The Durfee Foundation is a family foundation based in Los Angeles, California, established in 1969. The foundation invests in people and possibilities in Los Angeles County, focusing on supporting creative individuals and community-based leadership. The organization operates as a philanthropic entity with a commitment to identifying and nurturing extraordinary people who drive progress and innovation.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$60.0M
+6.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.6M
+32.6% YoY
Grant Count
67
+139.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$24K
-44.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Durfee Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement:
The Durfee Foundation invests in people and possibilities in Los Angeles County, where the foundation's history lies and where funding needs are great. The foundation builds trust-based relationships with individuals and organizations that share ideals of creativity, risk-taking, equity, integrity, fiscal care, and continuous learning. The foundation nurtures deep connections by building networks beyond traditional boundaries and works as a patient grantmaker, recognizing that results often unfold over time.
Core Values:
The foundation is inspired by its founders, Dorothy Durfee Avery and R. Stanton Avery, whose legacy of openness and curiosity guides the foundation's approach to meeting community needs. The foundation emphasizes rewarding individual initiative and leadership, and seeks to build community in unexpected ways.
Grantmaking
Typical awards range from $75 to $140,080. Recent grants include $100,000 to California Community Foundation for the Nonprofit Sustainability Initiative.
Review Cycle
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds in Los Angeles County and the Los Angeles region, where the foundation's history lies. The foundation also makes grants in other U.S. cities and states, including San Francisco, Washington D.C., California, Massachusetts, and Louisiana.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $56,135,321 to $59,953,614 (depending on filing year)
- Total Annual Giving: $1,614,268 to $3,537,775
- Total Revenue: $2,078,139
- Total Expenses: $3,537,775
- Annual Revenue: $15,934,620
- Number of Employees: 5-7
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $59,953,614 | $56,135,321 | $51,192,178 |
| Revenue | $843,266 | $2,078,139 | $-294,309 |
| Expenses | $3,766,084 | $3,537,775 | $3,259,466 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,107,435 | $2,795,232 | $2,829,150 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,248,251 | $1,634,604 | $595,589 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,914,474 | $2,608,645 | $2,592,606 |
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
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Durfee Foundation
Durfee Foundation Lark Awards Grant
DURFEE FOUNDATION
Amount
US $30,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Durfee Foundation Stanton Fellowship
DURFEE FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Springboard Fund Grant
DURFEE FOUNDATION
Amount
US $90,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Community Partners ($120,000), Heart of Los Angeles ($70,282), Coalition for Clean Air ($60,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A LITTLE HELP DENVER, CO | MATCHING GIFT PROGRAM | $1,038 |
| ALL PEOPLES COMMUNITY CENTER LOS ANGELES, CA | MATCHING GIFT PROGRAM | $1,003 |
| ALLIES FOR EVERY CHILD CULVER CITY, CA | SABBATICAL GRANT | $50,000 |
| AMITY FOUNDATION LOS ANGELES, CA | STANTON FELLOWSHIP | $37,500 |
| AMITY FOUNDATION LOS ANGELES, CA | MATCHING GIFT PROGRAM | $1,000 |
| ANERA WASHINGTON, DC | MATCHING GIFT PROGRAM | $150 |
| ASIAN AMERICAN DRUG ABUSE PROGRAM INC LOS ANGELES, CA | MATCHING GIFT PROGRAM | $200 |
| BETTER YOUTH INC LOS ANGELES, CA | LARK AWARD | $30,000 |
| BLACK THUMB FARM PANORAMA CITY, CA | MATCHING GIFT PROGRAM | $100 |
| CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF NONPROFITS SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL OPERATING | $16,848 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Caroline D. Avery - President
- Claire Peeps - Executive Director
- Maria Cabildo - Chief Executive Officer
- Paula Daniels - Board Member
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| THEODORE AVERY | PRESIDENT | 2 | $5,000 |
| ROBERT SAINZ | VICE PRESIDENT | 2 | $5,000 |
| DIANA MCKEE | SECRETARY | 2 | $5,000 |
| HALINA AVERY | TREASURER | 2 | $5,000 |
| SANDRA BYRANT | TRUSTEE | 2 | $5,000 |
| PAULINA DANIELS | TRUSTEE | 2 | $5,000 |
| DOUGLAS NEWKIRK | TRUSTEE | 2 | $5,000 |
| MICHAEL NEWKIRK | TRUSTEE | 2 | $5,000 |
| CLAIRE PEEPS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $373,058 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation announced 2025 Lark Awardees and previously announced 2023 Lark Awardees. The foundation maintains active grant opportunities across its four primary programs: Springboard Fund Grant, Stanton Fellowship, Sabbatical Grant, and Lark Awards.
The Durfee Foundation: Home---
**Contact Information:**
**Address:** 700 S Flower St, Suite 560, Los Angeles, CA 90017-4243
**Phone:** 310-899-5120
**Website:** durfee.org
**EIN:** 95-4856207
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Durfee Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** The Durfee Foundation invests in people and possibilities in Los Angeles County, where the foundation's history lies and where funding needs are great. The foundation builds trust-based relationships with individuals and organizations that share ideals of creativity, risk-taking, equity, integrity, fiscal care, and continuous learning. The foundation nurtures deep connections by building networks beyond traditional boundaries and works as a patient grantmaker, recognizing…
How do I apply for a grant from Durfee Foundation?
**Current Programs:** • **The Lark Awards** - Support the collective care and renewal of staff at small Los Angeles-based nonprofit organizations with deep ties to the community. The program includes wellness coaching, facilitation, and access to convenings for wellbeing check-ins. • **Sabbatical Program** - Recognizes that creative leaders need time to reflect to keep their organizations ahead of the curve. Includes retreat, facilitator fees, and award ceremonies. • **Stanton Fellowship** - Al…
Where does Durfee Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds in Los Angeles County and the Los Angeles region, where the foundation's history lies. The foundation also makes grants in other U.S. cities and states, including San Francisco, Washington D.C., California, Massachusetts, and Louisiana.
What size grants does Durfee Foundation award?
In 2024, Durfee Foundation awarded 67 grants totaling $1.6M — an average of about $24K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Durfee Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Durfee Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.9M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Durfee Foundation's EIN?
Durfee Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4856207. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Durfee 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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