The James J and Sue Femino Foundation
The James J and Sue Femino Foundation is a private foundation based in Pasadena, California. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in education, health and medical research, arts and cultural institutions, and community services.
The James J and Sue Femino Foundation at a glance
In short: The James J and Sue Femino Foundation gave $1.4M across 66 grants in 2025 (avg $22K), mostly in California. 11% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,442,400
- -21.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 66
- +3.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $21,855
- -23.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $32,131,780
- +5.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 11% first-time grantees (7 of 66, 2025)
- Primary geography
- California (74% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The James J and Sue Femino Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: P O Box 70155, Pasadena, CA 91117
Phone: (626) 796-7886
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The James J and Sue Femino Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was USC Keck School of Medicine ($350K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
332 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 301 grants of 332 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, California recipients received 74% of grant dollars, Colorado recipients 14%, Massachusetts recipients 7%, Illinois recipients 2%, and Virginia recipients 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 66 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The James J and Sue Femino Foundation open to new grantees?
11%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 66 grantees (11%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $24K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 70% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 33% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 97% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2022) to $2.1M (2023). In 2025 it made 66 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| USC Keck School of Medicine Los Angeles, CA | SCH - for medical facilities & education | $350,000 |
| US Olympic Paralympic Foundation Colorado Springs, CO | CA - general organization support | $200,000 |
| Caltech Associates Pasadena, CA | SCH - for scholarship/education programs | $150,000 |
| Catholic Education Foundtion Los Angeles, CA | SCH - for scholarships | $101,000 |
| Wellesley College Wellesley, MA | Sch - General Organization Support | $100,000 |
| The Huntington Library San Marino, CA | CA - for art museum, botanical gardens, and general support | $75,000 |
| USC Leonard Davis Gerontology Resea Los Angeles, CA | MR - for gerontology research and general organization support | $50,000 |
| USC Center for Philanthropy Los Angeles, CA | CA - general organization support | $35,000 |
| Huntington Memorial Hospital Pasadena, CA | Mf - for cardiology dept and general organization support | $25,000 |
| Descanso Gardens Foundation La Canada Flintridge, CA | CA - General Organization Support | $25,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,131,780 | $1,304,054 | $1,646,116 | $1,442,400 | 66 | $1,442,400 | $1,100,338 | $1,492,033 |
| 2024 | $30,437,288 | $4,704,682 | $2,031,419 | $1,830,000 | 64 | $1,830,000 | $4,003,263 | $1,515,104 |
| 2023 | $32,498,852 | $3,570,812 | $2,332,059 | $2,115,250 | 64 | $2,115,250 | $2,854,003 | $1,597,833 |
| 2022 | $28,582,996 | $1,406,489 | $1,238,511 | $1,083,100 | 67 | $1,083,100 | $751,078 | $1,657,189 |
| 2021 | $33,473,622 | $1,273,243 | $2,052,358 | $1,872,912 | 71 | — | $593,797 | $1,550,234 |
| 2020 | $28,369,581 | $1,425,457 | $1,293,719 | $1,141,500 | 42 | — | $572,055 | $1,354,602 |
| 2019 | $28,004,186 | $2,118,618 | $1,182,481 | $1,099,000 | 40 | — | $930,360 | $1,284,730 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The James J and Sue Femino Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.5M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No formal mission statement is provided. The grants listed for 2025 show support for scholarships and education programs, medical facilities and research, cultural and garden organizations, and community organizations.
Grantee descriptions illustrate the range of recipients. Wellesley College says it provides a liberal arts education for women who will make a difference in the world. Descanso Gardens Foundation describes its work as stewardship of the gardens and helping people understand the natural world through inspiration, education, and example. Pasadena Senior Center says it aims to support older adults’ health, engagement, and ability to live independently. Boys Republic describes providing residential and non-residential services to disadvantaged, at-risk young people in California.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 66 grants totaling $1,442,400. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $350,000, with a median of $5,000.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $350,000 to USC Keck School of Medicine for medical facilities and education; $200,000 to the US Olympic Paralympic Foundation for general organization support; $150,000 to Caltech Associates for scholarship and education programs; and $101,000 to Catholic Education Foundation for scholarships. Other notable grants included $100,000 to Wellesley College for general organization support, $75,000 to The Huntington Library for its art museum, botanical gardens, and general support, and $50,000 to USC Leonard Davis Gerontology Research for gerontology research and general organization support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists James J Femino as President, Sue Femino as Vice President and Secretary, and Marie S Queen as CFO.
The James J and Sue Femino Foundation is led by James J. Femino, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
James J. Femino
President
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sue Femino
Vice President & Secretary
Vice President → Vice President & Secretary, 2020
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marie S. Queen
CFO
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Peter Boos (2019) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 James J and Sue Femino Foundation
How much does The James J and Sue Femino Foundation give each year?
The James J and Sue Femino Foundation gave $1.4M across 66 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.8M across 64 grants.
What is The James J and Sue Femino Foundation's typical grant size?
The James J and Sue Femino Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $21,855, across 66 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The James J and Sue Femino Foundation that year got $3K on average.
Where does The James J and Sue Femino Foundation give grants?
The James J and Sue Femino Foundation gives mostly in California: 74% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Colorado (14%) and Massachusetts (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (19 grants), Pasadena, CA (14 grants), San Marino, CA (2 grants) and San Francisco, CA (2 grants).
Does The James J and Sue Femino Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 73% of The James J and Sue Femino Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (48 of 66) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "SCH - for Scholarships" (3 grants).
Who are The James J and Sue Femino Foundation's largest grantees?
The James J and Sue Femino Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include USC Keck School of Medicine ($350,000), US Olympic Paralympic Foundation ($200,000) and Caltech Associates ($150,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The James J and Sue Femino Foundation?
The James J and Sue Femino Foundation reported $32.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.5M (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 James J and Sue Femino Foundation fund?
No formal mission statement is provided. The grants listed for 2025 show support for scholarships and education programs, medical facilities and research, cultural and garden organizations, and community organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The James J and Sue Femino Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The James J and Sue Femino Foundation's EIN?
The James J and Sue Femino Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7423792. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The James J and Sue Femino 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
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 11, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 26, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 19, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The James J and Sue Femino Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-james-j-and-sue-femino-foundation-morg_e9104d784cef42949aefb34e30d26e76
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237423792_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The James J and Sue Femino Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-james-j-and-sue-femino-foundation-morg_e9104d784cef42949aefb34e30d26e76},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 James J and Sue Femino 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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