Issa Family Foundation
ISSA FAMILY FOUNDATION is a private foundation based in Vista, California. In 2024, it reported grants to charitable organizations, including organizations working on family homelessness, education, youth mentoring, and hunger.
Key facts about Issa Family Foundation
In short: Issa Family Foundation gave $1.6M across 41 grants in 2025 (avg $38K), mostly in California. 7% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 33-0834068
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,554,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 41
- Average grant
- $37,902
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 7% first-time grantees (3 of 41, 2025)
- Total assets
- $36,473,739
- Primary geography
- California (92% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$36.5M
+1.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.6M
-93.0% YoY
Grant Count
41
+20.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$38K
-94.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Issa Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Issa Family Foundation open to new grantees?
7%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 41 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $40K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $13K repeat.
- 76% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 33% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 94% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement is provided. The 2024 grants include support for organizations whose missions, as described by the organizations themselves, include solving family homelessness (Solutions for Change), helping women overcoming adversity (Leap to Success), and supporting Palomar Community College and its students (Palomar College Foundation). Interfaith Community Services describes its work as helping people in need stabilize and improve their lives; Big Brothers Big Sisters describes itself as a youth matching and mentoring organization. Feeding San Diego says it connects people facing hunger with nutritious meals.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 34 grants totaling $22,180,313. Grant amounts ranged from $1,500 to $20,921,313, with a median of $18,750. The largest grant, $20,921,313 to The Issa Foundation in Cheyenne, Wyoming, was for a “507(B)(2) transfer to fund new foundation”; the next-largest listed grant was $350,000 to Solutions for Change for annual giving.
Ready to take the next step with Issa Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in Wyoming and 5% to recipients in California. The listed Wyoming grant was the transfer to The Issa Foundation; California recipients included Solutions for Change, the National Conflict Resolution Center, and other organizations.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 41 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
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
284 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SOLUTIONS FOR CHANGE Vista, CA | ANNUAL GIVING | $400,000 |
| ST ANTHONY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH San Diego, CA | ANNUAL GIVING | $250,000 |
| NATIONAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION CENTER San Diego, CA | ANNUAL GIVING | $175,000 |
| LEAP TO SUCCESS Carlsbad, CA | ANNUAL GIVING | $75,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF VISTA Vista, CA | ANNUAL GIVING | $70,000 |
| INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES Escondido, CA | ANNUAL GIVING | $70,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS Philadelphia, PA | ANNUAL GIVING | $50,000 |
| THE SALVATION ARMY Alexandria, VA | ANNUAL GIVING | $50,000 |
| NEW HAVEN YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES Vista, CA | ANNUAL GIVING | $40,000 |
| SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK San Diego, CA | ANNUAL GIVING | $35,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grant sum | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $36,046,011 | $14,369,601 | $22,351,804 | $22,180,313 | 34 |
| 2023 | $51,598,480 | $3,831,192 | $2,762,811 | $1,929,000 | 71 |
| 2022 | $55,725,293 | $2,625,133 | $2,639,541 | $2,304,100 | 71 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $36,473,739 | $36,046,011 | $51,598,480 |
| Revenue | $2,153,692 | $14,369,601 | $3,831,192 |
| Expenses | $1,725,964 | $22,351,804 | $2,762,811 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,554,000 | $22,180,313 | $1,929,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,095,117 | $2,308,016 | $2,155,768 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,647,330 | $2,012,862 | $1,753,109 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Katharine S. Issa was listed as president on the 2024 filing.
Issa Family Foundation is led by Katharine S. Issa, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020) — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Katharine S. Issa
President
CFO → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Darrell E. Issa (2020–2023) — CEO
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: P O Box 1388, Vista, CA 92085
Phone: (760) 727-6888
Frequently asked questions about Issa Family Foundation
How much does Issa Family Foundation give each year?
Issa Family Foundation gave $1.6M across 41 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $22.2M across 34 grants.
What is Issa Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Issa Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $37,902, across 41 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Issa Family Foundation that year got $9K on average.
Where does Issa Family Foundation give grants?
Issa Family Foundation gives mostly in California: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were San Diego, CA (15 grants), Vista, CA (7 grants), Carlsbad, CA (2 grants) and Escondido, CA (2 grants).
Does Issa Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 41 grants with a stated purpose on Issa Family Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Annual Giving" (39 grants).
Who are Issa Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Issa Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Solutions for Change ($400,000), St Anthony Orthodox Christian Church ($250,000) and National Conflict Resolution Center ($175,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 53% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Issa Family Foundation?
Issa Family Foundation reported $36.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Issa Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement is provided. The 2024 grants include support for organizations whose missions, as described by the organizations themselves, include solving family homelessness (Solutions for Change), helping women overcoming adversity (Leap to Success), and supporting Palomar Community College and its students (Palomar College Foundation). Interfaith Community Services describes its work as helping people in need stabilize and improve their lives; Big Brothers Big Sisters describes itself…
How do I apply for a grant from Issa Family Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2020–2025.
Does Issa Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Issa Family Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Issa Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Sempra Foundation
San Diego, CA
The Sempra Foundation funds climate action and resilience, inclusion, economic empowerment and workforce development, community engagement, and disaster preparedness in communities where Sempra employees live and work, including California, Texas, Washington, D.C., and Mexico. In 2024, grants ranged from $4 to $100,000, with a median of $260. It awards grants by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$11.5M
Grants
1,501
Total Given
$1.8M
Rancho Santa Fe Foundation
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
The foundation supports a wide range of causes, including military and veteran communities, education, health, social services, and other community needs, with grants focused on San Diego County as well as some regional and global giving. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,500 to $750,000, with a median of $25,000; the Women’s Fund awards $25,000–$75,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests through its advised funds, and Community Impact Fund applications are by invitation only.
Assets
$188.7M
Grants
253
Total Given
$14.3M
The Nordson Corporation Foundation
Westlake, OH
This corporate foundation commits over $10 million annually to improving quality of life in communities where Nordson Corporation operates, with a primary focus on education, job readiness, youth development, and arts and culture. Grants typically range from modest to substantial amounts, with recent annual giving exceeding $10 million across the foundation's portfolio. The foundation currently accepts applications by invitation only and funds projects across 16 U.S. states including Ohio, California, Massachusetts, and others where the company has significant presence.
Assets
$34.2M
Grants
249
Total Given
$6.6M
Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego
San Diego, CA
The Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego supports a broad range of community causes, including arts and culture, education, health and human services, and Jewish life. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000; most went to San Diego organizations, with others primarily elsewhere in the United States and Israel, and its stated reach also includes communities globally. It offers competitive opportunities through CAP, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$862.3M
Grants
774
Total Given
$148.1M
The Conrad Prebys Foundation
San Diego, CA
The Conrad Prebys Foundation funds visual and performing arts, youth success, healthcare, and medical research, primarily in San Diego County. Its 2024 grants ranged from $200 to $3 million, with a median of $100,000. It offers opportunities throughout the year, including open applications and requests for proposals, but may also use invitation-only or community-led processes.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
392
Total Given
$54.9M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation funds work in education, health, housing, immigration, and other community needs, primarily in Los Angeles County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, though amounts varied widely; it does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
Tides Foundation
San Francisco, CA
Tides Foundation funds community-led organizations advancing equity and justice, including work on health, climate, gender equity, democracy, and immigrant communities. Its 2024 grants had a median of $50,000, though amounts varied widely, and it funds eligible organizations in the U.S. and abroad, with the most grant dollars going to California, New York, and Washington, D.C. Some programs are open or invitation-only; the Advancing Girls Fund is listed as open, but the profile does not state a general policy on unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$534.5M
Grants
2,110
Total Given
$382.1M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, gender equity, governance, democracy, and philanthropy, with work in the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, nationally, and internationally. Its 2024 grants had a median of $150,000, though awards ranged from $50 to more than $11 million; it often provides long-term general operating support. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, except through invited open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Marin Community Foundation funds equity-focused work, including affordable housing, homelessness, community resilience and power, and arts; its Buck Family Fund supports organizations serving Marin County, including those based elsewhere. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000 and ranged from $5,050 to $10 million; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
Conrad N Hilton Foundation
Westlake Village, CA
This major private foundation, established in 1944, supports nonprofits working to improve lives for disadvantaged and vulnerable populations worldwide through grants in humanitarian initiatives, global health, safe water services, early childhood development, and housing. With annual giving ranging from $65 million to over $800 million, typical grants fall between $45,000 and $76,000, though awards can reach up to $3.5 million, and the foundation administers the world's largest humanitarian prize at $2.5 million annually. The foundation maintains a global focus with primary concentration in California, New York, and Washington D.C., while also operating in 11 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
Assets
$7.4B
Grants
1,339
Total Given
$287.7M
The Pfizer Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Pfizer Foundation funds locally led health programs that improve access to care and strengthen health systems, as well as health-crisis and disaster responses, worldwide. In 2024, grants ranged from $2 to $4 million, with a median of $200. It supports only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$255.3M
Grants
9,306
Total Given
$23.2M
More Funders in California
Issa Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?