Durfee Foundation
The Durfee Foundation is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California, that invests in people and possibilities in Los Angeles County. Established in 1960 by Dorothy Durfee Avery and R. Stanton Avery, it supports creative people and organizations through programs focused on leadership, reflection, staff care, and community-driven strategies.
Durfee Foundation at a glance
In short: Durfee Foundation gave $1.6M across 67 grants in 2024 (avg $24K), mostly in California. 61% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,614,268
- +32.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 67
- +139.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $24,094
- -44.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $16,848
- Total assets
- $59,953,614
- +6.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 61% first-time grantees (40 of 66, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Durfee Foundation
- Contact
Application contact: Maria Guadalupe Cabildo
Mailing address: 700 S Flower St Suite 560, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: (310) 899-5120
Website: https://durfee.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Durfee Foundation
Durfee Foundation Lark Awards Grant
Durfee Foundation
Amount
US $30,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Durfee Foundation Stanton Fellowship
Durfee Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Springboard Fund Grant
Durfee Foundation
Amount
US $90,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Durfee Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Community Partners ($120K). Together the top 10 received $737K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($30,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
256 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 193 grants of 256 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that it invests in Los Angeles County. All grant dollars itemized for 2024 went to recipients in California. Its program descriptions also center on Los Angeles County and Los Angeles-based organizations.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 67 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Durfee Foundation open to new grantees?
61%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 40 of 66 grantees (61%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $14K; repeat grants $41K. How we count
Medians: $425 first-time, $46K repeat.
- 29% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 39% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 107% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.2M (2023) to $2.7M (2021). In 2024 it made 67 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Partners Los Angeles, CA | Lark Award | $120,000 |
| Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs Calabasas, CA | Trust-Based Philanthropy | $100,000 |
| Southern California Grantmakers Los Angeles, CA | Nonprofit Sustainability Initiative | $100,000 |
| Heart of Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | Stanton Fellowship | $70,282 |
| Coalition for Clean Air Los Angeles, CA | Sabbatical Grant | $60,000 |
| Food Forward North Hollywood, CA | Sabbatical Grant | $60,000 |
| Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (Saje) Los Angeles, CA | Sabbatical Grant | $60,000 |
| The Los Angeles Trust for Children's Health Los Angeles, CA | Sabbatical Grant | $60,000 |
| Comunidades Indigenas En Liderazgo Los Angeles, CA | Sabbatical Grant | $56,160 |
| Meztli Projects Los Angeles, CA | Stanton Fellowship | $50,188 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $59,953,614 | $843,266 | $3,766,084 | $1,614,268 | 67 | $3,107,435 | $3,248,251 | $2,914,474 |
| 2023 | $56,135,321 | $2,078,139 | $3,537,775 | $1,217,440 | 28 | $2,795,232 | $1,634,604 | $2,608,645 |
| 2022 | $51,192,178 | $-294,309 | $3,259,466 | $1,496,267 | 36 | $2,829,150 | $595,589 | $2,592,606 |
| 2021 | $64,853,467 | $5,589,530 | $4,671,198 | $2,659,459 | 36 | $3,756,634 | $5,244,131 | $3,139,016 |
| 2020 | $61,164,799 | $7,294,891 | $2,838,087 | $1,872,782 | 89 | — | $7,027,039 | $2,552,609 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to invest in people and possibilities in Los Angeles County, where it says funding needs are great. It builds trust-based relationships with individuals and organizations, nurtures networks beyond traditional boundaries, and aims to identify where it can make the greatest difference. It also says it seeks to learn from, partner with, and invest in leaders rooted in the communities they serve, especially people from historically marginalized groups.
The programs support different needs: the Lark Awards support collective care and renewal for staff at small, community-rooted Los Angeles nonprofits; Sabbatical gives nonprofit leaders time to reflect; the Stanton Fellowship gives influential Los Angeles leaders time to think deeply about complex challenges; and Springboard supports emerging organizations and leaders using creative strategies in Los Angeles County. The foundation’s Springboard page describes two-year general operating support of $90,000, paired with a mentor, and says the program is currently paused.
Examples of grantees’ work show the range of organizations supported. Coalition for Clean Air says its mission is to protect public health, improve air quality, and prevent climate change. Food Forward says it fights hunger and prevents food waste by rescuing surplus produce and connecting it with people experiencing food insecurity. Comunidades Indígenas en Liderazgo describes itself as an Indigenous women-led organization working to empower Indigenous people and revitalize Indigenous culture. Fulcrum Arts says it provides resources and services to artists and arts and cultural organizations.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 67 grants totaling $1,614,268. Grant amounts ranged from $75 to $120,000, with a median of $16,848. The largest awards included $120,000 to Community Partners for the Lark Award; $100,000 to Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs for trust-based philanthropy; and $100,000 to Southern California Grantmakers for the Nonprofit Sustainability Initiative. Other notable grants included $70,282 to Heart of Los Angeles for the Stanton Fellowship and $60,000 each to Coalition for Clean Air, Food Forward, Strategic Actions for a Just Economy, and the Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health for Sabbatical grants.
The foundation’s filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It lists a letter-form application and directs applicants to its website for forms, materials, and award restrictions. The Lark Awards application page lists eligibility requirements including Los Angeles County location and work, a minimum operating history and staffing level, and a budget between $300,000 and $2 million. The page’s listed application dates fall before October 2, 2026, so that cycle is past. The Sabbatical application page says the program is scheduled to reopen in Spring 2027. The Springboard Fund page says the program is paused. A separate program listing describes the Stanton Fellowship as currently open.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Theodore Avery as president, Robert Sainz as vice president, Diana McKee as secretary, and Halina Avery as treasurer. Trustees listed are Sandra Byrant, Paulina Daniels, Douglas Newkirk, and Michael Newkirk. Claire Peeps is listed as executive director.
Durfee Foundation is led by Claire Peeps, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; all 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Claire Peeps
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$222K (2020) → $373K (2024)
Theodore Avery
President
Trustee → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Michael Newkirk
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Douglas Newkirk
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$5K (2023) → $5K (2024)
Paulina Daniels
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$5K (2024)
Sandra Byrant
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$5K (2024)
Diana McKee
Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Halina Avery
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$6K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Robert Sainz
Vice President
Trustee → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
$5K (2022) → $5K (2024)
Former officers (7)
- Former: Caroline D. Avery (2020–2023) — President
- Former: Leslie Ito (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Nike Irvin (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Christopher Avery (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Jonathan Newkirk (2020–2021) — Vice President & Treasurer
- Former: Paula Daniels (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Vera Devera (2020) — Trustee
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 $373K, to Claire Peeps (Executive Director). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Durfee Foundation
How much does Durfee Foundation give each year?
Durfee Foundation gave $1.6M across 67 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.2M across 28 grants.
What is Durfee Foundation's typical grant size?
Durfee Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $16,848, and its average grant was $24,094, across 67 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Durfee Foundation that year got $14K on average.
Where does Durfee Foundation give grants?
Durfee Foundation gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (28 grants), Pasadena, CA (3 grants), Culver City, CA (3 grants) and San Francisco, CA (3 grants).
Does Durfee Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 3% of Durfee Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 67) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Matching Gift Program" (32 grants), "Lark Award" (14 grants) and "Sabbatical Grant" (7 grants).
Who are Durfee Foundation's largest grantees?
Durfee Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Community Partners ($120,000), Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs ($100,000) and Southern California Grantmakers ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($30,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Durfee Foundation?
Durfee Foundation reported $60.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Durfee Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to invest in people and possibilities in Los Angeles County, where it says funding needs are great. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Durfee Foundation?
Durfee Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check durfee.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
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.
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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Durfee Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Durfee Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/durfee-foundation-morg_93771ac0d73f41ebbb43ed7236dbc425
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_954856207_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Durfee Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/durfee-foundation-morg_93771ac0d73f41ebbb43ed7236dbc425},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Durfee 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.
Durfee Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?