Christensen Fund is a private foundation originally started to acquire art that focuses on assisting indigenous people and communities internationally. In the United States, the fund makes grants to Native American populations but has also supported left-of-center nonprofits. Christensen Fund has encouraged racial reparations payments in California and supports left-of-center environmentalist groups.

History and Mission

The Christensen Fund began in 1957 by Allen and Carmen Christensen as a private foundation focusing on music, the arts, education, and the environment. ¹ For 20 years beginning in 1970, the Christensen Fund’s focus was acquiring and loaning 35,000 pieces of non-Western art. ² Allen Christensen died in 1989 and his daughter Diane took over the fund, changing its direction to focus on grantmaking. ³ The Christensen Fund emphasizes diversity and funding neglected regions and issues. ⁴

Currently, the Christensen Fund states it works to support indigenous people by focusing on respecting self-determination, standing in solidarity, demonstrating accountability, building trust, recognizing resilience, practicing reciprocity, and celebrating diversity. ⁵ Christensen Fund provides grants internationally as well as to indigenous and left-of-center organizations in the United States. ⁶

Grants

In 2021, Christensen Fund paid over $3.2 million in grants. ⁷ Grants have involved funding left-of-center organizations including Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs, Alliance for Global Justice, Tenure Facility, Smith College, Global Greengrants Fund, Environmental Grantmakers Association, Chinese Progressive Association, Minnesota Freedom Fund, New Venture Fund, Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky, and Edge Funders Alliance. ⁸ Since 2021, the Christensen Fund has made grants to at least 115 organizations. ⁹

Christensen Fund has made contributions through left-of-center Arabella Advisors and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. ¹⁰ Christensen Fund supports the Decolonizing Wealth Project, which encourages individuals to apply for racial reparations payments in California. ¹¹ In November 2021, Christensen Fund was part of a $1.7 billion pledge at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) to fund indigenous people and local communities. ¹² In November 2022, global development website Devex reported that only 7 percent of pledged money delivered went to indigenous people, with most of the money channeled to intermediary organizations. ¹³

Finances

In 2021, Christensen Fund reported net assets of $327,023,557. ¹⁴ According to the organization’s tax returns, in 2021 Christensen Fund recorded $46,544,592 in revenue and $19,548,885 in expenses. ¹⁵ Christensen Fund paid almost $1 million in staff salary compensation in 2021. ¹⁶ In 2020, Christensen Fund had $13,831,685 in revenue and $19,455,820 in expenses. ¹⁷

Leadership

Carla Fredericks has been CEO of Christensen Fund since January 2021. ¹⁸ Previously, Fredericks was a professor at the University of Colorado School of Law. ¹⁹ From 2011 until 2013, Fredericks was a lecturer at Columbia Law School. ²⁰ From 2004-2012, she was an associate and later partner at the white-shoe law firm Milberg in New York City, founding its Native American practice. ²¹ Fredericks served as counsel to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe opposing the Dakota Access Pipeline in the United States. ²² She is a graduate of the University of Colorado and Columbia Law School and a member of the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group to the Decolonizing Wealth Project. ²³

1. “History.” Christensen Fund. Accessed February 19, 2023. https://www.christensenfund.org/about/history/.
2. “History.” Christensen Fund. Accessed February 19, 2023. https://www.christensenfund.org/about/history/.
3. “History.” Christensen Fund. Accessed February 19, 2023. https://www.christensenfund.org/about/history/.
4. “History.” Christensen Fund. Accessed February 19, 2023. https://www.christensenfund.org/about/history/.
5. “About.” Christensen Fund. Accessed February 19, 2023. https://www.christensenfund.org/about/.
6. Christensen Fund, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990-PF), 2021; Christensen Fund, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990-PF), 2020.
7. Christensen Fund, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990-PF), 2021.
8. Christensen Fund, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990-PF), 2021; Christensen Fund, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990-PF), 2020.
9.  “Programs.” Christensen Fund. Accessed February 19, 2023. https://www.christensenfund.org/programs/.
10. Christensen Fund, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990-PF), 2021.
11. Aguiar, Matt. “Planting Seeds for Reparations in California.” Christensen Fund. June 9, 2022. Accessed February 19, 2023. https://www.christensenfund.org/2022/06/09/planting-seeds-for-reparations-in-california/.
12. Aguiar, Matt. “The Christensen Fund Joins Governments and Private Funders Historic $1.7 Billion Pledge at COP26 in Support of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.” Christensen Fund. November 1, 2021. Accessed February 20, 2023. https://www.christensenfund.org/2021/11/01/cop26-pledge/.
13. Beasley, Stephanie. “Only 7% of $1.7B COP26 Pledge is Going Directly to Indigenous Groups.” Devex. November 7, 2022. Accessed February 20, 2023. https://www.devex.com/news/only-7-of-1-7b-cop-26-pledge-is-going-directly-to-indigenous-groups-104182
14. Christensen Fund, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990-PF), 2021.
15. Christensen Fund, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990-PF), 2021.
16. Christensen Fund, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990-PF), 2021.
17. Christensen Fund, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990-PF), 2020.
18. ^[1] “Carla Fredericks.” Christensen Fund. Accessed February 19, 2023. https://www.christensenfund.org/about/staff/carla-fredericks/.
19. “Carla Fredericks.” LinkedIn. Accessed February 19, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-fredericks-9852b1172/details/experience/.
20. “Carla Fredericks.” LinkedIn. Accessed February 19, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-fredericks-9852b1172/details/experience/.
21. “Carla Fredericks.” LinkedIn. Accessed February 19, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-fredericks-9852b1172/details/experience/; “Carla Fredericks.” Christensen Fund. Accessed February 19, 2023. https://www.christensenfund.org/about/staff/carla-fredericks/.
22. “Carla Fredericks.” Christensen Fund. Accessed February 19, 2023. https://www.christensenfund.org/about/staff/carla-fredericks/.
23. “Carla Fredericks.” Christensen Fund. Accessed February 19, 2023. https://www.christensenfund.org/about/staff/carla-fredericks/.