Ernest Prete Jr Foundation
The Ernest Prete Jr Foundation is a private foundation located in Encino, California, established in 1991 and tax-exempt since November 1991. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a focus on supporting charitable, educational, and scientific initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.7M
+0.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$189K
-12.3% YoY
Grant Count
11
+83.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
-52.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ernest Prete Jr Foundation reported a distributable amount of $276K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission reflects the vision of its namesake, Ernest Prete Jr (1927-2000), an aeronautical engineer and visionary who believed in "proactive and imaginative activities regarding earth preservation and the exploration of the universe."
Primary funding areas include:
- Animal welfare and conservation
- Scientific education for children with learning disabilities
- Capital projects
- Athletic opportunities for youth
- Environmental and earth preservation initiatives
Grantmaking
The foundation made six grants in fiscal year 2025. Recent grants include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations in California, with documented support for programs in the Los Angeles area and at Cal Poly Pomona.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2025 (ending May 2025):
- Total Revenue: $395,509
- Total Expenses: $356,968
- Net Income: $38,541
- Total Assets: $5,655,392
- Total Liabilities: $1,491
Total Giving: $216,038 (based on recent filing data)
The foundation has no employees and operates with minimal overhead relative to its asset base.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,656,882 | $5,618,322 | $5,813,210 |
| Revenue | $395,509 | $193,976 | $70,348 |
| Expenses | $356,968 | $388,877 | $390,208 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $280,881 | $297,238 | $303,430 |
| Net Investment Income | $319,423 | $102,737 | $125,959 |
| Distributable Amount | $275,662 | $277,576 | $297,091 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
37 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Cal Poly Pomona - K12 Partnership ($105,000), Hope of the Valley ($30,000), Youth Empowerment Studios Foundatio ($11,950).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| LEARNING WITH A DIFFERENCE ENCINO, CA | SCIENTIFIC EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN W/ LEARNING DISABILITY | $5,000 |
| ALAPIO ENCINO, CA | FREE SURGERIES & MEDICAL CLINIC | $5,000 |
| HOPE OF THE VALLEY MISSION HILLS, CA | FREE HOUSING FOR HOMELESS | $30,000 |
| CITY OF SANTA PAULA VENTURA, CA | KIDS CELEBRATION FOR CHRISTMAS | $1,500 |
| ARPAN GLOBAL CHARITIES IRVINE, CA | MEDICAL CHARITY | $1,000 |
| CAL POLY POMONA - K12 PARTNERSHIP POMONA, CA | FELLOWS FOR K-12 PARTNERSHIP FUND/EDUCATION | $105,000 |
| CREATIVE VISIONS MALIBU, CA | PROJECT: CANVASING THE WORLD | $5,000 |
| YOUTH EMPOWERMENT STUDIOS FOUNDATIO TOPANGA, CA | PARTNER WITH SCHOOL TO CREATE ENVIRONMENTS WHERE STUDENTS ARE SAFE,SUPPORTED, CHALENGED AND HEALTHY | $11,950 |
| LOS ANGELES HOUSE OF RUTH LOS ANGELES, CA | HOME FOR MOTHERS/CILDREN SEEKING TO REBUILD LIVES | $10,000 |
| SAHAAS FOR CAUSE CERRITOS, CA | HELP COMMUNITY PROSPER THROUGH EDUCATIONAL EVENTS | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Mohammad J Virani serves as President and Chief Executive Officer (as of October 2024), with compensation of $72,000.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOHAMMAD J VIRANI | Director | 20 | $76,756 |
| REBECCA NATALIA | Director | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues active grantmaking, with recent grants supporting maternal services, educational programs for children with learning disabilities, and creative initiatives. The foundation maintains its commitment to environmental education through ongoing support of Cal Poly Pomona's botanical and educational programs.
EJF Awards $100,000 in Year-End Grants - Erik Jones FoundationFrequently Asked Questions
What does Ernest Prete Jr Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission reflects the vision of its namesake, Ernest Prete Jr (1927-2000), an aeronautical engineer and visionary who believed in "proactive and imaginative activities regarding earth preservation and the exploration of the universe." Primary funding areas include: • Animal welfare and conservation • Scientific education for children with learning disabilities • Capital projects • Athletic opportunities for youth • Environmental and earth preservation initiatives
How do I apply for a grant from Ernest Prete Jr Foundation?
The foundation made six grants in fiscal year 2025. Recent grants include: | Grantee | Grant Description | Year | Amount | |---------|-------------------|------|--------| | Los Angeles House of Ruth | Home for Mothers/Children Seeking To Rebuild Lives | 2025 | $10,000 | | Learning with A Difference | Scientific Education for Children with Learning Disability | 2025 | $5,000 | | Creative Visions | Project: Canvasing the World | 2025 | $5,000 | The foundation has supported Cal Poly Pomona's educa…
Where does Ernest Prete Jr Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds organizations in California, with documented support for programs in the Los Angeles area and at Cal Poly Pomona.
What size grants does Ernest Prete Jr Foundation award?
In 2025, Ernest Prete Jr Foundation awarded 11 grants totaling $189K — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Ernest Prete Jr Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Ernest Prete Jr Foundation reported a distributable amount of $276K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Ernest Prete Jr Foundation's EIN?
Ernest Prete Jr Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4333283. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
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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