The Cooper Housing Institute
The Cooper Housing Institute is a private foundation based in Irvine, California. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations in California, Washington, DC, and Massachusetts, including organizations working on housing, homelessness, and related policy issues.
Key facts about The Cooper Housing Institute
In short: The Cooper Housing Institute gave $885K across 18 grants in 2024 (avg $49K), mostly in California. 56% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 83-2629416
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $885,038
- Grants made (2024)
- 18
- Average grant
- $49,169
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 56% first-time grantees (10 of 18, 2024)
- Total assets
- $9,161,917
- Primary geography
- California (51% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- 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. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.2M
+9.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$885K
+330.2% YoY
Grant Count
18
+125.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$49K
+91.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Cooper Housing Institute reported a distributable amount of $484K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is The Cooper Housing Institute open to new grantees?
56%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 18 grantees (56%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $46K; repeat grants $53K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 28% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 56% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 188% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the Institute is provided. Its 2024 grants include support for housing and homelessness organizations. For example, South County Outreach describes its mission as preventing hunger and homelessness by helping people help themselves. The National Low Income Housing Coalition says it is dedicated to equitable public policy to ensure that the lowest-income people have quality homes that are accessible and affordable. The National Alliance to End Homelessness describes itself as committed to preventing and ending homelessness in the United States. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the Institute’s.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Institute reported 18 grants totaling $885,038. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $250,000, with a median grant of $10,000.
Ready to take the next step with The Cooper Housing Institute?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 51% of grant dollars went to recipients in California, 32% to recipients in Washington, DC, and 17% to recipients in Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $206K (2023) to $885K (2024). In 2024 it made 18 grants totaling $885K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Housing Narrative Lab ($250K). Together the top 10 received $861K.
Grant Size Distribution
45 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 29 grants of 45 (64%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Housing Narrative Lab Washington, DC | General Support | $250,000 |
| Rand Center Santa Monica, CA | General Purpose | $200,000 |
| Ucsb Foundation Santa Barbara, CA | General Purpose | $153,000 |
| Massachuesetts Housing & Shelter Alliance Inc Boston, MA | General Support | $150,000 |
| South County Outreach Irvine, CA | General Support | $37,700 |
| Terner's Funders Council- Uc Berkeley Berkeley, CA | General Purpose | $20,000 |
| US Vets - Patriotic Hall Los Angeles, CA | General Purpose | $20,000 |
| Center on Budget & Policy Priorities Washington, DC | General Support | $10,000 |
| National Alliance to End Homelessness Washington, DC | General Purpose | $10,000 |
| National Low Income Housing Coalition Washington, DC | General Purpose | $10,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $9,161,917 | $1,739,107 | $971,755 | $885,038 |
| 2023 | $8,406,569 | $1,443,728 | $303,628 | $205,750 |
| 2022 | $7,301,423 | $1,280,692 | $411,542 | $355,000 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,161,917 | $8,406,569 | $7,301,423 |
| Revenue | $1,739,107 | $1,443,728 | $1,280,692 |
| Expenses | $971,755 | $303,628 | $411,542 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $908,177 | $237,506 | $363,012 |
| Net Investment Income | $278,177 | $145,527 | $89,578 |
| Distributable Amount | $483,638 | $402,836 | $352,817 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Wilfred N. Cooper Jr. as CEO and director; Melanie Wenk as CFO and treasurer; Wilfred N. Cooper Sr. as director; Devon C. Cooper as secretary and director; and Jennifer Cooper as director.
The Cooper Housing Institute is led by Wilfred N. Cooper Jr., CEO & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Wilfred N. Cooper Jr.
CEO & Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Devon C. Cooper
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer E. Cooper
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wilfred N. Cooper Sr.
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melanie Wenk
CFO & Treasurer
CFO → CFO & Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Kay A. Cooper (2020–2022) — Director
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.
Contact
Mailing address: 17782 Sky Park Circle, Irvine, CA 92614
Phone: (949) 236-8100
Frequently asked questions about The Cooper Housing Institute
How much does The Cooper Housing Institute give each year?
The Cooper Housing Institute gave $885K across 18 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $206K across 8 grants.
What is The Cooper Housing Institute's typical grant size?
The Cooper Housing Institute's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $49,169, across 18 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Cooper Housing Institute that year got $46K on average.
Where does The Cooper Housing Institute give grants?
The Cooper Housing Institute gives mostly in California: 51% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (32%) and Massachusetts (17%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (4 grants), Santa Monica, CA (2 grants), Boston, MA (2 grants) and Irvine, CA (2 grants).
Does The Cooper Housing Institute give general operating support?
Yes: 94% of The Cooper Housing Institute's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (17 of 18) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Cooper Housing Institute's largest grantees?
The Cooper Housing Institute's largest 2024 grantees include Housing Narrative Lab ($250,000), Rand Center ($200,000) and Ucsb Foundation ($153,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 68% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Cooper Housing Institute?
The Cooper Housing Institute reported $9.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $908K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $484K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Cooper Housing Institute fund?
No mission statement for the Institute is provided. Its 2024 grants include support for housing and homelessness organizations. For example, South County Outreach describes its mission as preventing hunger and homelessness by helping people help themselves. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Cooper Housing Institute?
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 Cooper Housing Institute's EIN?
The Cooper Housing Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-2629416. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Cooper Housing Institute accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching The Cooper Housing Institute by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Cooper Housing Institute's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports nonprofits in health, education, arts, disaster relief, reforestation, hunger relief, and community equity, with an emphasis on organizations actively supported by Enterprise employees and their families. Its reported grants range widely: 2024 giving averaged about $7,700 across 9,499 grants, while the foundation also offers awards of up to $40,000; it supports communities where Enterprise operates worldwide. Unsolicited requests are accepted at any time, but eligible applications must be submitted by an Enterprise team member or their spouse or domestic partner on behalf of a nonprofit they actively support.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Orange County Community Foundation
Irvine, CA
OCCF supports nonprofits across arts and culture, education, health, human services, the environment, and community development, primarily in Orange County but also beyond through its charitable funds. Its 2025 grants had a median amount of $25,000, though awards varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$743.6M
Grants
975
Total Given
$120.4M
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals
Oakland, CA
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals supports community health, health-care access, and efforts addressing health inequities, including mental and behavioral health, housing, and employment. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, with most grant dollars going to California; Southern California grants focus on its 14 service areas. For Southern California regional grants, unsolicited letters of inquiry and proposals are not accepted; other application routes described include invited inquiries and open event sponsorship applications.
Assets
$87.4B
Grants
1,122
Total Given
$225.4M
Edwards Lifesciences Foundation
Irvine, CA
Edwards Lifesciences Foundation funds charitable organizations improving access to care for underserved people with structural heart disease, as well as local health, education, economic opportunity, and basic-needs programs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $1,523,928, with a median of $7,500; it supports communities where Edwards employees live and work, with the largest share of recent funding going to California. It accepts requests through an annual online application cycle, usually opening in late spring.
Assets
$81.4M
Grants
224
Total Given
$9.0M
Sisters of St Joseph Healthcare Foundation
Orange, CA
The Sisters of St Joseph funds organizations addressing the needs of working and indigent people, including work on housing, family violence, community services, and at-risk youth. Its focus is Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Humboldt County; 2025 grants ranged from $10,000 to $100,000, with a median of $40,000. The filing does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$52.2M
Grants
63
Total Given
$2.6M
Orange County's United Way
Irvine, CA
Orange County’s United Way funds nonprofit work in education, financial security, health, housing, and human services, with a focus on Orange County, California. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,000 to $711,500, with a median of $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$38.7M
Grants
35
Total Given
$1.7M
The Allergan Foundation
North Chicago, IL
In 2020, the Allergan Foundation funded eye health, medical and mental-health programs, education, and emergency relief, with grants ranging from $100 to $2 million and a median of $25,000. Grants went to organizations in multiple states, with the largest shares in California, New York, Florida, Illinois, and New Jersey. The filing says applications were submitted online and giving was not limited to preselected organizations; it also states that the foundation’s assets were distributed to the AbbVie Foundation under a dissolution plan.
Assets
—
Grants
316
Total Given
$18.4M
O L Halsell Foundation
Costa Mesa, CA
The O.L. Halsell Foundation funds Orange County nonprofits focused on youth, seniors, health, education, and services for women, children, and families. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $100,000, with a median of $15,000. It accepts requests through an annual online application process, including from new organizations.
Assets
$51.7M
Grants
90
Total Given
$2.6M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation funds work in education, health, housing, immigration, and other community needs, primarily in Los Angeles County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, though amounts varied widely; it does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, gender equity, governance, democracy, and philanthropy, with work in the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, nationally, and internationally. Its 2024 grants had a median of $150,000, though awards ranged from $50 to more than $11 million; it often provides long-term general operating support. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, except through invited open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Marin Community Foundation funds equity-focused work, including affordable housing, homelessness, community resilience and power, and arts; its Buck Family Fund supports organizations serving Marin County, including those based elsewhere. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000 and ranged from $5,050 to $10 million; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
More Funders in California
The Cooper Housing Institute down — hundreds of funders to go?