Downey Kiwanis Foundation
Downey Kiwanis Foundation is a private foundation based in Downey, California. Its 2025 filing reports grants for scholarships to graduating high school students and support for local community, education, health, and youth-related programs.
Downey Kiwanis Foundation at a glance
In short: Downey Kiwanis Foundation gave $281K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $23K), mostly in California. 33% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $281,386
- +18.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- -7.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $23,449
- +27.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $6,538
- Total assets
- $6,452,545
- +6.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (4 of 12, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Downey Kiwanis Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing lists Carmen Vasquez as the contact. Form and materials, deadlines, and restrictions on awards are listed as N/A.
- Contact
Application contact: Carmen Vasquez
Mailing address: 10428 Haledon Ave, Downey, CA 90241
Phone: (562) 291-9526
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Downey Kiwanis Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was 59 Graduating High School Students ($143K). Together the top 10 received $278K.
Grant Size Distribution
65 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 56 grants of 65 (86%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing reports that 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in California and 2% to recipients in Indiana. Most listed recipients are in Downey, California; the grants also include recipients in Whittier, Burbank, and Indianapolis.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Downey Kiwanis Foundation open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 12 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $39K; repeat grants $16K. How we count
Medians: $6K first-time, $11K repeat.
- 58% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−6%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 102% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 $106K (2020) to $301K (2023). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $281K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 59 Graduating High School Students Downey, CA | Scholarship | $143,125 |
| Downey Family YMCA Downey, CA | Financial Support for Construction of New YMCA | $50,000 |
| Arc of Southeast Los Angeles Downey, CA | Financial Support | $23,000 |
| Downey Symphonic Society Downey, CA | Bringing music to the 5th grade students of downey | $17,000 |
| Kiwanis Club of Downey Los Amigos Downey, CA | Support of pathfinder's leadership camp andchristmas shopping for disadvantaged children | $15,597 |
| Rancho Los Amigos Foundation Downey, CA | Financial Support | $7,076 |
| 3 Downey High School Teachers Downey, CA | 3 Scholarships for Teachers of the Year | $6,000 |
| Kiwanis International Children's Fu Indianapolis, IN | Financial support to improve the lives of children around the world | $6,000 |
| PIH Health Foundation Whittier, CA | Financial Support | $5,000 |
| Downey Unified School District Downey, CA | Support of True Lasting Connection Program | $4,838 |
Ready to take the next step with Downey Kiwanis 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,452,545 | $693,160 | $293,136 | $281,386 | 12 | $281,386 | $394,060 | $276,331 |
| 2024 | $6,059,762 | $479,876 | $249,426 | $238,333 | 13 | $238,333 | $377,033 | $268,224 |
| 2023 | $5,830,511 | $308,563 | $310,926 | $300,904 | 13 | $300,904 | $248,104 | $249,660 |
| 2022 | $5,836,766 | $499,544 | $310,127 | $300,030 | 14 | $300,030 | $233,255 | $256,372 |
| 2021 | $5,655,058 | $463,198 | $175,188 | $164,705 | 13 | $164,705 | $396,351 | $291,892 |
| 2020 | $5,370,439 | $201,179 | $119,770 | $106,448 | 13 | — | $215,189 | $262,661 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Downey Kiwanis Foundation reported a distributable amount of $276K 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 available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its reported activities and grants include scholarships, community programs, music education, health-related support, and services for children.
Among its 2025 grantees, Downey Symphonic Society describes its mission as presenting symphonic concerts for grade-school children to help them develop an appreciation for music and the arts. Rancho Los Amigos Foundation says it raises funds for programs, services, and equipment for Rancho Rehabilitation Center patients and their families, including pediatric and adult patients affected by disabling injuries or illnesses. PIH Health Foundation describes its mission as raising funds for PIH Health hospitals and providing health education and related community programs.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 12 grants totaling $281,386. Grant amounts ranged from $1,250 to $143,125, with a median of $6,538. Its largest reported grant was $143,125 for scholarships to 59 graduating high school students. Other notable grants included $50,000 to Downey Family YMCA for construction of a new YMCA, $23,000 to ARC of Southeast Los Angeles for financial support, and $17,000 to Downey Symphonic Society for music programming for Downey fifth-grade students.
The 2024 filing lists direct charitable activity providing 48 scholarships to graduating high school students. The filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Carmen Vasquez as president, Leslie Jones as secretary, and Gary Nesbit as treasurer. Directors listed are Charles Pifer, Steve Roberson, Alan Frischer, Stephen Chu, John Casillas, Jesse Padilla, and Phil Requejo.
Downey Kiwanis Foundation is led by Carmen Vasquez, President since 2022 (on filings since 2020); none of the 10 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Carmen Vasquez
President
Director → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alan Frischer
Director
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Pifer
Director
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Chu
Director
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Roberson
Director
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Casillas
Director
On filings since 2022
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jesse Padilla
Director
On filings since 2024
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Phil Requejo
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gary Nesbit
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Jones
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Jason Cierpiszewski (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Doug Hall (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Jerome Wetzstein (2020–2021) — President
- Former: Richard M. Lehn (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Rose Schneeberger (2020) — 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.
Frequently asked questions about Downey Kiwanis Foundation
How much does Downey Kiwanis Foundation give each year?
Downey Kiwanis Foundation gave $281K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $238K across 13 grants.
What is Downey Kiwanis Foundation's typical grant size?
Downey Kiwanis Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $6,538, and its average grant was $23,449, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Downey Kiwanis Foundation that year got $39K on average.
Where does Downey Kiwanis Foundation give grants?
Downey Kiwanis Foundation gives mostly in California: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Downey, CA (9 grants).
Does Downey Kiwanis Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Downey Kiwanis Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Financial Support" (3 grants).
Who are Downey Kiwanis Foundation's largest grantees?
Downey Kiwanis Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include 59 Graduating High School Students ($143,125), Downey Family YMCA ($50,000) and Arc of Southeast Los Angeles ($23,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 77% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Downey Kiwanis Foundation?
Downey Kiwanis Foundation reported $6.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $281K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $276K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Downey Kiwanis Foundation fund?
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its reported activities and grants include scholarships, community programs, music education, health-related support, and services for children. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Downey Kiwanis Foundation?
The 2024 filing lists Carmen Vasquez as the contact. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Downey Kiwanis Foundation's EIN?
Downey Kiwanis Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4001578. 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
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 24, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 21, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Downey Kiwanis Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
Henry L Guenther Foundation
Seal Beach, CA
The Henry L. Guenther Foundation funds charitable services that improve human welfare, including medical care, youth opportunities, education, housing, and humanitarian projects. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $500,000, with a median of $25,000, and primarily benefit California residents, especially in Southern California. It accepts online applications from qualified charitable organizations serving Californians; individuals cannot apply.
Assets
$115.9M
Grants
58
Total Given
$4.2M
The Hanger Charitable Foundation
Austin, TX
The Hanger Charitable Foundation funds U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations serving people with physical challenges, including rehabilitation, adaptive sports, and support programs, with particular emphasis on people with limb loss or difference and veterans; it also supports O&P student scholarships. Its 2024 grants ranged from $6,000 to $120,000, with a median of $8,100. Organizations must apply through its grant process; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$1.6M
Grants
14
Total Given
$273K
Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Torrance, CA
The Lundquist Institute supports biomedical research, education, and community health, with research spanning basic and translational science, clinical trials, medical technology, and population health. Reported 2022 grants ranged from $18,054 to $129,649, with examples in California, Ohio, and Maryland; these do not establish typical giving or a broader geographic policy. The available information does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$152.7M
Grants
0
Total Given
$231K
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Northwestern University funds research and community organizations, along with selected programs in community health, transportation research, and investigative journalism. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $7.7 million, with a median of about $73,000; grants went largely to U.S. recipients, especially in Illinois, and its ANCHOR program focuses on Evanston and Chicago. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$20.8B
Grants
383
Total Given
$133.4M
WHH Foundation
San Marino, CA
WHH Foundation supports a broad range of charitable organizations, including hospitals, universities, libraries, arts groups, and community organizations, primarily in California. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $2,270,200, with a median of $15,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$165.6M
Grants
149
Total Given
$7.9M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Downey Kiwanis Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/downey-kiwanis-foundation-morg_d4a550743ce949ce8d1bda455bc801cc
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_954001578_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Downey Kiwanis Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/downey-kiwanis-foundation-morg_d4a550743ce949ce8d1bda455bc801cc},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 Downey Kiwanis 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.
Downey Kiwanis Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?