Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation
The Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California. Established by Carrie Estelle Doheny in 1949, it supports nonprofit organizations working to improve the lives and futures of people and communities in Greater Los Angeles, guided by Catholic values.
Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation at a glance
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.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $9,165,596
- +10.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 263
- -13.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $34,850
- +28.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $215,331,565
- +7.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 5% first-time grantees (11 of 237, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Eligible applicants must be registered and in good standing as a section 501(c)(3) with the IRS and the California Attorney General’s Registry of Charities. Organizations may apply once per year; returning organizations may apply after submitting the previous grant report, three months before the anniversary of their grant funding. Applications are submitted through the foundation’s website, with deadlines varying by thematic area. The foundation does not award grants to individuals or non-U.S. institutions, and excludes requests for books, television, films or radio production, travel, advertising, political purposes, individual scholarships, and work outside the United States. Endowments are also listed as ineligible on its website.
- Review Cycle
- The 2027 Campership application deadline is January 19, 2027. Deadlines for other grant applications depend on the funding area and thematic calendar.
- Deadline
- The 2027 Campership application deadline is January 19, 2027.
- 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
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
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
Deadline not published
Doheny Foundation Grant Program
Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Doheny Foundation: Campership Grant Program
Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Archdiocese of Ladepartment of Catholic Schools ($425K). Together the top 10 received $2.1M.
Organizations only. It also paid 27 individual scholarships ($1,098,100), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,501 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,349 grants of 1,501 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Funding is generally limited to Los Angeles County. The foundation says that, in some instances, it may fund Los Angeles programs run by organizations headquartered elsewhere. Its 2024 filing shows that 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in California. The filing also states that very few grants are awarded for programs outside Los Angeles County.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 263 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation open to new grantees?
5%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 237 grantees (5%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $25K; repeat grants $39K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $25K 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $7.9M (2020) to $9.4M (2021). In 2024 it made 263 grants totaling $9.2M.
Grants by year
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 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $215,331,565 | $16,388,019 | $13,770,921 | $9,165,596 | 263 | $10,319,157 | $13,615,707 | $10,188,190 |
| 2023 | $200,355,209 | $12,189,959 | $13,484,133 | $8,274,150 | 305 | $9,341,679 | $9,094,884 | $9,273,180 |
| 2022 | $182,091,676 | $1,247,825 | $11,005,791 | $8,385,300 | 298 | $9,407,366 | $2,571,431 | $9,385,025 |
| 2021 | $223,790,169 | $27,583,703 | $12,644,824 | $9,414,300 | 303 | $10,404,069 | $25,230,315 | $10,287,546 |
| 2020 | $205,920,681 | $16,420,940 | $10,711,986 | $7,927,100 | 332 | — | $14,877,050 | $8,601,439 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to support organizations that improve the lives and futures of people and communities in Greater Los Angeles, guided by Catholic values. Its four funding areas are:
- Social welfare: Support for people facing vulnerability, including food and shelter programs, services for young people in underserved communities, camperships, mentoring, job training, transitional-age youth, trauma victims, and restorative justice. The foundation also emphasizes economic self-reliance.
- Health and wellness: Support for counseling, pregnancy and life services, people with disabilities, seniors, free and low-cost care, elder 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 underserved Catholic elementary schools in Los Angeles, scholarship funds for Los Angeles Catholic high schools and universities, adult education, literacy, and Catholic education programs.
- Religion: Support for the evangelization and mission-based work of the Los Angeles Roman Catholic community and local faith-based organizations guided by similar gospel values.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of work supported. The Doheny Eye Institute says its mission is to further the conservation, improvement, and restoration of human eyesight. Counseling Partners of Los Angeles says it serves at-risk and underserved students through school-based, low-cost counseling and support services. Union Rescue Mission describes providing emergency and long-term services to people experiencing homelessness, while Our Lady Queen of Angels Housing Alliance says it seeks to create stable, affordable housing.
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 grant of $25,000. Its website describes funding approximately 300 organizations annually.
Among the largest reported 2024 grants were $425,000 to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Department of Catholic Schools for solidarity for schools and elementary schools; $300,000 to the Doheny Eye Institute for vision research; $270,500 to an individual recipient Mary’s University for university support; and $250,500 to Counseling Partners of Los Angeles for high school counseling and support. Other grants included $160,000 to Maryvale for Seton House, $138,000 to Union Rescue Mission for housing and comprehensive services, and $130,000 to Our Lady Queen of Angels Housing Alliance for affordable housing.
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. Wm. Piletic CM 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
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $336K, to Nina S Shepherd (Cao/CFO/Sec'y/Treasurer). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
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 (125 grants), Pasadena, CA (14 grants), Long Beach, CA (8 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. It also paid 27 individual scholarships ($1,098,100), which are not listed by name. 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 organizations that improve the lives and futures of people and communities in Greater Los Angeles, guided by Catholic values. Its four funding areas are: See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation?
Eligible applicants must be registered and in good standing as a section 501(c)(3) with the IRS and the California Attorney General’s Registry of Charities. 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 October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/carrie-estelle-doheny-foundation-morg_0d2ac5db837045d5b3a590c2e6f5d541
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_956202911_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/carrie-estelle-doheny-foundation-morg_0d2ac5db837045d5b3a590c2e6f5d541},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation'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.
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