The Friese Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Chatsworth, California. Established in 2019, it operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing impactful and life-changing opportunities while promoting healing and wellness for underserved individuals and communities. The foundation is inspired by Donald Friese Sr.'s lifelong commitment to improving the lives of those around him, with a philosophy of being "in the business of people."
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$54.1M
-9.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.7M
+42.5% YoY
Grant Count
106
+37.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$72K
+3.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Friese Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Friese Foundation is committed to bridging the gap from hopelessness to wholeness by partnering with charities that share its goals. The foundation supports organizations serving:
- Low-income families and unhoused individuals
- Veterans programs
- Youth programs and education assistance
- Animal rescue and welfare organizations
- Physical and mental health services
Grantmaking
The foundation indicates it makes contributions to preselected organizations only, meaning unsolicited grant applications are not accepted.
Grant Range
$20,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations across multiple U.S. states, with primary focus areas including California, Texas, and New York. It also funds international organizations, as evidenced by grants to Israeli and Kenyan organizations.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $54.1 million to $59.9 million
- Total annual expenses: approximately $5.78 million to $8.06 million
- Annual revenue: approximately $2.08 million to $2.27 million
- Total liabilities: $111,000
Financial Position: The foundation ranks in the top 10% of U.S. foundations by asset size (rank #3,199 of 159,550).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $54,097,005 | $59,874,759 | $63,465,883 |
| Revenue | $2,265,067 | $2,078,999 | $2,298,985 |
| Expenses | $8,055,170 | $5,780,712 | $6,300,486 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $7,720,486 | $5,444,307 | $5,844,742 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,900,695 | $1,703,183 | $1,921,990 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,118,251 | $2,983,466 | $3,254,010 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Salvation Army ($600,000), New Life in His Presence ($400,000), American Red Cross ($350,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A SENSE OF HOME HAWTHORNE, CA | CREATE HOMES FOR FORMER FOSTER YOUTH | $50,000 |
| AIRPORT MARINA COUNSELING SERVICES LOS ANGELES, CA | TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE MENTAL HEALTH SERVIES; AND QUALITY TRAINING TO THERAPISTS. | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS WASHINGTON, DC | PREVENTING AND ALLEVIATING HUMAN SUFFERING | $350,000 |
| APEX PROTECTION PROJECT ACTON, CA | TO HELP PROTECT AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT WOLVES IN THE WILD AND IMPROVING THE LIVES OF ABANDONED CAPTIVE BRED WOLVES AND WOLFDOGS. | $25,000 |
| ARMY HISTORICAL FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | TO BUILD A NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY | $50,000 |
| BABY2BABY LOS ANGELES, CA | TO PROVIDE CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTY, AGES 0-12 YEARS, WITH DIAPERS, CLOTHING AND BASIC NECESSITIES | $100,000 |
| BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY KANAB, UT | PET ADOPTION AND SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAMS | $100,000 |
| CAL FARLEY'S BOY'S RANCH AMARILLO, TX | TO SUPPORT SERVICES IN A CHRIST-CENTERED ATMOSPHERE TO STRENGTHEN FAMILIES AND SUPPORT THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN | $50,000 |
| CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE NORTHRIDGE, CA | SUPPORT CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE'S EOP RESILIENT SCHOLARS PROGRAM, FOSTER YOUTH PROGRAM | $30,000 |
| CAMP HARMONY LOS ANGELES, CA | SERVE CHILDREN AT CAMP SESSIONS IN THE SUMMER AND WINTER & PROVIDE PROGRAMS FOR INDIGENT CHILDREN | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Donald E. Friese — Director
- Andrea Friese — Director and Treasurer
- Donald E. Friese Jr. — Director and President (compensation: $200,000 annually)
The foundation employs 3 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DONALD E FRIESE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ANDREA FRIESE | DIRECTOR, TREASURER | 2 | — |
| DONALD E FRIESE JR | DIRECTOR, PRESIDENT | 40 | $200,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The National Glass Association partnered with the Friese Foundation to offer glazier education programs
NGA Partners With Friese Foundation to Offer Glazier EducationThe Friese Foundation and FHC (Frameless Hardware Company) jointly marked $1 million in donations to the NGA Foundation
$50 million gift assures Friese Family Patient Tower will rise at ...The foundation made a historic $50 million gift to Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center, resulting in the naming of the Friese Family Patient Tower, a five-story expansion and renovation project
$50 million gift assures Friese Family Patient Tower will rise at ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Friese Foundation fund?
The Friese Foundation is committed to bridging the gap from hopelessness to wholeness by partnering with charities that share its goals. The foundation supports organizations serving: • Low-income families and unhoused individuals • Veterans programs • Youth programs and education assistance • Animal rescue and welfare organizations • Physical and mental health services
How do I apply for a grant from Friese Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 106 grants in the most recent tax year • Median grant size: $20,000 • Grant range: $1,000 to $600,000 • Total giving: approximately $7.66 million (2024) **Application Process:** The foundation indicates it makes contributions to preselected organizations only, meaning unsolicited grant applications are not accepted. **Recent Grantees Include:** • Friends of United Hatzalah (emergency medical services in Israel): $600,000 • Friends of the Lone Soldier (support for lone…
Where does Friese Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports organizations across multiple U.S. states, with primary focus areas including California, Texas, and New York. It also funds international organizations, as evidenced by grants to Israeli and Kenyan organizations.
What size grants does Friese Foundation award?
In 2024, Friese Foundation awarded 106 grants totaling $7.7M — an average of about $72K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Friese Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Friese Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Friese Foundation's EIN?
Friese Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-2753741. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Friese 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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