Joseph Drown Foundation
The Joseph Drown Foundation is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1953 by Joseph Warford Drown, it supports programs intended to help people become successful, self-sustaining, contributing citizens, with education as its primary focus.
Joseph Drown Foundation at a glance
In short: Joseph Drown Foundation gave $5.3M across 98 grants in 2026 (avg $54K), mostly in California. 21% of 2026 grantees were new. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $5,286,600
- +0.0% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 98
- +7.7% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $53,945
- -7.1% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $102,787,987
- +8.4% vs 2025
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (20 of 95, 2026)
- Primary geography
- California (95% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Joseph Drown Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website says proposals may request operating or program support and must be submitted online. Applications should include an organizational description and history, current programs, a statement of need, the amount requested, and program objectives when applicable. Required materials include a current annual operating budget and, when appropriate, a program budget; an IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter or Advance Ruling letter; the most recent audited financial statements; the latest complete Form 990; a current board list; and any pertinent supplemental documents. Government institutions without a 501(c)(3) letter are exempt from that requirement, and new organizations without audited statements or a Form 990 may submit unaudited information. Incomplete applications will not be processed. The foundation generally does not fund individuals, endowments, capital campaigns, building funds, religious programs, annual meetings, conferences, special events, or fundraising-event ticket purchases. Organizations declined must wait one year before reapplying and submit all required materials again.
- Review Cycle
- The regular deadlines are January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15. The January, April, and July 2026 deadlines have passed; the next listed deadline is October 15, 2026, for the December meeting. If a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the website says it moves to the next business day. Applications for each cycle are made available about six weeks before the deadline.
- Deadline
- The regular deadlines are January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15.
- Contact
Application contact: Alyssa Santino President Of Program
Mailing address: 2934 1/2 Beverly Glen Circle 714, Los Angeles, CA 90077
Phone: (310) 277-4488
Website: https://jdrown.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Joseph Drown Foundation
Who Joseph Drown Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Common Sense Media ($300K). Together the top 10 received $1.7M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($50,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
442 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 235 grants of 442 (53%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says most of its grantmaking is limited to programs or organizations in Los Angeles County. In its 2026 grant data, California recipients received 95% of grant dollars; Colorado, Pennsylvania, New York, and Texas recipients accounted for the remaining reported shares. The listed shares are rounded.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 98 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Joseph Drown Foundation open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2026
In 2026, 20 of 95 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $51K; repeat grants $57K. How we count
Medians: $40K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 62% of 2026 grantees were also funded in 2025. Method
- Giving grew 65% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out 120% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2026). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $2.9M (2020) to $5.3M (2026). In 2026 it made 98 grants totaling $5.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Common Sense Media San Francisco, CA | Operating Support & La Education Support | $300,000 |
| Edvoice Institute for Research & Education Sacramento, CA | Operating Support | $250,000 |
| La Promise Fund Los Angeles, CA | Westbrook Academy Project | $250,000 |
| The Seed School of Los Angeles County Los Angeles, CA | Operating Support | $200,000 |
| Equitas Academy Charter Schools Los Angeles, CA | Operating Support | $175,000 |
| Kipp Socal Public Schools Los Angeles, CA | Operating Support | $125,000 |
| Ednovate Inc Los Angeles, CA | Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission Los Angeles, CA | Champion LA | $100,000 |
| Partnership for Los Angeles Schools Los Angeles, CA | Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Success for All Foundation Inc Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles Solidarity Schools Initiative | $100,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Grant counts were 98 in 2026, 91 in 2025, and 82 in 2024.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $102,787,987 | $10,028,822 | $6,742,685 | $5,286,600 | 98 | $5,827,677 | $11,122,774 | $4,873,910 |
| 2025 | $94,820,956 | $4,483,555 | $6,518,289 | $5,286,600 | 91 | $6,054,425 | $4,184,026 | $4,637,604 |
| 2024 | $94,028,800 | $7,044,156 | $7,649,661 | $5,139,500 | 82 | $5,855,164 | $6,841,872 | $4,244,930 |
| 2023 | $88,513,386 | $2,331,824 | $4,965,162 | $3,199,500 | 78 | $3,825,709 | $1,739,997 | $4,242,423 |
| 2022 | $98,582,345 | $6,876,653 | $6,089,857 | $4,609,500 | 93 | $5,227,998 | $11,177,968 | $5,034,010 |
| 2021 | $104,011,094 | $10,478,381 | $5,894,432 | $4,683,600 | 89 | — | $9,334,644 | $4,465,647 |
| 2020 | $75,140,469 | $5,360,227 | $5,900,841 | $2,868,600 | 83 | — | $4,862,105 | $4,195,965 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Joseph Drown Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.9M for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated goal is to assist individuals in becoming successful, self-sustaining, contributing citizens by supporting programs that break down barriers to continued growth and learning.
Education is its primary focus. The foundation supports efforts to educate K–12 students in Los Angeles-area schools, including charter schools, teacher professional development, and college access. It also provides some grants for financial assistance at independent secondary schools. Community health and social services are another area, including education and family support, health services, leadership and character development, and programs addressing poverty and economic disadvantage. Medical and scientific research grants are initiated by the foundation; it does not accept unsolicited applications for this area. Arts and humanities grants are made primarily for outreach and education.
Examples of 2026 grantees illustrate the range of education-related work supported. LA Promise Fund says it provides students with academic and enrichment opportunities to prepare them for college and career paths. The Seed School of Los Angeles County describes its work as preparing children academically and socially for college and beyond. KIPP SoCal Public Schools says it creates academically excellent schools with families and communities, while Partnership for Los Angeles Schools describes its work as transforming schools and improving education for students in historically under-resourced schools. Common Sense Media, a San Francisco grantee, says it helps children thrive in a world of media and technology by providing information, advice, and tools to parents, teachers, and policymakers.
Grantmaking
In 2026, the foundation reported 98 grants totaling $5,286,600. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $300,000, with a median of $50,000. Among the largest awards were $300,000 to Common Sense Media for operating support and Los Angeles education support; $250,000 to EdVoice Institute for Research & Education for operating support; $250,000 to LA Promise Fund for the Westbrook Academy Project; and $200,000 to The Seed School of Los Angeles County for operating support. Other awards included $175,000 to Equitas Academy Charter Schools and $125,000 to KIPP SoCal Public Schools, both for operating support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2026 filing lists Wendy Wachtell as chairman and director; Eric Fleiss as treasurer and director; Deborah Krakow as secretary and director; and Nadine Bell, Marlene Canter, and Jean Kaplan as directors. It also lists Ann Miller as president of finance and investments/CFO and Alyssa Santino as president of programs and operations. The foundation’s website also identifies Anamaria Alarcón as program associate.
Joseph Drown Foundation is led by Ann Miller, President of Finance, Investments & CFO since 2026 (on filings since 2020); all 8 officers listed in 2026 are compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Ann Miller
President of Finance, Investments & CFO
Chief Financial Officer → CFO & Executive Director of Investment, 2024
CFO & Executive Director of Investment → President of Finance, Investments & CFO, 2026
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$156K (2020) → $300K (2026)
Alyssa Santino
President of Programs & Operations
Executive Director of Programs → President of Programs & Operations, 2026
On filings since 2024
37.5 hrs/week
$228K (2024) → $300K (2026)
Wendy Wachtell
Chairman & Director
President, CEO & Director → Chairman, CEO & Director, 2024
Chairman, CEO & Director → Chairman & Director, 2026
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$266K (2020) → $18K (2026)
Deborah Krakow
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$18K (2020) → $18K (2026)
Eric Fleiss
Treasurer & Director
Director → Treasurer & Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$15K (2020) → $17K (2026)
Jean Kaplan
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$15K (2020) → $17K (2026)
Marlene Canter
Director
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $17K (2026)
Nadine Bell
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$11K (2020) → $18K (2026)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Philip Magaram (2020–2022) — Treasury & Director · Filing note: Until sep 2021
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $300K, to Ann Miller (President of Finance & Investments/CFO). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Joseph Drown Foundation
How much does Joseph Drown Foundation give each year?
Joseph Drown Foundation gave $5.3M across 98 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $5.3M across 91 grants.
What is Joseph Drown Foundation's typical grant size?
Joseph Drown Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $50,000, and its average grant was $53,945, across 98 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Joseph Drown Foundation that year got $51K on average.
Where does Joseph Drown Foundation give grants?
Joseph Drown Foundation gives mostly in California: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (59 grants), Culver City, CA (5 grants), Pasadena, CA (3 grants) and San Francisco, CA (2 grants).
Does Joseph Drown Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 60% of Joseph Drown Foundation's 2026 grants with a stated purpose (59 of 98) were for general or operating support, per its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Joseph Drown Foundation's largest grantees?
Joseph Drown Foundation's largest 2026 grantees include Common Sense Media ($300,000), Edvoice Institute for Research & Education ($250,000) and La Promise Fund ($250,000), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($50,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is Joseph Drown Foundation?
Joseph Drown Foundation reported $102.8M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Joseph Drown Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated goal is to assist individuals in becoming successful, self-sustaining, contributing citizens by supporting programs that break down barriers to continued growth and learning. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Joseph Drown Foundation?
The foundation’s website says proposals may request operating or program support and must be submitted online. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Joseph Drown Foundation's EIN?
Joseph Drown Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-6093178. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2026.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Joseph Drown Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Joseph Drown Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/joseph-drown-foundation-morg_81e835f7ce664ae8805565ce07fdf14d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_956093178_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Joseph Drown Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/joseph-drown-foundation-morg_81e835f7ce664ae8805565ce07fdf14d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Joseph Drown Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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