The Brookheim Foundation
The Brookheim Foundation is a private foundation based in La Jolla, California. It supports animal rescue and animal medical care, education-related expenses for individuals unable to pay, and medical expenses for individuals unable to pay for unexpected illnesses.
The Brookheim Foundation at a glance
In short: The Brookheim Foundation gave $117K across 52 grants in 2026 (avg $2K), mostly in California. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $117,280
- +27.8% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 52
- +44.4% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $2,255
- -11.5% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $238,568
- -6.3% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- California (88% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Brookheim Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 5411 Bahia Lane, La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: (858) 272-7122
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Brookheim Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Justin Bessette ($20K). Together the top 10 received $67K.
Grant Size Distribution
202 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 202 grants of 202 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2026, 88% of grant dollars went to recipients in California. Other reported recipient-state shares were North Carolina and Minnesota at 4% each, Oregon at 2%, and an unspecified state at 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 52 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Brookheim Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2023 to 2026 (−5%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $92K (2025) to $144K (2022). In 2026 it made 52 grants totaling $117K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Justin Bessette Dulzura, CA | Repairs | $20,000 |
| Compact Escondido, CA | Donation | $8,000 |
| Producegoods Oceanside, CA | Donation | $5,500 |
| Green Oak Ranch Vista, CA | Financial Support | $5,500 |
| Hope Ministries Moravian Falls, NC | Donation | $5,000 |
| Isabel Bello San Diego, CA | Educator Grant | $4,800 |
| Cynthia Chaffee La Jolla, CA | Medical Support | $4,500 |
| Danielle Engle Apple Valley, MN | Medical Suport | $4,000 |
| San Diego Humane Society San Diego, CA | Donation | $3,500 |
| Grace Presbyterian Vista, CA | Donation | $3,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $238,568 | $116,050 | $136,493 | $117,280 | 52 | $117,280 | — |
| 2025 | $254,744 | $130,000 | $111,247 | $91,767 | 36 | $91,767 | — |
| 2024 | $85,991 | $134,021 | $131,800 | $107,914 | 37 | $108,924 | — |
| 2023 | $258,770 | $239,810 | $152,016 | $122,876 | 44 | $122,876 | $30 |
| 2022 | $271,704 | $155,487 | $169,876 | $144,369 | 33 | $144,369 | $25 |
| 2021 | $286,093 | $328,902 | $145,537 | $118,730 | 29 | — | $5 |
| 2020 | $102,728 | $131,111 | $139,258 | $111,937 | 21 | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated charitable activities include grants to public charities that care for animals, and support for individuals’ education-related expenses and medical expenses arising from unexpected illnesses. Its 2026 grants also include donations and individual assistance described as repairs, financial support, educator grant, and medical support.
Among its 2026 grantees, Neighborhood Healthcare describes its mission as improving community health and happiness by providing quality care regardless of situation or circumstance. Vista Community Clinic describes its mission as advancing community health and hope through access to health services and education for people who need them most.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2026, the foundation gave 52 grants totaling $117,280. Grant amounts ranged from $200 to $20,000, with a median grant of $1,000. Notable grants included $20,000 for repairs, $8,000 to COMPACT, $5,500 each to ProduceGoods and Green Oak Ranch, and $5,000 to Hope Ministries. Neighborhood Healthcare and Vista Community Clinic each received $2,500.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Catherine Conheim is listed as a trustee on the 2026 filing.
The Brookheim Foundation is led by Catherine L. Conheim, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Catherine L. Conheim
Trustee
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2026. "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 The Brookheim Foundation
How much does The Brookheim Foundation give each year?
The Brookheim Foundation gave $117K across 52 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $92K across 36 grants.
What is The Brookheim Foundation's typical grant size?
The Brookheim Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $1,000, and its average grant was $2,255, across 52 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Brookheim Foundation give grants?
The Brookheim Foundation gives mostly in California: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Vista, CA (17 grants), La Jolla, CA (13 grants), San Diego, CA (6 grants) and Escondido, CA (3 grants).
Does The Brookheim Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2026: none of the 52 grants with a stated purpose on The Brookheim Foundation's 2026 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation" (16 grants), "Financial Support" (10 grants) and "Education Grant" (9 grants).
Who are The Brookheim Foundation's largest grantees?
The Brookheim Foundation's largest 2026 grantees include Justin Bessette ($20,000), Compact ($8,000) and Producegoods ($5,500), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is The Brookheim Foundation?
The Brookheim Foundation reported $239K in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $116K.
What does The Brookheim Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated charitable activities include grants to public charities that care for animals, and support for individuals’ education-related expenses and medical expenses arising from unexpected illnesses. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Brookheim Foundation?
The foundation states that it 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 The Brookheim Foundation's EIN?
The Brookheim Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 33-6211470. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2026.
Does The Brookheim 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 5, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Brookheim Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-brookheim-foundation-morg_16608dfe18164bb09f3c7d643fe8da7a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_336211470_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Brookheim Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-brookheim-foundation-morg_16608dfe18164bb09f3c7d643fe8da7a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 The Brookheim 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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