The Fansler Foundation
The Fansler Foundation is a private foundation based in Fresno, California. Established in 1984 by D. Paul Fansler, it supports organizations serving children, particularly developmentally challenged or socioeconomically disadvantaged children in the an individual recipient Valley.
The Fansler Foundation at a glance
In short: The Fansler Foundation gave $1.3M across 26 grants in 2024 (avg $48K), mostly in California. 28% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,252,441
- -14.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 26
- -3.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $48,171
- -10.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $37,660
- Total assets
- $30,529,958
- +33.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (7 of 25, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (100% 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 Fansler Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Submit a Letter of Intent of no more than three typewritten pages addressing the foundation’s requested points. The guidelines call for information about the organization, its programs, the proposed use of funds, the need and population served, desired outcomes and measurement, the requested amount, and prioritized funding needs. Include a cover letter on organizational stationery signed by a senior management official. The website guidelines request one original and seven additional copies, with attachments; they also say not to include unrequested materials, staples, binders, or covers, and to paper-clip copies individually. An email acknowledging submission is also requested. The 2023 filing says to contact the foundation for specifics about the points to cover and required attachments.
- Review Cycle
- The Letter of Intent must be in the foundation office by 5:00 p.m. on March 31; the filing describes this as the deadline for funding by the following October 31. The website says applicants will be contacted about their application status by July 31 and annual grants will be funded by October 31.
- Deadline
- The Letter of Intent must be in the foundation office by 5:00 p.m.
- Contact
Application contact: Mrs Marlene Fansler Fansler Foundat
Mailing address: 5713 N West Suite 102, Fresno, CA 93711
Phone: (559) 432-0544
Website: https://fanslerfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Fansler Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was California State University Fresno ($150K). Together the top 10 received $905K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($50,370), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
132 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 81 grants of 132 (61%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s guidelines require organizations to operate in Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Merced, Madera, or Mariposa County. Its 2023 filing describes its award restrictions as charities working with children primarily in the an individual recipient Valley.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Fansler Foundation open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 25 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $51K; repeat grants $50K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $47K repeat.
- 60% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+4%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 105% 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.2M (2020) to $1.5M (2022). In 2024 it made 26 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California State University Fresno Fresno, CA | Education/Childcare Children of Low Income and Special Needs | $150,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs Fresno, CA | Programs for at Risk Youth | $136,742 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters Fresno, CA | Programs for at Risk Youth | $114,439 |
| United Cerebral Palsy Fresno, CA | Programs for Children with Cerebral Palsy | $108,376 |
| Marjaree Mason Center Fresno, CA | Services for Abused Children | $88,579 |
| Heart of the Horse Clovis, CA | Therapeutic Horseback Riding for Disabled Children | $77,000 |
| Central California Food Bank Fresno, CA | Food Program for Children in Need | $65,000 |
| Fresno Council on Child Abuse Fresno, CA | Child Abuse Prevention | $63,315 |
| Exceptional Parents Unlimited Fresno, CA | Programs for Developmentally Challenged Children/Families | $52,000 |
| TZU Chi Medical Foundation Fresno, CA | Eye Glass Program for Children | $50,000 |
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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 | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $30,529,958 | $2,464,518 | $2,331,246 | $1,252,441 | 26 | $1,781,234 | $1,639,083 | $1,701,834 |
| 2023 | $22,920,375 | $1,541,063 | $2,632,020 | $1,457,504 | 27 | $1,964,001 | $395,741 | $1,721,539 |
| 2022 | $24,363,610 | $1,414,827 | $2,378,054 | $1,499,623 | 32 | $1,708,849 | $1,056,945 | $1,713,106 |
| 2021 | $25,368,136 | $2,816,467 | $2,332,818 | $1,202,715 | 24 | — | $2,350,786 | $1,700,220 |
| 2020 | $24,624,302 | $3,087,524 | $2,068,174 | $1,181,459 | 23 | — | $2,749,687 | $1,403,744 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Fansler Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.7M 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 purpose is primarily to assist developmentally challenged youth and to aid qualified charities working with children who lack opportunity or support. Its guidelines say it is most interested in organizations directly benefiting children from infancy through age 18, with clearly stated goals, broad funding support, and demonstrated ability to respond to children’s needs with measurable results.
Its 2024 grants included support for education and childcare for children with low incomes or special needs, programs for at-risk youth, services for children with cerebral palsy, abused-child services, therapeutic horseback riding for disabled children, food programs, child-abuse prevention, and programs for children with autism. Among the grantees, California State University Fresno describes its mission as supporting student success; Central California Food Bank describes its mission as ending hunger in Central California; and Marjaree Mason Center describes its mission as supporting and empowering adults and children affected by domestic violence and preventing abuse.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 26 grants totaling $1,252,441. Awards ranged from $500 to $150,000, with a median grant of $37,660. The largest listed awards were $150,000 to California State University Fresno, $136,742 to Boys & Girls Clubs, $114,439 to Big Brothers Big Sisters, and $108,376 to United Cerebral Palsy. The foundation’s filing reports that all 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in California.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Marlene M Fansler as president/CEO, Lisa D Prudek as CFO, Margie Cooper as secretary, and Keith Kompsi, David Manion, Larry Gittens, and Ken Quenzer as board members. Annette Udall is listed as executive director.
The Fansler Foundation is led by Marlene M. Fansler, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 3 of 8 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Marlene M. Fansler
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$215K (2020) → $262K (2024)
Annette Udall
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa D. Prudek
CFO
Director & Administrator → Director & Treasurer, 2021
Director & Treasurer → CFO, 2023
On filings since 2020
24 hrs/week
$94K (2020) → $108K (2024)
Margie Cooper
Secretary
Director & Administrator → Director & Secretary, 2021
Director & Secretary → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
16 hrs/week
$67K (2020) → $78K (2024)
David Manion
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Keith Kompsi
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry Gittens
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ken Quenzer
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Keneth Quenzer (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Charles Saint Agata (2020) — 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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $262K, to Marlene M Fansler (President/CEO). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Fansler Foundation
How much does The Fansler Foundation give each year?
The Fansler Foundation gave $1.3M across 26 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.5M across 27 grants.
What is The Fansler Foundation's typical grant size?
The Fansler Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $37,660, and its average grant was $48,171, across 26 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Fansler Foundation that year got $51K on average.
Where does The Fansler Foundation give grants?
The Fansler Foundation gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Fresno, CA (17 grants) and San Francisco, CA (2 grants).
Does The Fansler Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 26 grants with a stated purpose on The Fansler Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Programs for at Risk Youth" (3 grants).
Who are The Fansler Foundation's largest grantees?
The Fansler Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include California State University Fresno ($150,000), Boys & Girls Clubs ($136,742) and Big Brothers Big Sisters ($114,439), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($50,370), which are not listed by name. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Fansler Foundation?
The Fansler Foundation reported $30.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Fansler Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is primarily to assist developmentally challenged youth and to aid qualified charities working with children who lack opportunity or support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Fansler Foundation?
Submit a Letter of Intent of no more than three typewritten pages addressing the foundation’s requested points. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Fansler Foundation's EIN?
The Fansler Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0095125. 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
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Fansler Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-fansler-foundation-morg_cc9c23466e0e496fb73c668becec161b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_770095125_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Fansler Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-fansler-foundation-morg_cc9c23466e0e496fb73c668becec161b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Fansler 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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