Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation
The Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation is an independent private foundation based in Los Angeles, California. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with the primary mission of supporting charitable causes through philanthropic grants.
Key facts about Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation
- EIN
- 47-1293975
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $610,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 21
- Average grant
- $29,048
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 14% first-time grantees (3 of 21, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (50% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation's 21 itemized 2024 grants were California (50%), Indiana (34%) and New York (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (9 grants), Santa Monica, CA (3 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants). None of its 21 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Funds Are Donated Without Restriction of Usage" (21 grants).
Is Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation open to new grantees?
14%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 21 grantees (14%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $33K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $20K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation
- How to evaluate Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$610K
+2.0% YoY
Grant Count
21
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
+2.0% YoY
Grantmaking
The foundation distributes approximately $598,000 annually through an average of 21 grants per year. Grant sizes typically range from $5,000 to $185,000, with a median grant of $10,000.
Grant Range
s typically range from $5,000 to $185,000, with a median grant of $10,000.
Ready to take the next step with Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily focuses its grantmaking in California, with particular activity in the Los Angeles area.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 21 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $4.1 million (as of 2023)
Annual Giving: $598,000 (2023)
Giving Rate: 14.5% of assets
Historical Trends:
- 2023: $4.1M in assets, $598K in total giving across 21 grants
- 2022: $3.4M in assets, $514K in total giving across 22 grants
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
108 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include University of Notre Dame ($207,000), St John's Health Center Foundation ($95,000), Library Foundation of LA ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME Notre Dame, IN | FUNDS ARE DONATED WITHOUT RESTRICTION OF USAGE | $207,000 |
| ST JOHN'S HEALTH CENTER FOUNDATION Santa Monica, CA | FUNDS ARE DONATED WITHOUT RESTRICTION OF USAGE | $95,000 |
| LIBRARY FOUNDATION OF LA Los Angeles, CA | FUNDS ARE DONATED WITHOUT RESTRICTION OF USAGE | $50,000 |
| BARYSHNIKOV ARTS CENTER INC New York, NY | FUNDS ARE DONATED WITHOUT RESTRICTION OF USAGE | $35,000 |
| KCRW BUILDING FUND Santa Monica, CA | FUNDS ARE DONATED WITHOUT RESTRICTION OF USAGE | $30,000 |
| CENTER THEATRE GROUP Los Angeles, CA | FUNDS ARE DONATED WITHOUT RESTRICTION OF USAGE | $25,000 |
| LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC ASSOC Los Angeles, CA | FUNDS ARE DONATED WITHOUT RESTRICTION OF USAGE | $25,000 |
| NPR FOUNDATION BUILDING FUND Washington, DC | FUNDS ARE DONATED WITHOUT RESTRICTION OF USAGE | $25,000 |
| NEW YORK PUBLIC RADIO New York, NY | FUNDS ARE DONATED WITHOUT RESTRICTION OF USAGE | $20,000 |
| ST CHRISTOPHER SCHOOL EDU FUND West Covina, CA | FUNDS ARE DONATED WITHOUT RESTRICTION OF USAGE | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Norris J. Bishton Jr. is listed as the officer to whom correspondence should be directed.
Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation is led by Norris J. Bishton, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Norris J. Bishton
President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Blake G. Bishton
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Debra Bishton
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Evan S. Bishton
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gregory W. Bishton
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Norris J. Bishton III
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact Information
Address: 6701 Center Dr W Ste 925, Los Angeles, CA 90045-1570
Telephone: 310-258-0920
EIN: 47-1293975
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a grant from Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation?
The foundation distributes approximately $598,000 annually through an average of 21 grants per year. Grant sizes typically range from $5,000 to $185,000, with a median grant of $10,000. **Application Policy:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates on an invite-only basis. **Recent Grant Activity:** The foundation awarded $5,000 to Hermandad Mexicana Nacional in 2023 for unrestricted charitable use.
Where does Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily focuses its grantmaking in California, with particular activity in the Los Angeles area.
What size grants does Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation award?
In 2024, Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation awarded 21 grants totaling $610K — an average of about $29K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation's EIN?
Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-1293975. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
Assets
$6.0B
Grants
3,976
Total Given
$1.4B
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
Tides Foundation
San Francisco, CA
Assets
$534.5M
Grants
2,110
Total Given
$382.1M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
Sempra Foundation
San Diego, CA
Assets
$11.5M
Grants
1,501
Total Given
$1.8M
Conrad N Hilton Foundation
Westlake Village, CA
Assets
$7.4B
Grants
1,339
Total Given
$287.7M
Chamberlin Education Foundation
Richmond, CA
Assets
$80.6M
Grants
1,302
Total Given
$3.0M
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
New York, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
10,334
Total Given
$202.5M
The Pfizer Foundation Inc
New York, NY
Assets
$255.3M
Grants
9,306
Total Given
$23.2M
More Funders in California
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.