Childrens Health Foundation
Children’s Health Foundation is a private foundation based in San Diego, California, formerly known as Rest Haven Children’s Health Fund. It supports health-related services and programs for children in San Diego and Imperial Counties, including assistance for individual children with unmet health needs.
Childrens Health Foundation at a glance
In short: Childrens Health Foundation gave $223K across 16 grants in 2025 (avg $14K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $223,184
- -10.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 16
- -23.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $13,949
- +17.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $13,175
- Total assets
- $17,028,104
- +8.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Childrens Health Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The website described a fully digital application process for the 2026 Special Grants cycle. Separately, the 2025 filing says referrals for individual children may be made by any professional working with children and families, with a letter outlining the request sent by mail or email. Filing eligibility restrictions require the child to be 0–17, reside in San Diego or Imperial County, have a health-related need not covered by another funding source, and have an identified financial need after public and private resources have been exhausted.
- Review Cycle
- The website’s 2026 Special Grants application deadline was April 3, 2026. The 2025 filing also states that the Special Gift RFP deadline is May, without specifying a year.
- Deadline
- The website’s 2026 Special Grants application deadline was April 3, 2026.
- Contact
Application contact: Cass Kaminetz
Mailing address: 10531 4S Commons Dr Ste 166-806, San Diego, CA 92127
Phone: (858) 576-0590
Email: executive@resthavenchf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Childrens Health Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Neighborhood House Association ($25K). Together the top 10 received $161K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($20,379), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
113 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 112 grants of 113 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated geographic focus is San Diego and Imperial Counties, California. The 2025 filing reports that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Childrens Health Foundation gives
- 40% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 82% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 41% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $223K (2025) to $1.3M (2022). In 2025 it made 16 grants totaling $223K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Neighborhood House Association San Diego, CA | Program Support | $25,000 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $20,379 |
| Imperial Valley Food Bank San Diego, CA | Food for Backpack Program | $20,000 |
| Catholic Charities of SD San Diego, CA | Program Support | $20,000 |
| Autism Society San Diego San Diego, CA | Program Support | $18,500 |
| Boys Girls Clubs of Vista San Diego, CA | Program Support | $15,306 |
| Mana De San Diego San Diego, CA | Program Support | $15,000 |
| Chicano Federation of SD County San Diego, CA | Program Support | $14,775 |
| SD Center for Children San Diego, CA | OT Therapy Training for Mental Health Counselors, Clinicians & Caregivers | $11,575 |
| Elizabeth Hospice San Diego, CA | Program Support | $10,500 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $17,028,104 | $1,142,957 | $549,572 | $223,184 | 16 | $318,268 | $916,188 | $770,372 |
| 2024 | $15,665,962 | $856,240 | $557,570 | $248,391 | 21 | $322,321 | $615,014 | $718,120 |
| 2023 | $14,299,809 | $517,680 | $545,461 | $246,699 | 22 | $335,105 | $285,294 | $599,951 |
| 2022 | $12,968,365 | $164,419 | $1,427,564 | $1,251,568 | 27 | $1,318,420 | $103,118 | $436,399 |
| 2021 | $15,273,498 | $297,358 | $394,401 | $258,780 | 27 | $311,645 | $211,383 | $488,814 |
| 2020 | $14,188,833 | $42,938 | $481,858 | $343,463 | 28 | — | $115,537 | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Childrens Health Foundation reported a distributable amount of $770K for 2025 — 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 stated mission is to advance the health and well-being of children in San Diego and Imperial Counties by filling gaps in funding for essential care, supporting innovative programs, and empowering communities. Its website describes support for emergency assistance, annual grants, innovative programs, and community partnerships.
The foundation’s 2025 filing describes direct charitable activity as providing one-time or short-term funding for eligible children’s health-related needs, as well as funding healthcare development and needed services. Its website’s 2026 Special Grants announcement describes one-time grants for new programs, program expansions, or equipment to enhance children’s health. It gives priority consideration to childhood obesity and mental and behavioral health.
Among the organizations funded in 2025, the Imperial Valley Food Bank describes its mission as fighting hunger and bringing health and hope to the Imperial Valley community. Autism Society San Diego says it connects people in the autism community to resources through education, advocacy, support, information, referral, and community programming. Oncology And Kids says it helps children and families heal the emotional scars of childhood cancer and learn to thrive.
Grantmaking
The 2025 IRS filing reports 16 grants totaling $223,184. Individual grants ranged from $5,250 to $25,000, with a median of $13,175. The filing’s largest awards included $25,000 to Neighborhood House Association for program support, $20,000 to Imperial Valley Food Bank for its Food for Backpack Program, and $18,500 to Autism Society San Diego for program support. It also reports $20,379 in direct assistance to an individual recipient for medical expenses, therapies, emergency services, and funeral assistance.
Separately, the foundation’s website reported that its 2025 Special Grants annual cycle awarded $202,804.85 to 15 nonprofit organizations. Those recipients included Neighborhood House Association, Imperial Valley Food Bank, Autism Society San Diego, MANA de San Diego, and Oncology And Kids. The website reported that the grants would affect 22,865 children.
The foundation’s website describes Special Grants as one-time awards to nonprofit organizations working to improve the health of at-risk and underserved children in San Diego or Imperial Counties. For its 2026 cycle, applicants were asked to identify a community need, describe their plan and how outcomes and impact would be evaluated, and explain how the program could be sustained after the grant. The announced application period ran from March 6 to April 3, 2026, and is now past.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Chris Bryant Nelissen as chairman; Alison Gildred as vice president; Stephen O’Kane as secretary; and Mark Emch as treasurer. It also lists Stuart Cohen, David Allsbrook III, Mary M. O’Connor DDS, Randall Gorman, Scott Noya, and Raymond Peterson MD Honorary as directors.
Childrens Health Foundation is led by Cass Kaminetz, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 1 of 17 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Cass Kaminetz
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$40K (2022) → $90K (2025)
Chris Bryant Nelissen
Chairman
President → Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Allsbrook III
Director
President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
George J. Stratigopoulos DDS
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karrin Ryan
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary M. O'Connor DDS
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Wozniak MD
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Randall Gorman
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Noya
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
W. Harold Tuck
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Derek Danziger
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven Johnson
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stuart Cohen
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Raymond Peterson Md Honorary
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alison Gildred
Vice President
Secretary → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Emch
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen O'Kane
Secretary
Vice President → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Raymond Peterson MD (2020–2024) — Director · Filing note: Thru 531
- Former: Beatrice Kemp Esq. (2020–2023) — Director · Filing note: Thru 12023
- Former: Kim Fansler (2020–2023) — Director · Filing note: Through 52023
- Former: Phyllis Snyder (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Peggy McNamara (2020–2022) — Executive Director
- Former: Christine Bryant (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Richard Hancock DDS (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $90K, to Cass Kaminetz (Executive Dir.).
Frequently asked questions about Childrens Health Foundation
How much does Childrens Health Foundation give each year?
Childrens Health Foundation gave $223K across 16 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $248K across 21 grants.
What is Childrens Health Foundation's typical grant size?
Childrens Health Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $13,175, and its average grant was $13,949, across 16 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Childrens Health Foundation give grants?
Childrens Health Foundation gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were San Diego, CA (14 grants).
Does Childrens Health Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 16 grants with a stated purpose on Childrens Health Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (13 grants).
Who are Childrens Health Foundation's largest grantees?
Childrens Health Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Neighborhood House Association ($25,000), Imperial Valley Food Bank ($20,000) and Catholic Charities of SD ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($20,379), which are not listed by name. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Childrens Health Foundation?
Childrens Health Foundation reported $17.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $318K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $770K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Childrens Health Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to advance the health and well-being of children in San Diego and Imperial Counties by filling gaps in funding for essential care, supporting innovative programs, and empowering communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Childrens Health Foundation?
The website described a fully digital application process for the 2026 Special Grants cycle. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Childrens Health Foundation's EIN?
Childrens Health Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-2128344. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 17, 2026)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 26, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 17, 2026)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 17, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Childrens Health Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/childrens-health-foundation-morg_83f09c82b74743b485558206c32c67bf
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_952128344_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Childrens Health Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/childrens-health-foundation-morg_83f09c82b74743b485558206c32c67bf},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Childrens Health 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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