Renewable energy jobs at Heising-Simons Foundation

Heising-Simons Foundation’s impact is measured through its extensive grantmaking activities rather than traditional project completions. In 2024, it awarded 671 grants totaling approximately $149.6 million, with an average grant size of about $223,000 and 14% of recipients being first-time grantees (source: grantable.co). Notable grants include $2.057 million to the California Institute of Technology for research on observational signatures of quantum gravity, $2.31 million to the University of California, Berkeley for the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, and $2.061 million to the Amalgamated Charitable Foundation for the Democracy Frontlines Fund (source: influencewatch.org). The foundation’s geographic reach is broad, supporting organizations and initiatives across California and national nonprofit and research networks, demonstrating a wide-ranging commitment to advancing science, education, and social justice (source: grantable.co).

Recent activity includes a 2026 open call for Science Events and Gatherings, offering grants ranging from $20,000 to $80,000 with up to $800,000 in total awards expected, reflecting the foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting scientific collaboration and knowledge sharing (source: linkedin.com). In 2026, the foundation also posted a job opening for a Program Officer focused on its Journalism Initiative, a full-time role based in the San Francisco Bay Area, indicating active recruitment to expand its programmatic impact (source: hsfoundation.org). Leadership transitioned in 2025 with Brian Eule appointed as President and CEO effective January 1, 2026, marking a new chapter in the foundation’s governance and strategic direction (source: linkedin.com).

The foundation hires professionals across program management, grants administration, communications, finance, IT, and human resources, reflecting a diverse range of roles supporting its philanthropic mission (source: propublica.org). Its offices are located in Los Altos and San Francisco, with current openings based on-site in the San Francisco Bay Area, emphasizing a collaborative and values-driven workplace culture (source: hsfoundation.org). The foundation highlights environmental sustainability in its office environments and encourages applicants to submit cover letters and resumes for full-time exempt salaried roles, though detailed compensation and benefits information is not publicly disclosed (source: hsfoundation.org).