Warren & Katharine Schlinger Foundation
The Warren & Katharine Schlinger Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1994 and based in Laguna Niguel, California. The foundation was founded by chemical engineer Warren G. Schlinger and his wife Katharine (Katie) Stewart Schlinger. Warren was a distinguished Caltech alumnus who spent four decades at Texaco developing pioneering technologies in oil shale processing, coal gasification, coal desulfurization, and oil recovery. He held over 60 patents and was a member of the National Academy of Engineering. Following Warren's passing in 2017 and Katie's in 2015, the foundation is now led by their children, Sarah Chrisman and Norman Schlinger.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$99.6M
+3.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$9.3M
-7.7% YoY
Grant Count
42
-2.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$221K
-5.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Warren & Katharine Schlinger Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not maintain a public mission statement. However, based on its grantmaking history, the Warren & Katharine Schlinger Foundation primarily funds:
- Education — particularly higher education with emphasis on engineering schools
- Arts and Culture
- Human Services
- Animals
- Health and Mental Health
- Congregational Churches
Education has been one of the foundation's largest giving areas over the years. The foundation provides ongoing support to the California Institute of Technology, Warren's alma mater, which houses the Warren and Katharine Schlinger Laboratory for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, named in the couple's honor in 2010.
Grantmaking
The Warren & Katharine Schlinger Foundation maintains a low public profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals. The foundation provides ongoing support to a core group of preselected organizations.
Grant Range
$5,000–$2.9 million
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Warren & Katharine Schlinger Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation prioritizes Southern California, though it also makes grants in other states including California, Massachusetts, New York, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia. Cities that have benefited from its funding include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $99.6 million
- Total revenues: $12.9 million
- Total expenses: $9.7 million
- Total giving: $9.3–$10.1 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $99,598,726 | $96,432,949 | $97,963,825 |
| Revenue | $12,870,793 | $8,904,221 | $8,393,919 |
| Expenses | $9,740,762 | $10,416,695 | $11,801,684 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $9,573,546 | $10,238,421 | $11,613,860 |
| Net Investment Income | $12,703,577 | $8,725,947 | $8,206,095 |
| Distributable Amount | $7,864,339 | $9,047,556 | $10,703,464 |
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
213 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Schlinger Chrisman Foundation ($3,000,000), Schlinger Family Foundation ($3,000,000), Uc Regents-boost at Berkeley Haas (uc Regents - Young Enterpreneur) ($700,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALIVE & FREE - OMEGA BOYS CLUB SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| BEAR LEAGUE HOMEWOOD, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $200,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS OF NORTH LAKE TAHOE KINGS BEACH, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $250,000 |
| CARMEL BACH FESTIVAL CARMEL, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| CHILDREN GIVING GIFTS INC CORONA, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $155,000 |
| CLAREMONT INSTITUTE UPLAND, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| COLEMAN CHAMBER MUSIC ASSOCIATION PASADENA, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| COMMUNITY CONCERN FOR CATS WALNUT CREEK, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| CONTRA COSTA INTERFAITH HOUSING PLEASANT HILL, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Sarah L. Chrisman — Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (serves without compensation)
- Norman W. Schlinger — Vice President (serves without compensation)
Both are children of the foundation's founders.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SARAH L CHRISMAN | CFO AND SECRETARY | — | — |
| NORMAN W SCHLINGER | VICE PRESIDENT | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported notable initiatives including a $12 million gift that endowed the Warren and Katharine Schlinger Scholarship Fund. The foundation has also provided funding to organizations including the Glaucoma Research Foundation, Lung Cancer Research Foundation, and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
$12 Million Gift Endows the Warren and Katharine Schlinger Scholarship Fund\n\Frequently Asked Questions
What does Warren & Katharine Schlinger Foundation fund?
The foundation does not maintain a public mission statement. However, based on its grantmaking history, the Warren & Katharine Schlinger Foundation primarily funds: • **Education** — particularly higher education with emphasis on engineering schools • **Arts and Culture** • **Human Services** • **Animals** • **Health and Mental Health** • **Congregational Churches** Education has been one of the foundation's largest giving areas over the years. The foundation provides ongoing support to the Cal…
How do I apply for a grant from Warren & Katharine Schlinger Foundation?
The Warren & Katharine Schlinger Foundation maintains a low public profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals. The foundation provides ongoing support to a core group of preselected organizations. **Grant Statistics:** • Total assets: $99.6 million (2024) • Annual giving: $9.3–$10.1 million • Grant range: $5,000–$2.9 million • Median grant: $35,000 • Number of grants: Approximately 30–43 awards annually **Recent Grant Examples (2024):** • Human Outreach Project: $300,000 • Northern Light…
Where does Warren & Katharine Schlinger Foundation make grants?
The foundation prioritizes Southern California, though it also makes grants in other states including California, Massachusetts, New York, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia. Cities that have benefited from its funding include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, and New York.
What size grants does Warren & Katharine Schlinger Foundation award?
In 2024, Warren & Katharine Schlinger Foundation awarded 42 grants totaling $9.3M — an average of about $221K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Warren & Katharine Schlinger Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Warren & Katharine Schlinger Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.9M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Warren & Katharine Schlinger Foundation's EIN?
Warren & Katharine Schlinger Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4494669. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Warren & Katharine Schlinger Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Gochnauer Family Foundation
CORONA DEL MAR, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
39
Total Given
$313K
Cottage Health
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Assets
$172.1M
Grants
6
Total Given
$179K
International Right of Way Association
GARDENA, CA
Assets
$5.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$9K
Quince Interfaith Housing Corporation
LEMON GROVE, CA
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
William & Lillian Schwartz Charitable Foundation
LA JOLLA, CA
Assets
$325K
Grants
1
Total Given
$3K
Covia Foundation
GLENDALE, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
1
Total Given
$4.8M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Warren & Katharine Schlinger Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Warren & Katharine Schlinger Foundation to a real strategy.