The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross
The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross is a private foundation based in Laguna Beach, California. It supports organizations working to create direct, measurable impact in communities, locally in California and globally, with stated areas of focus that include humanitarian efforts, education, healthcare, the environment, and community.
The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross at a glance
In short: The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross gave $17.9M across 59 grants in 2024 (avg $303K), top state New York. 36% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $17,905,000
- -0.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 59
- -13.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $303,475
- +14.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $150,000
- Total assets
- $571,114,024
- +23.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (21 of 59, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (35% 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 William Jeff and Jennifer Gross
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1613 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Phone: (949) 500-7373
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Doctors Without Borders ($3.0M). Together the top 10 received $11.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
307 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 118 grants of 307 (38%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its work as local in California and global. In 2024, recipients in New York received 35% of grant dollars, California 27%, Massachusetts 7%, North Carolina 7%, and Texas 6%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 59 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 21 of 59 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $156K; repeat grants $385K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $200K repeat.
- 54% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+5%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 70% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $17.1M (2021) to $22.7M (2022). In 2024 it made 59 grants totaling $17.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Doctors Without Borders New York, NY | General Donation | $3,000,000 |
| University of Massachusetts Foundation Inc Newton, MA | General Donation | $1,110,000 |
| Atrium Health Foundation Charlotte, NC | General Donation | $1,000,000 |
| Environmental Advocates NY Inc Albany, NY | General Donation | $1,000,000 |
| Mercy Ships Garden Valley, TX | General Donation | $1,000,000 |
| SDSN Association Inc New York, NY | General Donation | $1,000,000 |
| Charlottesville Area Community Foundation Charlottesville, VA | General Donation | $875,000 |
| Divided Sky Foundation Corporation Ludlow, VT | General Donation | $750,000 |
| VII Foundation Inc New York, NY | General Donation | $750,000 |
| Action Against Hunger USA New York, NY | General Donation | $550,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross?
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 | $571,114,024 | $72,571,168 | $19,824,193 | $17,905,000 | 59 | $17,905,000 | $45,400,735 | $25,428,177 |
| 2023 | $464,077,212 | $65,731,677 | $19,431,751 | $18,028,808 | 68 | $18,028,808 | $53,330,284 | $20,661,687 |
| 2022 | $425,945,656 | $34,842,672 | $24,034,364 | $22,680,002 | 58 | $22,680,002 | $34,483,824 | $21,880,640 |
| 2021 | $460,031,830 | $55,297,770 | $24,924,832 | $17,104,074 | 62 | $17,104,074 | $59,185,220 | $16,868,806 |
| 2020 | $389,134,947 | $13,236,003 | $18,606,502 | $17,196,545 | 60 | — | $26,053,676 | $16,362,304 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross reported a distributable amount of $25.4M 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 stated mission is to support organizations that create direct, measurable impact in communities, both locally in California and globally. Its listed focus areas are humanitarian efforts, education, healthcare, the environment, and community.
Examples of supported organizations reflect a range of work. The University of Massachusetts Foundation says it promotes the university’s growth and educational mission. SDSN Association says it mobilizes universities around the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Agreement, offers free online education, and translates scientific evidence into solutions and accountability. Environmental Advocates NY says it works to protect New York’s air, land, water, wildlife, and public health. Atrium Health Foundation says it supports efforts to improve health and advance healing. Action Against Hunger-USA says it works to prevent, detect, and treat undernutrition, particularly during and after disasters and conflicts. Orangewood Foundation says it strives for equity for youth by supporting the lives they envision.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 59 grants totaling $17,905,000. Grant amounts ranged from $2,500 to $3,000,000, with a median grant of $150,000. In 2023, it made 68 grants totaling $18,028,808; in 2022, it made 58 grants totaling $22,680,002.
The largest 2024 grant was $3,000,000 to Doctors Without Borders. Other major grants included $1,110,000 to the University of Massachusetts Foundation; $1,000,000 each to Atrium Health Foundation, Environmental Advocates NY, Mercy Ships, and SDSN Association; and $875,000 to Charlottesville Area Community Foundation. The listed grant purposes were general donations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists William H Gross as president, Mark Porterfield as secretary, and Jeffrey Gross and Jennifer Gross as directors.
The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross is led by William H. Gross, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
William H. Gross
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Gross
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Gross
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Porterfield
Secretary
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$520K (2022) → $432K (2024)
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 $432K, to Mark Porterfield (Secretary).
Frequently asked questions about The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross
How much does The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross give each year?
The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross gave $17.9M across 59 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $18.0M across 68 grants.
What is The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross's typical grant size?
The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross's median grant in 2024 was $150,000, and its average grant was $303,475, across 59 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross that year got $156K on average.
Where does The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross give grants?
The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross's top state is New York, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (27%) and Massachusetts (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Laguna Beach, CA (13 grants), New York, NY (5 grants), Santa Ana, CA (3 grants) and Charlotte, NC (2 grants).
Does The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (59 of 59) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross's largest grantees?
The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross's largest 2024 grantees include Doctors Without Borders ($3,000,000), University of Massachusetts Foundation Inc ($1,110,000) and Atrium Health Foundation ($1,000,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross?
The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross reported $571.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $17.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $25.4M (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 William Jeff and Jennifer Gross fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to support organizations that create direct, measurable impact in communities, both locally in California and globally. Its listed focus areas are humanitarian efforts, education, healthcare, the environment, and community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross's EIN?
The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-2674631. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in California
Orange County Community Foundation
Irvine, CA
The Orange County Community Foundation supports a wide range of causes, including human services, education, health, arts, the environment, and community development, primarily in Orange County and also beyond. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely; it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$743.6M
Grants
975
Total Given
$120.4M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Marin Community Foundation funds work in affordable housing and homelessness, community resilience and power, as well as social services, education, arts and conservation, with a focus on marginalized Marin County residents and some broader U.S. and international grantmaking. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
Direct Relief
Santa Barbara, CA
Direct Relief supports healthcare providers serving people affected by poverty or emergencies, including community health centers, clinics, and grassroots organizations, with medicines, supplies, and funding for health access and equity. In 2025, its grants had a median award of about $65,000, and its work spans all 50 U.S. states and countries around the world; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,367
Total Given
$337.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-william-jeff-and-jennifer-gross-morg_c2cf0690f33f44a4a976e3b23a2b30c8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_822674631_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-william-jeff-and-jennifer-gross-morg_c2cf0690f33f44a4a976e3b23a2b30c8},
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 William Jeff and Jennifer Gross'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.
The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross down — hundreds of funders to go?