The Kenneth T and Eileen L Norris
The Kenneth T and Eileen L Norris Foundation is a private family foundation based in Long Beach, California, with an office in Torrance. Established in 1963 by Kenneth T. Norris and his wife Eileen L. Norris, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations across Southern California and select regions. Kenneth T. Norris founded Norris Stamping & Manufacturing Company, a manufacturer of steel products known as Norris Industries, Inc., which was sold in 1980. The foundation was created with an initial gift of $9,140 and has grown to become a significant philanthropic force in the region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$121.6M
+6.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$12.6M
-5.4% YoY
Grant Count
162
-8.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$78K
+3.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Kenneth T and Eileen L Norris reported a distributable amount of $15.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: Enhancing quality of life through medicine, education, and the arts in Southern California.
The foundation supports programs that advance better health and intellectual enlightenment through education, cultivation of the arts, individual responsibility, freedom and dignity. Primary funding areas include:
- Medicine & Health: Supporting healthcare initiatives, medical research, and health-related programs
- Education: K-12 programs, higher education, and youth development
- Arts & Culture: Museums, performing arts organizations, and cultural institutions
- Community & Youth: Community development and youth-focused programs
- Science: Scientific research and education initiatives
Grantmaking
Grant Range
** $3,000 to $1,500,000
Invitation Only
** The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not respond to unsolicited letters of inquiry. The foundation prefers to maintain ongoing relationships with existing grantees. New grantseekers may gain attention through connections to board members or past grantees.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's primary focus is Southern California, with particular emphasis on the Long Beach and surrounding areas. Secondary geographic interests include Virginia and Hawaii.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: $121,556,350 (as of 2024)
Total Giving: $12,584,000 (2024)
Total Revenues: $22,453,688 (2024)
Total Expenses: $14,870,729 (2024)
Investments: Approximately $104.4 million in investments
Tax-Exempt Status: 501(c)(3) private foundation, tax-exempt since January 1965
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $121,556,350 | $113,973,288 | $111,335,469 |
| Revenue | $22,453,688 | $18,026,306 | $18,433,080 |
| Expenses | $14,870,729 | $15,388,487 | $15,282,554 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $13,959,475 | $14,591,044 | $14,426,230 |
| Net Investment Income | $21,846,095 | $16,150,923 | $17,824,517 |
| Distributable Amount | $15,539,237 | $14,076,980 | $14,382,563 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Children's Hospital Los Angeles ($1,100,000), California Science Center Foundation ($1,000,000), Cedars-sinai Medical Center ($550,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1736 FAMILY CRISIS CENTER LOS ANGELES, CA | AT-RISK CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAM | $75,000 |
| A NOISE WITHIN PASADENA, CA | A NOISE WITHIN'S EDUCATION PROGRAM | $25,000 |
| A PLACE CALLED HOME LOS ANGELES, CA | APCH-GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT -SOUTHLA YOUTH | $40,000 |
| ALTASEA AT THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES SAN PEDRO, CA | PROJECT BLUE4 YEAR PLEDGE | $100,000 |
| AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL OPERATING, CONSERVATORY & SCHOLARSHIPS | $80,000 |
| ANGELS GATE CULTURAL CENTER SAN PEDRO, CA | ADA ACCESSIBILITY RETROFITTING | $25,000 |
| AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC LONG BEACH, CA | OCEAN SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAM | $50,000 |
| ARC - ACTIVITIES RECREATION AND CARE NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA | HOLISTIC HEALTH AND MEMORY CARE | $30,000 |
| ARTCENTER COLLEGE OF DESIGN PASADENA, CA | 2024 DESIGNING DREAMS INITIATIVE | $10,000 |
| ATHLETES IN THE MAKING LOS ANGELES, CA | SPORTS EDUCATION | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Current Leadership:
- Walter J. Zanino – Chairman and Executive Director (elected 2023)
- Bradley K Norris – Trustee
- James Martin – Trustee
- Kimberley Presley – Trustee
- Brooks Norris – Trustee
- Becky Accordino – Trustee
- Marissa Norris – Trustee
- Kelly LaPree – Trustee
- Christina Martin – Trustee
- Brianna Harwood – Grants Manager
Historical Leadership: Kenneth T. Norris Jr., son of the founders, took over as chairman in 1972 following his father's death. He was known as a primary benefactor of the USC/Kenneth T. Norris Jr. Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital before his death in 1996. Harlyne J. Norris, his wife, assumed the chairmanship in 1997 and served until her passing in 2016. She was remembered for her support of USC and local contributions to health and the arts, with the Harlyne J. Norris Pavilion at Palos Verdes Performing Arts and a cancer research center at USC named in her honor. Lisa D. Hansen, daughter of Kenneth T. Norris Jr. and Harlyne, served as Chair of the Board following Harlyne's tenure until her passing.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WALTER ZANINO | TRUSTEE, CHAIRMAN AND EXECUTIVE DIRECT | 35 | $10,000 |
| BRADLEY K NORRIS | TRUSTEE | 5 | $10,000 |
| JAMES MARTIN | TRUSTEE | 5 | $7,500 |
| KIMBERLEY PRESLEY | TRUSTEE | 5 | $10,000 |
| BROOKS NORRIS | TRUSTEE | 5 | $10,000 |
| BECKY ACCORDINO | TRUSTEE | 35 | $10,000 |
| MARISSA NORRIS | TRUSTEE | 5 | $10,000 |
| KELLY LAPREE | TRUSTEE | 5 | $10,000 |
| CHRISTINA MARTIN | TRUSTEE | 5 | $7,500 |
| BRIANNA HARWOOD | GRANTS MANAGER | 35 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Norris Foundation celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2023, marking six decades of philanthropic impact in Southern California. The foundation continues to support major institutions and initiatives across its focus areas, with recent grants demonstrating ongoing commitment to healthcare, education, and cultural institutions in the region.
Special Thanks & Appreciation to the NORRIS FOUNDATIONSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Kenneth T and Eileen L Norris fund?
**Mission Statement:** Enhancing quality of life through medicine, education, and the arts in Southern California. The foundation supports programs that advance better health and intellectual enlightenment through education, cultivation of the arts, individual responsibility, freedom and dignity. Primary funding areas include: • **Medicine & Health:** Supporting healthcare initiatives, medical research, and health-related programs • **Education:** K-12 programs, higher education, and youth deve…
How do I apply for a grant from The Kenneth T and Eileen L Norris?
**Grant Range:** $3,000 to $1,500,000 **Annual Giving:** Approximately $12.5 to $13.3 million annually **Grant Activity:** The foundation makes over 100 grants each year to organizations of varying sizes throughout Southern California. Recent notable grants include: • $1,100,000 to Children's Hospital Los Angeles for Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program (2024) • $1,000,000 to California Science Center Foundation for Oschin Air and Space Center (2024) • $800,000 to Torrance Memorial …
Where does The Kenneth T and Eileen L Norris make grants?
The foundation's primary focus is Southern California, with particular emphasis on the Long Beach and surrounding areas. Secondary geographic interests include Virginia and Hawaii.
What size grants does The Kenneth T and Eileen L Norris award?
In 2024, The Kenneth T and Eileen L Norris awarded 162 grants totaling $12.6M — an average of about $78K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Kenneth T and Eileen L Norris required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Kenneth T and Eileen L Norris reported a distributable amount of $15.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Kenneth T and Eileen L Norris's EIN?
The Kenneth T and Eileen L Norris's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-6080374. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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