broader California with education, health, and immigrant integration programs. Comparable multi-cause grantmaking model but primarily serves Southern California rather than Bay Area.

Others

• Questbridge: Non-profit that connects high-achieving low-income students to top colleges with full scholarships. Tangentially comparable as both serve the same beneficiary population (low-income college-bound students) and Ahlsten partners with similar organizations, though QuestBridge operates as a service provider rather than grantmaker.
• College Track: Non-profit providing comprehensive college access and graduation support to students from underserved communities. Comparable target beneficiary population and Bay Area presence (Ahlsten partners with similar organizations like SOAR for Youth).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Ahlsten Foundation