Ronald M Simon Family Foundation
The Ronald M Simon Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Newport Beach, California. Its stated mission is to guide underserved students with leadership potential through high school and college toward meaningful careers, principally through the Simon Scholars Program.
Ronald M Simon Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Ronald M Simon Family Foundation gave $3.3M across 28 grants in 2025 (avg $120K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,346,864
- +27.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 28
- +64.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $119,531
- -22.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $14,995,131
- +8.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Ronald M Simon Family Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. For information about application forms, materials, and award restrictions, it directs applicants to the Simon Scholars website. The program website describes an application process for prospective students.
- Review Cycle
- The prospective-student application window listed on the program website is November 10, 2025, through January 26, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
- Deadline
- The prospective-student application window listed on the program website is November 10, 2025, through January 26,…
- Contact
Application contact: Kathy S Abels Phd
Mailing address: 620 Newport Center Drive 12Th Floor, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone: (949) 373-3500
Email: kabels@simonfoundation.net
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Ronald M Simon Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Scholarships to University Students ($1.7M). Together the top 10 received $3.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
61 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 41 grants of 61 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported by recipient state for 2025 went to California recipients. The foundation’s program website lists participating high schools in Orange County, and its history describes resources being redirected to maximize impact in Orange County.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 28 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Ronald M Simon Family Foundation gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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 $1.4M (2020) to $3.3M (2025). In 2025 it made 28 grants totaling $3.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Scholarships to University Students San Clemente, CA | To Further Donee Organization's Exempt Purpose. | $1,737,251 |
| Orange County Music and Dance Inc Irvine, CA | To Further Donee Organization's Exempt Purpose. | $1,000,000 |
| Chapman University Orange, CA | To Further Donee Organization's Exempt Purpose. | $110,000 |
| Community Service Project Hope Alliance Costa Mesa, CA | To Further Donee Organization's Exempt Purpose. | $75,000 |
| Young Lives Redeemed Fullerton, CA | To Further Donee Organization's Exempt Purpose. | $75,000 |
| Teen Project Sun Valley CA, CA | To Further Donee Organization's Exempt Purpose. | $53,000 |
| Bracken's Chicken Garden Grove, CA | To Further Donee Organization's Exempt Purpose. | $50,368 |
| Veteran's Relief Foundation Laguna Hills, CA | To Further Donee Organization's Exempt Purpose. | $50,000 |
| Choc Children's Foundation Orange, CA | To Further Donee Organization's Exempt Purpose. | $34,171 |
| Pretend City the Children's Museum of Orange County Irvine, CA | To Further Donee Organization's Exempt Purpose. | $27,700 |
Ready to take the next step with Ronald M Simon Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $14,995,131 | $12,750,797 | $10,078,913 | $3,346,864 | 28 | $9,657,038 | $484,674 |
| 2024 | $13,837,363 | $16,746,550 | $14,923,226 | $2,628,705 | 17 | $9,098,730 | $3,940,552 |
| 2023 | $7,639,915 | $8,583,595 | $7,099,373 | $1,849,170 | 9 | $6,909,788 | $172,649 |
| 2022 | $4,821,566 | $5,097,303 | $4,931,686 | $1,487,293 | 3 | $4,926,433 | $30,831 |
| 2021 | $4,850,013 | $5,239,064 | $4,153,969 | $1,541,604 | 4 | — | $16,497 |
| 2020 | $3,697,136 | $5,000,686 | $4,173,440 | $1,408,003 | 4 | — | $17,648 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Simon Scholars Program’s mission is to guide underserved students who demonstrate leadership potential on a path through high school and college that enhances their opportunities to achieve meaningful careers. The foundation’s filing describes its direct charitable activity as helping students facing difficult life and economic circumstances pursue a college education, with scholarships for tuition and expenses and support for life-skills development.
The foundation’s 2025 grants include organizations with varied charitable activities. For example, Orange County Music and Dance says it provides music and dance education and training for children in Orange County. Chapman University describes its mission as providing a personalized education that supports inquiry, ethical conduct, and productive lives. The Teen Project says it provides housing, education, sober living, and mentoring to young people ages 18 to 24. Pretend City describes its work as supporting young children’s development through play and real-world experiences.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 28 grants totaling $3,346,864. Grant amounts ranged from $274 to $1,737,251, with a median of $10,000. The largest grants included $1,737,251 for “Scholarships to University Students,” $1,000,000 to Orange County Music and Dance Inc., $110,000 to Chapman University, and $75,000 each to Community Service Project Hope Alliance and Young Lives Redeemed.
The Simon Scholars Program separately offers students need-based scholarships of up to $16,000, distributed over four years, along with advising, college and career support, and leadership opportunities. This is support for program participants, rather than a grant program for outside applicants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Ronald M. Simon as founding chairman; Gary Singer as chairman; Kathy Simon Abels as vice-chair; Benjamin Drutman as president; and Randy Thompson as treasurer. It lists Alex Calabrese, Gilbert Levasseur Jr., James B. Freedman, James V. Mazzo, and Jim Doti as directors. The program’s history identifies Andy Robles as its executive director.
Ronald M Simon Family Foundation is led by Benjamin Drutman, President on every filing since 2023; 2 of 12 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Benjamin Drutman
President
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$286K (2023) → $312K (2025)
Gary Singer Esq.
Chairman
Director → Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Ronald M. Simon
Founding Chairman
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Alex Calebrese
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Gilbert Levasseur Jr.
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
James B. Freedman
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
James V. Mazzo
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Jim Doti
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Sandi Simon
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Steven H. Simon
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Kathy Simon Abels
Vice Chair
President → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$288K (2020) → $256K (2025)
Randy Thompson
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Joyce Suber (2020–2022) — 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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $312K, to Benjamin Drutman (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Ronald M Simon Family Foundation
How much does Ronald M Simon Family Foundation give each year?
Ronald M Simon Family Foundation gave $3.3M across 28 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.6M across 17 grants.
What is Ronald M Simon Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Ronald M Simon Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $119,531, across 28 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Ronald M Simon Family Foundation give grants?
Ronald M Simon Family Foundation gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Irvine, CA (5 grants), Santa Ana, CA (4 grants), Orange, CA (3 grants) and Costa Mesa, CA (3 grants).
Who are Ronald M Simon Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Ronald M Simon Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Scholarships to University Students ($1,737,251), Orange County Music and Dance Inc ($1,000,000) and Chapman University ($110,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 85% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Ronald M Simon Family Foundation?
Ronald M Simon Family Foundation reported $15.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $12.8M.
What does Ronald M Simon Family Foundation fund?
The Simon Scholars Program’s mission is to guide underserved students who demonstrate leadership potential on a path through high school and college that enhances their opportunities to achieve meaningful careers. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ronald M Simon Family Foundation?
The foundation’s filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ronald M Simon Family Foundation's EIN?
Ronald M Simon Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-2399226. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 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 May 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 22, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 3, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 18, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Ronald M Simon Family Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ronald M Simon Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Orange County Community Foundation
Irvine, CA
The Orange County Community Foundation supports a wide range of causes, including human services, education, health, arts, the environment, and community development, primarily in Orange County and also beyond. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely; it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$743.6M
Grants
975
Total Given
$120.4M
Samueli Foundation
Corona Del Mar, CA
The Samueli Foundation funds catalytic projects that improve community well-being, with grants spanning education, health, homelessness, food security, and Jewish life. Its primary focus is Orange County, California, with additional support for Jewish life in Israel; 2024 grants had a median of $39,470, though amounts varied widely. It does not accept unsolicited requests for strategic grants, but it has offered application-based open initiatives; check its website for future cycles.
Assets
$62.2M
Grants
366
Total Given
$80.6M
The Devto Support Foundation
Newport Beach, CA
The DevTo Support Foundation funds 501(c)(3) organizations serving Orange County or the Coachella Valley, with priorities including disadvantaged youth, mentoring and enrichment, youth sports, faith-based programs, and recovery services. Typical core grants are $10,000–$75,000, with larger special grants of $100,000–$250,000; it does not accept unsolicited requests and considers proposals by invitation only.
Assets
$110.4M
Grants
105
Total Given
$4.9M
Edwards Lifesciences Foundation
Irvine, CA
Edwards Lifesciences Foundation funds access to care for underserved structural heart patients, along with health, education, and economic-opportunity programs in communities where Edwards employees live and work; some specific projects outside the U.S. may also be eligible. Its 2024 grants had a median of $7,500, though awards ranged widely; it describes an annual application cycle but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$81.4M
Grants
224
Total Given
$9.0M
Farmers & Merchants Bank Foundation
Long Beach, CA
The Farmers & Merchants Bank Foundation supports a range of nonprofits and educational institutions, with 2025 grants including hunger relief, affordable housing, and education. It gave $500–$15,500, with a median of $2,500; nearly all funding went to California, with a small share going to Missouri. Its filing says giving is not restricted to preselected organizations, but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.2M
Grants
188
Total Given
$595K
Sisters of St Joseph Healthcare Foundation
Orange, CA
The Sisters of St Joseph funds organizations addressing the needs of working and indigent people, including work on housing, family violence, community services, and at-risk youth. Its focus is Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Humboldt County; 2025 grants ranged from $10,000 to $100,000, with a median of $40,000. The filing does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$52.2M
Grants
63
Total Given
$2.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ronald M Simon Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ronald-m-simon-family-foundation-morg_19c51b9949b24a4081675ee666b6c2cf
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_272399226_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ronald M Simon Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ronald-m-simon-family-foundation-morg_19c51b9949b24a4081675ee666b6c2cf},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 Ronald M Simon 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.
Ronald M Simon Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?