VFW Department of California Foundation
To provide for the social well being of veterans of the various branches of the armed forces of the united states of America who has served in a foreign war.
VFW Department of California Foundation at a glance
In short: VFW Department of California Foundation gave $637K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $127K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $637,118
- +3085.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- +400.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $127,424
- +537.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $91,927
- Total assets
- $1,833,665
- -14.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who VFW Department of California Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was VFW Post 904 ($269K). Together the top 5 received $637K.
Grant Size Distribution
7 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 4 grants of 7 (57%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2018 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $7K (2023) to $637K (2025). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $637K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| VFW Post 904 Loomis, CA | Bonnifield Fund Distribution | $269,410 |
| VFW Post 1487 Roseville, CA | Bonnifield Fund Distribution | $91,927 |
| VFW Post 2003 Colfax, CA | Bonnifield Fund Distribution | $91,927 |
| VFW Post 11294 Foresthill, CA | Bonnifield Fund Distribution | $91,927 |
| VFW Post 3010 Lincoln, CA | Bonnifield Fund Distribution | $91,927 |
Ready to take the next step with VFW Department of California Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,833,665 | $424,430 | $684,842 | $637,118 | 5 | $140,771 |
| 2024 | $2,136,382 | $336,584 | $71,728 | $20,000 | 1 | $50,077 |
| 2023 | $1,806,168 | $168,006 | $53,466 | $6,700 | 1 | $30,667 |
| 2022 | $1,641,097 | $45,910 | $67,679 | $7,196 | Total only | $18,621 |
| 2021 | $1,790,246 | $541,516 | $156,866 | $83,534 | Total only | $18,253 |
| 2020 | $1,362,482 | $105,591 | $187,645 | $124,885 | Total only | $28,745 |
| 2018 | $1,395,212 | $125,267 | $82,286 | $10,000 | 1 | $25,126 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About VFW Department of California Foundation
Based on IRS filings
VFW Department of California Foundation is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Elk Grove, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2018 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.8M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $637K. Net investment income was $141K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
VFW Department of California Foundation is led by Deborah Johnson, Foundation President since 2025 (on filings since 2023); none of the 11 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Deborah Johnson
Foundation President
Vice President → Foundation President, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dawn Napier
Director
Vice President → President, 2022
President → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Timothy Bryant
Director
Vice President → President, 2024
President → Director, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Jennings
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Croy
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Raul Barragan
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rodger W. Meier
Secretary & Treasurer
Secretary → Secretary & Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paula Jansen
Foundation Vice President
Director → Foundation Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Kuta
Foundation Vice President
Vice President → Foundation Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Miller
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Werner
Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (17)
- Former: Martin Yingling (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: John Muller (2024) — Director
- Former: Art Napiwocki (2018–2023) — Director
- Former: John Lowe (2020–2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Myles Fry (2023) — Director
- Former: Lamont Duncan (2018–2022) — Director
- Former: Michael Digiordano (2022) — Director
- Former: Michael Kuznik (2018–2021) — Director
- Former: Dean Lee (2018–2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Andres Centeno (2020) — Director
- Former: Denis Wells (2020) — Director
- Former: Dale Smith (2018) — Director
- Former: Jerry Brady (2018) — Secretary
- Former: Mike Seward (2018) — Director
- Former: Nick Guest (2018) — Director
- Former: Stephen Milano (2018) — Secretary
- Former: Wayne Wright (2018) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2018–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about VFW Department of California Foundation
How much does VFW Department of California Foundation give each year?
VFW Department of California Foundation gave $637K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $20K across 1 grant.
What is VFW Department of California Foundation's typical grant size?
VFW Department of California Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $91,927, and its average grant was $127,424, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does VFW Department of California Foundation give grants?
VFW Department of California Foundation gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.
Does VFW Department of California Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on VFW Department of California Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Bonnifield Fund Distribution" (5 grants).
Who are VFW Department of California Foundation's largest grantees?
VFW Department of California Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include VFW Post 904 ($269,410), VFW Post 1487 ($91,927) and VFW Post 2003 ($91,927), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 71% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is VFW Department of California Foundation?
VFW Department of California Foundation reported $1.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $424K.
What is VFW Department of California Foundation?
VFW Department of California Foundation is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Elk Grove, CA. It holds $1.8M in total assets as of 2025.
What is VFW Department of California Foundation's EIN?
VFW Department of California Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1343181. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2018–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2018 (received by the IRS February 13, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 22, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in VFW Department of California Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in California
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
Conrad N Hilton Foundation
Westlake Village, CA
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation funds nonprofits working to improve lives and alleviate poverty, with initiatives including early childhood development, homelessness, refugees, safe water, and support for foster and opportunity youth. Its work is global, and its 2024 grants had a median award of $76,000. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, except through its Good Neighbor Program for eligible local nonprofits and Title 1 schools.
Assets
$7.4B
Grants
1,339
Total Given
$287.7M
The California Endowment
Los Angeles, CA
The California Endowment funds nonprofit, government, and eligible faith-based organizations working to advance health and racial equity, strengthen community power, and improve health systems and communities, primarily in California. Its 2024 median grant was $100,000, and funding is by invitation only; it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,125
Total Given
$215.9M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from VFW Department of California 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.
VFW Department of California Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?