Dorrance Family Foundation
The Dorrance Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Scottsdale, Arizona. It supports charitable, educational, and scientific initiatives, with a primary emphasis on education and natural resource conservation and a stated geographic focus on Southern California and the Island of Hawaiʻi.
Dorrance Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Dorrance Family Foundation gave $5.6M across 78 grants in 2024 (avg $72K), top state California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,612,949
- +35.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 78
- +7700.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $71,961
- -98.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $111,252,928
- +35.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (47% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Dorrance Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its online preliminary grant request process. Full proposals are by invitation only.
- Review Cycle
- The foundation states there is no deadline for Local Grantmaking. The 2026 Marine Conservation Initiative letter-of-inquiry deadline was May 30, 2026, and has passed.
- Deadline
- The foundation states there is no deadline for Local Grantmaking.
- Contact
Application contact: Dorrance Family Foundation
Mailing address: 6263 North Scottsdale Rd Ste 330, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Phone: (480) 367-7000
Website: https://dorrancefamilyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Dorrance Family Foundation
Who Dorrance Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Arizona State University Foundation ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $3.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
310 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 230 grants of 310 (74%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website and filing describe a focus on Southern California and the Island of Hawaiʻi. Its 2026 Marine Conservation Initiative RFP specifies the Island of Hawaiʻi, with priority for West Hawaiʻi coastal, nearshore, and related watershed projects from North Kohala to Miloliʻi. The 2023 RFP also identified Mission Bay and its immediate area, Buena Vista Creek and its immediate area, and the Channel Islands in Southern California.
In 2024, grant dollars went primarily to recipients in California (47%), Hawaiʻi (25%), and Arizona (20%), with smaller shares in Colorado (4%) and Virginia (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 78 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Dorrance Family Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+7%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 126% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.0M (2022) to $5.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 78 grants totaling $5.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University Foundation Tempe, AZ | To support ASU's West Hawaii Reef Restoration | $1,000,000 |
| National Audubon Society Laguna Hills, CA | To support Protecting and Conserving Coastal Lagoon Habitat in Southern California | $545,000 |
| Wildcoast Del Mar, CA | To support Mission Bay Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Conservation | $500,000 |
| The Kohala Center Kamuela, HI | To support I Pono Ke Kuamo'o: revitalizing ridge to reef paths to viable 'aina work | $377,738 |
| Northern Chumash Tribal Council Los Osos, CA | To support Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary | $200,000 |
| San Diego Coastkeeper San Diego, CA | To support Protecting and Restoring Mission Bay's Coastal Resources | $169,000 |
| Teammates for Kids Foundation Denver, CO | To support Child Life Zone Phoenix Children's Hospital | $164,476 |
| Hawaii Community Foundation Honolulu, HI | To support Holomua Marine Initiative: Restoring Abundance to Hawai'i Marine Waters | $150,000 |
| Resources Legacy Fund Sacramento, CA | To support reducing pollution and protecting herbivores to restore West Hawai'i reefs | $150,000 |
| Na Kalai Wa'a Kamuela, HI | To support Holokai Education Program | $130,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Dorrance Family Foundation?
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 | $111,252,928 | $36,092,269 | $6,966,072 | $5,612,949 | 78 | $6,107,877 | $24,980,001 | $4,839,513 |
| 2023 | $82,396,730 | $21,341,190 | $5,037,381 | $4,158,150 | 1 | $4,575,517 | $11,217,008 | $3,677,117 |
| 2022 | $66,429,810 | $33,035,602 | $5,191,890 | $4,014,472 | 60 | $4,355,034 | $22,301,999 | $3,014,442 |
| 2021 | $67,269,457 | $14,200,179 | $6,296,476 | $5,229,461 | 78 | $5,535,254 | $6,483,145 | $3,127,066 |
| 2020 | $59,784,024 | $9,722,728 | $4,680,386 | $4,172,000 | 93 | — | $6,920,765 | $2,583,828 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Dorrance Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.8M 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 improve quality of life in the community by supporting education and natural resource conservation. Its website identifies priorities including marine habitat and biodiversity, coastal and watershed ecosystems, children’s health, animal welfare and therapy, sustainable agriculture, and organizational effectiveness and capacity. Local projects are expected to be community-driven, place-based, tangible, and measurable.
The foundation supports nonprofit organizations working across these areas. For example, WILDCOAST describes its mission as conserving coastal and marine ecosystems and addressing climate change through natural solutions. The Kohala Center describes itself as a community-based center for research, conservation, and education. The Northern Chumash Tribal Council says its mission includes sustaining Chumash culture and heritage and educating the public. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 78 grants totaling $5,612,949. Individual awards ranged from $250 to $1,000,000, with a median of $25,000. Notable grants included $1,000,000 to Arizona State University Foundation for West Hawaiʻi reef restoration; $545,000 to National Audubon Society for protecting and conserving coastal lagoon habitat in Southern California; $500,000 to WILDCOAST for Mission Bay coastal and marine ecosystem conservation; and $377,738 to The Kohala Center for a ridge-to-reef initiative. Other recipients included Northern Chumash Tribal Council ($200,000), San Diego Coastkeeper ($169,000), Teammates for Kids Foundation ($164,476), and Hawaii Community Foundation ($150,000).
Organizations may submit a preliminary grant request online; full proposals are by invitation. The foundation says it reviews initial inquiries within 30 days and, if a project is aligned, invites the applicant to submit a full proposal. It says applicants hear back within 30 days after submitting an LOI. Eligible applicants generally must be U.S.-based public charities with at least three years of 501(c)(3) status; start-ups and government agencies applying directly are ineligible. Universities and colleges may apply, and joint proposals are accepted. Requests may not exceed 30% of an organization’s annual budget. Funding may not be used for individual benefit, endowments, lobbying, partisan research, or regranting unless a grant agreement allows it. General operating expenses are not eligible, though overhead and administrative costs tied to the proposed program or project are acceptable.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Bennett Dorrance Jr. as president, Ashley Dorrance Kaplan as vice president, Jacquelynn W. Dorrance as secretary, Bennett Dorrance as treasurer, and Carrie Ostroski as executive director.
Dorrance Family Foundation is led by Carrie Ostroski, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Carrie Ostroski
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$202K (2020) → $285K (2024)
Bennett Dorrance Jr.
President
Vice President → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Dorrance Kaplan
Vice President
Treasurer → Vice Presidnet, 2021
Vice Presidnet → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bennett Dorrance
Treasurer
President → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jacquelynn W. Dorrance
Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 $285K, to Carrie Ostroski (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Dorrance Family Foundation
How much does Dorrance Family Foundation give each year?
Dorrance Family Foundation gave $5.6M across 78 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.2M across 1 grant.
What is Dorrance Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Dorrance Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $71,961, across 78 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Dorrance Family Foundation give grants?
Dorrance Family Foundation's top state is California, with 47% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Hawaii (25%) and Arizona (20%). The most frequent recipient cities were Kamuela, HI (5 grants), Honolulu, HI (5 grants), Hawi, HI (5 grants) and Kapaau, HI (5 grants).
Does Dorrance Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 29% of Dorrance Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (23 of 78) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Dorrance Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Dorrance Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Arizona State University Foundation ($1,000,000), National Audubon Society ($547,500 across 2 grants) and Wildcoast ($502,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Dorrance Family Foundation?
Dorrance Family Foundation reported $111.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $6.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Dorrance Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to improve quality of life in the community by supporting education and natural resource conservation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Dorrance Family Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its online preliminary grant request process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Dorrance Family Foundation's EIN?
Dorrance Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-0691863. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Dorrance Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Dorrance Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/dorrance-family-foundation-morg_3b1ec1cd55a449bfb894a9adfff6451b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_860691863_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Dorrance Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/dorrance-family-foundation-morg_3b1ec1cd55a449bfb894a9adfff6451b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 Dorrance Family 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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