Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation
The Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation is a Los Angeles, California-based private foundation that supports nonprofit organizations serving people and communities in Greater Los Angeles. Guided by Catholic values, its funding covers social welfare, health and wellness, education, and religion.
Key facts about Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation
In short: Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation gave $9.2M across 263 grants in 2024 (avg $35K), mostly in California. 5% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 95-6202911
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $9,165,596
- Grants made (2024)
- 263
- Average grant
- $34,850
- Median grant
- $25,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 5% first-time grantees (12 of 263, 2024)
- Total assets
- $215,331,565
- Primary geography
- California (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Review the eligibility and application information, then apply through the Foundation’s online application process. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- Deadlines depend on the program area and thematic area; applicants should consult the Foundation’s application…
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$215.3M
+7.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$9.2M
+10.8% YoY
Grant Count
263
-13.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$35K
+28.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation reported a distributable amount of $10.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation open to new grantees?
5%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 12 of 263 grantees (5%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $25K; repeat grants $35K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $27K repeat.
- 95% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−3%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 mission is to support nonprofit organizations that improve the lives and futures of people and communities in Greater Los Angeles, guided by Catholic values. It funds four areas:
- Social Welfare: Support for vulnerable people and communities, including food and shelter, youth programs, camperships, mentoring, job training for formerly incarcerated people, services for transitional-age youth and trauma victims, and restorative justice. The Foundation also supports initiatives that advance economic self-reliance.
- Health and Wellness: Support related to illness, pregnancy and life, counseling, disabilities, seniors, elder care, low-cost care, and research. The Foundation says research funding is primarily directed to the Doheny Eye Institute and other causes of interest to Mrs. Doheny.
- Education: Support for Los Angeles underserved Catholic elementary schools, scholarship funds for Los Angeles Catholic high schools and Catholic universities, adult education, literacy, and Catholic education programs.
- Religion: Support for evangelization and mission-based work in the Los Angeles Roman Catholic community and local faith-based organizations guided by similar gospel values.
Examples of grantees’ work include the Doheny Eye Institute, whose stated mission is to further the conservation, improvement, and restoration of human eyesight, and Counseling Partners of Los Angeles, which says it serves at-risk and underserved students through school-based, low-cost counseling and support services. Union Rescue Mission describes its work as providing comprehensive emergency and long-term services to people experiencing homelessness. These are grantees’ own descriptions of their missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 263 grants totaling $9,165,596. Grant amounts ranged from $196 to $425,000, with a median of $25,000. The Foundation says it considers requests within its four funding areas and by monthly thematic areas.
Review Cycle
** Deadlines depend on the program area and thematic area; applicants should consult the Foundation’s application information for the relevant deadline.
How to Apply
. The filing lists Nina Shepherd as the contact for application questions and directs applicants to the Foundation’s website for application materials and guidelines. The Foundation does not consider requests for publishing or producing books, television, films, or radio programs; travel; advertising; political purposes; individual scholarships; or work outside the United States. It makes no grants to individuals or non-U.S. institutions, and very few grants are made for programs outside Los Angeles County. The website also excludes endowments.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation
Doheny Foundation Capital Grant
Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation
Amount
More than US $50,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Doheny Foundation Grant Program
Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Doheny Foundation: Campership Grant Program
Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Funding is generally limited to Los Angeles County. The Foundation says it may fund Los Angeles programs of organizations headquartered elsewhere, and that very few grants are made for programs outside the county. In 2024, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 263 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
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
1,501 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARCHDIOCESE OF LADEPARTMENT OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Los Angeles, CA | SOLIDARITY FOR SCHOOLS, ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS | $425,000 |
| DOHENY EYE INSTITUTE Pasadena, CA | VISION RESEARCH FOR ALL | $300,000 |
| MOUNT SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY Los Angeles, CA | UNIVERSITY SUPPORT | $270,500 |
| COUNSELING PARTNERS OF LOS ANGELES Los Angeles, CA | HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELING AND SUPPORT | $250,500 |
| MARYVALE Rosemead, CA | SETON HOUSE | $160,000 |
| LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY Los Angeles, CA | LMU SUMMER ARTS WORKSHOP CAMPERSHIP PROGRAM | $155,000 |
| UNION RESCUE MISSION Los Angeles, CA | HOUSING & COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES | $138,000 |
| OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS HOUSING ALLIANCE Los Angeles, CA | REPURPOSING CHURCH PROPERTY TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING | $130,000 |
| OUTREACH CONCERN INC Santa Ana, CA | 2023-2024 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM | $122,000 |
| CLARIS HEALTH Los Angeles, CA | MEDICAL CARE, COUNSELING, SUPPORT SERVICES, AND EDUCATION | $105,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $215,331,565 | $16,388,019 | $13,770,921 | $9,165,596 | 263 |
| 2023 | $200,355,209 | $12,189,959 | $13,484,133 | $8,274,150 | 305 |
| 2022 | $182,091,676 | $1,247,825 | $11,005,791 | $8,385,300 | 298 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $215,331,565 | $200,355,209 | $182,091,676 |
| Revenue | $16,388,019 | $12,189,959 | $1,247,825 |
| Expenses | $13,770,921 | $13,484,133 | $11,005,791 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $10,319,157 | $9,341,679 | $9,407,366 |
| Net Investment Income | $13,615,707 | $9,094,884 | $2,571,431 |
| Distributable Amount | $10,188,190 | $9,273,180 | $9,385,025 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Michael S. Feeley as president, chair, and director; Robert A. Smith III as vice chair and director; and Nina S. Shepherd as CAO/CFO, secretary, and treasurer. Other listed directors were H. Thomas Boyle, Rev. Perry Henry, Margaret Morrow, and Antonio Felix. Rev. William Piletic, C.M., was listed as director emeritus, and Mary Ann Murphy as director and grants chair.
Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation is led by Michael S. Feeley, President, Chair & Director since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 6 of 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michael S. Feeley
President, Chair & Director
Director → President, Chair & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
H. Thomas Boyle
Director & Audit Chair
Director → Director & Audit Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $30K (2024)
Mary Ann Murphy
Director & Grants Chair
Director → Director & Grants Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$14K (2020) → $30K (2024)
Margaret Morrow
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2021) → $18K (2024)
Robert A. Smith III
Vice Chair & Director
President, Chair & Director → Vice Chair & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $30K (2024)
Antonio Felix
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$6K (2022) → $18K (2024)
Perry Henry Cm
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nina S. Shepherd
CAO, CFO, Sec'y & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
32 hrs/week
$313K (2020) → $336K (2024)
Wm Piletic Cm
Director Emeritus
Director → Director Emeritus, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Robert Harper (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
Contact
Application contact: Nina Shepherd
Mailing address: 707 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: (213) 488-1122
Email: doheny@dohenyfoundation.org
Website: https://dohenyfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation
How much does Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation give each year?
Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation gave $9.2M across 263 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $8.3M across 305 grants.
What is Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation's typical grant size?
Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $34,850, across 263 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation that year got $25K on average.
Where does Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation give grants?
Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation gives mostly in California: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (130 grants), Pasadena, CA (15 grants), Long Beach, CA (9 grants) and Santa Monica, CA (5 grants).
Does Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 3% of Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 263) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Elementary School Challenge 2023 - 2024" (48 grants) and "High School Scholarship Program 2024" (41 grants).
Who are Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation's largest grantees?
Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Archdiocese of Ladepartment of Catholic Schools ($425,000), Doheny Eye Institute ($300,000) and Mount Saint Mary's University ($270,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 11% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation?
Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation reported $215.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $10.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $10.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to support nonprofit organizations that improve the lives and futures of people and communities in Greater Los Angeles, guided by Catholic values. It funds four areas: • **Social Welfare:** Support for vulnerable people and communities, including food and shelter, youth programs, camperships, mentoring, job training for formerly incarcerated people, services for transitional-age youth and trauma victims, and restorative justice. The Foundation also supports initiativ…
How do I apply for a grant from Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation?
Review the eligibility and application information, then apply through the Foundation’s online application process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation's EIN?
Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-6202911. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
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
The Ahmanson Foundation
Beverly Hills, CA
The Ahmanson Foundation funds Los Angeles County nonprofits in arts and humanities, education, health care, human services, homelessness, and environmental preservation, often for construction, equipment, or other one-time project costs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $6.3 million, with a median of $50,000. It encourages applicants to submit a Letter of Inquiry, but the profile does not explicitly state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
442
Total Given
$65.5M
The Rose Hills Foundation
Pasadena, CA
The Rose Hills Foundation funds education, arts and culture, support for at-risk youth and families, and human services benefiting people in Southern California, with an emphasis on Los Angeles County organizations. Its 2024 grants ranged from $6,000 to $1 million, with a median of $50,000; applications are accepted year-round, but unsolicited requests are not accepted from certain large medical institutions, schools, and higher-education institutions.
Assets
$561.2M
Grants
297
Total Given
$27.9M
The Ralph M Parsons Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation funds civic and cultural work, education, health, and human services benefiting Los Angeles County residents, including general operating, program, capital, and staffing needs. In 2024, grants ranged from $100 to $500,000, with a median of $30,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through a rolling Letter of Inquiry process.
Assets
$452.4M
Grants
403
Total Given
$18.2M
Sempra Foundation
San Diego, CA
The Sempra Foundation funds climate action and resilience, inclusion, economic empowerment and workforce development, community engagement, and disaster preparedness in communities where Sempra employees live and work, including California, Texas, Washington, D.C., and Mexico. In 2024, grants ranged from $4 to $100,000, with a median of $260. It awards grants by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$11.5M
Grants
1,501
Total Given
$1.8M
The Annenberg Foundation
Conshohocken, PA
The Annenberg Foundation funds arts and culture, education, and environmental work, along with selected health, animal-welfare, and community initiatives. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, though awards ranged widely, and most funding went to California, with support also reaching communities nationwide. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
543
Total Given
$53.3M
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
Tides Foundation
San Francisco, CA
Tides Foundation funds community-led organizations advancing equity and justice, including work on health, climate, gender equity, democracy, and immigrant communities. Its 2024 grants had a median of $50,000, though amounts varied widely, and it funds eligible organizations in the U.S. and abroad, with the most grant dollars going to California, New York, and Washington, D.C. Some programs are open or invitation-only; the Advancing Girls Fund is listed as open, but the profile does not state a general policy on unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$534.5M
Grants
2,110
Total Given
$382.1M
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
Conrad N Hilton Foundation
Westlake Village, CA
This major private foundation, established in 1944, supports nonprofits working to improve lives for disadvantaged and vulnerable populations worldwide through grants in humanitarian initiatives, global health, safe water services, early childhood development, and housing. With annual giving ranging from $65 million to over $800 million, typical grants fall between $45,000 and $76,000, though awards can reach up to $3.5 million, and the foundation administers the world's largest humanitarian prize at $2.5 million annually. The foundation maintains a global focus with primary concentration in California, New York, and Washington D.C., while also operating in 11 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
Assets
$7.4B
Grants
1,339
Total Given
$287.7M
Chamberlin Education Foundation
Richmond, CA
Chamberlin Education Foundation funds education equity and academic excellence in West Contra Costa public schools, including educator support, culturally responsive instruction, school leadership, and youth development. Its 2024 grants ranged from $300 to $383,919, with a $300 median; it serves West Contra Costa, including Richmond and nearby communities. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$80.6M
Grants
1,302
Total Given
$3.0M
More Funders in California
Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?