The Held Foundation
The Held Foundation is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California. Established in the 1980s by Harold and Louise Held, it is a family-led, three-generation effort that supports organizations working to strengthen communities, particularly in Southern California.
The Held Foundation at a glance
In short: The Held Foundation gave $95K across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $11K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $94,720
- -44.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- -62.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $10,524
- +47.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $7,008,101
- +7.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (73% 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 Held Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1880 Century Park East 500, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Phone: (310) 300-2222
Website: https://heldfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Held Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Wayfinder Family Services ($61K). Together the top 9 received $95K.
Grant Size Distribution
94 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 89 grants of 94 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it supports communities across Southern California. Its 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in California (73%), Washington, DC (26%), and Connecticut (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Held Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−12%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 50% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $95K (2024) to $363K (2020). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $95K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wayfinder Family Services Los Angeles, CA | Public Charity | $61,000 |
| American Israel Education Foundatio Washington, DC | Public Charity | $25,000 |
| LA Jewish Home Beverly Hills, CA | Public Charity | $5,000 |
| Sinai Temple Los Angeles, CA | Public Charity | $1,000 |
| National Multiple Sclerosis Society Los Angeles, CA | Public Charity | $1,000 |
| Rett Syndrome Research Trust Trumbull, CT | Public Charity | $720 |
| JVS Los Angeles, CA | Public Charity | $500 |
| Madd Gardena, CA | Public Charity | $250 |
| Steven S Wise Temple Los Angeles, CA | Public Charity | $250 |
Ready to take the next step with The Held 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 | $7,008,101 | $709,400 | $233,150 | $94,720 | 9 | $172,303 | $285,996 | $345,747 |
| 2023 | $6,527,782 | $-281,778 | $303,490 | $171,883 | 24 | $268,079 | $636,733 | $317,538 |
| 2022 | $7,095,266 | $595,463 | $426,502 | $251,925 | 20 | $356,466 | $213,999 | $351,935 |
| 2021 | $6,905,930 | $1,215,116 | $182,405 | $108,000 | 19 | $145,434 | $931,751 | $343,495 |
| 2020 | $5,864,924 | $652,059 | $513,032 | $363,150 | 22 | — | $130,387 | $286,364 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Held Foundation reported a distributable amount of $346K 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 says its mission is to strengthen communities across Southern California through investments in healthcare access, youth opportunity, food security, and vibrant Jewish life. Its stated focus areas are Health Access & Innovation, Family Stability & Youth Opportunity, Jewish Joy & Resilience, and Food Security & Community Nourishment.
Among its 2024 grantees, Wayfinder Family Services says its mission is to ensure children, youth, and adults facing challenges have a place to turn. Rett Syndrome Research Trust says it focuses on developing treatments and cures for Rett syndrome and related MECP2 disorders.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made nine grants totaling $94,720. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $61,000, with a median of $1,000. The largest grants were $61,000 to Wayfinder Family Services, $25,000 to American Israel Education Foundation, and $5,000 to LA Jewish Home. Other listed recipients included Sinai Temple, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Rett Syndrome Research Trust, JVS, MADD, and Steven S. Wise Temple.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Melissa Bordy, Robert Held, and Joseph Held as trustees. The foundation’s website identifies Joe, Robert, and Melissa as the children of founders Harold and Louise Held and says the grandchildren participate through a Next Generation Board.
The Held Foundation's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Joseph Held
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Melissa Bordy
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Held
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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 Held Foundation
How much does The Held Foundation give each year?
The Held Foundation gave $95K across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $172K across 24 grants.
What is The Held Foundation's typical grant size?
The Held Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $10,524, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Held Foundation give grants?
The Held Foundation gives mostly in California: 73% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was District of Columbia (26%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (5 grants).
Does The Held Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 9 grants with a stated purpose on The Held Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Public Charity" (9 grants).
Who are The Held Foundation's largest grantees?
The Held Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Wayfinder Family Services ($61,000), American Israel Education Foundatio ($25,000) and LA Jewish Home ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 96% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Held Foundation?
The Held Foundation reported $7.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $172K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $346K (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 Held Foundation fund?
The foundation says its mission is to strengthen communities across Southern California through investments in healthcare access, youth opportunity, food security, and vibrant Jewish life. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Held Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Held Foundation's EIN?
The Held Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4016569. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Held 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 Held 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
Peter H and Marietta K Bach
Los Angeles, CA
The foundation supports charitable organizations in areas including Jewish community life, arts and culture, health care, cancer research, and education, primarily in California. In 2025, it made 40 grants totaling $355,058, ranging from $100 to $53,000, with a median grant of $5,525. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$5.7M
Grants
40
Total Given
$355K
The Michael and Lori Milken Family
Santa Monica, CA
The foundation supports education, health care and medical research, higher education, and cultural programs, with 93% of its 2024 grant dollars going to California recipients. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $20 million, with a median of $5,000. It accepts requests beyond preselected organizations and asks applicants to submit a brief written statement and supporting materials.
Assets
$401.7M
Grants
86
Total Given
$26.1M
Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors
Los Angeles, CA
Assets
$252K
Grants
252
Total Given
$770K
Edwards Lifesciences Foundation
Irvine, CA
Edwards Lifesciences Foundation funds access to care for underserved structural heart patients, along with health, education, and economic-opportunity programs in communities where Edwards employees live and work; some specific projects outside the U.S. may also be eligible. Its 2024 grants had a median of $7,500, though awards ranged widely; it describes an annual application cycle but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$81.4M
Grants
224
Total Given
$9.0M
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
Cedars-Sinai funds local nonprofits working to expand healthcare access and address health disparities, homelessness and housing insecurity, and related community needs, primarily in Los Angeles County. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,400 to $1.8 million, with a median of $40,000; it does not accept unsolicited grant proposals.
Assets
$13.2B
Grants
217
Total Given
$21.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Held 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 Held Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?