Lk Whittier Foundation
The LK Whittier Foundation is a private family foundation incorporated in California in 1955 and based in Pasadena, California. The foundation operates as a tax-exempt organization with a focus on philanthropic giving in medical research and youth services.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
-100.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$9.8M
-82.9% YoY
Grant Count
4
-33.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$2.5M
-74.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lk Whittier Foundation reported a distributable amount of $267K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation emphasizes medical research with additional support for youth agencies. Primary funding interests include:
- Medical research
- Youth agencies
- Education
- Health care
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Filing (Fiscal Year Ending April 2024):
- Total assets: $0 (reported in latest filing)
- Total giving: $9,828,541
Note: The foundation filed a final return in 2024, indicating a significant change in operational status.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $9,965,112 | $67,570,163 |
| Revenue | $519,210 | $38,654,246 | $6,857,812 |
| Expenses | $9,943,161 | $793,967 | $27,485,657 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $9,828,541 | $57,631,585 | $13,380,835 |
| Net Investment Income | $160,243 | $23,743,438 | $7,849,298 |
| Distributable Amount | $266,538 | $351,761 | $3,234,038 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
18 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Byrd Hoffman Water Mill Foundation ($5,000,000), Bennington College ($2,750,000), Bay Area Lyme Foundation ($1,750,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BAY AREA LYME FOUNDATION PORTOLA VALLEY, CA | MEDICAL AND PROGRAM SUPPORT | $1,750,000 |
| BENNINGTON COLLEGE BENNINGTON, VT | SUPPORT FOR THE PETER DRUCKER FUND FOR EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION | $2,750,000 |
| LLWW FOUNDATION PASADENA, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $328,541 |
| THE BYRD HOFFMAN WATER MILL FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | ENDOWMENT SUPPORT | $5,000,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAURA-LEE W WOODS | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| LINDA BLINKENBERG | VICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| GREG CUSTER | SECRETARY/DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SANDIP BHAGAT | CFO/DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| LAURE W WOODS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has made notable recent contributions:
**Robert K. Ross Center for Hope and Healing:** Contributed $7 million (alongside the MacArthur Foundation) to ignite a matching challenge for the Robert K. Ross Center for Hope and Healing in Downtown Los Angeles
$7 Million from MacArthur Foundation and Whittier Trust Ignites Matching**UMKC School of Law:** Provided a historic $3.5 million donation supporting scholarships and facilities at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law
UMKC School of Law Receives Largest Philanthropic Gift in History**Scientific Research:** The foundation has supported investigators in stem cell research, including Shinya Yamanaka, a Nobel Prize-winning researcher affiliated with the Gladstone Institutes
Shinya Yamanaka, L.K. Whittier Foundation Investigator, Gladstone ...Frequently Asked Questions
What does Lk Whittier Foundation fund?
The foundation emphasizes medical research with additional support for youth agencies. Primary funding interests include: • Medical research • Youth agencies • Education • Health care
How do I apply for a grant from Lk Whittier Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving reported at $9,828,541 (most recent filing) • Typical award range: $100,000–$27,000,000 • The foundation filed a final return as of 2024 **Geographic Scope:** Primary funding in California, Vermont, and New York
What size grants does Lk Whittier Foundation award?
In 2024, Lk Whittier Foundation awarded 4 grants totaling $9.8M — an average of about $2.5M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Lk Whittier Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Lk Whittier Foundation reported a distributable amount of $267K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Lk Whittier Foundation's EIN?
Lk Whittier Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-6027493. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lk Whittier Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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