The Fansler Foundation
The Fansler Foundation is a private, not-for-profit public benefit corporation established on October 18, 1984, by its founder D. Paul Fansler. Based in Fresno, California, the foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting nonprofit organizations serving children and youth in Central California.
Key facts about The Fansler Foundation
- EIN
- 77-0095125
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,252,441
- Grants made (2024)
- 26
- Average grant
- $48,171
- Median grant
- $37,660
- Total assets
- $30,529,958
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent not exceeding three typewritten pages. The Letter of Intent must address nine specific points outlined in the foundation's guidelines.
- Deadline
- 5:00 p.m.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Fansler Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Fansler Foundation's 26 itemized 2024 grants were California (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Fresno, CA (19 grants) and San Francisco, CA (2 grants). None of its 26 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Programs for at Risk Youth" (3 grants).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$30.5M
+33.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.3M
-14.1% YoY
Grant Count
26
-3.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$48K
-10.8% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission reflects its founder's commitment to community support and giving back. The Fansler Foundation primarily assists developmentally challenged youth and supports qualified charities working with children who lack the opportunity and support to advance.
The foundation's funding priorities include:
- Primary focus: Programs directly benefiting developmentally challenged or socioeconomically disadvantaged children (infants through eighteen years of age)
- Secondary areas: Education, health care, social services, family development centers, and handicap accessibility facilities
- Additional support: Scholarships to middle school student parishioners
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $500 to $186,152.
Review Cycle
5:00 p.m. on March 31st (no extensions granted)
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with The Fansler Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Fansler Foundation provides grants to organizations operating in:
- Fresno County (primary emphasis)
- Kings County
- Madera County
- Mariposa County
- Merced County
- Tulare County
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 26 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending October 2024:
- Total Assets: $30,529,958
- Total Revenue: $2,464,518
- Total Expenses: $2,331,246
- Total Giving: $1,252,441
- Net Income: $133,272
- Total Liabilities: $0
Staff: 3 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $30,529,958 | $22,920,375 | $24,363,610 |
| Revenue | $2,464,518 | $1,541,063 | $1,414,827 |
| Expenses | $2,331,246 | $2,632,020 | $2,378,054 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,781,234 | $1,964,001 | $1,708,849 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,639,083 | $395,741 | $1,056,945 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,701,834 | $1,721,539 | $1,713,106 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
132 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include California State University Fresno ($150,000), Boys & Girls Clubs ($136,742), Big Brothers Big Sisters ($114,439).
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founder: D. Paul Fansler (August 27, 1927 – August 8, 1990)
D. Paul Fansler was born and raised in Fresno, California. He began his business career at age six selling magazines and progressed through various jobs including lawn mowing, cotton and grape picking, and bottle sales. At age 17, he joined the Merchant Marines. Following his military service, he became an insurance salesman at age 21 with Bankers Life Nebraska, where he remained for 42 years and became their leading producer in the United States for seven consecutive years. He was the youngest lifetime member of the Million Dollar Round Table. In addition to insurance, Fansler engaged in real estate ventures, building homes, office buildings, shopping centers, apartment complexes, and hotels. He was recognized as a civic leader through his contributions of time, money, and community involvement.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARLENE M FANSLER | PRESIDENT/CEO | 40 | $262,411 |
| LISA D PRUDEK | CFO | 24 | $108,476 |
| MARGIE COOPER | SECRETARY | 16 | $77,669 |
| KEITH KOMPSI | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DAVID MANION | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LARRY GITTENS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| KEN QUENZER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ANNETTE UDALL | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 5713 N. West Avenue #102, Fresno, CA 93711
Phone: (559) 432-0544
Fax: (559) 432-0543
Website: www.fanslerfoundation.com
Email: audall@fanslerfoundation.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Fansler Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission reflects its founder's commitment to community support and giving back. The Fansler Foundation primarily assists developmentally challenged youth and supports qualified charities working with children who lack the opportunity and support to advance. The foundation's funding priorities include: • **Primary focus:** Programs directly benefiting developmentally challenged or socioeconomically disadvantaged children (infants through eighteen years of age) • **Secondary area…
How do I apply for a grant from The Fansler Foundation?
**Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $500 to $186,152. **Types of Support:** General operating support and program support. **Application Process:** • Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent not exceeding three typewritten pages • The Letter of Intent must address nine specific points outlined in the foundation's guidelines • Deadline: 5:00 p.m. on March 31st (no extensions granted) • Email confirmation of submission required to audall@fanslerfoundation.com • Applicants will be notified…
Where does The Fansler Foundation make grants?
The Fansler Foundation provides grants to organizations operating in: • Fresno County (primary emphasis) • Kings County • Madera County • Mariposa County • Merced County • Tulare County
What size grants does The Fansler Foundation award?
In 2024, The Fansler Foundation awarded 26 grants totaling $1.3M — an average of about $48K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Fansler Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Fansler Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Fansler Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.