Foundations that fund arts and culture in California
These 25 foundations made grants to arts and culture in California in the most recent IRS filing I have for each. None of them ticked the box for giving only to preselected organizations, and each filing gives application instructions or a website. That doesn't prove a foundation takes applications, and some on this list may not. The text below is copied from the filings, most of them for tax year 2024, so check a foundation's website or call before you apply.
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The J Paul Getty Trust
- $1,000,000 to Destination Crenshaw, Los Angeles: Special projects
- $500,000 to Arts for Healing and Justice Network, Long Beach: Getty prize
- $294,000 to Museum Associates, Los Angeles: Pst art: art & science collide
How to apply: See general explanation attachment
Deadlines: See general explanation attachment
Restrictions: See general explanation attachment
The Ahmanson Foundation
- $5,000,000 to The Colburn School, Los Angeles: Toward construction of the colburn center
- $500,000 to Los Angeles Opera Company, Los Angeles: Toward website and technology upgrades
- $400,400 to Latino Theater Company, Los Angeles: Toward phase ii facility upgrades, seating, and equipment in theater 2
How to apply: Https://theahmansonfoundation.org/letter-of-inquiry
Deadlines: Https://theahmansonfoundation.org/letter-of-inquiry/
Restrictions: Https://theahmansonfoundation.org/letter-of-inquiry/
The Bernard Osher Foundation
- $115,000 to San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco: Lifelong learning institutes
- $100,000 to Kqed, San Francisco: Lifelong learning institutes
- $100,000 to The Exploratorium, San Francisco: Lifelong learning institutes
How to apply: There is no required format, however, the applicant must show financial need and indicate that they are a qualified non-profit organization.
Walter and Elise Haas Fund
- $100,000 to The Center for Cultural Innovation, Los Angeles: Two years of general operating support, for programming that prioritizes artists who are...
- $100,000 to Vital Arts Inc, Berkeley: One year of general operating support for an organization that is essential to building a...
- $50,000 to Alliance for California Traditional Arts, San Francisco: One year of project support for regranting through acta's living cultures and...
How to apply: Sample form available upon request
Koret Foundation
- $250,000 to Common Sense Media, San Francisco: Civic learning and media literacy
- $200,000 to San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco: K12 education programs
- $200,000 to San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco: Music and mentors education program
How to apply: Information about application procedures for the grant programs of the koret foundation can be found at www.koret.org
Deadlines: Www.koret.org
Restrictions: Www.koret.org
The Shubert Foundation Inc
- $300,000 to South Coast Repertory Inc, Costa Mesa: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
- $260,000 to Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Berkeley: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
- $250,000 to Old Globe Theatre, San Diego: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
How to apply: All requests must be submitted on the foundation's application form and include a copy of the applicant's letter from the u.s. Treasury department granting federal tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the u.s. Internal revenue code. To be eligible for a grant and if audited...
Deadlines: See general explanation attachment
Restrictions: The shubert foundation exclusively provides funds for general operating support. Funds are not provided for project support, nor allocated for capital or endowment campaigns, nor to individuals or conduit organizations.
The Andrew W Mellon Foundation
- $2,500,000 to Alliance for California Traditional Arts, Fresno: To support organizational capacity and a national fellowship for traditional artists
- $2,500,000 to Latino Theater Company, Los Angeles: To support the latinx theater initiative
- $1,000,000 to Center Theatre Group of Los Angeles, Los Angeles: To support transformative leadership within the american theater
Restrictions: Activities supported by foundation grants must be charitable, educational or scientific under the provisions of the u.s. Internal revenue code and the treasury regulations.
John and Marcia Goldman Foundation
- $1,400,000 to Epacenter, E Palo Alto: General support
- $250,000 to San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco: Dsh renovation and treasure island concept
- $150,000 to San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco: 2024 annual grant
Lisa & Douglas Goldman Fund
- $250,000 to Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums, San Francisco: Exhibition support
- $250,000 to Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums, San Francisco: Legion 100 gifts of art campaign for the acquisition of portrait of bianca degli utili...
- $100,000 to Stern Grove Festival Association, San Francisco: Capacity building for programming/artist fees 2024
How to apply: After reviewing the fund's current priorities and limitations, interested applicants should submit an initial letter of inquiry for review. Applicants who receive a favorable response to their initial inquiry will be invited to submit a formal proposal with supporting materials...
Deadlines: There are no deadlines for submission; applications all year
Restrictions: Organizations must qualify under the provisions of internal revenue code section 501(c)(3).
Hobsonlucas Family Foundation
- $650,000 to The Film Foundation, Los Angeles: Grant donation
- $621,882 to The Film Foundation, Los Angeles: Friends of the cineteca di bologna
- $374,172 to The Film Foundation, Los Angeles: Regents university of ca los angeles
How to apply: Letter with information regarding request.
Deadlines: There are no submission deadlines.
Restrictions: There are no restrictions or limitations on awards.
Hutton Foundation Dba Hutton Parker Foundation
- $50,000 to Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara: Capital/multi-year grants
- $25,000 to Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara: Discretionary
- $15,000 to Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Santa Barbara: Core/general operating support
How to apply: Organizations seeking grants should submit the information (see schedule o) as required on the copy of the application forms (grant application cover sheet) or (program related investment preliminary application) all applications are avilable on the website at...
Deadlines: Visit www.huttonfoundation.org for various deadlines.
Restrictions: Grants are limited to 501(c)(3)/509(a) public charities in california (see schedule o for continuation) (special consideration to orange, riverside and santa barbara counties) in the areas of education; health & human services; civic &...
Stern Sidney Memorial Tuw
- $7,000 to The Maestro Foundation, Santa Monica: General operating
- $5,000 to Academy Foundation, Los Angeles: General operating
- $5,000 to Museum Associates, Los Angeles: General operating
How to apply: No required format for request
Deadlines: Requests are accepted at any time
Restrictions: All distributions are made for charitable, scientific, medical or educational purposes within the u.s.
The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment Inc
- $100,000 to Puente De La Costa Sur, Pescadero: Farmworker housing
- $50,000 to Oakland Ballet Company, Oakland: The angel island project
- $50,000 to Community Music Center, San Francisco: Scholarships
How to apply: Refer to the foundation's website, www.campbellfoundation.org, for guidance.
Deadlines: Ongoing
Restrictions: Refer to the foundation's website, www.campbellfoundation.org, for guidance.
Weingart Foundation
- $1,000,000 to Destination Crenshaw, Los Angeles: Capital support to construct a 1.3 mile long outdoor art and cultural experience along...
- $200,000 to Malo - Motivating Action Leadership Opportunity, Ontario: Unrestricted operating support
- $200,000 to La Voice, Los Angeles: Unrestricted operating support
How to apply: Grants and other program support are designed to improve the capacity and sustainability of organizations to achieve their missions in the areas of health, human services, & education. We give the highest priority to activities that provide greater access to people who are...
Deadlines: Regular grant program and small grants program do not have deadlines.
Restrictions: Grants are not made to organizations that discriminate against certain groups or individuals in the delivery of programs and services on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation or disability; for...
Gibson Gives Foundation Dba Gibson Gives
- $79,125 to Napa Valley Youth Symphony, Napa: Foundation giving to another foundation or for scholarships
- $60,000 to Musicares Foundation, Santa Monica: Medical supplies for overdose prevention
- $35,974 to Grammy Museum Foundation, Los Angeles: For program use/fundraising efforts for program use.
How to apply: Applications can be submitted via gibson.submittable.com/submit
Deadlines: Donation requests are reviewed on a monthly basis after the end of each month.
Restrictions: Awards benefit those who bring education or healing through music specific programs where guitar is used.
The Sobrato Family Foundation
- $250,000 to Safe Space Pictures Foundation, Beverly Hills: General operating support
- $250,000 to Safe Space Pictures Foundation, Beverly Hills: General operating support
- $242,750 to School of Arts and Culture at Mhp, San Jose: General operating support
How to apply: 2b. To apply for foundation funding a nonprofit should visit www.sobrato.org. A form is available online to fill out to then receive information from the foundation regarding funding opportunities.
Deadlines: 2c. See 2b above
Restrictions: 2d. The sobrato family foundation's investments are targeted toward strong community based organizations that promote self reliance and economic independence, and positively contribute to the quality of life for economically, physically...
Ann Jackson Family Foundation
- $140,000 to Center for Performing Arts, Santa Barbara: General operating support
- $62,000 to Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara: General operating support
- $26,000 to Lobero Theatre Foundation, Santa Barbara: General operating support
How to apply: Applications should be in letter form and be accompanied by photocopies of the most current federal and state ruling letters showing the applicant to be an organization declared to be a public charity under internal revenue section 509(a)(1), (2) or (3). The application should...
Restrictions: Awards are made in the sole and absolute discretion of the foundation trustees to public charities which foster religious, charitable, educational and scientific purposes and to organizations which promote the prevention of cruelty to...
The Amphion Foundation Inc Co Alter Kendrick & Baron Llp
- $7,500 to The Industry Productions Inc, Los Angeles: Encourage the performance of contemporary concert music
- $6,500 to Los Angeles Opera Company, Los Angeles: Encourage the performance of contemporary concert music
- $6,000 to Monday Evening Concerts, Los Angeles: Encourage the performance of contemporary concert music
How to apply: Letter
Atkinson Foundation C/O Pacific Foundation Services
- $25,000 to Puente De La Costa Sur, Pescadero: General support
- $10,000 to Curiodyssey, San Mateo: Inclusion and accessibility programs
- $10,000 to Intersection for the Arts, San Francisco: The beat within - programming for youth detained at the san mateo county youth service...
How to apply: See www.atkinsonfdn.org
Deadlines: See www.atkinsonfdn.org
Restrictions: Not funded by foundation: grants to ind, grants to doctoral study or research, grants to influence legislation, grants to nat'l or statewide programs, donations to or sponsorship of fundraising or annual campaigns, or grants for films,...
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
- $2,384,842 to Prevention Institute, Oakland: 81728 expanding the people, parks, and power's broad-based movement for park and...
- $1,000,000 to Array Alliance Inc, Los Angeles: 80088 advancing social justice through array alliance's inclusive filmmaking, education,...
- $1,000,000 to Dancers' Group, San Francisco: 79512 uplifting the beauty and brilliance of disability, dismantling ableism, and...
How to apply: Most of rwjf's grants are made through targeted grant programs and funding partnerships. Rwjf's funding priorities and calls for proposals are described on www.rwjf.org.
Deadlines: No deadlines, except when foundation issues a call for proposal (cfp) or request for proposal (rfp).
Restrictions: Rwjf is dedicated to taking bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime and pave the way, together, to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right. We are a national philanthropy that advances transformative systems...
The Parker Foundation
- $35,000 to New Village Arts, Carlsbad: General support
- $35,000 to La Jolla Music Society, La Jolla: General support
- $30,000 to The Rosin Box Project, San Diego: General support
How to apply: Verification of exempt status; specific purpose and relevant project detail; budget of organization and project; method of measuring results of project; reports on outcomes and results will be required six months after grant receipt. See www.theparkerfoundation.org for more...
Restrictions: Funds are limited to projects benefitting san diego county.
The Nancy E Barton Foundation
- $25,000 to All Roads Theatre Company, N Hollywood: Unrestricted general
- $25,000 to The Colburn School, Los Angeles: Unrestricted general
- $10,000 to Vs Theatre Company, La Crescenta: Unrestricted general
How to apply: Written request
Sierra Health Foundation
- $10,000 to Siskiyou County Arts Council, Mount Shasta: Responsive grants program
- $10,000 to Arab Community Center for Integration Services, Sacramento: Responsive grants program
- $10,000 to Sacramento Youth Symphony, Sacramento: Matching gift
How to apply: See online information at www.sierrahealth.org
Deadlines: See online information at www.sierrahealth.org
Restrictions: See online information at www.sierrahealth.org
The Schmidt Family Foundation
- $3,000,000 to Kqed Inc, San Francisco: Strengthening civic engagement
- $525,000 to The Film Collaborative Inc, Los Angeles: Supporting indigenous communities' land stewardship, self-determination, and cultural...
- $475,000 to Ytt Northern Chumash Nonprofit, San Luis Obispo: Supporting indigenous communities' land stewardship, self-determination, and cultural...
How to apply: Online process, please see details at the websites: https://tsffoundation.org/ https://www.schmidtmarine.org/
Deadlines: Online process, please see details at: https://tsffoundation.org/. Https://www.schmidtmarine.org/
Restrictions: Online process, please see details at the websites: https://tsffoundation.org/ https://www.schmidtmarine.org/
The Allstate Foundation
- $570,000 to Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, Oakland: General operating funding to support api-gbv & summit support
- $5,000 to Youth Advocates for Change, San Ramon: October 2024 flash consulting day
- $5,000 to Asian Arts Talents Foundation, Rosemead: Agent - individual hh
How to apply: Letter of proposal
Deadlines: Proposal reviewed as received
Restrictions: Must be within the united states
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