The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson
The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson is a private foundation based in Grover Beach, California. It makes educational grants to high school graduates, with its 2025 filing describing awards as college scholarships.
The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson at a glance
In short: The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson gave $45K across 45 grants in 2025 (avg $1K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $45,000
- +60.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 45
- +60.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,000
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $1,039,444
- -0.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Applicants should contact Deena Silva and submit a scholarship application, grade transcripts, and educational goals. Applicants must be South San Luis Obispo County residents and U.S. citizens.
- Review Cycle
- March 31.
- Deadline
- March 31.
- Contact
Application contact: Deena Silva
Mailing address: 190 N Ninth Street, Grover Beach, CA 93433
Phone: (805) 489-1344
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Symphony H Lozano ($1K).
Organizations only. It also paid 44 individual scholarships ($44,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
106 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 106 grants of 106 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars listed for 2025 went to recipients in California. The filing’s eligibility requirements specify South San Luis Obispo County residency.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 45 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson gives
- Giving grew 650% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 89% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $6K (2022) to $45K (2025). In 2025 it made 45 grants totaling $45K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 44 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $44,000 |
| Symphony H Lozano Oceano, CA | College Scholarship | $1,000 |
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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 | $1,039,444 | $43,770 | $47,229 | $45,000 | 45 | $45,000 | $43,141 | $50,562 |
| 2024 | $1,042,903 | $45,822 | $30,151 | $28,000 | 28 | $28,000 | $45,221 | $48,621 |
| 2023 | $1,027,232 | $43,041 | $21,285 | $20,000 | 20 | $20,000 | $42,941 | $48,653 |
| 2022 | $1,005,476 | $7,555 | $9,621 | $6,000 | 6 | $6,000 | $5,494 | — |
| 2021 | $1,007,542 | $8,471 | $8,511 | $7,000 | 7 | $7,000 | $6,854 | — |
| 2020 | $1,007,706 | $8,742 | $9,546 | $8,000 | 8 | — | $8,556 | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson reported a distributable amount of $51K 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’s stated direct charitable activity is providing educational grants to high school graduates. Its 2025 filing requires applicants to be residents of South San Luis Obispo County and U.S. citizens.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation gave 45 grants totaling $45,000. Each grant was $1,000. Listed scholarship recipients included an individual recipient, Cynthia A. Leon of Nipomo, two individual recipients; each received $1,000 for a college scholarship.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Deena Silva and J. Dean Johnson as trustees.
The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
J. Dean Johnson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$400 (2020) → $0 (2025)
Deena Silva
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2022 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2022 filing was $400, to J Dean Johnson (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson
How much does The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson give each year?
The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson gave $45K across 45 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $28K across 28 grants.
What is The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson's typical grant size?
The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $1,000, across 45 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson give grants?
The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 45 grants with a stated purpose on The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "College Scholarship" (44 grants).
How large is The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson?
The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson reported $1.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $45K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $51K (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 Ralph & Marguerita Johnson fund?
The foundation’s stated direct charitable activity is providing educational grants to high school graduates. Its 2025 filing requires applicants to be residents of South San Luis Obispo County and U.S. citizens. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson?
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson's EIN?
The Ralph & Marguerita Johnson's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-6180529. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 23, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 28, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 24, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 7, 2026)
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