The Bright Family Foundation
The Bright Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Modesto, California. Established in 1986, it operates as a family foundation with a focus on philanthropic giving to nonprofit organizations, primarily within California.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$23.8M
+3.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
+7.8% YoY
Grant Count
31
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$35K
+7.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Bright Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation provides support for nonprofit organizations with emphasis on the following areas:
- Education, including scholarship grants and higher education
- Medical services and internships
- Social services, including family services, hunger, and homelessness
- Health
- Community development
- Children and youth
- Arts and culture
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary funding focus is in Stanislaus County, California, with particular emphasis on the Modesto area. The foundation also has documented giving in Massachusetts and California more broadly.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $22,986,562
- Total Annual Giving: $1,000,000
- Tax-Exempt Status: Granted in December 1986
- EIN: 77-0126942
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $23,798,362 | $22,986,562 | $22,523,467 |
| Revenue | $2,058,287 | $1,590,619 | $1,165,227 |
| Expenses | $1,246,881 | $1,130,905 | $1,132,934 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,077,500 | $1,000,000 | $982,500 |
| Net Investment Income | $651,264 | $467,714 | $312,753 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,230,452 | $1,045,859 | $1,000,870 |
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
150 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Uc Merced Hub ($235,000), Uc Merced Ceb Success Center ($100,000), Children's Crisis Center ($75,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ASTRO FOUNDATION OAKDALE, CA | ANIMAL RESCUE | $8,000 |
| BOY SCOUTS - YOSEMITE AREA COUNCIL MODESTO, CA | COMMUNITY PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN. | $2,500 |
| BOYS GIRLS CLUBS OF STANISLAUS COUN MODESTO, CA | COMMUNITY PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN. | $35,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF TRACY TRACY, CA | COMMUNITY PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN. | $25,000 |
| CASA OF STANISLAUS COUNTY MODESTO, CA | DONATION | $10,000 |
| CENTER FOR HUMAN SERVICES MODESTO, CA | SUPPORT TEENS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT. | $40,000 |
| CENTRAL WEST BALLET MODESTO, CA | SUPPORT LOCAL ARTS | $3,500 |
| CHILDREN'S CRISIS CENTER MODESTO, CA | SUPPORT PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE. | $75,000 |
| COMMUNITY HOSPICE FOUNDATION MODESTO, CA | CARE FOR THE TERMINALLY ILL. | $20,000 |
| CSU STANISLAUS FOUNDATION TURLOCK, CA | EDUCATIONAL | $45,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN DUNN | DIRECTOR/SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| CAROL BRIGHT TOUGAS | DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| SUSAN HUNTER | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| GARY HUNTER | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| RACHEL TOUGAS | DIRECTOR / TREASURER | — | — |
| LOURA ERICKSON | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Contact Information
- Address: 1620 N Carpenter Rd # B-1, Modesto, CA 95351-1153
- Telephone: 303-740-9400
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Bright Family Foundation fund?
The foundation provides support for nonprofit organizations with emphasis on the following areas: • Education, including scholarship grants and higher education • Medical services and internships • Social services, including family services, hunger, and homelessness • Health • Community development • Children and youth • Arts and culture
How do I apply for a grant from The Bright Family Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $1,000 to $205,000. **Types of Support:** The foundation provides various forms of support including: • Project support • Endowments • Equipment • Research **Annual Giving:** The foundation distributed $1,000,000 in total giving according to its most recent filing. **Geographic Service Area:** The foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations in Stanislaus County, California, with emphasis on the Modesto area.
Where does The Bright Family Foundation make grants?
Primary funding focus is in Stanislaus County, California, with particular emphasis on the Modesto area. The foundation also has documented giving in Massachusetts and California more broadly.
What size grants does The Bright Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Bright Family Foundation awarded 31 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $35K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Bright Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Bright Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Bright Family Foundation's EIN?
The Bright Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0126942. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Bright Family 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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