The Confidence Foundation
The Confidence Foundation is a private foundation based in Pasadena, California. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations in several states, including California, Missouri, Idaho, Washington, and Hawaii.
The Confidence Foundation at a glance
In short: The Confidence Foundation gave $4.5M across 215 grants in 2024 (avg $21K), top state California. 37% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,488,500
- +10.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 215
- +16.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $20,877
- -5.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $106,505,352
- +14.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 37% first-time grantees (68 of 185, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (43% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Confidence 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: 177 E Colorado Blvd 800, Pasadena, CA 91105
Phone: (626) 441-5188
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Confidence Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Greater Horizons ($1.4M across 6 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.3M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($51,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,003 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 866 grants of 1,003 (86%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 43% of grant dollars went to recipients in California, 31% to Missouri, 8% each to Idaho and Washington, and 4% to Hawaii.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 215 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Confidence Foundation open to new grantees?
37%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 68 of 185 grantees (37%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $33K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 54% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 33% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 98% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.3M (2020) to $4.8M (2022). In 2024 it made 215 grants totaling $4.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Horizons Kansas City, MO | To support various public charities on a wide variety of causes | $385,500 |
| Greater Horizons Kansas City, MO | To support various public charities on a wide variety of causes | $300,000 |
| Greater Horizons Kansas City, MO | To support various public charities on a wide variety of causes | $300,000 |
| Greater Horizons Kansas City, MO | To support various public charities on a wide variety of causes | $200,000 |
| Strength of Shadow Dog Rescue Inc Bodfish, CA | General Operating Support | $190,000 |
| Greater Horizons Kansas City, MO | To support various public charities on a wide variety of causes | $180,000 |
| Boy Scouts of America Aloha Council Honolulu, HI | To fund the program and operational expenses of Maui county scouting | $100,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Maui Inc Kahului, HI | Boys & girls clubs lahaina - general operating support | $100,000 |
| Fly Compton Aeronautical Education Foundation Inc Norwalk, CA | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute La Jolla, CA | Project Dulce Support - M/Y Grant | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Confidence 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $106,505,352 | $6,356,886 | $5,326,590 | $4,488,500 | 215 | $5,109,446 | $10,349,954 | $5,235,388 |
| 2023 | $93,173,301 | $2,385,517 | $4,967,187 | $4,075,933 | 184 | $4,614,225 | $5,997,801 | $4,165,890 |
| 2022 | $77,182,016 | $2,387,989 | $5,003,858 | $4,786,233 | 230 | $5,336,642 | $2,338,296 | $3,667,879 |
| 2021 | $103,686,797 | $1,979,654 | $4,554,437 | $3,365,357 | 170 | $3,972,309 | $4,037,509 | $4,990,649 |
| 2020 | $87,277,880 | $1,579,493 | $3,627,021 | $3,283,950 | 204 | — | $1,867,652 | $4,299,401 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Confidence Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.2M for 2024 — 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 filing does not state a mission or specific funding focus areas. Its listed 2024 grantees show support for organizations working in areas such as charitable giving services, dog rescue, aviation education, maritime heritage, youth programs, and health.
For example, Greater Horizons describes itself as a provider of charitable giving services powered by the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. Strength of Shadow Dog Rescue says it rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes dogs from Kern County shelters. Fly Compton Foundation describes a mission to expose and educate youth about aviation and aerospace. Foss Waterway Seaport says its mission is to celebrate Tacoma’s maritime heritage.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 215 grants totaling $4,488,500. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $385,500, with a median grant of $5,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $385,500 to Greater Horizons; $190,000 to Strength of Shadow Dog Rescue Inc. for general operating support; $100,000 each to the Boy Scouts of America Aloha Council, Boys & Girls Club of Maui, Fly Compton Aeronautical Education Foundation, and Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute; and $75,000 to Foss Waterway Seaport. The filing also lists several additional grants to Greater Horizons.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Cheyenna Whittier as president and director; Kimberly A. Whittier as vice president and director; David A. Dahl as CFO and director; Haley Kirk Dahl as secretary; and Michael J. Casey, Linda J. Blinkenberg, and Arlo G. Sorensen as directors.
The Confidence Foundation is led by Cheyenna Whittier, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Cheyenna Whittier
President & Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Arlo G. Sorensen
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David A. Dahl
CFO & Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly A. Whittier
Vice President & Director
Director → Vice President & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda J. Blinkenberg
Director
Vice President & Director → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael J. Casey
Director
Vice President & Director → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Haley Kirk Dahl
Secretary
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Julie Lytle Nesbit (2020–2021) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Confidence Foundation
How much does The Confidence Foundation give each year?
The Confidence Foundation gave $4.5M across 215 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.1M across 184 grants.
What is The Confidence Foundation's typical grant size?
The Confidence Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $20,877, across 215 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Confidence Foundation that year got $9K on average.
Where does The Confidence Foundation give grants?
The Confidence Foundation's top state is California, with 43% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Missouri (31%) and Idaho (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (24 grants), Pasadena, CA (16 grants), Reno, NV (13 grants) and Sandpoint, ID (9 grants).
Does The Confidence Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 45% of The Confidence Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (96 of 215) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Confidence Foundation's largest grantees?
The Confidence Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Greater Horizons ($1,368,000 across 6 grants), Strength of Shadow Dog Rescue Inc ($190,000) and Fly Compton Aeronautical Education Foundation Inc ($175,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($51,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Confidence Foundation?
The Confidence Foundation reported $106.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Confidence Foundation fund?
The foundation’s filing does not state a mission or specific funding focus areas. Its listed 2024 grantees show support for organizations working in areas such as charitable giving services, dog rescue, aviation education, maritime heritage, youth programs, and health. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Confidence 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 Confidence Foundation's EIN?
The Confidence Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-3500483. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Confidence 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Confidence Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
United Way Worldwide
Alexandria, VA
United Way Worldwide funds community programs focused on youth opportunity, health, financial security, education, and disaster relief, with 2024 grants made across multiple U.S. states and internationally. Its 209 reported grants ranged from $5,100 to $736,333, with a median of $22,675. It does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$68.0M
Grants
209
Total Given
$11.4M
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
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
The Annenberg Foundation
Conshohocken, PA
The Annenberg Foundation funds arts and culture, education, and environmental work, along with varied community initiatives, with grants across multiple states; in 2024, 58% of grant dollars went to California. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, though awards ranged widely, and it does not accept unsolicited requests, giving only to preselected charitable organizations.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
543
Total Given
$53.3M
The Ahmanson Foundation
Beverly Hills, CA
The Ahmanson Foundation funds Los Angeles County nonprofits in arts and humanities, education, health care, human services, homelessness, and environmental preservation, often for construction, equipment, or other one-time project costs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $6.3 million, with a median of $50,000. It encourages applicants to submit a Letter of Inquiry, but the profile does not explicitly state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
442
Total Given
$65.5M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Confidence Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-confidence-foundation-morg_9d48ffa988d04de3b3050769f87ff1e5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_953500483_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Confidence Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-confidence-foundation-morg_9d48ffa988d04de3b3050769f87ff1e5},
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 Confidence 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.
The Confidence Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?