Menard Family Foundation
The Menard Family Foundation is a private foundation based in La Jolla, California. Established by Barbara J. Menard in December 1998, it continues the philanthropic activity of her parents, Bernard P. and Mary K. Menard.
Menard Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Menard Family Foundation gave $685K across 50 grants in 2025 (avg $14K), mostly in California. 6% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $685,488
- -14.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 50
- -5.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $13,710
- -8.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $13,115,484
- +3.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 6% first-time grantees (3 of 47, 2025)
- Primary geography
- California (74% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Menard Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. It makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations, and recipients are selected by the board. Its website says it is not currently accepting grant requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: 4225 Executive Square Suite 1150, La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: (858) 558-9200
Website: https://menardfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Menard Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Father Joe's Villages ($63K). Together the top 10 received $333K.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($25,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
259 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 244 grants of 259 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its grantmaking as local and international. In 2025, 74% of grant dollars went to recipients in California. Other leading recipient states were Illinois (6%), Maryland (4%), Missouri (4%), and Arizona (3%). The 2025 grants included numerous San Diego-area organizations, as well as recipients in other states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 50 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Menard Family Foundation open to new grantees?
6%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 47 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $15K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $11K repeat.
- 89% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−13%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 95% 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 (2018–2025). 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 2018 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $685K (2025) to $841K (2023). In 2025 it made 50 grants totaling $685K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Father Joe's Villages San Diego, CA | General Support | $63,000 |
| Scripps Health Foundation La Jolla, CA | General Support | $50,000 |
| Zoological Society of San Diego San Diego, CA | General Support | $50,000 |
| Cristo Rey San Diego Jesuit High School San Diego, CA | General Support | $36,600 |
| Society of the Sacred Heart Ministry Centeroakwood St. Louis, MO | General Support | $25,500 |
| Ignatian Volunteer Corps Baltimore, MD | General Support | $23,800 |
| St Paul's Senior Services San Diego, CA | General Support | $23,000 |
| CASA De Los Pobres Ac San Ysidro, CA | General Support | $21,000 |
| Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego San Diego, CA | General Support | $20,000 |
| Cenacle Sisters Chicago, IL | General Support | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Menard Family 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $13,115,484 | $1,465,409 | $967,287 | $685,488 | 50 | $774,498 | $1,293,680 | $818,082 |
| 2024 | $12,617,362 | $1,424,820 | $1,079,550 | $797,320 | 53 | $883,706 | $1,256,059 | $792,529 |
| 2023 | $12,271,436 | $999,715 | $1,074,343 | $841,116 | 54 | $919,756 | $838,225 | $770,855 |
| 2022 | $12,346,064 | $375,248 | $1,051,912 | $790,716 | 49 | $869,528 | $217,862 | $823,356 |
| 2021 | $13,022,728 | $1,930,718 | $994,602 | $756,250 | 53 | $834,064 | $1,770,180 | $898,128 |
| 2020 | $12,087,268 | $-224,120 | $1,003,553 | $772,216 | 50 | — | $25,620 | $763,915 |
| 2018 | $13,530,782 | $1,220,113 | $1,021,043 | $730,866 | 54 | — | $1,021,937 | $861,408 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Menard Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $818K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it is guided by respect for the dignity and worth of every person and Judeo-Christian values of justice and mercy. Its stated aim is to support organizations that enhance lives and help people reach their full potential.
The foundation’s grantees include organizations serving a range of needs. For example, the Zoological Society of San Diego describes its work as saving species worldwide through wildlife care and conservation science. St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center says it educates and empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego describes providing social services and programs intended to help people experience dignity and respect. Other 2025 grantees include organizations focused on gang prevention and reentry, theatre, migration, and assistance to pregnant women and families with young children.
The foundation also describes education scholarships as a focus, from early childhood and after-school programs through university and postgraduate study. It emphasizes scholarships for students from low-income families and international students seeking education in Catholic schools and theology programs.
Grantmaking
The foundation reported 50 grants totaling $685,488 in 2025. Grants ranged from $500 to $63,000, with a median of $10,000. For comparison, it reported 53 grants totaling $797,320 in 2024 and 54 totaling $841,116 in 2023.
In 2025, the largest reported grants included $63,000 to Father Joe’s Villages, $50,000 to Scripps Health Foundation, $50,000 to the Zoological Society of San Diego, and $36,600 to an individual recipient San Diego Jesuit High School. Other grants included $25,500 to Society of the an individual recipient Ministry Center-Oakwood, $23,800 to Ignatian Volunteer Corps, and $21,000 to Casa de los Pobres AC. The listed purposes for these grants were general support.
The foundation’s grant criteria favor programs and organizations that help people most in need, have demonstrated performance and effectiveness, and can have a positive impact on as many people as possible. It excludes grants to individuals; fundraising events and similar affairs; lobbying or partisan political activities; for-profit organizations and profit-making enterprises of nonprofit groups; private operating foundations; certain membership-serving organizations; and programs directly benefiting board or staff members or their families.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Barbara Menard, Marcel Menard, Marlene Miller, and Mark Zangrando as trustees, and Don Harrington as secretary.
Menard Family Foundation's 2025 filing lists 5 officers; 2 of 5 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Barbara Menard
Trustee
On filings since 2018
36 hrs/week
$75K (2018) → $75K (2025)
Marcel Menard
Trustee
On filings since 2018
5 hrs/week
$30K (2018) → $30K (2025)
Marlene Miller
Trustee
On filings since 2018
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Zangrando
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Don Harrington
Secretary
On filings since 2018
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2018–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $75K, to Barbara Menard (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Menard Family Foundation
How much does Menard Family Foundation give each year?
Menard Family Foundation gave $685K across 50 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $797K across 53 grants.
What is Menard Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Menard Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $13,710, across 50 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Menard Family Foundation that year got $7K on average.
Where does Menard Family Foundation give grants?
Menard Family Foundation gives mostly in California: 74% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Diego, CA (15 grants), La Jolla, CA (2 grants), Baltimore, MD (2 grants) and Chicago, IL (2 grants).
Does Menard Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 90% of Menard Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (45 of 50) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Scholarships" (5 grants).
Who are Menard Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Menard Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Father Joe's Villages ($63,000), Scripps Health Foundation ($50,000) and Zoological Society of San Diego ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($25,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Menard Family Foundation?
Menard Family Foundation reported $13.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $774K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $818K (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 Menard Family Foundation fund?
The foundation says it is guided by respect for the dignity and worth of every person and Judeo-Christian values of justice and mercy. Its stated aim is to support organizations that enhance lives and help people reach their full potential. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Menard Family Foundation?
The foundation 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 Menard Family Foundation's EIN?
Menard Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 33-0834790. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2018–2025.
Does Menard 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.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2018 (received by the IRS May 15, 2019)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 7, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 3, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2018–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Menard Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/menard-family-foundation-morg_7108bb911b8d416c944fe3bf59b5c22a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_330834790_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Menard Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/menard-family-foundation-morg_7108bb911b8d416c944fe3bf59b5c22a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Menard Family 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.
Menard Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?