Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation
The Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California. In 2024, it made grants to charitable organizations in several states, including a university, health and education organizations, arts groups, public media organizations, and community-service organizations.
Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation at a glance
In short: Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation gave $610K across 21 grants in 2024 (avg $29K), mostly in California. 14% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $610,000
- +2.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 21
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $29,048
- +2.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $4,381,906
- +6.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 14% first-time grantees (3 of 21, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (50% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 6701 Center Drive West 925, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Phone: (310) 258-0920
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
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Notre Dame ($207K). Together the top 10 received $532K.
Grant Size Distribution
108 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 94 grants of 108 (87%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, California recipients received 50% of grant dollars, Indiana recipients 34%, New York recipients 9%, Washington, DC recipients 4%, and Virginia recipients 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
Cities
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. With only 21 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $33K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 86% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 26% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 270% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $449K (2020) to $610K (2024). In 2024 it made 21 grants totaling $610K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| 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 |
Ready to take the next step with Norris and Debra Bishton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,381,906 | $880,098 | $628,028 | $610,000 | 21 | $610,000 | $262,070 | $225,593 |
| 2023 | $4,129,836 | $1,306,704 | $617,589 | $598,000 | 21 | $598,000 | $137,205 | $187,119 |
| 2022 | $3,440,721 | $835,110 | $528,130 | $513,500 | 22 | $513,500 | $320,480 | $172,325 |
| 2021 | $3,133,741 | $587,494 | $501,970 | $483,000 | 22 | $483,000 | $118,524 | $196,445 |
| 2020 | $3,048,217 | $376,404 | $468,342 | $448,500 | 22 | — | $256,562 | $168,581 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation reported a distributable amount of $226K for 2024 — 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’s own mission is not stated in the available information. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in varied fields. For example, the Baryshnikov Arts Center says its mission is to foster interest in the arts and encourage collaboration among artists. New York Public Radio says it aims to make audiences more curious, open-hearted, and joyful through audio programming rooted in New York. Planned Parenthood Los Angeles describes its mission as providing reproductive health care and sexual health information through patient services, education, and advocacy.
Other 2024 recipients include Hermandad Mexicana Nacional, which says it helps people in need through paralegal assistance, a youth center, and low-income housing; Catalina Island Museum, which says it collects, preserves, and promotes the island’s culture and history; and The Stephen C. Rose Legacy Foundation, which says it supports the mental health and emotional well-being of young people.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded $610,000 through 21 grants. Grants ranged from $3,000 to $207,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest awards included $207,000 to the University of Notre Dame, $95,000 to St. John’s Health Center Foundation, and $50,000 to the Library Foundation of LA. Other notable grants were $35,000 to Baryshnikov Arts Center, $30,000 to KCRW Building Fund, and $25,000 each to Center Theatre Group, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, and NPR Foundation Building Fund. The listed grant purposes state that funds were donated without restriction of usage.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Norris J. Bishton as president; Debra Bishton, Gregory W. Bishton, Blake G. Bishton, and Evan S. Bishton as directors; and Norris J. Bishton III as secretary/treasurer.
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.
Frequently asked questions about Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation
How much does Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation give each year?
Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation gave $610K across 21 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $598K across 21 grants.
What is Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation's typical grant size?
Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $29,048, across 21 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation that year got $6K on average.
Where does Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation give grants?
Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation gives mostly in California: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were 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).
Does Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 21 grants with a stated purpose on Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Funds Are Donated Without Restriction of Usage" (21 grants).
Who are Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation's largest grantees?
Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include University of Notre Dame ($207,000), St John's Health Center Foundation ($95,000) and Library Foundation of LA ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation?
Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation reported $4.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $610K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $226K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation fund?
The foundation’s own mission is not stated in the available information. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in varied fields. For example, the Baryshnikov Arts Center says its mission is to foster interest in the arts and encourage collaboration among artists. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation?
The foundation 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 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 ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/norris-and-debra-bishton-foundation-morg_a1e898f6d2194bf096f092bb63fa56b4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_471293975_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Norris and Debra Bishton Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/norris-and-debra-bishton-foundation-morg_a1e898f6d2194bf096f092bb63fa56b4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Norris and Debra Bishton 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.
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