Gochnauer Family Foundation

CORONA DEL MAR, CA EIN: 33-0833479 Website

The Gochnauer Family Foundation is a California-based private philanthropic organization established in December 1998. Operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the foundation was created to support families and children in need through organizations and programs that promote spiritual, medical, cultural, and educational growth or provide essential services. The foundation reflects the family's commitment to stewardship across generations and giving back to the community.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$15.2M

+267.1% YoY

Annual Giving

$313K

+57.9% YoY

Grant Count

+2.6% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$8K

+53.9% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gochnauer Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $290K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

Mission Statement: To provide financial help for families and children in need to help themselves by supporting organizations and programs that promote spiritual, medical, cultural, and educational growth or provide essential services.

Primary Focus Areas:

Arts and culture
Philanthropy and nonprofits
Religion and Christianity
Human services
Family services
Child welfare
International relations
International development

Grantmaking

Grants typically range from $1,000 to $25,000 and can support either operating or capital needs.

How to Apply

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. locations, including:

California
Illinois
New York
Texas
Wisconsin
Maryland
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Indiana
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
North Carolina
New Jersey
Ohio
Virginia
Washington

Grant Distribution by State

California $622K (44%)

Illinois $475K (33%)

Wisconsin $123K (9%)

New York $63K (4%)

Massachusetts $55K (4%)

District of Columbia $48K (3%)

Virginia $15K (1%)

Washington $8K (1%)

+11 more states

States

Arkansas California Connecticut District of Columbia Iowa Illinois Massachusetts Maryland Michigan Missouri Montana North Carolina New Jersey New York Ohio Texas Virginia Washington Wisconsin

Cities

Aliso ViejoArlingtonBaltimoreBerkeleyBurbankCarol StreamChapel HillCherry HillChicagoCorona Del MarCosta MesaDallasDana PointDes MoinesDuarteEvanstonGrand RapidsGreen BayGreenbankHelena

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Most Recent Financial Data (2023-2024):

Total Assets: $4.1 million to $15.2 million (varying by reporting source and year)
Annual Revenue: $384,000 to $480,500
Annual Expenses: $349,557 to $350,000
Total Giving: $312,728 to $315,500

Tax-Exempt Status: Tax-exempt since July 1999 EIN: 33-0833479

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$15,188,088	$4,136,819	$4,100,282
Revenue	$360,080	$384,004	$480,527
Expenses	$477,507	$349,557	$481,507
Qualifying Distributions	$312,728	$198,030	$315,510
Net Investment Income	$296,701	$333,877	$421,793
Distributable Amount	$289,550	$236,961	$251,071

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

182 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Unsilenced Project Inc ($40,000), Opportunity International ($35,000), University of Wisconsin Green Bay' ($30,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF ORANGE SANTA ANA, CA	GENERAL	$600
BRAZIL FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY	GENERAL	$1,000
CHARTER 100 IRVINE, CA	GENERAL	$625
CHICAGO HOUSE CHICAGO, IL	GENERAL	$15,000
CITY OF HOPE DUARTE, CA	GENERAL	$7,500
CRADLES TO CRAYONS CHICAGO, IL	GENERAL	$5,000
DECORATIVE ARTS SOCIETY NEWPORT BEACH, CA	GENERAL	$3,000
EBENEZER FOUNDATION QUINCY, MA	GENERAL	$12,000
EQUALITIES ILLINOIS EDUCATION CHICAGO, IL	GENERAL	$19,200
FAMILY EQUALITIES COUNCIL NEW YORK, NY	GENERAL	$15,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Board of Directors:

Beth Gochnauer – Chairperson and Secretary
Richard W. Gochnauer – President and Treasurer
Grant D. Gochnauer – Vice President and Trustee
Meg (Gochnauer) Appelgate – Vice President, Trustee, and Managing Director
Benjamin Appelgate – Secretary
Gabriel Fontes – Board Member
Spencer Appelgate – Junior Board Member

Meg Appelgate is the only compensated member of the leadership team.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
RICHARD W GOCHNAUER	PRESIDENT	—	—
BETH A GOCHNAUER	CHAIR/SECRET	—	—
GRANT D GOCHNAUER	VICE PRESIDE	—	—
MEG APPELGATE	VICE PRESIDE	30	—

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

Richard W. Gochnauer was named Board Chair of the CEO Leadership Alliance of Orange County, with the organization announcing an expansion of its board of directors.

CEO Leadership Alliance Orange County Names Richard Gochnauer as New Board

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Gochnauer Family Foundation fund?

**Mission Statement:** To provide financial help for families and children in need to help themselves by supporting organizations and programs that promote spiritual, medical, cultural, and educational growth or provide essential services. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Arts and culture • Philanthropy and nonprofits • Religion and Christianity • Human services • Family services • Child welfare • International relations • International development

How do I apply for a grant from Gochnauer Family Foundation?

**Grant Amounts:** Grants typically range from $1,000 to $25,000 and can support either operating or capital needs. **Application Requirements:** Grant proposals are accepted only from 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organizations, and only after a personal relationship has been established with the foundation. **Application Process:** All requests must be submitted in writing and sent electronically. No phone requests are accepted. For grants under $5,000, requests should include: •…

Where does Gochnauer Family Foundation make grants?

The foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. locations, including: • California • Illinois • New York • Texas • Wisconsin • Maryland • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Indiana • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Missouri • Montana • North Carolina • New Jersey • Ohio • Virginia • Washington

What size grants does Gochnauer Family Foundation award?

In 2024, Gochnauer Family Foundation awarded 39 grants totaling $313K — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Gochnauer Family Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Gochnauer Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $290K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.