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.
Key facts about Argonaut Charitable Foundation
- EIN
- 95-6021227
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $141,500
- Grants made (2024)
- 82
- Average grant
- $1,726
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $958,580
- Primary geography
- California (54% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026.
Who Argonaut Charitable Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Argonaut Charitable Foundation's 82 itemized 2024 grants were California (54%), Maine (24%) and Oregon (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cape Elizabeth, ME (7 grants), Malibu, CA (7 grants), Los Angeles, CA (7 grants) and Santa Barbara, CA (6 grants). None of its 82 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Qualified Charitable Exempt Purpose" (82 grants).
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).
Ready to take the next step with Argonaut Charitable Foundation?
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
354 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include St John's Foundation Hospital ($10,000), University of Oregon Foundation ($8,500), Harvey Mudd College ($5,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ST JOHN'S FOUNDATION HOSPITAL SANTA MONICA, CA | QUALIFIED CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE | $10,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF OREGON FOUNDATION EUGENE, OR | QUALIFIED CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE | $8,500 |
| HARVEY MUDD COLLEGE CLAREMONT, CA | QUALIFIED CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE | $5,000 |
| MALIBU GATHERING CHURCH MALIBU, CA | QUALIFIED CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE | $5,000 |
| MERCEY VET OXNARD, CA | QUALIFIED CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE | $5,000 |
| SAINT MONICA'S SCHOOL SANTA MONICA, CA | QUALIFIED CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE | $5,000 |
| ART CENTER COLLEGE OF DESIGN PASADENA, CA | QUALIFIED CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE | $4,000 |
| OUR LADY OF MALIBU MALIBU, CA | QUALIFIED CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE | $3,500 |
| BARBARA BUSH CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL PORTLAND, ME | QUALIFIED CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE | $3,000 |
| COASTAL MAINE BOTANIAL GARDENS BOOTHBAY, ME | QUALIFIED CHARITABLE EXEMPT PURPOSE | $3,000 |
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
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
SOUTHEASTERN, PA
Assets
$22.2B
Grants
24,269
Total Given
$3.0B
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Assets
$9.1B
Grants
19,253
Total Given
$1.2B
National Philanthropic Trust
JENKINTOWN, PA
Assets
$42.2B
Grants
18,583
Total Given
$5.1B
Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$12.7B
Grants
7,424
Total Given
$3.0B
The Blackbaud Giving Fund
CHARLESTON SC, SC
Assets
$52.7M
Grants
1,860
Total Given
$41.4M
Charities Aid Foundation America
ALEXANDRIA, VA
Assets
$485.8M
Grants
14,494
Total Given
$556.0M
Network for Good
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$96.2M
Grants
4,733
Total Given
$216.2M
The Pfizer Foundation Inc
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$255.3M
Grants
9,306
Total Given
$23.2M
Ge Aerospace Foundation
NORWALK, CT
Assets
$22.5M
Grants
2,467
Total Given
$15.3M
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
10,334
Total Given
$202.5M
The Chicago Community Trust
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$6.0B
Grants
3,976
Total Given
$1.4B
Marin Community Foundation
NOVATO, CA
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,383
Total Given
$176.2M
More Funders in California
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.