The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation
The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation is an independent private foundation based in Los Angeles, California. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and has been tax-exempt since July 2014.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$11.8M
-1.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$245K
-31.4% YoY
Grant Count
31
+24.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
-44.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation reported a distributable amount of $650K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grantmaking focuses on:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
The foundation primarily directs funding toward California, Washington, and Michigan.
Grantmaking
The foundation has awarded grants to organizations across multiple sectors, including education, human services, and charitable causes.
Grant Range
$500–$109,200
Average Grant
$8,400
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in:
- California
- Washington
- Michigan
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $11,964,129–$14,000,000
- Total revenue: $789,200–$918,697
- Total expenses: $1,483,374
- Total liabilities: $55,200
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,812,218 | $11,964,129 | $12,536,572 |
| Revenue | $1,254,903 | $918,697 | $789,170 |
| Expenses | $1,417,231 | $1,483,374 | $1,328,419 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $576,312 | $653,706 | $603,817 |
| Net Investment Income | $486,351 | $188,677 | $47,202 |
| Distributable Amount | $649,921 | $624,526 | $658,028 |
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
127 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Shadow Hills Riding Club ($44,700), Cultural Heritage Foundation of Southern California ($33,100), Mending Kids ($22,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACADEMY FOUNDATION (ACADEMY MUSEUM OF MOTION PICTURES) BEVERLY HILLS, CA | RESEARCH IN HISTORY, ARTS AND TECHNIQUES OF THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY | $13,000 |
| BARN SANCTUARY CHELSEA, MI | RESCUE AND REHABILITATE ABUSED AND NEGLECTED FARMED ANIMALS | $10,000 |
| BRIDGE TO HOME NEWHALL, CA | HELPS PEOPLE MOVE FROM HOMELESSNESS TO HOUSING. | $10,000 |
| CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE SAN FRANCISCO, CA | REGENERATE THE NATURAL WORLD THROUGH SCEIENCE, LEARNING AND COLLABORATION | $5,000 |
| CAMP FISH TALES PINCONNING, MI | CAMP FISH TALES BRINGS LASTING JOY TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES BY PROVIDING A UNIQUE AND ADAPTIVE OUTDOOR CAMP EXPERIENCE THAT FOSTERS FRIENDSHIPS AND ENCOURAGES INDEPENDENCE | $4,000 |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF LA (CATCH) LOS ANGELES, CA | PROMOTION AND ADVANCEMENT OF CHILDREN'S HEALTH THROUGH PATIENT CARE, RESEARCH, AND EDUCATION. | $10,000 |
| CULTURAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES, CA | TO PERSERVE, COLLECT, AND INTERPRET THE ARCHITECTURE, PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, AND CULTURE OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DURING THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS OF STATEHOOD. THE HERITAGE SQUARE MUSEUM IS A LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM THAT EXPLORES THE SETTLEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DURING THE FIRST HUNDERED YEARS OF STATEHOOD. | $33,100 |
| DENKAI CORTEZ, CO | ANIMAL SANCTUARY | $5,000 |
| DONKEYLAND RIVERSIDE, CA | TO SAVE LIVES OF DONKEYS AND WILD BURROS AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE PLIGHT OF THESE ANIMALS, BOTH IN CAPTIVITY AND IN THE WILD. | $3,500 |
| FROSTED FACES RAMONA, CA | TO RESCUE ABANDONED SENIOR DOGS FROM SHELTERS AND EUTHANIZATION, PROVIDING NECESSARY MEDICAL TREATMENT AND FOSTER OR ADOPTIVE HOME FOR THE REMAINDER OF THEIR LIVES. | $3,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Andrea Anderson – President/CEO (40 hours/week, $164,769 compensation)
- Dave A Stemler – Secretary/CFO (5.5 hours/week, $14,558 compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| EMILY MORROW | SECRETARY/CFO | 5.5 | $8,471 |
| ANDREA ANDERSON | PRESIDENT/CEO | 40 | $163,218 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2021, the Helen and Jose Colton Foundation made a $10 million donation to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) to benefit Newark's children.
$10M reason to smile: Colton Foundation donation to NJPAC will benefit Newark\u2019\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation fund?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses on: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services The foundation primarily directs funding toward California, Washington, and Michigan.
How do I apply for a grant from The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving (2023): $357,579–$653,706 • Number of grants awarded: 25–27 grants • Typical grant range: $500–$109,200 • Median grant size: $5,000–$8,000 • Average grant size: $8,400 The foundation has awarded grants to organizations across multiple sectors, including education, human services, and charitable causes.
Where does The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in: • California • Washington • Michigan
What size grants does The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation award?
In 2024, The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation awarded 31 grants totaling $245K — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation reported a distributable amount of $650K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation's EIN?
The Helen and Jose Colton Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-3666966. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Helen and Jose Colton 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.
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