California Foundation for Stronger Communities
CALIFORNIA FOUNDATION FOR is a public charity based in Carlsbad, California. Formed in 2004, it provides financial grants or other financial support to organizations to strengthen charitable activities throughout California.
Key facts about California Foundation for Stronger Communities
In short: California Foundation for Stronger Communities gave $8.0M across 201 grants in 2025 (avg $40K), mostly in California. 54% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 20-1508498
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $8,016,283
- Grants made (2025)
- 201
- Average grant
- $39,882
- Median grant
- $25,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 54% first-time grantees (109 of 201, 2025)
- Total assets
- $37,539
- Primary geography
- California (97% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$38K
+25.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.0M
+54.0% YoY
Grant Count
201
+10.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$40K
+39.4% YoY
Is California Foundation for Stronger Communities open to new grantees?
54%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 109 of 201 grantees (54%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $41K; repeat grants $39K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to provide financial grants or other financial support or benefits to nonprofit organizations, foundations, and corporations to strengthen and enhance charitable activities throughout California.
Its 2025 grants included organizations working in areas such as children’s education, youth and family services, disability support, sports, and basic-needs assistance. The Forager School describes its work as child-centered and nature-focused. Olive Crest says it provides safe homes, counseling, and education for children and families in crisis. BABY2BABY says it provides children in need with diapers, formula, clothing, and other basic necessities. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 201 grants totaling $8,016,283. Awards ranged from $6,218 to $265,000, with a median of $25,000. The largest reported grants included $265,000 to The California Fire Foundation, $205,000 to The Forager School, $185,000 to Olive Crest, $175,000 to Rodeo Baseball Association, and $165,000 to Maya’s Music Therapy. The stated purpose for these grants was “provide support to local charities.”
Ready to take the next step with California Foundation for Stronger Communities?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated mission refers to charitable activities throughout California. In 2025, 97% of its grant dollars went to recipients in California; the remaining reported shares went to recipients in New Hampshire, Arkansas, New York, and New Jersey.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 201 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.9M (2019) to $8.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 201 grants totaling $8.0M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The California Fire Foundation ($265K). Together the top 10 received $1.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
834 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 713 grants of 834 (85%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The California Fire Foundation Sacramento, CA | Provide Support to Local Charities | $265,000 |
| The Forager School Covina, CA | Provide Support to Local Charities | $205,000 |
| Olive Crest Santa Ana, CA | Provide Support to Local Charities | $185,000 |
| Rodeo Baseball Association Rodeo, CA | Provide Support to Local Charities | $175,000 |
| Maya's Music Therapy Berkeley, CA | Provide Support to Local Charities | $165,000 |
| The Respite Inn Concord, CA | Provide Support to Local Charities | $145,000 |
| California Community Foundation Los Angeles, CA | Provide Support to Local Charities | $140,000 |
| Vistability Martinez, CA | Provide Support to Local Charities | $140,000 |
| Youth Homes Incorporated Concord, CA | Provide Support to Local Charities | $135,000 |
| BABY2BABY Los Angeles, CA | Provide Support to Local Charities | $120,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants given |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $37,539 | $8,013,702 | $8,068,363 | $8,016,283 |
| 2024 | $29,887 | $5,263,873 | $5,259,050 | $5,206,776 |
| 2023 | $26,554 | $4,656,258 | $4,652,731 | $4,596,214 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $37,539 | $29,887 | $26,554 |
| Revenue | $8,013,702 | $5,263,873 | $4,656,258 |
| Expenses | $8,068,363 | $5,259,050 | $4,652,731 |
| Net Investment Income | $6,652 | $4,823 | $3,527 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 20, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 6, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 27, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 10, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 8, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joya De Foor as chairperson, Louis McClure as vice chairperson, Deborah Moreno as treasurer, Robert Adams as assistant treasurer, Andrew Alexander as secretary, and Edward Becker as executive director.
California Foundation for Stronger Communities is led by Edward Becker, Executive Director on every filing since 2019; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Edward Becker
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joya De Foor
Chairperson
Director → Alternate, 2023
Alternate → Chairperson, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Alexander
Secretary
Alternate → Director, 2024
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Moreno
Treasurer
Chairperson & Assistant Treasurer → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Adams
Assistant Treasurer
Secretary → Assistant Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Louis McClure
Vice Chairperson
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Justin McCarthy (2019–2024) — Vice Chairperson
- Former: Paula Connors (2019–2024) — Chairperson
- Former: Faye Watanabe (2019–2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 2111 Palomar Airport Road 320, Carlsbad, CA 92011
Phone: (760) 930-1221
Website: https://foundationforcalifornia.com
Frequently asked questions about California Foundation for Stronger Communities
How much does California Foundation for Stronger Communities give each year?
California Foundation for Stronger Communities gave $8.0M across 201 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $5.2M across 182 grants.
What is California Foundation for Stronger Communities's typical grant size?
California Foundation for Stronger Communities's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $39,882, across 201 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from California Foundation for Stronger Communities that year got $41K on average.
Where does California Foundation for Stronger Communities give grants?
California Foundation for Stronger Communities gives mostly in California: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (11 grants), San Diego, CA (11 grants), Sacramento, CA (8 grants) and Concord, CA (7 grants).
Does California Foundation for Stronger Communities give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 201 grants with a stated purpose on California Foundation for Stronger Communities's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Provide Support to Local Charities" (201 grants).
Who are California Foundation for Stronger Communities's largest grantees?
California Foundation for Stronger Communities's largest 2025 grantees include The California Fire Foundation ($265,000), The Forager School ($205,000) and Olive Crest ($185,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 8% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is California Foundation for Stronger Communities?
California Foundation for Stronger Communities reported $38K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.0M.
What does California Foundation for Stronger Communities fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to provide financial grants or other financial support or benefits to nonprofit organizations, foundations, and corporations to strengthen and enhance charitable activities throughout California. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from California Foundation for Stronger Communities?
California Foundation for Stronger Communities has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check foundationforcalifornia.com for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is California Foundation for Stronger Communities's EIN?
California Foundation for Stronger Communities's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1508498. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching California Foundation for Stronger Communities by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in California Foundation for Stronger Communities's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports nonprofits in health, education, arts, disaster relief, reforestation, hunger relief, and community equity, with an emphasis on organizations actively supported by Enterprise employees and their families. Its reported grants range widely: 2024 giving averaged about $7,700 across 9,499 grants, while the foundation also offers awards of up to $40,000; it supports communities where Enterprise operates worldwide. Unsolicited requests are accepted at any time, but eligible applications must be submitted by an Enterprise team member or their spouse or domestic partner on behalf of a nonprofit they actively support.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals
Oakland, CA
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals supports community health, health-care access, and efforts addressing health inequities, including mental and behavioral health, housing, and employment. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, with most grant dollars going to California; Southern California grants focus on its 14 service areas. For Southern California regional grants, unsolicited letters of inquiry and proposals are not accepted; other application routes described include invited inquiries and open event sponsorship applications.
Assets
$87.4B
Grants
1,122
Total Given
$225.4M
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation funds work in education, health, housing, immigration, and other community needs, primarily in Los Angeles County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, though amounts varied widely; it does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
Orange County Community Foundation
Irvine, CA
OCCF supports nonprofits across arts and culture, education, health, human services, the environment, and community development, primarily in Orange County but also beyond through its charitable funds. Its 2025 grants had a median amount of $25,000, though awards varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$743.6M
Grants
975
Total Given
$120.4M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, gender equity, governance, democracy, and philanthropy, with work in the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, nationally, and internationally. Its 2024 grants had a median of $150,000, though awards ranged from $50 to more than $11 million; it often provides long-term general operating support. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, except through invited open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Marin Community Foundation funds equity-focused work, including affordable housing, homelessness, community resilience and power, and arts; its Buck Family Fund supports organizations serving Marin County, including those based elsewhere. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000 and ranged from $5,050 to $10 million; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
Direct Relief
Santa Barbara, CA
Direct Relief funds community health centers, free and charitable clinics, educational institutions, and other organizations addressing health inequities, and provides medical supplies for healthcare facilities serving underserved communities and people affected by emergencies. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,500 to $4.34 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work across the U.S. and more than 80 countries. The available information does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,367
Total Given
$337.4M
Conrad N Hilton Foundation
Westlake Village, CA
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation funds nonprofits working to improve lives and alleviate poverty, with initiatives including early childhood development, homelessness, refugees, safe water, and support for foster and opportunity youth. Its work is global, and its 2024 grants had a median award of $76,000. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, except through its Good Neighbor Program for eligible local nonprofits and Title 1 schools.
Assets
$7.4B
Grants
1,339
Total Given
$287.7M
The San Diego Foundation
San Diego, CA
The San Diego Foundation supports nonprofits advancing racial and social justice, equity of opportunity, and resilient communities, with grants for projects, capacity building, or general support. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $25,000, with awards ranging from $5,100 to nearly $5 million; it generally funds organizations serving San Diego County residents, though some grants reach beyond the county. Applications are made through posted funding opportunities, and the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$1.7B
Grants
1,158
Total Given
$94.3M
The California Endowment
Los Angeles, CA
The California Endowment funds health and racial equity, including health care access, community health, organizing, and policy change, primarily in California. Its 2024 grants had a median of $100,000, though amounts varied widely; it does not accept unsolicited requests and funds preselected organizations only.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,125
Total Given
$215.9M
Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles supports human services, health, education, Jewish life, arts and culture, and nonprofit capacity and facilities, with grants in Los Angeles, Israel, and beyond. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. General Community grants are invitation-only and do not accept unsolicited requests; all 2025 grantmaking is by invitation only.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
1,063
Total Given
$142.2M
More Funders in California
California Foundation for Stronger Communities down — hundreds of funders to go?