The Nurture Foundation
The Nurture Foundation is a private foundation based in Santa Barbara, California, established in 1981. Operating with a single staff member, the foundation focuses on supporting children's organizations and youth-serving programs across multiple sectors including education, youth development, foster care, and health services.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$178K
+5.4% YoY
Grant Count
28
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
+5.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding priorities include:
- Youth sailing programs
- Summer tutoring programs
- Preschool programs
- Elementary school programs
- Foster care placement support
- Girls' empowerment and youth services
- Cancer research and support
- Environmental initiatives (botanical gardens)
- Educational endowments
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$120 to $50,000
Average Grant
amount varies by program, ranging from $120 to $21,500
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in California, with some activity in Missouri.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $4,845,263
- Total Revenues: $518,165
- Total Expenses: $654,804
- Total Giving: $209,770
- Giving Rate: 4.3%
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
118 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Crane Country Day School ($30,000), Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation ($30,000), Storyteller Children's Center ($18,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ANGELS FOSTER CARE SANTA BARBARA, CA | SUPPORT PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE | $2,000 |
| ANIMAL HOUSE CAT RESCUE AND ADOPTION CENTER ST LOUIS, MO | SHELTER FOR CATS | $2,000 |
| NLP BREAST CANCER RESOURCE CENTER SANTA BARBARA, CA | PROVIDE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES FOR WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER | $2,000 |
| CANCER FOUNDATION OF SANTA BARBARA SANTA BARBARA, CA | PROVIDE QUALITY CANCER CARE | $5,000 |
| CITY NET LONG BEACH, CA | ASSIST UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS | $2,500 |
| COUNCIL ON ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE SANTA BARBARA, CA | PREVENT AND TREAT ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE | $3,000 |
| COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES SANTA MARIA, CA | PROVIDE ADULT ADVOCACY TO CHILDREN | $6,000 |
| CRANE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL SANTA BARBARA, CA | ENDOWMENT | $30,000 |
| DYSLEXIA PROJECT SANTA BARBARA, CA | PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE WITH DYSLEXIA | $5,000 |
| GANNA WALSKA LOTUSLAND SANTA BARBARA, CA | SUPPORT NONPROFIT BOTANICAL GARDEN | $1,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Kathleen McCarthy - Trustee (1 hour per week commitment)
- Michael McCarthy - Trustee (1 hour per week commitment)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATHLEEN MCCARTHY | TRUSTEE | 35 | $50,000 |
| MICHAEL MCCARTHY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Nurture Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary funding priorities include: • Youth sailing programs • Summer tutoring programs • Preschool programs • Elementary school programs • Foster care placement support • Girls' empowerment and youth services • Cancer research and support • Environmental initiatives (botanical gardens) • Educational endowments
How do I apply for a grant from The Nurture Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 37 grants in the most recent reporting period • Typical grant range: $120 to $50,000 • Median grant amount: $3,000 • Average grant amount varies by program, ranging from $120 to $21,500 **Grant Programs:** • **Endowment Program**: $21,500 average, 3 recipients • **Provide Inspiration for Girls**: $13,000 average, 2 recipients • **Youth Sailing Programs**: $3,000 average, 1 recipient • **Support Ridley-Tree Cancer Center**: $5,000 average, 1 recipient • **Support Place…
Where does The Nurture Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in California, with some activity in Missouri.
What size grants does The Nurture Foundation award?
In 2024, The Nurture Foundation awarded 28 grants totaling $178K — an average of about $6K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Nurture Foundation's EIN?
The Nurture Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-1221550. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Nurture 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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