Chuck Lorre Family Foundation
The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation is a private, independent 501(c)(3) foundation based in Los Angeles, California. Established in 2015 by television writer and producer Chuck Lorre, the foundation has become a significant philanthropic force dedicated to funding innovative and compassionate organizations. The foundation reflects the values and unique experiences of the Lorre family, supporting programs, services, and opportunities for those struggling with less and striving for more.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$243.2M
+8.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$37.5M
+94.0% YoY
Grant Count
68
+7.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$551K
+79.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Chuck Lorre Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $12.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation is dedicated to funding innovative and compassionate organizations in three primary areas:
- Education
- Health
- The Arts
The foundation supports philanthropic partnerships and programs with organizations and institutions that inspire hope, leadership, creativity, and productivity.
Grantmaking
The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation does not operate open grant programs and does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. Instead, the foundation partners directly with select institutions and organizations through an invitation-only process.
Grant Range
approximately $306,458
Average Grant
approximately $306,458
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily focuses its philanthropic partnerships and programs on organizations and institutions in the Los Angeles area, with select national initiatives and presence in Southern California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending August 2023:
- Total Assets: $223,372,857
- Total Revenue: $53,548,182
- Total Expenses: $20,557,620
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Annual Giving: $19,306,839
- Number of Employees: 1
Tax Status:
- Tax-exempt since August 2000
- EIN: 95-4769888
- Required to file IRS Form 990-PF
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $243,159,572 | $223,372,857 | $190,496,448 |
| Revenue | $58,969,925 | $53,548,182 | $68,382,833 |
| Expenses | $39,083,801 | $20,557,620 | $13,366,307 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $38,173,236 | $19,875,402 | $12,702,638 |
| Net Investment Income | $8,596,740 | $4,458,024 | $9,407,700 |
| Distributable Amount | $12,161,286 | $10,687,452 | $9,034,033 |
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
237 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cedars Sinai ($11,597,200), Children's Hospital of Los Angeles ($3,353,750), Donorschooseorg ($2,500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 826LA LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $2,500 |
| 9 DOTS TORRANCE, CA | YOUNG SHELDON STEM INITIATIVE GRANT | $763,750 |
| A PLACE CALLED HOME LOS ANGELES, CA | YOUTH SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| A SENSE OF HOPE ARLINGTON, WA | ASOH'S SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM | $78,750 |
| ACLU FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES, CA | CIVIL RIGHTS | $14,000 |
| ALEXANDRIA HOUSE LOS ANGELES, CA | SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM | $25,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS LOS ANGELES, CA | YOUTH SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS LOS ANGELES, CA | ANNUAL GALA FUND | $500,000 |
| BURBANK UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BURBANK, CA | YOUNG SHELDON STEM INITIATIVE | $345,000 |
| CAMINO NUEVO CHARTER ACADEMY #3 LOS ANGELES, CA | YOUNG SHELDON STEM INITIATIVE | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Chuck Lorre, Founder
Chuck Lorre is a prolific television writer and producer who has created, executive produced, or written more than 1,500 episodes of television spanning three decades. He is known for creating The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, Two and a Half Men, The Kominsky Method, Bob Hearts Abishola, and Bookie, among other television programs. His commitment to philanthropy began in the 1990s when he established the Dharma Grace Foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHARLES LORRE | DIRECTOR & PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| STEVEN GELON | DIRECTOR, SECRETARY & CFO | 1 | — |
| TRISHA CARDOSO | DIRECTOR | 40 | $374,136 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In October 2024, the Chuck Lorre Family Foundation made one of the largest gifts in the history of Children's Hospital Los Angeles to establish the Chuck Lorre Pediatric Health Education Institute. This transformational gift—among the three largest ever to the hospital—will serve as the first of its kind at a U.S. children's hospital and will train pediatric health professionals including doctors, nurses, clinical care providers, researchers, and students, providing educational, training, and career opportunities in perpetuity.
The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation Makes Transformational Gift to Establish\The foundation has also supported the Los Angeles-HIP (Latino & African American High School Internship Program) at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, providing research education opportunities for underrepresented high school and college students.
Fundraiser for School Leisure Activities - FacebookSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Chuck Lorre Family Foundation fund?
The foundation is dedicated to funding innovative and compassionate organizations in three primary areas: • **Education** • **Health** • **The Arts** The foundation supports philanthropic partnerships and programs with organizations and institutions that inspire hope, leadership, creativity, and productivity.
How do I apply for a grant from Chuck Lorre Family Foundation?
The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation does not operate open grant programs and does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. Instead, the foundation partners directly with select institutions and organizations through an invitation-only process. **Grant Activity:** • Distributed 63 grants in 2023 • Average grant size: approximately $306,458 • Grant range: varies widely, from school grants to multi-million dollar institutional partnerships • Recent major grants include: • Project Angel Food: $5,025,0…
Where does Chuck Lorre Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily focuses its philanthropic partnerships and programs on organizations and institutions in the Los Angeles area, with select national initiatives and presence in Southern California.
What size grants does Chuck Lorre Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Chuck Lorre Family Foundation awarded 68 grants totaling $37.5M — an average of about $551K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Chuck Lorre Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Chuck Lorre Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $12.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Chuck Lorre Family Foundation's EIN?
Chuck Lorre Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4769888. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Chuck Lorre Family 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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