The Ariadne Getty Foundation
The Ariadne Getty Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 2004 and based in Los Angeles, California. The foundation works with partners worldwide to improve the lives of individuals and communities through financial investments and social activism. Formerly known as the Fuserna Foundation, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$213K
+61425.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.5M
-9.5% YoY
Grant Count
5
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$305K
-9.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ariadne Getty Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to work with "partners worldwide to improve the lives of individuals and communities through financial investments & social activism."
Primary funding areas include:
- LGBTQ+ causes — the foundation's largest giving area
- Community and economic development
- Human services
- Youth development
- Public health
- Disabilities
- Disaster relief
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants to organizations aligned with its priorities. According to tax filings, the foundation staff meets quarterly to review proposals. Grantseekers can submit proposals, though the foundation's website does not provide formal application guidelines.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds initiatives across multiple U.S. locations, with primary focus in California. Specific cities where the foundation has funded work include:
- Brentwood
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- Oakland
- San Francisco
- Washington, D.C.
- West Hollywood
The foundation also funds select projects in Florida and Tennessee.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2023):
- Total Assets: $347
- Total Revenue: $1,674,489
- Total Expenses: $1,708,909
- Total Grants and Contributions: $1,674,430
2022 Comparison:
- Total Revenue: $1,128,236
- Total Expenses: Approximately $1.1 million
The foundation showed a 48.4% increase in total grants and contributions from 2022 to 2023.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $213,493 | $347 | $34,767 |
| Revenue | $1,758,530 | $1,674,489 | $1,128,236 |
| Expenses | $1,545,384 | $1,708,909 | $1,145,991 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,545,384 | $1,707,019 | $1,145,991 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $8,428 | $1,114 | $1,005 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
76 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Glaad ($500,000), Glaad ($500,000), Friends of the Center ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| GLAAD LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR GLAAD WHICH IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, AND QUEER (LGBTQ) MEDIA ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION. | $500,000 |
| FRIENDS OF THE CENTER LOS ANGELES, CA | TO SUPPORT THE LOS ANGELES LGBT CENTER TO CREATE THE LA LGBT SENIOR CENTER CAMPUS. | $250,000 |
| GLAAD LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR GLAAD WHICH IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, AND QUEER (LGBTQ) MEDIA ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION. | $500,000 |
| GLAAD LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR GLAAD WHICH IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, AND QUEER (LGBTQ) MEDIA ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION. | $25,000 |
| FRIENDS OF THE CENTER LOS ANGELES, CA | TO SUPPORT THE LOS ANGELES LGBT CENTER TO CREATE THE LA LGBT SENIOR CENTER CAMPUS. | $250,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Ariadne Getty — President and Director (serves on a voluntary basis)
- Leigh Vales — Vice President and Treasurer (serves on a voluntary basis)
- Nats Getty — Advisor
- August Getty — Advisor
- Gigi Lazzarato Getty — Advisor
Ariadne Getty is the daughter of Sir John Paul Getty and granddaughter of J. Paul Getty, founder of Getty Oil. She holds board positions at the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the Better World Fund, and the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARIADNE GETTY | PRESIDENT / DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LEIGH VALES | VICE PRESIDENT / TREASURER | 4 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported notable initiatives including:
Senior affordable housing development in partnership with the Los Angeles LGBT Center
Los Angeles LGBT Center Celebrates the Opening of the Ariadne Getty Foundation\Art history and cultural preservation projects
LGBTQ+ advocacy and community support initiatives
Contact Information
- Website: www.ariadnegettyfdn.org
- Phone: 213-593-2300
- Address: 350 S Grand Ave Ste 2000, Los Angeles, CA 90071-3429
- EIN: 20-0461573
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Ariadne Getty Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to work with "partners worldwide to improve the lives of individuals and communities through financial investments & social activism." Primary funding areas include: • **LGBTQ+ causes** — the foundation's largest giving area • Community and economic development • Human services • Youth development • Public health • Disabilities • Disaster relief
How do I apply for a grant from The Ariadne Getty Foundation?
The foundation makes grants to organizations aligned with its priorities. According to tax filings, the foundation staff meets quarterly to review proposals. Grantseekers can submit proposals, though the foundation's website does not provide formal application guidelines. **Grant Activity:** • In 2023, the foundation made 11 grants • Typical grant awards range from $3,325 to $500,000 • Total giving in 2023: approximately $1.7 million **Application Approach:** The foundation tends to award grant…
Where does The Ariadne Getty Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds initiatives across multiple U.S. locations, with primary focus in California. Specific cities where the foundation has funded work include: • Brentwood • Los Angeles • Miami • Oakland • San Francisco • Washington, D.C. • West Hollywood The foundation also funds select projects in Florida and Tennessee.
What size grants does The Ariadne Getty Foundation award?
In 2024, The Ariadne Getty Foundation awarded 5 grants totaling $1.5M — an average of about $305K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Ariadne Getty Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Ariadne Getty Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Ariadne Getty Foundation's EIN?
The Ariadne Getty Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-0461573. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Ariadne Getty Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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