Drown Foundation Grant

The Drown Foundation Grant, offered by the Joseph Drown Foundation, focuses primarily on enhancing education in Los Angeles. The foundation supports programs addressing educational equity, including charter schools and teacher development, while also funding community health and social services. They prioritize initiatives that help economically disadvantaged individuals overcome barriers to success. Eligible applicants must have 501(c)(3) status and the foundation does not fund individuals or religious programs.

The Foundation does not make multi-year commitments. Organizations may receive funding up to four years, after which they must take a two-year hiatus.
Education
Education is the primary focus of the Foundation. The Foundation believes that equity and opportunity are best addressed through quality public education and supports programs that work toward solutions for the myriad of existing problems in Los Angeles area schools. The Foundation is not wedded to any single reform model, but supports programs that seek to successfully educate children and youth in grades K-12. Areas of particular interest include, but are not limited to, charter schools, teacher professional development, and college access. These education reform grants can be made directly to the schools or to nonprofit organizations working in the field. In addition to the work in the public schools system, the Foundation provides some grants to independent secondary schools for student financial assistance.
Community, Health & Social Services
The Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life in the local community. The Foundation supports programs that encourage all individuals to reach their fullest potential. The best chance a young person has to reach that goal is to stay in school and inside a functioning family. To that end, the Foundation supports programs that include, but are not limited to, education and family support services, health services, leadership, and character development. The Foundation considers programs that address poverty issues and assist the economically disadvantaged with the intent to promote social mobility. Programs aimed at solutions to or the prevention of these problems are favored. Although the Foundation recognizes the importance of Community, Health, and Social Services, it is not the Foundation's primary funding focus.
Arts & Humanities
Although it is not the emphasis of the Foundation, grants are made for the arts and humanities and are made primarily for outreach and education programs.
Special Projects
The Foundation may initiate grants for projects of interest to the Board which are related to the mission of the Foundation but which fall outside its established areas of interest or geographic limitations. The emphasis upon individual categories might vary in any given year and exceptions to these guidelines may occur at the discretion of the Foundation.

Eligibility

All applicants other than government institutions must have 501(c)(3) designation.Most of our grant making is limited to programs or organizations in Los Angeles County.The Foundation makes grants for both operating support and program support.

Ineligibility

The Foundation does not provide funds to individuals, endowments, capital campaigns or building funds. The Foundation does not underwrite annual meetings, conferences or special events, nor does it fund religious programs or purchase tickets to fundraising events.