The Dillon Henry Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Santa Monica, CA EIN: 26-0869143

The Dillon Henry Foundation is a private foundation based in Santa Monica, California. It honors Dillon Henry’s memory and supports charitable work connected to its mission of encouraging compassion and personal responsibility to improve the world.

The Dillon Henry Foundation at a glance

In short: The Dillon Henry Foundation gave $141K across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2024)
$141,346
-1.6% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
10
+150.0% vs 2023
Average grant
$14,135
-60.7% vs 2023
Median grant
$1,000
Total assets
$536,850
+2.5% vs 2023
Primary geography
California (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.

How to apply to The Dillon Henry Foundation

How to Apply

The foundation says it accepts new proposals and does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Its 2024 filing names Harriet Zaretsky as the contact and refers applicants to “Item 2D” for forms and materials. The filing states that scholarships are for graduating seniors at Palisades Charter High School who will attend a two- or four-year college or university, have attended the high school for at least two years, submit an essay, application, and one recommendation letter, and have financial need.

Review Cycle
None stated in the 2024 filing.
Deadline
None stated in the 2024 filing.
Contact

Application contact: Harriet Zaretsky
Mailing address: 801 Latimer Road, Santa Monica, CA 90402
Phone: (310) 459-2689

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who The Dillon Henry Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 8 recipients in 2024

Action Kivu Inc: $118KAction Kivu Inc$118KSurfrider Foundation: $15KSurfrider Foundation$15KUniversity of California - Riverside: $2KUniversity of California -Riverside$2KSarah Lawrence College: $1KSarah Lawrence College$1KUniversity of Southern California: $1KUniversity of SouthernCalifornia$1KOtis College: $500Otis College$500University of California - Berkeley: $500University of California -Berkeley$500Santa Monica College: $500Santa Monica College$500

The largest 2024 recipient was Action Kivu Inc ($118K). Together the top 8 received $138K.

Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($3,000), which are not listed by name.

Grant Size Distribution

42 grants across all recorded years

37<$50K$50–100K5$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 37 grants of 42 (88%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in California and 1% to recipients in New York. The filing lists the foundation’s location as Santa Monica, California.

Grant Distribution by State

6states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.

Cities

Los AngelesRiversideDavisHanoverMiddleburyWashingtonCamarilloOaklandBerkeleyBronxvilleBrooklynGrand RapidsLa VerneSan ClementeSan DiegoSanta MonicaSanta Barbara

How The Dillon Henry Foundation gives

  • Giving fell 22% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 475% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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

$0$100K$200K$300K12 grants2020 9 grants2021 7 grants2022 4 grants2023 10 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $141K (2024) to $236K (2020). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $141K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Action Kivu Inc Los Angeles, CAGeneral Support$117,846
Surfrider Foundation San Clemente, CAGeneral Support$15,000
2 grants to individuals Recipients not named —$3,000
University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAGeneral Support$2,000
Sarah Lawrence College Bronxville, NYGeneral Support$1,000
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAGeneral Support$1,000
Otis College Los Angeles, CAGeneral Support$500
University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAGeneral Support$500
Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CAGeneral Support$500
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with The Dillon Henry Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2024$536,850$168,589$155,620$141,34610$141,346$5,058$29,787
2023$523,881$189,241$161,974$143,7054$143,705—$26,670
2022$496,614$163,376$166,860$154,1957$154,195—$26,481
2021$500,098$237,402$195,679$181,0809$181,080$14,013$26,723
2020$458,375$223,305$242,285$235,73012—$44,381$24,309

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Dillon Henry Foundation reported a distributable amount of $30K 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 stated mission is to create a worldwide community of people who show compassion and take personal responsibility for making the world better, while encouraging people who have benefited to “pass it forward.”

Its website highlights projects and partnerships including the Congo Peace School, the Surfrider Foundation, a Palisades High School scholarship, CASA of an individual recipient, Jewish World Watch, the Rwandan Orphans Project, and WITNESS. The foundation’s 2024 filing also lists grants to organizations and educational institutions. For example, Action Kivu Inc describes its mission as providing assistance to the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. UC Riverside’s alumni association describes its mission as preserving and promoting the relationship between the university and its alumni, while Sarah Lawrence College describes its mission as graduating diverse citizens of the world who take intellectual and creative risks.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the foundation reported 10 grants totaling $141,346. Grants ranged from $500 to $117,846, with a median of $1,000. The largest awards were $117,846 to Action Kivu Inc and $15,000 to the Surfrider Foundation; both were listed as general support.

Other listed 2024 awards included $2,000 each to the University of California, an individual recipient, and the University of California, Riverside; $1,000 each to the University of California, an individual recipient, Sarah Lawrence College, and the University of Southern California; and $500 each to Otis College, the University of California, Berkeley, and Santa Monica College. The filing lists all 10 grants as general support.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Harriet Zaretsky and Taylor Winter as officers/directors. The foundation’s website lists Harriet Zaretsky, Taylor Henry, Anne Roberts, Ariel Handelman, Alexandra Zaretsky, Jace Winter, Brian Henry, and Christina S. under “Board Of Directors.”

The Dillon Henry Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Harriet Zaretsky

    Officer & Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Taylor Winter

    Officer & Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (2)
  • Former: Taylor Henry (2020–2023) — Officer & Director
  • Former: Stephen Henry (2020–2022) — Officer & 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.

Frequently asked questions about The Dillon Henry Foundation

How much does The Dillon Henry Foundation give each year?

The Dillon Henry Foundation gave $141K across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $144K across 4 grants.

What is The Dillon Henry Foundation's typical grant size?

The Dillon Henry Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $14,135, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does The Dillon Henry Foundation give grants?

The Dillon Henry Foundation gives mostly in California: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (3 grants).

Does The Dillon Henry Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 100% of The Dillon Henry Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (10 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are The Dillon Henry Foundation's largest grantees?

The Dillon Henry Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Action Kivu Inc ($117,846), Surfrider Foundation ($15,000) and University of California - Riverside ($2,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($3,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 95% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is The Dillon Henry Foundation?

The Dillon Henry Foundation reported $537K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $141K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $30K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does The Dillon Henry Foundation fund?

The foundation’s stated mission is to create a worldwide community of people who show compassion and take personal responsibility for making the world better, while encouraging people who have benefited to “pass it forward.” See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from The Dillon Henry Foundation?

The foundation says it accepts new proposals and does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is The Dillon Henry Foundation's EIN?

The Dillon Henry Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0869143. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

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

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The Dillon Henry 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

Ce Towne Scholarship Fund Tuw Acct

Saint Louis, MO

The CE Towne Scholarship Fund supports college scholarships, with recent awards of $5,000–$20,000 and a typical grant of $10,000. Grants went to colleges and universities across multiple states, with the largest share in California; applications are available through the California Masonic Foundation, and preference is given to children of Masonic families.

Assets

$5.4M

Grants

40

Total Given

$335K

Urbanek Education Fund

Menlo Park, CA

The Urbanek Education Fund supports scholarships for study at colleges and universities, with 2024 grants ranging from $2,000 to $16,000 and a median of $5,000. It is based in California and gives to colleges across multiple states, with the largest share of 2024 funding going to California. It does not accept unsolicited requests and funds only preselected organizations.

Assets

$516K

Grants

34

Total Given

$208K

McKesson Foundation Inc

Dallas, TX

The McKesson Foundation funds cancer support and care, healthcare workforce pathways, and emergency response, with grants mainly supporting organizations in the United States and Canada. Its 2025 grants had a median of $100,000, though amounts ranged from $10,000 to about $2.47 million. Its filing says it does not accept unsolicited requests, while its application page describes an online application process with stated submission windows.

Assets

$1.6M

Grants

76

Total Given

$16.6M

Mario Pedrozzi Scholarship Foundation

Livermore, CA

The Mario Pedrozzi Scholarship Foundation funds scholarships and educational programs for college, vocational, apprenticeship, and graduate study, primarily for eligible Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District graduates and certain Alameda County residents attending St. Patrick’s Seminary & University. Scholarships are generally at least $1,000 per year; 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $35,250, with a median of $1,250, and 72% of grant dollars went to California recipients.

Education

Assets

$10.1M

Grants

122

Total Given

$445K

Nobbs Family Foundation

San Diego, CA

The Nobbs Family Foundation supports Southern California organizations helping disadvantaged youth and young adults through education, scholarships, training, and mentoring. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $250,000, with a median of $10,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$88.4M

Grants

88

Total Given

$2.0M

More similar funders

More Funders in California

Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). The Dillon Henry Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-dillon-henry-foundation-morg_40ca7dfa0b1946ffafe022881f0517f0

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_260869143_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{The Dillon Henry Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-dillon-henry-foundation-morg_40ca7dfa0b1946ffafe022881f0517f0},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 Dillon Henry 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 Dillon Henry Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?