The Issa Family Foundation is a private independent foundation established in April 2000 and based in Vista, California. Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation operates as a grantmaking entity focused on supporting charitable and performing arts activities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$36.0M
-30.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$22.2M
+1049.8% YoY
Grant Count
34
-52.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$652K
+2301.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Issa Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not maintain a publicly disclosed mission statement. However, based on available financial records, the foundation supports a diverse range of subject areas including:
- Education (higher education, university education)
- Environment (biodiversity, wildlife biodiversity, zoos)
- Animal welfare and domesticated animals
- Health (in-patient medical care, hospital care, specialty hospital care, pediatrics)
- Social sciences and economics
- Religion (Christianity)
- Human services (youth development, youth services)
The foundation's activities are designed to encourage values such as hard work and selfless philanthropy.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not maintain a public application process. Grants are made through trustee discretion to preselected charitable organizations only. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals.
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Issa Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated primarily in California, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, which account for 87% of all grants. The foundation has supported organizations across 12 states and reaches organizations in major cities including New York, Chicago, and San Diego.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $36,046,011
- Total Revenues: $14,298,224
- Total Expenses: $22,351,804
- Number of Employees: 0
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $51.6 million
- Total Revenues: $3.83 million
- Total Expenses: $2.76 million
- Total Liabilities: $8.46 million
The foundation's annual giving has fluctuated, with reported giving of $22,180,313 in 2024 and $1.9 million in 2023.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $36,046,011 | $51,598,480 | $55,725,293 |
| Revenue | $14,369,601 | $3,831,192 | $2,625,133 |
| Expenses | $22,351,804 | $2,762,811 | $2,639,541 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $22,180,313 | $1,929,000 | $2,304,100 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,308,016 | $2,155,768 | $1,861,537 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,012,862 | $1,753,109 | $1,887,922 |
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
234 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Issa Foundation ($20,921,313), Solutions for Change ($350,000), National Conflict Resolution Center ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ANGELS FOSTER FAMILY NETWORK SAN DIEGO, CA | ANNUAL GIVING | $30,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS PHILADELPHIA, PA | ANNUAL GIVING | $50,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF NORTHWEST SAN DIEGO COUNTY SOLANA BEACH, CA | ANNUAL GIVING | $20,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF VISTA VISTA, CA | ANNUAL GIVING | $70,000 |
| CASA DE AMPARO OCEANSIDE, CA | ANNUAL GIVING | $10,000 |
| ELDERHELP OF SAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO, CA | ANNUAL GIVING | $3,000 |
| FEEDING SAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO, CA | ANNUAL GIVING | $30,000 |
| INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES ESCONDIDO, CA | ANNUAL GIVING | $70,000 |
| JUST IN TIME FOR FOSTER YOUTH SAN DIEGO, CA | GRANT | $25,000 |
| KIWANIS CLUB OF SUNRISE VISTA INDIANAPOLIS, IN | ANNUAL GIVING | $1,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- CEO: Darrell E. Issa
- President: Katharine S. Issa
- CFO: Katharine S. Issa
Both principal officers do not receive compensation for their roles. The foundation operates with no publicly available board information beyond these principal officers.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATHARINE S ISSA | PRESIDENT | — | — |
Contact Information
- Address: PO Box 1388, Vista, CA 92085
- Phone: (760) 477-1169
- Website: Not available
- Email: Not available
- EIN: 33-0834068
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Issa Family Foundation fund?
The foundation does not maintain a publicly disclosed mission statement. However, based on available financial records, the foundation supports a diverse range of subject areas including: • Education (higher education, university education) • Environment (biodiversity, wildlife biodiversity, zoos) • Animal welfare and domesticated animals • Health (in-patient medical care, hospital care, specialty hospital care, pediatrics) • Social sciences and economics • Religion (Christianity) • Human servi…
How do I apply for a grant from Issa Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • In 2024, the foundation made 51 grants totaling $22,180,313 in charitable disbursements • Historical grant data shows the foundation has made 213 grants totaling $6.5 million • Individual grants have ranged from $200 to $350,000, with an average award of $31,000 and a median grant of $15,000 **Recent Grantees (2024):** • Solutions for Change: $350,000 • National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC): $100,000 • Palomar College Foundation: $75,000 **Application Process:** The f…
Where does Issa Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated primarily in California, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, which account for 87% of all grants. The foundation has supported organizations across 12 states and reaches organizations in major cities including New York, Chicago, and San Diego.
What size grants does Issa Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Issa Family Foundation awarded 34 grants totaling $22.2M — an average of about $652K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Issa Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Issa Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Issa Family Foundation's EIN?
Issa Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 33-0834068. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Issa Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Gochnauer Family Foundation
CORONA DEL MAR, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
39
Total Given
$313K
Cottage Health
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Assets
$172.1M
Grants
6
Total Given
$179K
International Right of Way Association
GARDENA, CA
Assets
$5.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$9K
Quince Interfaith Housing Corporation
LEMON GROVE, CA
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
William & Lillian Schwartz Charitable Foundation
LA JOLLA, CA
Assets
$325K
Grants
1
Total Given
$3K
Covia Foundation
GLENDALE, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
1
Total Given
$4.8M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Issa Family Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Issa Family Foundation to a real strategy.