Funders › California

Joseph Drown Foundation

Los Angeles, CA · EIN 95-6093178. Reported 442 grants totalling $23.5M to 194 recipients across tax years 2021-2025. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$30,000median grant
$23.5Mgranted, 2021-2025
194recipients, as named on its returns
59%of grantees funded again the next year
$102.8Massets, latest filing

Does this foundation accept applications?

Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Joseph Drown Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.

This is the foundation's own statement to the IRS, not our judgement, and it says nothing about whether they have a form, a deadline, or an appetite for new grantees. Treat it as the reason this foundation is worth your research time, not as an invitation. Many small foundations of this kind have no website and no application process -- a letter of inquiry is the normal first step.

How big are its grants?

The median grant is $30,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $25,000 and $50,000; the smallest was $5,000 and the largest $500,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

$5,000 - $10,000
13 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
38 grants
$25,000 - $50,000
184 grants
$50,000 - $100,000
142 grants
$100,000 and Up
65 grants

Every organization it funded

This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.

OrganizationLocationTotal receivedGrantsYears fundedLast
Lulu's Place IncSan Diego, CA$1,000,000222024
Great Public Schools NowLos Angeles, CA$850,000442024
La Promise FundLos Angeles, CA$610,000552025
UCLA FoundationLos Angeles, CA$610,000952025
Innovate Public SchoolsLos Angeles, CA$525,000432023
Common Sense MediaSan Francisco, CA$500,000552025
Step Up TutoringSanta Monica, CA$500,000442024
The Seed FoundationWashington, DC$500,000112023
California State University Northridge FoundationNorthridge, CA$480,000422022
Equitas Academy Charter SchoolsLos Angeles, CA$465,000442025
KIPP Socal Public SchoolsLos Angeles, CA$425,000332025
Edvoice Institute for Research & EducationSacramento, CA$400,000222025
College TrackLos Angeles, CA$330,000442025
Partnership for Los Angeles SchoolsLos Angeles, CA$325,000432025
Proyecto PastoralLos Angeles, CA$305,000332025
EdnovateLos Angeles, CA$300,000332025
Emerging Markets Development CorporationLos Angeles, CA$300,000222023
Greater Los Angeles Education FoundationDowney, CA$300,000332023
Lift- Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA$300,000332023
Community PartnersLos Angeles, CA$260,000852025
Alliance College-Ready Public SchoolsLos Angeles, CA$250,000332023
Citizens of the World Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA$225,000332023
Avalon-Carver Community CenterLos Angeles, CA$220,000332025
Fulfillment FundLos Angeles, CA$200,000442025
Harvard-Westlake SchoolStudio City, CA$200,000442025
International Medical CorpsLos Angeles, CA$200,000222024
Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment CommissionLos Angeles, CA$200,000222025
One VoiceSanta Monica, CA$200,000442025
The Posse FoundationLos Angeles, CA$200,000552025
The Seed School of Los Angeles CountyLos Angeles, CA$200,000112025
Southern California GrantmakersLos Angeles, CA$196,700852025
Junior Achievement of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA$180,000442025
Success for All Foundation IncLos Angeles, CA$180,000222025
Think TogetherSanta Ana, CA$180,000222025
California Charter Schools AssociationLos Angeles, CA$175,000442025
Center for Powerful Public SchoolsLos Angeles, CA$175,000332025
Library Foundation of Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA$175,000442025
School on Wheels IncLos Angeles, CA$175,000442025
Girls Athletic Leadership School Los AngelesPanorama City, CA$170,000332025
Friends of GalaLos Angeles, CA$160,000222025
Homeboy IndustriesLos Angeles, CA$160,000442025
Shero's RiseSherman Oaks, CA$155,000442024
Advancement Through Opportunity & Knowledge IncLos Angeles, CA$150,000332025
Bridge HousingSan Francisco, CA$150,000332024
Diversity in Leadership InstituteLos Angeles, CA$150,000332023
Edvoice InstituteSacramento, CA$150,000112023
New Teacher CenterCity of Industry, CA$150,000332025
Children's Institute IncLos Angeles, CA$140,000442025
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA$130,000222025
CASA of Los AngelesMonterey Park, CA$130,000332023
Heart of Los Angeles Youth IncLos Angeles, CA$130,000332025
Inner-City ArtsLos Angeles, CA$130,000332025
Springboard CollaborativePhiladelphia, PA$130,000222025
Bright ProspectPomona, CA$125,000332024
Citizens of the World Charter Schools Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA$125,000112024
City Year Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA$125,000332024
Los Angeles Education PartnershipLos Angeles, CA$125,000112021
Los Angeles Regional FoodbankLos Angeles, CA$125,000332023
Campbell HallStudio City, CA$120,000222025
Los Angeles Youth NetworkLos Angeles, CA$115,000442025
Young Eisner ScholarsInglewood, CA$115,000442024
Aspire Public SchoolsOakland, CA$110,000222024
Educare FoundationVan Nuys, CA$110,000332025
Executive Service Corps of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA$110,000442025
A Place Called HomeLos Angeles, CA$105,000332023
Children NowOakland, CA$105,000332025
Alliance College-Ready Public Schools FoundationLos Angeles, CA$100,000112024
Cedars-Sinai Board of GovernorsLos Angeles, CA$100,000112021
Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterLos Angeles, CA$100,000112021
Ground EducationSignal Hill, CA$100,000222025
Israel Emergency AllianceLos Angeles, CA$100,000222024
Joe Torre Safe at Home FoundationNew York, NY$100,000442025
La Coalition for Excellent Public SchoolsLos Angeles, CA$100,000222025
Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History FoundationLos Angeles, CA$100,000222025
NaturebridgeSausalito, CA$100,000442025
New Village Girls AcademyLos Angeles, CA$100,000222024
Play Equity FundLos Angeles, CA$100,000112021
Portal SchoolsEl Segundo, CA$100,000222022
Puente Learning CenterLos Angeles, CA$100,000332025
Sustainable ConservationSan Francisco, CA$100,000442025
Team Rubicon IncLos Angeles, CA$100,000112024
United States Olympic and Paralympic FoundationColorado Springs, CO$100,000112025
Westside Neighborhood SchoolLos Angeles, CA$100,000442025
Teach for America Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA$95,000332024
A Sense of HomeHawthorne, CA$90,000332025
Alliance for Children's RightsLos Angeles, CA$90,000332023
Renaissance Arts AcademyLos Angeles, CA$90,000332025
826LALos Angeles, CA$85,000332025
Coalition for Engaged EducationSanta Monica, CA$85,000332025
Institute for Educational AdvancementPasadena, CA$85,000332025
Los Angeles Philharmonic AssociationLos Angeles, CA$85,000222025
Para Los NinosLos Angeles, CA$85,000332024
Powermylearning IncLos Angeles, CA$85,000332025
Ps ScienceInglewood, CA$85,000332025
The 74 MediaNew York, NY$85,000442025
Bet TzedekLos Angeles, CA$80,000442024
Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA$80,000112024
Educating Students TogetherLos Angeles, CA$80,000332024
Everybody Dance LaLos Angeles, CA$80,000332025
Green Dot Public SchoolsLos Angeles, CA$80,000112025
La's BestLos Angeles, CA$80,000222025
New Roads SchoolSanta Monica, CA$80,000222022
Wish Charter SchoolsLos Angeles, CA$80,000112025
La Family HousingNorth Hollywood, CA$75,000442024
Scripps CollegeClaremont, CA$75,000222022
Speak Up FoundationLos Angeles, CA$75,000112021
After-School All-Stars Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA$60,000112025
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and ScienceLos Angeles, CA$60,000112021
City Year IncLos Angeles, CA$60,000112025
Parent RevolutionLos Angeles, CA$60,000112021
Pomona CollegeClaremont, CA$60,000222023
Pueblo Nuevo Education & Development GroupLos Angeles, CA$60,000222022
The Jonsson Cancer Center FoundationLos Angeles, CA$60,000332025
CareerspringBellaire, TX$55,000222025
Ready to SucceedSanta Monica, CA$55,000222025
Saving Innocence IncLos Angeles, CA$55,000222024
9 Dots Community Learning CenterTorrance, CA$50,000222025
After-School All-StarsLos Angeles, CA$50,000222022
BlueprintLos Angeles, CA$50,000112025
Boy Scouts of America WlaccVan Nuys, CA$50,000222023
California State University Los Angeles FoundationLos Angeles, CA$50,000112021
Da Vinci Rise High SchoolEl Segundo, CA$50,000112021
East Los Angeles College FoundationMonterey Park, CA$50,000112022
Echo FoundationCulver City, CA$50,000222025
Echo Horizon SchoolCulver City, CA$50,000222022
Educators for Excellence-Los AngelesNew York, NY$50,000112021
Friends of the Girls Academic Leadership AcademyLos Angeles, CA$50,000112023
Girls Inc of Los AngelesNorth Hollywood, CA$50,000222025
Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA$50,000112021
Hillel at the Claremont CollegesClaremont, CA$50,000222025
Inner City Education FoundationLos Angeles, CA$50,000112023
Los Angeles Metropolitan Debate LeagueLos Angeles, CA$50,000222022
Magnolia Public SchoolsLos Angeles, CA$50,000112023
Mount Saint Mary's UniversityLos Angeles, CA$50,000112022
New Village Charter SchoolLos Angeles, CA$50,000112025
Portal LearningEl Segundo, CA$50,000112023
Private School AxisLos Angeles, CA$50,000222025
Project ScientistSan Francisco, CA$50,000222023
Pueblo Nuevo Education and Development GroupLos Angeles, CA$50,000112025
Saint Marks School AltadenaAltadena, CA$50,000112025
Share Our StrengthWashington, DC$50,000112021
Teach for America IncLos Angeles, CA$50,000112025
Wish ForwardLos Angeles, CA$50,000112024
Allies for Every ChildCulver City, CA$45,000442025
Csun FoundationNorthridge, CA$45,000222024
Edge FoundationSeattle, WA$45,000332023
Exceptional Children's FoundationCulver City, CA$45,000332025
Piece By PieceLos Angeles, CA$45,000222024
Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, CA$40,000112021
The Jester & Pharley PhundPalos Verdes Estates, CA$40,000442025
University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA$40,000222025
Vision to LearnLos Angeles, CA$40,000222022
Better Angels IncAlhambra, CA$35,000222022
Children's Hospital Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA$35,000332024
Independent School Alliance for Minority AffairsCulver City, CA$35,000222025
Los Angeles Metropolitan Debate CommissionLos Angeles, CA$35,000112023
Council on FoundationsArlington, VA$30,000552025
Dynasty's United Youth AssociationEl Segundo, CA$30,000112024
Dynasty's United Youth FoundationInglewood, CA$30,000112023
Pacific Charter School DevelopmentLos Angeles, CA$30,000112024
Pasadena Educational FoundationPasadena, CA$30,000112025
Per Scholas Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA$30,000112025
Sola I Can FoundationLos Angeles, CA$30,000112021
The Plus Me ProjectLos Angeles, CA$30,000112023
United Friends of the ChildrenLos Angeles, CA$30,000112021
Advancement Through Opportunity and KnowledgeLos Angeles, CA$25,000112022
Boys & Girls Clubs of PasadenaPasadena, CA$25,000112025
Center Theatre GroupLos Angeles, CA$25,000112025
Collegiate Charter High School of Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA$25,000112021
Girls Inc of Greater Los AngelesNorth Hollywood, CA$25,000112023
Greater Los Angeles Area Council Boy Scouts of AmericaLos Angeles, CA$25,000112025
Green Dot Public Schools NationalLos Angeles, CA$25,000112021
J3 FoundationLos Angeles, CA$25,000112025
National Society of Black EngineersAlexandria, VA$25,000112021
New Leaders IncNew York, NY$25,000112022
No Limits for Deaf ChildrenCulver City, CA$25,000112021
No Limits Theater GroupCulver City, CA$25,000112025
Park Century SchoolCulver City, CA$25,000112022
Per Scholas Los AngelesBronx, NY$25,000112024
Sherwood Forestry ServiceSanta Rosa, CA$25,000112024
St Raphael SchoolLos Angeles, CA$25,000112023
Strong AfterSherman Oaks, CA$25,000112025
The Deborah ProjectPenn Valley, PA$25,000112024
The Foundation at Hearst CastleSan Simeon, CA$25,000112022
The Gabriella FoundationLos Angeles, CA$25,000112021
The Narrative Method IncEncino, CA$25,000112025
United in HarmonyLos Angeles, CA$25,000112025
USC University AdvancementLos Angeles, CA$25,000112021
Value SchoolsLos Angeles, CA$25,000112021
Western Los Angeles County Council Boy Scouts of America #51Van Nuys, CA$25,000112021
Children's Burn FoundationSherman Oaks, CA$15,000112021
UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center FoundationLos Angeles, CA$10,000112023
Westside Guild of Children's Hospital Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA$10,000112021
BABY2BABYLos Angeles, CA$5,000112025

119 of 194 (61%) received money in more than one year over the 5 years we hold.

Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 59%, across 4 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.

What the money was for

Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.

What kind of organizations it funds

By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 370 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.

Education
191 grants
Human Services
53 grants
Arts & Culture
21 grants
Philanthropy & Grantmaking
20 grants
Youth Development
16 grants
Community Improvement
14 grants
Environment
8 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
202193$4,609,500$30,000
202278$3,199,500$27,500
202382$5,139,500$50,000
202491$5,286,600$35,000
202598$5,286,600$50,000

Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.

Already committed for future years

Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. Joseph Drown Foundation has 114 of them, worth $6,755,000. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back.

OrganizationLocationApproved
Lulu's PlaceSan Diego, CA$500,000
Innovate Public SchoolsLos Angeles, CA$250,000
KIPP Socal Public SchoolsLos Angeles, CA$200,000
Emerging Markets Development CorporationLos Angeles, CA$200,000
College TrackLos Angeles, CA$150,000
Citizens of the World Charter Schools Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA$125,000
Partnership for Los Angeles SchoolsLos Angeles, CA$125,000
Alliance College-Ready Public Schools FoundationLos Angeles, CA$100,000
Partnership for Los Angeles SchoolsLos Angeles, CA$100,000
Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment CommissionLos Angeles, CA$100,000
Partnership for Los Angeles SchoolsLos Angeles, CA$100,000
Success for All Foundation IncLos Angeles, CA$100,000
Alliance College-Ready Public SchoolsLos Angeles, CA$100,000
Citizens of the World Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA$100,000
Innovate Public SchoolsLos Angeles, CA$100,000

Where its money goes

94% of its giving went to organizations in California. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.

California
$22.2M
District of Columbia
$550K
New York
$285K
Pennsylvania
$155K
Colorado
$100K
Virginia
$55K
Texas
$55K
Massachusetts
$50K

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Funders that support the same organizations

These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.

Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund117 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc105 shared recipientsCalifornia Community Foundation100 shared recipientsAmerican Online Giving Foundation Inc99 shared recipientsVanguard Charitable Endowment Program83 shared recipientsNational Philanthropic Trust76 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $30,000. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
  2. Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in California.
  3. Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
  4. Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.

Related guides

Foundations funding education in CaliforniaEvery funder in this groupFoundations funding human services in CaliforniaEvery funder in this groupFoundations funding arts & culture in CaliforniaEvery funder in this group

Where these numbers come from

Everything above is taken from Joseph Drown Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 5 returns (tax years 2021-2025). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.

Address of record on the latest return: 2934 12 Beverly Glen Circle 714, Los Angeles, CA, 90077. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.

EIN 95-6093178 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this

This is history, not an open call. Foundation returns are published about a year after the tax year ends. Nothing on this page is a deadline. It is a record of who this foundation has actually funded.

Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email hello@funderscope.com and we will correct it.