The Edgerton Foundation is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California, established in 2001. It is a successor foundation that supports artistic, educational, and cultural institutions, with a particular emphasis on theater arts and new play development.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$110.8M
-5.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.2M
-3.2% YoY
Grant Count
36
-25.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$199K
+29.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Edgerton Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation gives primarily for:
- Arts – with a major focus on theater and performing arts
- Education – supporting educational institutions and initiatives
- Human Services – including international humanitarian efforts
Secondary areas of interest include creative environmental and energy solutions, security and international policy.
Grantmaking
The Edgerton Foundation New Plays Awards, launched in 2007 in collaboration with Theatre Communications Group, has supported the production of over 500 new plays with approximately $19 million in total grants. This program funds the development of new American plays nationwide.
Grant Range
$596
Average Grant
$596
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds artistic, educational, and cultural institutions across Los Angeles locally, while supporting the development of new American plays nationwide. Grantmaking extends to major U.S. cities including New York, Chicago, and internationally to locations such as London.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $110.8–$116.7 million
- Total Annual Giving: $7.2–$7.4 million
- Total Revenues (2024): approximately $4.1–$9.1 million
- Total Expenses (2024): approximately $8.7–$10.7 million
- EIN: 91-2160742
- Number of Employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $110,796,188 | $116,738,970 | $118,182,201 |
| Revenue | $4,112,458 | $9,109,142 | $19,524,557 |
| Expenses | $8,656,560 | $10,711,507 | $9,251,658 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $7,576,845 | $7,977,096 | $6,694,481 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,762,493 | $6,405,661 | $15,688,860 |
| Distributable Amount | $7,770,050 | $7,358,978 | $7,695,688 |
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
170 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include California Community Foundation ($4,682,925), Geffen Playhouse ($340,000), International Medical Corps ($258,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALLIANCE COLLEGE-READY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATION MISSION | $50,000 |
| ALLIANCE THEATRE ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATION MISSION | $16,000 |
| ALMEIDA THEATER | GENERAL SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATION MISSION | $38,897 |
| AMAZON AID FOUNDATION CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | GENERAL SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATION MISSION | $35,000 |
| ATLANTIC THEATER COMPANY NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATION MISSION | $106,000 |
| BIODIVERSITY FUNDERS GROUP SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATION MISSION | $5,000 |
| BISHOP'S SCHOOL LA JOLLA, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATION MISSION | $5,000 |
| CALIFORNIA ART CLUB PASADENA, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATION MISSION | $1,000 |
| CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATION MISSION | $4,682,925 |
| CARNEIGIE ENDOWMENT WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT OF ORGANIZATION MISSION | $160,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Bradford W. Edgerton, MD – President and Director; plastic surgeon with Southern California's Permanente Medical Group and Clinical Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery at the University of Southern California; serves on the board of Geffen Playhouse
- Louise D. Edgerton – Secretary/Treasurer and Director; member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Board of Directors since 2008, serving on the Board's Learning and Community Committee
Both serve without compensation, dedicating approximately 20 hours per week to the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRADFORD W EDGERTON MD | PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR | 20 | — |
| LOUISE D EDGERTON | SECRETARY/TREASURER, DIRECTOR | 20 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Edgerton Foundation New Plays Awards program continues to be active, with 2025 recipients announced. The foundation maintains ongoing support for theater companies and cultural institutions across the United States.
2025 Edgerton Foundation New Play Awards AnnouncedSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Edgerton Foundation fund?
The foundation gives primarily for: • **Arts** – with a major focus on theater and performing arts • **Education** – supporting educational institutions and initiatives • **Human Services** – including international humanitarian efforts Secondary areas of interest include creative environmental and energy solutions, security and international policy.
How do I apply for a grant from Edgerton Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $800 to $5,012,300 • Average grant size: $596 • Recent annual giving: approximately $7.2–$7.4 million **Notable Program:** The Edgerton Foundation New Plays Awards, launched in 2007 in collaboration with Theatre Communications Group, has supported the production of over 500 new plays with approximately $19 million in total grants. This program funds the development of new American plays nationwide. **Recent Grant Recipients (2024):** • Geffen Pl…
Where does Edgerton Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds artistic, educational, and cultural institutions across Los Angeles locally, while supporting the development of new American plays nationwide. Grantmaking extends to major U.S. cities including New York, Chicago, and internationally to locations such as London.
What size grants does Edgerton Foundation award?
In 2024, Edgerton Foundation awarded 36 grants totaling $7.2M — an average of about $199K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Edgerton Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Edgerton Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.8M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Edgerton Foundation's EIN?
Edgerton Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-2160742. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
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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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