JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation
The JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation is a private foundation based in Pasadena, California. Its 2025 filing reports grants to nonprofit organizations, including organizations working in areas such as homelessness services, education, health research, and youth development.
JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation at a glance
In short: JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation gave $745K across 40 grants in 2026 (avg $19K), mostly in California. 3% of 2026 grantees were new. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $745,000
- +0.0% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 40
- -2.4% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $18,625
- +2.5% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $13,795,429
- +6.3% vs 2025
- New grantees (estimate)
- 3% first-time grantees (1 of 40, 2026)
- Primary geography
- California (88% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated November 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s 2024 filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Requests should include the purpose for which funds will be used, the amount requested, and evidence of IRS section 501(c)(3) status. Recipients must be nonprofit organizations and provide evidence of that status. The filing lists Bill Betz as the contact.
- Review Cycle
- Requests should be received by the first week of March each year. The 2026 cycle deadline has passed.
- Deadline
- Requests should be received by the first week of March each year.
- Contact
Application contact: Bill Betz Jw And Ida Jameson Founda
Mailing address: PO Box 5010, Pasadena, CA 91117
Phone: (626) 578-1530
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Door of Hope ($75K). Together the top 10 received $390K.
Grant Size Distribution
205 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 186 grants of 205 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 89% of grant dollars went to recipients in California. The remaining shares went to Virginia (4%), Delaware (4%), Washington, DC (2%), and Washington state (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 40 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation open to new grantees?
3%
first-time grantees, 2026
In 2026, 1 of 40 grantees (3%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $19K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 98% of 2026 grantees were also funded in 2025. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2023 to 2026 (+1%). Method
- In 2026 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 (2021–2026). 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 2021 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $740K (2023) to $790K (2022). In 2026 it made 40 grants totaling $745K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Door of Hope Pasadena, CA | Support for General Operations | $75,000 |
| Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA | Support for General Operations | $50,000 |
| Young Life Pasadena, CA | Support for General Operations | $50,000 |
| La Canada Presbyterian Church La Canada Flintridge, CA | Support for General Operations | $40,000 |
| Claremont McKenna College Claremont, CA | Support for General Operations | $35,000 |
| La Canada High School Boosters La Canada, CA | Support for General Operations | $35,000 |
| Intercollegiate Studies Institute Inc Wilmington, DE | Support for General Operations | $30,000 |
| A Place for Youth Los Angeles, CA | Support for General Operations | $25,000 |
| Claremont Institute for the Study of Statesmanship and Political Philosophy Claremont, CA | Support for General Operations | $25,000 |
| Huntington Medical Research Institutes Pasadena, CA | Support for General Operations | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $13,795,429 | $1,890,114 | $1,090,859 | $745,000 | 40 | $807,228 | $1,705,071 | $860,046 |
| 2025 | $12,978,762 | $793,766 | $1,069,244 | $745,000 | 41 | $806,739 | $613,120 | $857,523 |
| 2024 | $13,273,071 | $1,269,671 | $1,076,446 | $750,000 | 39 | $811,172 | $1,092,219 | $816,920 |
| 2023 | $13,069,189 | $1,941,415 | $1,098,900 | $740,000 | 38 | $803,662 | $1,763,295 | $765,804 |
| 2022 | $12,218,484 | $1,357,434 | $1,110,191 | $790,000 | 47 | $852,868 | $1,174,085 | $859,028 |
| 2021 | $12,034,887 | $1,872,120 | $1,089,389 | $790,000 | 47 | — | $1,715,339 | $749,346 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $860K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, Door of Hope describes its work as providing transitional housing and services to families facing homelessness; Pasadena City College Foundation says it develops funding and community support to enhance teaching and learning; and Huntington Medical Research Institutes says it advances scientific discovery through biomedical research.
Other 2025 recipients describe work in areas including education and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (Villa Esperanza Services), homelessness services and housing solutions (Union Station Homeless Services), and wilderness education, leadership, and mentorship for underserved boys (RM Pyles Boys Camp).
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation made 41 grants totaling $745,000. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $60,000, with a median of $15,000. The largest listed awards included $60,000 to Door of Hope, $50,000 to Pasadena City College Foundation, $42,500 to Young Life, and $40,000 to La Canada Presbyterian Church. The listed grants generally specify support for general operations. Its 2026 filing, the latest on this page, reports 40 grants totaling $745,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Bill B Betz as secretary/treasurer, Jamen Wurm as president, and Kristin Creighton as vice president.
JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation is led by Jamen Wurm, President since 2023 (on filings since 2021); all 3 officers listed in 2026 are compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Jamen Wurm
President
Vice President → President, 2023
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
$56K (2021) → $64K (2026)
Bill B. Betz
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
15 hrs/week
$56K (2021) → $64K (2026)
Kristin Creighton
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2023
10 hrs/week
$8K (2023) → $64K (2026)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Fred L. Leydorf (2021–2024) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "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 $64K, to Bill B Betz (Secretary/Treasurer). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation
How much does JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation give each year?
JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation gave $745K across 40 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $745K across 41 grants.
What is JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation's typical grant size?
JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $15,000, and its average grant was $18,625, across 40 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation that year got $5K on average.
Where does JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation give grants?
JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation gives mostly in California: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Pasadena, CA (11 grants), Los Angeles, CA (5 grants), Claremont, CA (3 grants) and La Canada, CA (3 grants).
Does JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation's 2026 grants with a stated purpose (40 of 40) were for general or operating support, per its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation's largest grantees?
JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation's largest 2026 grantees include Door of Hope ($75,000), Azusa Pacific University ($50,000) and Young Life ($50,000), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation?
JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation reported $13.8M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $807K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $860K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation?
The foundation’s 2024 filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation's EIN?
JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-6031465. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 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 September 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Other open foundation grants in California
California Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in California
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
Greater Horizons
Kansas City, MO
Greater Horizons distributes donor-advised fund grants to eligible U.S. charities and institutions across a wide range of causes; international organizations may also be supported after additional due diligence. In 2024, its grants had a median of $15,000, though amounts varied widely. Grants are requested by fund holders, and no general application process for organizations seeking funding is described.
Assets
$2.8B
Grants
3,282
Total Given
$212.2M
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
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Marin Community Foundation funds work in affordable housing and homelessness, community resilience and power, as well as social services, education, arts and conservation, with a focus on marginalized Marin County residents and some broader U.S. and international grantmaking. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
Direct Relief
Santa Barbara, CA
Direct Relief supports healthcare providers serving people affected by poverty or emergencies, including community health centers, clinics, and grassroots organizations, with medicines, supplies, and funding for health access and equity. In 2025, its grants had a median award of about $65,000, and its work spans all 50 U.S. states and countries around the world; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,367
Total Given
$337.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/jw-and-ida-m-jameson-foundation-morg_296d10e3eb304f248b78828228b33622
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_956031465_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/jw-and-ida-m-jameson-foundation-morg_296d10e3eb304f248b78828228b33622},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-12. 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 JW and Ida M Jameson 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.
JW and Ida M Jameson Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?