General Operating Support / Program/Project Support

Geographic Scope: Southern California, with current emphasis on organizations based in and serving Los Angeles County

Application Type: Responsive grantmaker with rolling applications (no deadlines or grantmaking cycles)

Funding Focus

The Foundation supports qualified tax-exempt charitable organizations for the benefit of the people of Southern California.

What the Foundation Looks For

• History of achievement, good management, and stable financial condition
• Organizations that allocate resources effectively
• Organizations with diverse funding sources and active fundraising activities
• Programs supported by other Southern California-based funders
• Programs consistent with Foundation's identified areas of interest
• Programs benefiting people of Southern California, focused on Los Angeles County
• Organizations providing direct service
• Programs with clearly described impact and measurable outcomes
• Organizations where 100% of Board of Directors make financial contributions and/or fulfill give-or-get requirements annually

Grants NOT Supported

The Foundation will not accept applications for:

• First-time applicants with annual operating budgets under $1.5 million for L.A. County operations
• Capital projects
• Organizations without physical offices in Los Angeles County
• Organizations serving San Bernardino and/or San Fernando Valley exclusively
• Organizations with CEO/Executive Director leadership changes in last 6 months or planned within next 6 months
• Organizations with current legal litigation not covered by insurance
• Charter schools
• Community colleges
• Documentary filmmaking or television programming
• Educational foundations
• Government agencies
• Pass-through organizations or foundations that redistribute funds
• Hospitals/hospital foundations
• Individuals
• Medical research
• Animal welfare and rescue organizations/programs
• Organizations conducting disease-specific research (cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, heart disease, kidney disease, etc.)
• Organizations under fiscal sponsorship of another 501(c)(3)
• Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs)
• Political candidates, campaigns, or politically engaged organizations
• Programs promoting religious doctrine
• Propagandizing, legislation/election influence, or voter registration programs
• Skilled living, nursing facilities, or retirement homes
• Special events (fundraisers, galas, dinners, tournaments, conferences, expositions)

Eligibility Requirements

First-Time Applicants:

• Minimum annual operating budget of $1.5 million for L.A. County operations
• Not eligible for multi-year grants (single-year only)

Returning Grantees:

• Must have one year elapsed since final payment of previous grant
• Must have met all previous reporting requirements
• Eligible for multi-year grants (limited to two years of funding)

Special Notes

• Trustees may elect to support non-profit organizations of special interest within the Foundation's charter
• Grants to large medical institutions, K-12 schools, private/independent colleges/universities in California, Cal State Universities, or other higher education institutions are Trustee-initiated only — unsolicited proposals not accepted
• Capital requests currently not being accepted
• Organizations must notify Foundation of significant leadership changes immediately during grant process; failure to do so may result in grant withdrawal, award rescission, or second payment rescission
• Contact with Board of Trustees is strongly discouraged; application process remains the same regardless of relationships

Application Process

For Returning Grantees:

1. Check Requirements
   • Ensure at least one year has passed since final payment of previous grant was disbursed
   • Verify all reporting requirements have been met
2. Take the Eligibility Quiz
   • Login to grantee portal with existing username and password
   • Complete the eligibility quiz
   • If approved by Foundation, receive instructions to prepare and submit online application
3. Submit Application
   • Complete full online application via grantee portal

For New Grantees (First-Time Applicants):

1. Create an Account
   • Login to grantee portal
   • Follow landing page instructions to establish new account
2. Take the Eligibility Quiz
   • Sign in with newly created username and password
   • Begin grant application process with eligibility quiz
   • If approved by Foundation, receive instructions to prepare and submit online application
3. Submit Application
   • Complete full online application via grantee portal

Application Requirements

• Submission Format: Online via grantee portal
• Quiz Requirement: All grantees (new and returning) must complete eligibility quiz to confirm Foundation priorities alignment
• Preview Available: Preview of General Application available for advance review
• Supporting Documentation: See grantee portal for specific required materials

Important Notes

• Applicants must review Funding Guidelines and FAQs before applying
• Organizations must notify Foundation of any significant leadership changes at any time during grant process
• Failure to disclose leadership changes can result in grant withdrawal, award rescission, or second payment rescission
• Applications accepted at any time (rolling/no deadlines)
• Multi-year grants limited to two years and available to returning grantees only