Argonaut Charitable Foundation
The Argonaut Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California, established in 1939. The foundation operates as a grantmaking organization that distributes funds to qualified charitable exempt purposes across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$959K
+11.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$142K
+25.8% YoY
Grant Count
82
+10.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$2K
+13.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Argonaut Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $132K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Grantmaking
The foundation maintains an active grantmaking program. In the most recent fiscal year (2024), the foundation made 72 grants with a median grant size of $1,000, ranging from approximately $4,500 to $10,000. Recent grantees have included the University of Oregon Foundation ($8,500), Harvey Mudd College ($5,000), and Our Lady of Malibu Church and School ($3,500).
Grant Range
of $1,000, ranging from approximately $4,500 to $10,000. Recent grantees have included the University of Oregon Foundation ($8,500), Harvey Mudd College ($5,000), and Our Lady of Malibu Church and School ($3,500).
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports a wide range of cities and states across the United States, including California, Colorado, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and others. While maintaining this broad geographic reach, the foundation does not specify particular subject areas of focus in its public records.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $958,580
- Total Revenues: $260,247
- Total Expenses: $163,623
- Number of Employees: 0
The foundation's primary source of funding is investment income, which provides resources for charitable purposes.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $958,580 | $861,956 | $813,575 |
| Revenue | $260,247 | $183,501 | $124,776 |
| Expenses | $163,623 | $135,120 | $131,345 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $137,000 | $112,500 | $110,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $237,624 | $160,881 | $107,531 |
| Distributable Amount | $131,997 | $112,790 | $118,512 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Harvey Mudd College ($5,000), Malibu Gathering Church ($5,000), Mercey Vet ($5,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS LOS ANGELES, CA | QUALIFIED CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE | $500 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY HAGERSTOWN, MD | QUALIFIED CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE | $1,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS LOS ANGELES, CA | QUALIFIED CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE | $2,500 |
| ANIMAL WELFARE INSTITUTE WASHINGTON, DC | QUALIFIED CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE | $1,000 |
| ART CENTER COLLEGE OF DESIGN PASADENA, CA | QUALIFIED CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE | $4,000 |
| AUSTIN PETS ALIVE AUSTIN, TX | QUALIFIED CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE | $1,000 |
| AWAKENING TO GOD MINISTRIES MALIBU, CA | QUALIFIED CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE | $2,000 |
| BAJA CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES CHINO HILLS, CA | QUALIFIED CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE | $1,000 |
| BARBARA BUSH CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL PORTLAND, ME | QUALIFIED CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE | $3,000 |
| BASENJI RESCUE & TRANSPORT GERMANTOWN, TN | QUALIFIED CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE. | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is managed by two trustees:
- William H. Mudd (Trustee)
- Wendel M. Bruss (Trustee)
Both trustees serve without compensation and work on a volunteer basis.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WILLIAM H MUDD | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| WENDEL M BRUSS | TRUSTEE | — | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a grant from Argonaut Charitable Foundation?
The foundation maintains an active grantmaking program. In the most recent fiscal year (2024), the foundation made 72 grants with a median grant size of $1,000, ranging from approximately $4,500 to $10,000. Recent grantees have included the University of Oregon Foundation ($8,500), Harvey Mudd College ($5,000), and Our Lady of Malibu Church and School ($3,500). The foundation indicates it is open to new applicants and operates on a preselected basis, meaning prospective grantees should research…
Where does Argonaut Charitable Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports a wide range of cities and states across the United States, including California, Colorado, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and others. While maintaining this broad geographic reach, the foundation does not specify particular subject areas of focus in its public records.
What size grants does Argonaut Charitable Foundation award?
In 2024, Argonaut Charitable Foundation awarded 82 grants totaling $142K — an average of about $2K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Argonaut Charitable Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Argonaut Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $132K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Argonaut Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Argonaut Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-6021227. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Argonaut Charitable Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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