California Lutheran University
The mission of the university is to educate leaders for a global society who are strong in character and judgment, confident in their identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice.
California Lutheran University at a glance
In short: California Lutheran University gave $77K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $77K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $76,660
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- Average grant
- $76,660
- Median grant
- $76,660
- Total assets
- $378,184,981
- -0.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to California Lutheran University
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from California Lutheran University
Who California Lutheran University funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Kingsmen Shakespeare Company ($77K).
Grant Size Distribution
3 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 2 grants of 3 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How California Lutheran University gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+12%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $69K (2022) to $210K (2023). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $77K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Kingsmen Shakespeare Company Thousand Oaks, CA | The kingsmen shakespeare company, a 501(c)(3), performs shakespeare plays on the university property. | $76,660 |
Ready to take the next step with California Lutheran University?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $378,184,981 | $204,848,435 | $191,269,448 | $76,660 | 1 | $21,995,656 |
| 2024 | $379,668,648 | $185,136,567 | $192,531,196 | — | — | $9,034,467 |
| 2023 | $377,672,792 | $178,848,556 | $190,569,267 | $210,026 | 1 | $3,715,741 |
| 2022 | $398,038,694 | $199,868,867 | $179,292,464 | $68,630 | 1 | $19,763,428 |
| 2021 | $404,684,806 | $181,463,115 | $169,444,800 | — | — | $7,515,844 |
| 2020 | $379,855,133 | $202,542,083 | $185,765,906 | $140,492 | 1 | $13,248,257 |
| 2019 | $358,322,342 | $187,034,109 | $183,626,806 | $139,176 | 1 | $7,217,807 |
About California Lutheran University
Based on IRS filings
California Lutheran University is a public charity focused on Education, based in Thousand Oaks, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $378.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $77K. Net investment income was $22.0M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
California Lutheran University is led by Varlotta Lori, President on every filing since 2021; 18 of 48 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Varlotta Lori
President
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$172K (2021) → $1.3M (2025)
Nunes John A.
President
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$263K (2025)
Boynton Ann
Chair
Board Member → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Apfelthaler Gerhard
Dean & School of Management
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$238K (2019) → $245K (2025)
Kimball Chris
Former President
President → Former President, 2022
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$474K (2019) → $124K (2025)
Neilson Leanne
Provost, Vice President & Academic Affairs
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$261K (2019) → $282K (2025)
Vaiman Vlad
Professor
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$184K (2019) → $189K (2025)
Van Ommeren Ryan
Associate Vice President & Facility Operations
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$186K (2019) → $197K (2025)
Wee Allison
Former Faculty Chair & Board Member
Faculty Chair & Board Member → Former Faculty Chair & Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$104K (2019) → $109K (2025)
Biddings-Muro Regina
Vice President & University Advancement
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$249K (2020) → $237K (2025)
Windham-Hughes Colleen
Former Faculty Chair & Board Member
Faculty Chair & Board Member → Former Faculty Chair & Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$105K (2021) → $153K (2025)
Holigrocki Richard
Dean & Graduate School of Psychology
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$189K (2022) → $210K (2025)
Hillis Michael
Dean & School of Education
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$186K (2023) → $189K (2025)
Marselian Zareh
Chief Information Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$190K (2023) → $182K (2025)
Ysasi Richard - Treasurer
Vice President, Administrator & Finance
Vice President, Administration & Finance → Vice President, Administrator & Finance, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$223K (2024) → $232K (2025)
Feinup Matthew
Associate Professor
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$187K (2025)
Richards Marvin
General Counsel
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$239K (2025)
Roper Melinda - Vp
Student Affairs & Dean of Students
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$184K (2025)
Ward Matthew - Vp
Enrollment Management & Marketing
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$240K (2025)
Baumhefner Linda
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bessey Rev Jim
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Camarillo Bill
Vice Chair
Secretary → Chair of the Board, 2021
Chair of the Board → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Irwin Jon
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lundeen-Smuck Susan
Board Member
Chair of the Board → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
McNeil Malcolm
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nebens Carrie
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Olson Karen
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Soules Mike
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Binsley Andrew
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Downs Tracy
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gutierrez Arnold
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hutterer Deborah
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anderson Phyllis
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gupta Gita
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hill Anne
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ogbechie Nkem
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Boyce Mary
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Defrank Ted
Secretary & Board Member
Board Member → Secretary & Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hill Laureen
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jaech Richard
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Woods Jr
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barker David
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bos Brenda
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Fahnestock Brian - Treasurer
Interim Vice President, Administrator & Finance
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jones Ken
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pittman Jeff
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Poast Kim
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Russell Felecia
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (58)
- Former: Foster Randall (2019–2024) — Vice Chair
- Former: Gilbert Rod (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Papageorge Debra (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Roper Melinda (2019–2024) — Vice President, Student Affairs & Dean of Students
- Former: Ward Matthew (2019–2024) — Vice President, Enrollment Management & Marketing
- Former: Olson Mary (2023–2024) — Associate Vice President - Kclu Broadcast
- Former: Boynton Ann - Chair (2024) — Secretary
- Former: Buchanan Cristallea - Former (2024) — Vice President Talent, Culture & Div
- Former: Camarillo Bill - Vice Chair (2024) — Chair
- Former: Parham Patricia - Assistant (2024) — Vice President & Human Resources
- Former: Chadwick Sue (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Nagler Rev David (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Nausin Rev Frank (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Overton Jim (2019–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Parham Patricia (2019–2023) — Assistant Vice President & Human Resources
- Former: Sweeney Deborah (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Morrell Gordon (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Buchanan Cristallea (2023) — Vice President, Talent Culture & Diversity
- Former: Davis Karen - Vp (2023) — Administration & Finance
- Former: Knudsen Thomas (2023) — General Counsel
- Former: Ysasi Richard (2023) — Vice President, Administration & Finance
- Former: Davis Karen (2019–2022) — Vice President, Administration & Finance
- Former: Peng Chang-Shyh (2019–2022) — Professor
- Former: Reinhart Craig (2019–2022) — Professor
- Former: Aragon Candice (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Marcey David (2020–2022) — Professor
- Former: Gatison Josyua (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Guerrero Veronica Former Faculty (2021–2022) — Chair & Board Member
- Former: Hanrahan Grady (2021–2022) — Professor & Associate Provost
- Former: Lopez Jaynessa (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Wee Allison Former Faculty (2021–2022) — Chair & Board Member
- Former: Medders Ryan (2022) — Faculty Chair & Board Member
- Former: Windam-Hughes Colleen Former Facul (2022) — Chair & Board Member
- Former: Holmerud Rev Mark (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Larsen Judy (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Lemmo Rick (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Young Russell (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Carter-McHale Joshua (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Lavariega Monforti Jessica (2021) — Dean, College of Arts & Sciences
- Former: McHugh James (2021) — Associate Vice President & Athletic Affairs
- Former: Wilhelm Mark (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Brohaugh Wallace (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Damooei Jamshid (2019–2020) — Professor
- Former: Domicone Harry (2019–2020) — Professor & Director of Imba
- Former: Erickson Dennis (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Hanson Rev Mark (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Lederer Jill (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Robbins Dennis (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Rulon Erin (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Stegemoeller Mark (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Basmajian John (2020) — Asclu President Board
- Former: Gerson Michael (2020) — Professor
- Former: Guerrero Veronica (2020) — Faculty Chair & Board Member
- Former: Wee Allison Faculty Chair (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Castro Andrew (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Steinwender Nicholas (2019) — Asclu President Board
- Former: Swenson James (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Wheatly Stephen (2019) — Vice President & University Advancement
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $1.3M, to Varlotta Lori (President (Thru 05/24)). 18 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about California Lutheran University
How much does California Lutheran University give each year?
California Lutheran University gave $77K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
How large is California Lutheran University?
California Lutheran University reported $378.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $204.8M.
What is California Lutheran University?
California Lutheran University is a public charity focused on Education, based in Thousand Oaks, CA. It holds $378.2M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does California Lutheran University operate?
California Lutheran University has awarded grants in California.
What is California Lutheran University's EIN?
California Lutheran University's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-2962604. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 31, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 5, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Live grants for the work California Lutheran University funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in California Lutheran University's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in California
The Lewis Greenwood Foundation
Newbury Park, CA
The Lewis Greenwood Foundation supports a range of charitable work, including nutrition, environmental protection, disaster relief, education, and community services, with 2025 grants distributed mainly in California, Illinois, Florida, and New York. Its grants ranged from $1,000 to $25,000, with a median of $5,000; it accepts written requests with supporting documentation and says requests cannot exceed $25,000.
Assets
$6.7M
Grants
64
Total Given
$360K
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
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Marin Community Foundation funds work in affordable housing and homelessness, community resilience and power, as well as social services, education, arts and conservation, with a focus on marginalized Marin County residents and some broader U.S. and international grantmaking. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
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
More similar funders
More Funders in California
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from California Lutheran University's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
California Lutheran University down — hundreds of funders to go?