The Ralph M Parsons Foundation
The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California, that improves the well-being of Los Angeles County residents through responsive grantmaking. Established in 1961, it supports organizations working in civic and cultural life, education, health, and human services, with an emphasis on direct services and general operating support.
The Ralph M Parsons Foundation at a glance
In short: The Ralph M Parsons Foundation gave $18.2M across 403 grants in 2024 (avg $45K), mostly in California. 22% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $18,183,017
- -7.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 403
- +9.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $45,119
- -15.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $452,365,338
- +3.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (73 of 326, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Ralph M Parsons Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests through a required online Letter of Inquiry (LOI), which may be submitted throughout the year. Applicants whose LOIs align with current priorities may be invited to submit a full proposal. The Foundation says applicants can expect an LOI response within six to eight weeks; invited applicants have 60 days to complete a full proposal, and review may take up to six months. It considers grants to public charities serving Los Angeles County, across its four priority areas. It considers only one request per organization annually; after a decline, an organization may apply again 12 months after the declination date. Grantees must have completed their grant period and submitted a final report before applying for another request.
- Review Cycle
- LOIs are accepted at any time during the year.
- Deadline
- LOIs are accepted at any time during the year.
- Contact
Application contact: Jennifer Price-Letscher President C
Mailing address: 601 S Figueroa Street Suite 5000, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: (213) 362-7600
Website: https://rmpf.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 Ralph M Parsons Foundation
Who The Ralph M Parsons Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Colburn School ($500K). Together the top 10 received $3.4M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($125,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,768 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 840 grants of 1,768 (48%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation limits its grantmaking geographically to work within Los Angeles County. In 2024, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in California; the reported shares for recipients in the District of Columbia and Maryland were 1% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 403 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Ralph M Parsons Foundation open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 73 of 326 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $31K; repeat grants $63K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 28% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−13%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 108% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $18.2M (2024) to $21.7M (2022). In 2024 it made 403 grants totaling $18.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Colburn School Los Angeles, CA | Over three years for support of the campus expansion project | $500,000 |
| The People Concern Los Angeles, CA | Over two years for general support of homeless services | $300,000 |
| Seed School of Los Angeles County Los Angeles, CA | For capital support to construct the seed school of los Angeles county | $250,000 |
| Pasadena Conservatory of Music Pasadena, CA | Over two years to construct a new music learning center and outdoor amphitheater | $250,000 |
| People Assisting the Homeless Los Angeles, CA | Over two years for general support of housing and homeless services in los Angeles county | $200,000 |
| Project Angel Food Los Angeles, CA | Over Two Years for the Campus Expansion Project | $200,000 |
| Project Angel Food Los Angeles, CA | Over Two Years for the Campus Expansion Project | $200,000 |
| People Assisting the Homeless Los Angeles, CA | Over two years for general support of housing and homeless services in los Angeles county | $200,000 |
| Southern California Grantmakers Los Angeles, CA | Over two years for general support of strategic restructuring and executive transition | $200,000 |
| Liberty Hill Foundation Los Angeles, CA | Over two years to support capacity building for youth development programs | $200,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $452,365,338 | $17,714,189 | $34,000,855 | $18,183,017 | 403 | $23,662,877 | $32,294,771 | $21,866,584 |
| 2023 | $438,732,767 | $24,997,425 | $33,149,535 | $19,623,245 | 367 | $24,889,731 | $36,672,869 | $21,064,757 |
| 2022 | $415,112,931 | $-2,958,519 | $35,190,434 | $21,716,998 | 353 | $27,244,154 | — | $20,804,894 |
| 2021 | $469,540,445 | $59,827,202 | $38,272,095 | $20,786,000 | 331 | $25,481,110 | $48,761,769 | $20,783,131 |
| 2020 | $412,929,990 | $28,085,746 | $31,173,932 | $20,475,000 | 314 | — | $16,026,769 | $17,960,948 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ralph M Parsons Foundation reported a distributable amount of $21.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for people in Los Angeles County through impactful grants and strategic initiatives that advance community well-being. Its four priority areas are:
- Civic & Cultural: performing arts organizations, museums, botanical gardens, arts education programs, and organizations promoting civic engagement and leadership.
- Education: organizations serving learners from early care and education through higher education and vocational training, with a special focus on underserved populations.
- Health: organizations providing essential health services, particularly community clinics, mental health providers, prevention services, emergency and trauma centers, and health-care facility improvements.
- Human Services: work supporting vulnerable community members, including low-income children and families.
The Foundation says more than half of its grantmaking is for general support. It also considers requests for programs, staff positions, and capital needs; for capital requests, it generally prefers applicants to approach near the end of a campaign. It prioritizes organizations providing direct services.
Examples among its 2024 grantees illustrate the range of work supported. The Colburn School describes its mission as providing performance-centered education and fostering the joy and discipline of the performing arts. The People Concern says it works to address homelessness, poverty, illness, abuse, and addiction. Project Angel Food describes its work as improving health and fighting food insecurity for critically ill people in Los Angeles County through medically tailored meals and nutrition counseling.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 403 grants totaling $18,183,017. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $500,000, with a median grant of $30,000.
Among its largest reported 2024 grants were $500,000 to The Colburn School for a campus expansion project; $300,000 to The People Concern for general support of homeless services; and $250,000 each to SEED School of Los Angeles County for construction and Pasadena Conservatory of Music for a new music learning center and outdoor amphitheater. Other examples include $200,000 to People Assisting the Homeless for general support of housing and homeless services, $200,000 to Project Angel Food for a campus expansion project, and $150,000 to Union Rescue Mission for general support of housing and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Foundation’s 2024 filing lists Jennifer Price-Letscher as President and CEO; E. Thomas Brewer as Vice President, Finance & Administration; Nicole Larsen as Director, Grants Administration; Jonathan Wald as Director, Finance; and Melanie Fujii as Grants Manager. Listed directors include Gayle E. Wilson, Steven A. Nissen, Elizabeth Hamilton Lowe, Nina Revoyr, and Paul G. Haaga Jr. Revoyr is listed as Vice Chair and Haaga as Chair.
The Ralph M Parsons Foundation is led by Jennifer Price-Letscher, President & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2021); 11 of 15 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jennifer Price-Letscher
President & CEO
Vice President, Grants & Initiatives → President & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2021
35 hrs/week
$249K (2021) → $450K (2024)
Paul G. Haaga Jr.
Director & Chair
Director & Vice Chair → Director & Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$38K (2020) → $35K (2024)
Elizabeth Hamilton Lowe
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$38K (2020) → $35K (2024)
Gayle E. Wilson
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$38K (2020) → $35K (2024)
Nicole Larsen
Director & Grants Administration
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$154K (2020) → $210K (2024)
Nina Revoyr
Director & Vice Chair
Director → Director & Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$38K (2020) → $35K (2024)
Peter J. Taylor
Director
Director & Chair → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$38K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Steven A. Nissen
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$38K (2020) → $35K (2024)
John B. Emerson
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$10K (2021) → $0 (2024)
Jonathan Wald
Director & Finance
New on the 2024 filing
35 hrs/week
$200K (2024)
Stasia Washington
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$29K (2024)
Manuel A. Abascal
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Ivy Sanford
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
E. Thomas Brewer
Vice President, Finance & Administration
Director, Finance & Administration → Vice President, Finance & Administration, 2021
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$262K (2020) → $367K (2024)
Melanie Fujii
Grants Manager
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$121K (2023) → $129K (2024)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Karen Hill Scott (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Wendy Garen (2020–2023) — President & CEO
- Former: James A. Thomas (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $450K, to Jennifer Price-Letscher (President & CEO). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Ralph M Parsons Foundation
How much does The Ralph M Parsons Foundation give each year?
The Ralph M Parsons Foundation gave $18.2M across 403 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $19.6M across 367 grants.
What is The Ralph M Parsons Foundation's typical grant size?
The Ralph M Parsons Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $30,000, and its average grant was $45,119, across 403 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Ralph M Parsons Foundation that year got $31K on average.
Where does The Ralph M Parsons Foundation give grants?
The Ralph M Parsons Foundation gives mostly in California: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (236 grants), Pasadena, CA (32 grants), Long Beach, CA (8 grants) and San Pedro, CA (7 grants).
Does The Ralph M Parsons Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 66% of The Ralph M Parsons Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (266 of 403) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "For Professional Development Activities" (27 grants), "To Match an Employee Gift by Piper Kamins" (6 grants) and "To Match an Employee Gift by Natalie Egnatchik" (5 grants).
Who are The Ralph M Parsons Foundation's largest grantees?
The Ralph M Parsons Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Colburn School ($500,000), Community Partners ($430,250 across 13 grants) and People Assisting the Homeless ($400,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($125,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 7% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Ralph M Parsons Foundation?
The Ralph M Parsons Foundation reported $452.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $23.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $21.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Ralph M Parsons Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for people in Los Angeles County through impactful grants and strategic initiatives that advance community well-being. Its four priority areas are: See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Ralph M Parsons Foundation?
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests through a required online Letter of Inquiry (LOI), which may be submitted throughout the year. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Ralph M Parsons Foundation's EIN?
The Ralph M Parsons Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-6085895. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Ralph M Parsons Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Ralph M Parsons Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-ralph-m-parsons-foundation-morg_f54f65e375364f5c969d96604597d1f2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_956085895_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Ralph M Parsons Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-ralph-m-parsons-foundation-morg_f54f65e375364f5c969d96604597d1f2},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Ralph M Parsons 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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