Open Hearts Foundation Grant Program

Address: 2637 Townsgate Road, Suite 200, Westlake Village, CA 91361
Federal ID: 27-1215063

Mission & Philosophy

The Open Hearts Foundation provides grants to nonprofit partners whose missions reflect their own. The foundation is guided by the Open Hearts Philosophy, inspired by co-founder Jane Seymour's mother, Mieke Frankenberg, who overcame her experience as a World War II internment camp survivor to dedicate her life to helping others cope with adversity.

Funding Overview

• Total Invested to Date: Over $1.9 million in nonprofit partners
• Grant Range: $15,000 - $25,000 per nonprofit annually
• Focus Areas: Food security, shelter, mental health care, community connection, and Arts & Mental Health
• Geographic Scope: United States only
• Milestone: 15th anniversary milestone with plans to announce largest funding commitment in foundation history

Eligibility Requirements

• Organization Type: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations only
• Founded by: Individual or small group of volunteers who have faced adversity
• Mission Alignment: Organization must be turning adversity into possibility by helping others
• Operating History: Minimum of two years of fiscally healthy operating programs and successful outcomes since founding
• Budget Priority: Annual budget of $1 million or lower is priority. Foundation will consider larger budgets beginning a new initiative meeting a new community need
• Service Area: Directly serving communities in the United States of America
• Track Record: Must have demonstrated responsible use of funds and effective program outcomes

What the Foundation WILL NOT Fund

• Direct aid to individuals
• Governmental Agencies or Organizations
• Influencing legislation or elections
• Faith-based programming, sectarian religious organizations, or churches
• Organizations that discriminate based on age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion
• Building plans, improvements, or capital campaigns

Recent Grant Cycles

2025 Grantmaking:

• Emergency Relief Grants provided (Hurricane Milton and LA Wildfires)
• Current cycle: Focus on Arts & Mental Health sector
• 165 organizations applied; remaining funds fully allocated to Arts & Mental Health
• No additional grant round in October 2025
• Selected grantees to be announced

2024 Grantmaking:

• $100,000 awarded in four $25,000 grants
• Focus: Food insecurity initiatives
• Recipients: Solidarity Sandy Springs, Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank, Chinle Planting Hope, City Youth Now

2023-2024 Grantmaking:

• $250,000 total funding cycle
• 16 grantees supported
• Focus areas: School clothing/hygiene, foster care support, food insecurity, dental care, diaper banks, education, oncology wellness, housing, and more

2022 Grantmaking:

• COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund (March)
• September 2022 Grant Cycle
• 15 grantees supported with amounts ranging from $5,000 - $10,000

Grant Application Process

Step 1: Eligibility Questions & Letter of Intent (LOI)

1. Access the grant application platform at the link below
2. Answer all eligibility questions
3. Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) that includes:
   • Your organization's mission statement and strategic goal
   • A summary of your program, project or initiative, the community it serves, and the impact you expect
   • How your nonprofit's origin and purpose align with the Open Hearts Philosophy (who founded it and why)
4. Upon submission, the foundation team will review your LOI and eligibility responses to confirm eligibility to proceed to full application

Step 2: Full Grant Application

1. If approved from Step 1, you will receive access to the full application
2. Answer questions about your funding request
3. Upload all required documents through the portal, including:
   • IRS Form 990
   • Annual budgets for the past two fiscal years
   • Itemized budget for your proposed program/service showing:
   • Revenue (received and pending)
   • Expenses
   • How requested funds will be used
4. Submit complete application with all required information and documentation

Required Documents

• IRS Form 990
• Annual budgets for the past two fiscal years
• Itemized budget for proposed program/service

Application Notifications

• Applicants will be notified of grant decision outcome by specified deadline (varies by cycle)
• The foundation does not accept phone calls to discuss individual grant decisions
• Questions about the application process can be directed to info@openheartsfoundation.org

Key Notes

• Trust-based philanthropy approach
• Complete application must include all required information and documentation to be considered
• Follow foundation on social media for updates and deadlines