Cheeryble Foundation
The Cheeryble Foundation is a private, family foundation established in 1987 and based in Encino, California. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation operates as a non-operating private foundation with tax-exempt status since August 1988. The foundation's primary purpose is to provide liquidity for making grants to other nonprofit organizations by holding investments for interest and dividend income and selling securities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.7M
-4.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$268K
-41.5% YoY
Grant Count
44
-8.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
-36.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Cheeryble Foundation reported a distributable amount of $156K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports nonprofit organizations across multiple sectors, with particular emphasis on:
- Human services
- Health
- Education, including libraries
- Children and youth
- Arts and culture, including museums
- Environmental conservation and preservation of natural resources
The foundation primarily provides unrestricted grants to eligible nonprofit organizations.
Grantmaking
The foundation provides general operating support and project support to eligible organizations.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Cheeryble Foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations located in southern California, with particular emphasis on Santa Barbara. However, grants are occasionally made to organizations in other states. The foundation supports a wide range of geographic locations including:
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- North Carolina
- New York
- Virginia
- Washington, D.C.
The foundation's broad geographic funding suggests a commitment to diverse community support across multiple U.S. cities and states, including major locations such as Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C., as well as smaller communities.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2023):
- Total Assets: $2,787,575
- Total Revenue: $412,575
- Total Expenses: $464,610
- Total Liabilities: $0
Grant Activity:
- Total Giving (2023): $268,150
- Number of Grants: 29 grants documented
The foundation maintains a healthy financial position with assets exceeding $2.7 million and operates with positive asset management despite annual expenses exceeding revenue in recent years.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,669,803 | $2,787,575 | $2,839,610 |
| Revenue | $157,437 | $412,575 | $106,560 |
| Expenses | $275,209 | $464,610 | $374,348 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $268,150 | $458,459 | $368,286 |
| Net Investment Income | $157,437 | $306,913 | $79,112 |
| Distributable Amount | $156,120 | $146,599 | $154,348 |
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
200 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Thriving Initiative ($100,000), The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art ($25,000), Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara ($15,450).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CANCER FOUNDATION OF SANTA BARBARA SANTA BARBARA, CA | UNRESTRICTED | $15,450 |
| CANCER RESEARCH INSTITUTE NEW YORK, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $1,030 |
| DIRECT RELIEF SANTA BARBARA, CA | UNRESTRICTED | $1,024 |
| DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SOLUTIONS SANTA BARBARA, CA | UNRESTRICTED | $6,000 |
| DR LORNA BREEN HEROES' FOUNDATION CHARLOTTESVILLE, VI | UNRESTRICTED | $1,023 |
| ENSEMBLE THEATER COMPANY SANTA BARBARA, CA | UNRESTRICTED | $500 |
| FAMILY SERVICE AGENCY OF SANTA BARBARA SANTA BARBARA, CA | UNRESTRICTED | $5,000 |
| FIRST TEE SANTA BARBARA, CA | UNRESTRICTED | $500 |
| GREATER GOOD CHARITIES SEATTLE, WA | UNRESTRICTED | $1,046 |
| HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO HONOLULU, HI | UNRESTRICTED | $3,600 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Zora Charles - President
- Les Charles - CFO/Secretary
Both leaders serve on a voluntary basis without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZORA CHARLES | PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| LES CHARLES | CFO/SECRETARY | 5 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cheeryble Foundation fund?
The foundation supports nonprofit organizations across multiple sectors, with particular emphasis on: • Human services • Health • Education, including libraries • Children and youth • Arts and culture, including museums • Environmental conservation and preservation of natural resources The foundation primarily provides unrestricted grants to eligible nonprofit organizations.
How do I apply for a grant from Cheeryble Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • The foundation made 29 grants in 2023, with total giving of $268,150 • Recent notable grants include: • Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara: $66,185 (unrestricted) • Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County: $55,190 (unrestricted) • Santa Barbara Museum of Art: $15,000 (unrestricted) **Types of Support:** The foundation provides general operating support and project support to eligible organizations. **Application Process:** The foundation is open to new applicants, wi…
Where does Cheeryble Foundation make grants?
The Cheeryble Foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations located in southern California, with particular emphasis on Santa Barbara. However, grants are occasionally made to organizations in other states. The foundation supports a wide range of geographic locations including: • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Hawaii • Illinois • Massachusetts • North Carolina • New York • Virginia • Washington, D.C. The foundation's broad geographic funding suggests a commitment to diverse commu…
What size grants does Cheeryble Foundation award?
In 2024, Cheeryble Foundation awarded 44 grants totaling $268K — an average of about $6K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Cheeryble Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Cheeryble Foundation reported a distributable amount of $156K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Cheeryble Foundation's EIN?
Cheeryble Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4121906. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cheeryble Foundation'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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