The Heising-Simons Foundation is a family foundation dedicated to unlocking knowledge, opportunity, and possibilities in pursuit of better lives and a better world. We invest in leaders, organizations, and ideas that improve early childhood education, climate and clean energy, science, domestic human rights, journalism, and youth housing in San Francisco.
The Foundation was established by Mark Heising and Liz Simons in 2007, grounded in their life experiences and a commitment to building a better future for generations to come. They were joined on the Board in 2014 by their daughter, Caitlin Heising.
The Heising-Simons Foundation’s grantmaking is organized around four core program areas: Climate and Clean Energy, Early Childhood Education, Human Rights, and Science.
The Foundation also supports two smaller grantmaking initiatives: a Youth Housing initiative to prevent and end youth and young adult homelessness in San Francisco, and a Journalism initiative to foster an informed public.
Our grantmaking is complemented by four annual projects that elevate key leaders and ideas in our issue areas:
Across all our issue areas and initiatives, we take a long-term view and adapt as conditions change—guided by evidence, partnerships, and ongoing learning from those closest to the work. Our goal is meaningful, lasting progress for the communities and causes we serve.
Liz Simons
Chair of the Board
Mark Heising
Vice-Chair of the Board
Caitlin Heising
Program Director, Education
Director of Communications
Manager, Executive Operations
Brian Eule
President and CEO
Program Director, Human Rights
CFO and Treasurer
Jochen Marschall
Program Director, Science
Camellia Pham
Director of CEO and Board Initiatives
Director of Human Resources
COO and General Counsel
Devra Wang
Program Director, Climate and Clean Energy
We recognize that we don’t have all the answers, and we seek to be open-minded and responsive as we continually learn.
We do not shy away from tough issues. We stand with our grantees and partners and speak out on the issues we care about as a foundation.
We believe all people should be treated fairly, with dignity and respect.
We believe all people deserve the chance to live up to their full potential.
We commit to long-term progress and solutions.
We believe in creativity and novel approaches driven by curiosity, research, and strategic collaborations. We are willing to take risks on potentially breakthrough initiatives.
We care about the people we work with and support. We seek to build relationships in which our partners will be open with feedback and hold us accountable as much as we do them.
We believe in honesty, transparency, and living up to these values.
In 2025, the Heising-Simons Foundation awarded more than $174 million across its program areas, bringing total giving since the Foundation’s establishment in 2007 to over $1.4 billion.
The Heising-Simons Foundation’s grantmaking is focused primarily on the United States. The Foundation’s Youth Housing initiative is specifically concentrated in San Francisco.
The Heising-Simons Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Our program staff proactively identify and cultivate partnerships aligned with our strategic priorities and programs. Occasionally, a program will issue an open request for proposals. These opportunities are announced on our blog and on individual program pages.
Grantmaking decisions are guided by our strategic priorities. Program staff identify potential grantees through independent research, field convenings, and building new relationships within their areas of work, and such grants are subject to an internal approval process.