The Carol and James Collins Foundation
The Carol and James Collins Foundation is a private foundation based in Santa Monica, California. It supports children, youth, and families—particularly underserved communities—in Southern California through grants to educational institutions, youth development organizations, and community programs.
The Carol and James Collins Foundation at a glance
In short: The Carol and James Collins Foundation gave $2.0M across 62 grants in 2025 (avg $32K), mostly in California. 27% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,006,060
- +29.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 62
- -8.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $32,356
- +42.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $31,212,609
- +4.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (17 of 62, 2025)
- Primary geography
- California (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Carol and James Collins 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: 2444 Wilshire Boulevard 406, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Phone: (310) 645-0113
Website: https://jamesacollins.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Carol and James Collins Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles ($185K). Together the top 10 received $738K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($25,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
294 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 285 grants of 294 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that it serves children, youth, and families in Southern California, particularly those who are underserved. In 2025, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in California, 2% to New York, and a rounded less than 1% to Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 62 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Carol and James Collins Foundation open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 17 of 62 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $22K; repeat grants $36K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $35K repeat.
- 68% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 41% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 146% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $432K (2023) to $2.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 62 grants totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | General operating support | $185,000 |
| Collins & Katz Family YMCA Los Angeles, CA | General Operating Support | $162,000 |
| Para Los Ninos Los Angeles, CA | General operating support | $57,500 |
| Discovery Cube Los Angeles Sylmar, CA | General Operating Support | $50,000 |
| Ready to Succeed Santa Monica, CA | General operating support | $50,000 |
| Heart of Los Angeles Youth Los Angeles, CA | General operating support | $50,000 |
| The Change Reaction Sherman Oaks, CA | General operating support | $50,000 |
| First Graduate San Francisco, CA | General Operating Support | $45,500 |
| Alliance College-Ready Public Schools Los Angeles, CA | General operating support | $45,000 |
| LA Promise Fund Los Angeles, CA | Support culinary arts program | $42,500 |
Ready to take the next step with The Carol and James Collins 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $31,212,609 | $1,952,897 | $2,241,858 | $2,006,060 | 62 | $2,152,986 | $1,864,025 | $1,470,669 |
| 2024 | $29,742,959 | $2,493,783 | $1,701,390 | $1,547,670 | 68 | $1,628,744 | $2,421,137 | $1,393,859 |
| 2023 | $27,304,167 | $379,848 | $475,750 | $432,000 | 17 | $457,272 | $361,370 | $318,910 |
| 2022 | $24,240,935 | $1,264,164 | $1,682,110 | $1,424,795 | 84 | $1,533,386 | $1,165,440 | $1,385,712 |
| 2021 | $30,511,433 | $29,580,107 | $1,363,665 | $1,165,580 | 63 | — | $15,646,610 | $1,241,353 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Carol and James Collins Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.5M for 2025 — 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 mission is to enrich the lives of children, youth, and families, particularly those who are underserved, in Southern California. It supports groups and institutions that provide tools for education, health, and self-reliance.
Its 2025 grantees include organizations working in education, youth development, and family support. For example, Para Los Niños describes its work as partnering with children, youth, and families through education, wellness, support, and advocacy. Ready to Succeed says it helps foster youth in college prepare for careers through advising, professional networks, and paid internships. Alliance College-Ready Public Schools describes its mission as operating schools in low-income Los Angeles communities and preparing students for college. The LA Promise Fund says it provides academic and enrichment opportunities to prepare students for college and careers.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 62 grants totaling $2,006,060. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $185,000, with a median of $30,000. The largest listed grants included $185,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles for general operating support and $162,000 to Collins & Katz Family YMCA for general operating support. Other notable grants included $57,500 to Para Los Niños, $50,000 each to Discovery Cube Los Angeles, Ready to Succeed, Heart of Los Angeles Youth, and The Change Reaction, and $45,500 to First Graduate.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Cathleen C Hession as president, secretary, and treasurer. Directors listed are Kelly L Collins, Melissa Collins Gudim, Melanie Buswell, Alexander Gudim, Trevor Gudim, and Natalie Hession.
The Carol and James Collins Foundation is led by Cathleen C. Hession, President, Secretary & Treasurer on every filing since 2021; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Cathleen C. Hession
President, Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$60K (2021) → $60K (2025)
Alexander Gudim
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$2K (2021) → $0 (2025)
Kelly L. Collins
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$1K (2021) → $0 (2025)
Melanie Buswell
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$1K (2021) → $0 (2025)
Melissa Collins Gudim
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$2K (2021) → $0 (2025)
Natalie Hession
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$1K (2021) → $0 (2025)
Trevor Gudim
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$2K (2021) → $0 (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Carol L. Collins (2021–2024) — Founder
- Former: James Collins (2021–2024) — Founder
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $60K, to Cathleen C Hession (Pres, Sec, Treas).
Frequently asked questions about The Carol and James Collins Foundation
How much does The Carol and James Collins Foundation give each year?
The Carol and James Collins Foundation gave $2.0M across 62 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.5M across 68 grants.
What is The Carol and James Collins Foundation's typical grant size?
The Carol and James Collins Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $30,000, and its average grant was $32,356, across 62 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Carol and James Collins Foundation that year got $22K on average.
Where does The Carol and James Collins Foundation give grants?
The Carol and James Collins Foundation gives mostly in California: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (35 grants), Santa Monica, CA (3 grants) and San Francisco, CA (2 grants).
Does The Carol and James Collins Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 84% of The Carol and James Collins Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (52 of 62) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Carol and James Collins Foundation's largest grantees?
The Carol and James Collins Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles ($185,000), Collins & Katz Family YMCA ($162,000) and Para Los Ninos ($57,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($25,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Carol and James Collins Foundation?
The Carol and James Collins Foundation reported $31.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Carol and James Collins Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to enrich the lives of children, youth, and families, particularly those who are underserved, in Southern California. It supports groups and institutions that provide tools for education, health, and self-reliance. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Carol and James Collins 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 The Carol and James Collins Foundation's EIN?
The Carol and James Collins Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 30-0100019. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does The Carol and James Collins 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
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 24, 2024)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 24, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Carol and James Collins Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Carol and James Collins Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-carol-and-james-collins-foundation-morg_8377c9d18e7a4cefbcd32c4c4e5a7294
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_300100019_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Carol and James Collins Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-carol-and-james-collins-foundation-morg_8377c9d18e7a4cefbcd32c4c4e5a7294},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Carol and James Collins 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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