The Winnick Family Foundation Inc
The Winnick Family Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 1983 and based in Woodland Hills, California. The foundation was founded by Gary Winnick and Karen Winnick to support philanthropic causes across education, health, arts and culture, animal welfare, and Jewish organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$21K
-55.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$25K
-80.2% YoY
Grant Count
10
-74.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3K
-22.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Winnick Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $2K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission focuses on improving education, literacy, health care, art, culture, and animal welfare, as well as supporting populations and communities at risk worldwide. The foundation aims to make a positive impact through selective support of project-specific programs, capital campaigns, and unrestricted gifts to grantee organizations.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education and literacy
- Health care and health organizations
- Arts and culture
- Animal welfare and wildlife conservation
- Jewish organizations and causes
- Museums of modern art
In recent years, animal causes have emerged as a significant area of grantmaking, with grants supporting a range of national, international, and local organizations and rescues.
Grantmaking
The foundation accepts written proposals of three pages, which may be submitted via mail to the address provided below. The foundation does not currently operate a website.
Grant Range
$100–$7,500
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations across multiple states, with particular geographic areas of interest including:
- California
- New York
- Nevada
- Texas
- Massachusetts
- Additional states including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Tennessee
Los Angeles and New York are noted as primary geographic areas of interest.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2023-2024):
- Total Assets: $47,146–$56,300
- Total Revenue: $118,756–$562,800
- Total Expenses: $42,866
- Total Giving: $25,200–$533,400
- Number of Grants: 10–74 (varies by reporting period)
The foundation has limited staffing and operates with no paid employees, relying on board members who volunteer their time.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $21,157 | $47,146 | $56,256 |
| Revenue | $5 | $118,756 | $562,803 |
| Expenses | $50,994 | $42,866 | $531,656 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $25,200 | $127,100 | $533,400 |
| Net Investment Income | $5 | $6 | $3 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,396 | $3,156 | $1,863 |
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
199 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Scbwi Impact and Legacy Fund ($7,500), Wild Earth Allies ($7,500), Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association ($2,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE WASHINGTON, DC | 2024 COEXISTENCE | $2,000 |
| FOSTER ARMY ANIMAL RESCUE CARSON CITY, NV | UNRESTRICTED USE | $150 |
| GREATER LOS ANGELES ZOO ASSOCIATION LOS ANGELES, CA | CONSERVATION STRATEGIC PLAN | $2,500 |
| MUSIC CENTER LOS ANGELES, CA | UNRESTRICTED USE | $1,000 |
| SAM'S HOPE TRUMBULL, CT | MEALS FOR PETS OF HOMEBOUND AND ELDERLY | $100 |
| SCBWI IMPACT AND LEGACY FUND LOS ANGELES, CA | THE CHARLOTTE AND WILBUR AWARD. | $7,500 |
| TEMPLE OF THE ARTS BEVERLY HILLS, CA | UNRESTRICTED USE | $1,700 |
| THE SEEING EYE MORRISTOWN, NJ | IHO BETTY WHITE | $250 |
| WILD EARTH ALLIES CHEVY CHASE, MD | CAMBODIAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION | $7,500 |
| WORLD WILDLIFE FUND HIGH FALLS, NY | ASIAN ELEPHANT - NIANGA | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Current Leadership:
- Karen Winnick – Chairperson and President (5 hours/week, unpaid)
- Alex Winnick – Vice President (1 hour/week, unpaid)
- Adam Winnick – Member (1 hour/week, unpaid)
Karen Winnick is a children's author and illustrator who writes about animals and serves as the president of the Los Angeles Zoo Commission. She currently steers the foundation with the couple's children. The foundation's founder, Gary Winnick, passed away in 2023.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAREN WINNICK | CHAIRPERSON | 5 | — |
| KAREN WINNICK | PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| ALEX WINNICK | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| ADAM WINNICK | MEMBER | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Following the passing of founder Gary Winnick in 2023, the foundation continues to operate under the leadership of Karen Winnick and their children. The foundation's website was dismantled, but tax filings indicate ongoing grant activity. Recent grantees have included organizations such as the Skirball Cultural Center, Best Friends Animal Society, and Defenders of Wildlife, reflecting the foundation's continued commitment to animal welfare, arts and culture, and Jewish causes.
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**Contact Information:**
Address: 21700 Oxnard Street, Suite 400, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Telephone: 310-499-5300
EIN: 95-3855792
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Winnick Family Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission focuses on improving education, literacy, health care, art, culture, and animal welfare, as well as supporting populations and communities at risk worldwide. The foundation aims to make a positive impact through selective support of project-specific programs, capital campaigns, and unrestricted gifts to grantee organizations. Primary funding areas include: • Education and literacy • Health care and health organizations • Arts and culture • Animal welfare and wildlife co…
How do I apply for a grant from The Winnick Family Foundation Inc?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant range: $100–$7,500 • Median grant size: $500–$1,900 • Recent grant activity indicates the foundation is actively distributing funds **Application Process:** The foundation accepts written proposals of three pages, which may be submitted via mail to the address provided below. The foundation does not currently operate a website. **Approachability:** The foundation is possibly open to applications and has limited staffing, suggesting it may be receptive …
Where does The Winnick Family Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation supports organizations across multiple states, with particular geographic areas of interest including: • California • New York • Nevada • Texas • Massachusetts • Additional states including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Tennessee Los Angeles and New York are noted as primary geographic areas of interest.
What size grants does The Winnick Family Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Winnick Family Foundation Inc awarded 10 grants totaling $25K — an average of about $3K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Winnick Family Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Winnick Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $2K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Winnick Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Winnick Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-3855792. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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