The Marisla Foundation
The Marisla Foundation is a private, non-operating foundation established in 1986 and based in Laguna Beach, California. Founded by Anne Getty Earhart, a Getty Oil heiress, the foundation makes grants in two primary program areas: Environment and Human Services, with a special interests category for compelling funding opportunities identified by the Board of Directors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$21.1M
+2.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$46.7M
+27.2% YoY
Grant Count
194
-4.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$241K
+32.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports human and health service organizations alongside environmental conservation efforts.
Environmental Program: Emphasizes activities that "promote the conservation of biological diversity and advance sustainable ecosystem management." The environmental program focuses on marine conservation in western North America, Chile, and the Western Pacific, with particular interest in projects that preserve rainforests, restrict human and wildlife exposure to toxic chemicals, and protect habitats in the American West, Latin America, and southeast Asia. The foundation also supports coastal protection and restoration, ocean conservation, and plastic pollution prevention initiatives.
Human Services Program: Prioritizes Southern California women's physical, mental, and financial health, with focus areas including domestic violence, homelessness, substance abuse, and vocational training. Human services funding is geographically restricted to Southern California and is often channeled through community foundation partners.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
of $75,000. Grant amounts range from $10,000 to $9.9 million.
Review Cycle
, contact emails, and program director names. The foundation awards grants on a quarterly basis.
How to Apply
** The foundation uses a FoundationSource-hosted online application portal that provides guidelines, deadlines, contact emails, and program director names. The foundation awards grants on a quarterly basis.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
While based in Laguna Beach and prioritizing the West Coast, the foundation funds both national and international organizations. Environmental grants support projects in western North America, Chile, the Western Pacific, the American West, Latin America, and southeast Asia. Human services grants are restricted to Southern California, with particular emphasis on Orange County and Los Angeles.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $21–$22 million (as of 2024)
IRS Status: Tax-exempt since December 1986
Tax ID: 33-0200133
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $21,082,605 | $20,587,646 | $21,005,333 |
| Revenue | $51,974,750 | $36,528,013 | $35,592,677 |
| Expenses | $37,500,939 | $41,256,782 | $37,015,027 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $48,088,405 | $38,168,634 | $40,277,917 |
| Net Investment Income | $38,082,231 | $22,105,570 | $19,036,258 |
| Distributable Amount | $872,581 | $927,640 | $1,214,850 |
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
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from The Marisla Foundation
Environmental Grant Program - Environmental Health Area
THE MARISLA FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Environmental Grant Program - Marine Resources Conservation Area
THE MARISLA FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Marisla Fdn: Human Services Grant
THE MARISLA FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
| Name | Title | Hours/Week | Compensation/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anne G. Earhart | President | 4 | $0 |
| Oliver N. Crary | Treasurer | 2 | $0 |
| Herbert M. Bedolfe III | Director/Executive Director | 40 | $369,000 |
| Sara M. Lowell | Secretary/Program Director | 32 | $152,000 |
| Margaret Lauer | Administrator | 40 | $256,000 |
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANNE G EARHART | PRESIDENT | 4 | — |
| OLIVER N CRARY | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| HERBERT M BEDOLFE III | DIR./EXEC DIRECTOR | 40 | $369,260 |
| SARA M LOWELL | SECRETARY/PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 32 | $151,986 |
| MARGARET LAUER | ADMINISTRATOR | 40 | $256,465 |
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Marisla Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities