Monster Energy Cares
Monster Energy Cares is a private foundation based in Corona, California. Monster Beverage Corporation describes it as the foundation through which it manages its philanthropy, supporting active-duty, injured and retired military personnel, Monster athletes and their charities, local communities, and first responders.
Monster Energy Cares at a glance
In short: Monster Energy Cares gave $806K across 144 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in California. 43% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $806,142
- +3.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 144
- +32.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $5,598
- -21.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $500
- Total assets
- $129,331
- -28.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 43% first-time grantees (60 of 141, 2025)
- Primary geography
- California (66% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Monster Energy Cares
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1 Monster Way, Corona, CA 92879
Phone: (951) 739-6413
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Monster Energy Cares funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was High Five Nonprofit Foundation ($200K). Together the top 10 received $640K.
Grant Size Distribution
662 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 636 grants of 662 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In filing year 2025, California organizations received 66% of grant dollars, followed by Nevada at 13%, New York at 6%, North Carolina at 4%, and Florida at 3%. The foundation’s website also describes supporting communities where Monster Energy operates.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 144 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Monster Energy Cares open to new grantees?
43%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 60 of 141 grantees (43%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $9K. How we count
Medians: $282 first-time, $750 repeat.
- 31% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 20% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $370K (2020) to $1.2M (2023). In 2025 it made 144 grants totaling $806K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| High Five Nonprofit Foundation Truckee, CA | Cash Donation for Fundraising | $200,000 |
| Chapman University Orange, CA | Cash Donation for Fundraising | $140,000 |
| 15 and the Mahomies Foundation Las Vegas, NV | Cash Donation for Fundraising | $100,000 |
| The UCI Irvine Foundation Orange, CA | Cash Donation for Fundraising | $75,000 |
| Friends of the Israel Defense Forces New York, NY | Cash Donation for Fundraising | $36,000 |
| Robert Irvine Foundation Tampa, FL | Cash Donation for Fundraising | $25,000 |
| Womens Voices Now Inc Rolling Hills Estates, CA | Cash Donation for Fundraising | $20,000 |
| Special Forces Charitable Trust Southern Pines, NC | Cash Donation for Fundraising | $20,000 |
| Soroptimist International of Corona Corona, CA | Cash Donation for Fundraising | $12,500 |
| Corona Police Community Partnership Corona, CA | Cash Donation for Fundraising | $11,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Monster Energy Cares?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $129,331 | $750,000 | $802,059 | $806,142 | 144 | $801,241 | $6,370 |
| 2024 | $181,391 | $750,000 | $777,656 | $776,751 | 109 | $776,751 | $8,934 |
| 2023 | $209,047 | $1,225,000 | $1,219,438 | $1,218,282 | 152 | $1,218,282 | $10,296 |
| 2022 | $203,485 | $850,118 | $671,934 | $671,016 | 169 | $671,016 | $10,022 |
| 2021 | $25,301 | $577,370 | $682,112 | $678,818 | 88 | $678,818 | $1,246 |
| 2020 | $130,043 | $450,000 | $370,791 | $369,736 | 82 | — | $6,405 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Monster Energy Cares reported a distributable amount of $6K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Monster Beverage says its philanthropic platform supports communities where the company operates. Its website describes work with military and veterans’ organizations, including scholarships for children of U.S. military personnel and support for programs serving veterans. It also describes support for athlete charities, local communities, and first responders.
The foundation’s 2025 grants included organizations with varied missions. Chapman University says its mission is to provide a distinctive, personalized education that leads to inquisitive, ethical and productive lives as global citizens. 15 and the Mahomies Foundation says it works to improve children’s lives, with initiatives focused on health, wellness, communities in need and other charitable causes. Friends of the Israel Defense Forces says it supports the health, well-being and education of Israel’s protectors. The Robert Irvine Foundation says it supports the physical and mental well-being of service members, veterans, first responders and their families. Other 2025 grantees included organizations whose stated missions address women’s rights through film, support for Green Berets and their families, disaster response, and opportunities in education, training, mentorship, action sports, business and creative arts.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 144 grants totaling $806,142. Grant amounts ranged from $25 to $200,000, with a median of $500. The filing lists the grants’ purpose as “cash donation for fundraising.”
Among the largest reported grants were $200,000 to High Five Nonprofit Foundation, $140,000 to Chapman University, $100,000 to 15 and the Mahomies Foundation, $75,000 to the UCI Irvine Foundation, and $36,000 to Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. Other reported grants included $25,000 to the Robert Irvine Foundation, $20,000 each to Womens Voices Now and the Special Forces Charitable Trust, and $10,000 each to Motor Racing Outreach and the 43 Institute.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Darlene Barrett as president; Thomas Kelly as secretary/CFO; and Paul Dechary, Elaine Rogers, Hilton Schlosberg, and Norman Smith as directors.
Monster Energy Cares is led by Darlene Barrett, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Darlene Barrett
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Elaine Rogers
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Hilton Schlosberg
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Norman Smith
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Paul Dechary
Director
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Thomas Kelly
Secretary & CFO
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Rodney Sacks (2020–2024) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Monster Energy Cares
How much does Monster Energy Cares give each year?
Monster Energy Cares gave $806K across 144 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $777K across 109 grants.
What is Monster Energy Cares's typical grant size?
Monster Energy Cares's median grant in 2025 was $500, and its average grant was $5,598, across 144 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Monster Energy Cares that year got $2K on average.
Where does Monster Energy Cares give grants?
Monster Energy Cares gives mostly in California: 66% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Nevada (13%) and New York (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Riverside, CA (9 grants), Los Angeles, CA (8 grants), New York, NY (6 grants) and Washington, DC (6 grants).
Does Monster Energy Cares give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 144 grants with a stated purpose on Monster Energy Cares's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Employee Matching" (110 grants) and "Cash Donation for Fundraising" (34 grants).
Who are Monster Energy Cares's largest grantees?
Monster Energy Cares's largest 2025 grantees include High Five Nonprofit Foundation ($200,000), Chapman University ($140,000) and 15 and the Mahomies Foundation ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Monster Energy Cares?
Monster Energy Cares reported $129K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $801K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Monster Energy Cares fund?
Monster Beverage says its philanthropic platform supports communities where the company operates. Its website describes work with military and veterans’ organizations, including scholarships for children of U.S. military personnel and support for programs serving veterans. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Monster Energy Cares?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and 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 Monster Energy Cares's EIN?
Monster Energy Cares's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-4652012. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Monster Energy Cares accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 2, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 26, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 26, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Monster Energy Cares funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/monster-energy-cares-morg_30d2956f63d249b788d5221c2de6e076
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_454652012_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Monster Energy Cares funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/monster-energy-cares-morg_30d2956f63d249b788d5221c2de6e076},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Monster Energy Cares'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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