Melvin Garb Foundation
The Melvin Garb Foundation is a family foundation established in 1991 in California. Based in Encinitas, California, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and focuses its philanthropic efforts on supporting nonprofit organizations primarily in the San Diego County area.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.3M
+44.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.9M
+21.4% YoY
Grant Count
22
+29.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$85K
-6.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Melvin Garb Foundation reported a distributable amount of $851K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary purpose is giving for social services and Jewish agencies. Its areas of interest include:
- Social services
- Jewish agencies
- Hunger and homelessness
- Fighting discrimination
- Education
- Children and youth
Grantmaking
The foundation provides both general operating support and project support to nonprofit organizations.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in San Diego County, California, with a geographic focus on California.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $6,314,603
- Total Annual Giving: $1,875,000
- Revenue: $4,402,407
- Expenses: $2,660,978
- Net Assets: $6,306,750
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,314,603 | $4,385,074 | $5,541,764 |
| Revenue | $4,402,407 | $647,142 | $1,540,892 |
| Expenses | $2,660,978 | $1,803,832 | $2,084,429 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,875,000 | $1,544,575 | $1,832,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,187,811 | $449,828 | $1,440,570 |
| Distributable Amount | $851,389 | $807,986 | $848,211 |
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
102 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include American Joint Distribution Committee ($200,000), Temple Solel ($180,000), Temple Israel of Hollywood ($175,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADL SAN DIEGO, CA | FIGHTING ANTISEMITISM | $100,000 |
| AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE SAN DIEGO, CA | SUPPORT JEWISH DEMOCRATIC VALUES AND FIGHTING ANTISEMITISM | $95,000 |
| AMERICAN JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE NEW YORK, NY | DISASTER RELIEF RESPONSE TO EMERGENT CRISES AND ONGOING DEVELOPMENT NEEDS | $200,000 |
| BURN INSTITUTE SAN DIEGO, CA | SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS AFFECTED BY BURN TRAUMA | $20,000 |
| CIRCLE TLC RANCH LAKESIDE, CA | SUPPORT CAMPS | $5,000 |
| COASTAL ROOTS ENCINITAS, CA | SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, FOOD JUSTICE, ANCIENT JEWISH WISDOM | $100,000 |
| COMMUNITY RESEARCH CONNECTION ENCINITAS, CA | HELP BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN RESEARCHERS AND COMMUNITIES | $50,000 |
| DIABETES RESEARCH CONNECTION DEL MAR, CA | DIABETES RESEARCH | $65,000 |
| HEBREW FREE LOAN OF SAN DIEGO LA JOLLA, CA | PROVIDE ZERO-INTEREST LOANS TO SUPPORT THOSE FACING FINANCIAL CHALLENGES OR INVESTING IN THEIR LIFE DREAMS | $25,000 |
| HILLEL OF SAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO, CA | MENTORS AND EDUCATORS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH VALUABLE TOOLS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO BE JEWISH LEADERS | $150,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Michael Berlin is listed as a contact person for the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL D BERLIN | DIRECTOR | 5 | $35,500 |
| DAVID WINKLER | DIRECTOR | 1 | $11,000 |
| ESTEE AARONSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | $11,000 |
| ROBIN RUBIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | $11,000 |
Contact Information
Address: 441 Saxony Road Encinitas, CA 92024-2725
Telephone: 858-750-4200
EIN: 93-1067365
Tax-Exempt Status: Since March 1992
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Melvin Garb Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary purpose is giving for social services and Jewish agencies. Its areas of interest include: • Social services • Jewish agencies • Hunger and homelessness • Fighting discrimination • Education • Children and youth
How do I apply for a grant from Melvin Garb Foundation?
The foundation provides both general operating support and project support to nonprofit organizations. **Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $5,000 to $500,000. **Annual Giving:** The foundation distributes approximately $1,875,000 annually in grants.
Where does Melvin Garb Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in San Diego County, California, with a geographic focus on California.
What size grants does Melvin Garb Foundation award?
In 2024, Melvin Garb Foundation awarded 22 grants totaling $1.9M — an average of about $85K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Melvin Garb Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Melvin Garb Foundation reported a distributable amount of $851K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Melvin Garb Foundation's EIN?
Melvin Garb Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-1067365. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Melvin Garb 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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