California Foundation for
California Foundation for Stronger Communities is a community foundation based in Carlsbad, California. Established in 2004, it operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to supporting local charitable organizations throughout California. The foundation functions as a mutual and membership benefit organization focused on strengthening the nonprofit sector.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$30K
+12.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.2M
+13.3% YoY
Grant Count
182
-2.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
+15.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To provide support to local charities.
Primary Goal: To provide funding for qualified California nonprofit organizations that provide community services for those in need.
Funding Focus Areas:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Nonprofit Human Services
- Poverty Alleviation
The foundation's grantmaking extends beyond California to include organizations in Virginia and Tennessee.
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary focus on California-based organizations. Grantmaking also extends to organizations in Virginia and Tennessee.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of FY 2024:
- Total assets: $29,887
- Total revenues: $5,263,873
- Total expenses: $5,259,050
- Number of employees: 0
Contact Information:
- Address: 2111 Palomar Airport Rd Ste 320, Carlsbad, CA 92011-1421
CALIFORNIA FOUNDATION FOR PUBLIC FACILITIES
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $29,887 | $26,554 | $22,549 |
| Revenue | $5,263,873 | $4,656,258 | $4,612,435 |
| Expenses | $5,259,050 | $4,652,731 | $4,611,549 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $4,823 | $3,527 | $736 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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 Boys & Girls Club of South Coast Area ($60,000), Feeding America ($60,000), Bev's Angel Project ($55,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| WEST CONTRA COSTA PUBLIC EDUCATION FUND RICHMOND, CA | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES | $25,000 |
| XENOPHON THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER ORINDA, CA | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES | $25,000 |
| ROCKLIN PUBLIC SAFETY FOUNDATION ROCKLIN, CA | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES | $27,338 |
| ADONAI RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES | $30,000 |
| CALIFORNIA RESILIENCY ALLIANCE LIVERMORE, CA | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES | $30,000 |
| COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP OF OC GARDEN GROVE, CA | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES | $30,000 |
| COMPASSION PRISON PROJECT LOS ANGELES, CA | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES | $30,000 |
| FAIR HOUSING FOUNDATION LONG BEACH, CA | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES | $30,000 |
| FISHER HOUSE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INC LONG BEACH, CA | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES | $30,000 |
| KIDSAVE INTERNATIONAL INC CULVER CITY, CA | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES | $30,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Executive Director: Edward J. Becker
Board President: Mr. Justin McCarthy
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAULA CONNORS | CHAIRPERSON (THRU OCT 2023) | 1 | — |
| JOYA DE FOOR | CHAIRPERSON | 1 | — |
| JUSTIN MCCARTHY | VICE CHAIRPERSON | 1 | — |
| DEBORAH MORENO | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| ROBERT ADAMS | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| ANDREW ALEXANDER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| EDWARD BECKER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 20 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does California Foundation for fund?
**Mission:** To provide support to local charities. **Primary Goal:** To provide funding for qualified California nonprofit organizations that provide community services for those in need. **Funding Focus Areas:** • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Nonprofit Human Services • Poverty Alleviation The foundation's grantmaking extends beyond California to include organizations in Virginia and Tennessee.
How do I apply for a grant from California Foundation for?
**Grant Activity (FY 2024):** • Total giving: $5,243,950 • Number of grants: 182+ grants documented • Typical award range: $5,470–$216,403 **Recent Grantees (FY 2024):** • Vistability: $165,000 • Oscar de La Hoya Foundation: $147,000 • Friends of Fieldworkers: $90,000 **Program:** The foundation operates a Donation Program that provides funds to qualified nonprofit organizations located or doing business in California.
Where does California Foundation for make grants?
Primary focus on California-based organizations. Grantmaking also extends to organizations in Virginia and Tennessee.
What size grants does California Foundation for award?
In 2024, California Foundation for awarded 182 grants totaling $5.2M — an average of about $29K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is California Foundation for's EIN?
California Foundation for's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1508498. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in California Foundation for'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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