Southern California Grant Program

Southern California Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: W. M. Keck Foundation
Amount: US $100,000 - US $1,000,000
Last Updated: March 17, 2026

Summary

The Southern California Grant Program, managed by the W. M. Keck Foundation, supports diverse projects that enhance community well-being in areas such as Arts, Health, and Education. It emphasizes initiatives aiding low-income families and special needs populations in Los Angeles County. Grants are awarded twice a year, focusing on innovative solutions with measurable impact. Eligible organizations must demonstrate strong leadership and thorough planning, ensuring a significant long-term effect on the communities they serve.

Overview

NOTE: The Foundation awards grants twice annually in June and December. The Southern California Program’s process consists of an optional concept review, an application, and an invitation-only site visit. The Letter of Inquiry deadline above represents the optional concept review deadline. Southern California Program The Southern California Program has a broad mission to support projects in five areas: Arts and Culture, Civic and Community Services, Early Childhood Care and Education, Health Care, and Precollegiate Education. Within these areas of interest, the Foundation seeks to promote the healthy development of children and youth, strengthen families, and enrich the lives of people in the region. We prioritize organizations that strengthen the resiliency of under-resourced communities in Los Angeles County. We place a special emphasis on projects that focus on children and youth from low-income families and special needs populations, including the developmentally disabled, foster children, and homeless families. Arts and Culture: Promoting civic and cultural life through support of museums, performing arts organizations, and public media. Providing opportunities for students to explore the visual and performing arts through support of in-school and out-of-school programs. Civic and Community Meeting basic needs through support of social service organizations that address food insecurity and homelessness. Helping children at risk of entering or already in the foster care or probation systems through funding for organizations focused on youth development, children’s rights, and family strengthening. Early Childhood Increasing access to quality early care and education programs for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Providing timely intervention to address developmental delays and other risks through support of multiservice agencies and schools. Health Care Expanding access to holistic, integrated health care by supporting federally qualified health centers. Addressing the social determinants of health and adverse childhood experiences. Precollegiate Education Increasing access to quality K-12 education through support of effective programs that meet the needs of the whole child. Helping first-generation and low-income students navigate the college admissions process and graduate through support of college access and success programs. Improving STEM instruction through teacher pipeline and training programs. Providing opportunities for students to explore concepts and careers in STEM fields by supporting in-school and out-of-school programs. Program Overview The Foundation supports capital projects, expansion of programs that are promising or part of a larger effort, piloting new models, and systems change initiatives. We award grants for projects that strategically address compelling issues and have the potential for significant impact on the target population, region, or field. Please see our grant abstracts for examples of recently funded projects. The Southern California Program’s process consists of an optional concept review, an application, and an invitation-only site visit.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. We Fund Projects that:Are consistent with the Foundation’s funding areas of interestDemonstrate organizational leadership and supportReflect evidence of thorough implementation planningFocus on low-income children, youth, and familiesImprove the lives of those who are uniquely abled, in the foster care or probation systems, or are homelessCan result in significant, long-term impact for the target population, organization, and/or regionAre innovative and have potential to inform the field and/or make “systems change” at scaleCan provide data on the effectiveness of the approachExpand or replicate a proven program or modelDemonstrate other funding sources are being fully utilizedThe Foundation awards grants to organizations headquartered in Southern California. The Foundation may also consider national or statewide organizations that have an independent affiliate, local chapter or office in Southern California for projects that benefit communities within Los Angeles County.Organizations must provide: An IRS determination letter demonstrating exemption from federal taxation as defined by 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and designating one of the following:A public charity as defined by Section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) or 170(b)(A)(I-VI) of the Internal Revenue Code.An exempt operating foundation as defined by Section 4940(d)(2).A California FTB letter demonstrating exemption from California State Franchise or Income Tax under Section 23701(d) of the Revenue and Taxation Code, if located in the State of California.Current full, certified, audited financial statements prepared on an annual basis in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. If in existence less than five years, the organization must be able to provide at least two consecutive full, certified, audited financial statements prepared on an annual basis.The most recently filed complete Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), including Public Charity Status and Public Support (Schedule A).Any organization designated as an exempt operating foundation must be able to provide the most recently filed complete Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF) in place of Form 990.If the Organization:Will be part of a collaborative project, the lead institution must be identified and all members must meet the Foundation’s eligibility requirements. We may request additional documentation from the other members of the collaboration.Is a government unit as defined by Section 170(b)(1)(A)(v) and (c)(1) and, therefore, does not receive a determination letter as to such organization’s tax exempt classification from the Internal Revenue Service, the organization must submit a Declaration of Status signed by the organization’s Chief Executive or President and by its Chief Legal Officer. The declaration must specify: the federal, state or local laws pursuant to which the organization is created and governed; whether the organization also is a school as defined by Section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii), hospital or medical research institute as defined by Section 170(b)(1)(A)(iii) or other organization described in Section 170(b) that the organization is legally and financially responsible for its debts; and that the organization is not a non-operating private foundation within the meaning of Section 509.Is part of a group that received a determination letter as to such group’s tax exempt classification from the Internal Revenue Service, such organization must provide such determination letter that identifies such organization as part of such group. Such organization must also provide an attestation as to the continued group status of such organization. Such attestation must be signed by the organization’s chief executive or president and by its chief legal officer. The Form 990 required for such organization may be the Form 990 of the group.

Ineligibility

No grants will be made to private foundations (other than exempt operating foundations) or 509(a)(3) organizationsWe Do Not Fund Projects That: Occur outside of Los Angeles CountyAre only for one year (calendar or fiscal)Are for capital but lack site control (via signed lease or closed escrow) and, if required, a Conditional Use PermitAre proposed by organizations with a pending leadership transition or have appointed an interim CEO or Executive DirectorAre for the same purposes previously funded by the FoundationAre for ongoing support of existing programs, unrestricted funding, or administrative overhead.Reduce an operating deficit or are for deferred facilities maintenanceEstablish or build endowments or award scholarshipsSponsor special events such as fundraisers, galas, and/or conferencesUnderwrite book publication and/or film and theater productionRequest less than $100,000 Ineligible: Grants to individualsPrivate foundations (other than exempt operating foundations) or 509(a)(3) organizationsOrganizations that do not have at least two consecutive years of full, certified, audited financial statementsOrganizations that are located outside the United StatesOrganizations that do not have a tax-exempt ruling from the federal government and (if located in California) the State of California; or if a government unit, do not provide a signed Declaration of StatusOrganizations that are subsidiaries or affiliates of larger entities that do not have a separate board of directors and independent audited financial statements“Conduit” organizations, unified funds or organizations that use grant funds from donors to support other organizations or individuals