The Parker Foundation
The Parker Foundation is a private foundation based in Carlsbad, California, founded by Gerald T. and Inez Grant Parker in 1971. It supports charitable organizations serving San Diego County, with grantmaking across social, arts, community, and educational organizations. The Foundation says it has awarded more than $66 million in grants since its founding.
The Parker Foundation at a glance
In short: The Parker Foundation gave $2.6M across 65 grants in 2025 (avg $40K), mostly in California. 70% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,572,500
- +40.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 65
- -13.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $39,577
- +61.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $50,383,798
- +4.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 70% first-time grantees (42 of 60, 2025)
- Primary geography
- California (98% 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 Parker Foundation
- Review Cycle
- The next listed proposal deadline is Friday, October 2, 2026, at noon. The corresponding board meeting is scheduled for December 4, 2026. The Foundation says deadlines may change and materials must be submitted by noon on the posted deadline.
- Deadline
- The next listed proposal deadline is Friday, October 2, 2026, at noon.
- Contact
Application contact: Lexy Harshman Chief Administrative
Mailing address: 2604-B El Camino Real Suite 244, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: (760) 720-0630
Website: https://theparkerfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Parker Foundation
Who The Parker Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties ($513K across 4 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($30,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
333 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 282 grants of 333 (85%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s funding is restricted to charitable organizations operating within San Diego County, and its website describes its grantmaking as focused on organizations serving the county. In filing year 2025, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in California and 2% to recipients in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 65 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Parker Foundation open to new grantees?
70%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 42 of 60 grantees (70%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $35K; repeat grants $62K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $33K repeat.
- 8% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 54% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 111% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.7M (2022) to $2.6M (2025). In 2025 it made 65 grants totaling $2.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Catalyst of San Diego and Imperial Counties San Diego, CA | To support the san diego resilient response pooled fund ($100k), the sustained support pooled fund ($100k), prepayment of the 2026 funders together to end homelessness pooled fund ($50k), arts & intersections for thegrantmakers in the arts2027 conf. In sd ($50k). | $300,000 |
| Forever Balboa Park San Diego, CA | To Support the Botanical Building. | $200,000 |
| California Center for Cooperative Development Davis, CA | To Support the Suncoast Market Co-Op Startup Project. | $125,000 |
| Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties San Diego, CA | To Support Capacity Building for Yigby 2.0. | $100,000 |
| NTC Foundation San Diego, CA | To Support the Judy McDonald Garden. | $100,000 |
| Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties San Diego, CA | To support capacity building $30,000, 2025 membership dues $7,500, 2025 annual conference $5,000, funders together to end homelessness san diego pooled fund $40,000, arts & intersections collaborative $15,000. | $97,500 |
| Home Start Inc San Diego, CA | To Support Behavioral Health Services. | $75,000 |
| Mission Edge San Diego, CA | To support a comprehensive study on artists living and working in san Diego county. | $75,000 |
| ACLU Foundation of San Diego & Imperial Counties San Diego, CA | To support the development of the neighborhood solidarity committee. | $50,000 |
| Building 178 Performing Arts Center San Diego, CA | To support the fabrication and installation of stage floors for the joan & irwin jacobs performing arts center. | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Parker Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 65 grants. Its website separately describes its assets as exceeding $48 million.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $50,383,798 | $1,581,863 | $2,979,791 | $2,572,500 | 65 | $2,677,112 | $1,592,982 | $2,422,508 |
| 2024 | $48,077,437 | $1,246,229 | $2,402,779 | $1,838,000 | 75 | $1,973,847 | $578,653 | $2,233,703 |
| 2023 | $41,655,574 | $3,686,155 | $2,382,978 | $2,056,625 | 67 | $2,172,883 | $3,544,206 | $2,202,365 |
| 2022 | $39,964,042 | $3,461,493 | $2,062,482 | $1,670,050 | 62 | $1,868,252 | $3,674,835 | $2,243,730 |
| 2021 | $38,619,028 | $4,581,598 | $2,386,435 | $1,882,960 | 64 | — | $3,624,157 | $2,299,029 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Parker Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.4M 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
The Foundation describes its commitment as improving the lives of San Diegans and partnering with a wide variety of social, arts, community, and educational organizations in San Diego County.
Its 2025 grants illustrate support for projects including a park botanical building, a cooperative startup, behavioral health services, an artists’ study, arts facilities, youth workforce training, and homelessness-related pooled funds. Among the grantees, Forever Balboa Park describes its mission as sustaining, envisioning, and enhancing Balboa Park; Home Start says it works to strengthen families and communities to assure children’s safety and resiliency; and Miracle League of San Diego says it provides people with special needs the opportunity to play baseball in an organized league.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 65 grants totaling $2,572,500. Grant amounts ranged from $2,500 to $300,000, with a median of $30,000.
Notable 2025 awards included $300,000 to Catalyst of San Diego and Imperial Counties for several pooled funds and related support; $200,000 to Forever Balboa Park for the Botanical Building; $125,000 to California Center for Cooperative Development for the Suncoast Market Co-op startup project; and $100,000 each to Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties for YIGBY 2.0 capacity building and to NTC Foundation for the Judy McDonald Garden. Other awards included $75,000 to Home Start Inc. for behavioral health services and $50,000 to Partners for Justice Inc. in New York. The Foundation’s website says its board considered 315 requests for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, approved 59, and had 13 requests pending at year end.
The Foundation’s website says requests should explain the proposed use, benefit to San Diego County, people directly aided, and how results will be measured. Applicants must agree to report measured outcomes within six months of grant payment. The request should be signed by the executive director and submitted with organizational and project budgets, recent financial statements, a balance sheet, an income statement, a board list, and verification of current charitable status. The application instructions require the materials to be combined into one PDF. Applicants must have a current IRS determination letter confirming 501(c)(3) status; the grant summary also calls for IRS and California Franchise Tax Board determination letters. The Foundation generally recommends that at least two years pass before a former grantee submits another proposal.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Brad Lupien, Katy McDonald, and Barbara Mandel as directors; Raymond G. Ellis as president; William G. Beamer as vice president; Victoria Reed as secretary; Dori Kaufman as treasurer; and Lexy Harshman as chief administrative officer. Ernest Borunda and Ann Davies are listed as directors emeritus.
The Parker Foundation is led by Raymond G. Ellis, President on every filing since 2021; 1 of 11 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Raymond G. Ellis
President
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Mandel
Director
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katy McDonald
Director
On filings since 2024
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brad Lupien
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lexy Harshman
Chief Administrative Officer
On filings since 2022
25 hrs/week
$104K (2022) → $119K (2025)
Ann Davies
Director Emeritus
Secretary → Director Emeritus, 2022
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dori Kaufman
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ernest Borunda
Director Emeritus
Treasurer → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Director Emeritus, 2025
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Paul Mosher
Director Emeritus
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
William G. Beamer
Vice President
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Victoria Reed
Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Robbin C. Powell (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Vicki Reed (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Judy McDonald (2021–2023) — Director Emeritus
- Former: Gordon Swanson (2021–2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $119K, to Lexy Harshman (Chief Administrative Officer).
Frequently asked questions about The Parker Foundation
How much does The Parker Foundation give each year?
The Parker Foundation gave $2.6M across 65 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.8M across 75 grants.
What is The Parker Foundation's typical grant size?
The Parker Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $30,000, and its average grant was $39,577, across 65 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Parker Foundation that year got $35K on average.
Where does The Parker Foundation give grants?
The Parker Foundation gives mostly in California: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were San Diego, CA (47 grants), La Jolla, CA (2 grants), National City, CA (2 grants) and El Cajon, CA (2 grants).
Does The Parker Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 6% of The Parker Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 65) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Parker Foundation's largest grantees?
The Parker Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties ($512,500 across 4 grants), Forever Balboa Park ($200,000) and California Center for Cooperative Development ($125,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($30,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Parker Foundation?
The Parker Foundation reported $50.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Parker Foundation fund?
The Foundation describes its commitment as improving the lives of San Diegans and partnering with a wide variety of social, arts, community, and educational organizations in San Diego County. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Parker Foundation?
The Parker Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check theparkerfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Parker Foundation's EIN?
The Parker Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0141231. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 23, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Parker Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-parker-foundation-morg_4ee4b2a459d241f78c55bd0e7153531a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_510141231_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Parker Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-parker-foundation-morg_4ee4b2a459d241f78c55bd0e7153531a},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-04. 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 Parker 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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