How to apply
Tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service may submit grant requests to the Foundation. There are no official forms to use in applying for a grant from the Foundation. Organizations interested in funding should submit a cover sheet, a letter of inquiry, and all accompanying documents via email to grants@bransonfoundation.org. Contact: Bruce Branson, Po Box 262, Lone Pine, Ca, 7608734100, grants@bransonfoundation.org Deadlines: Grant inquiries accepted year-round with awards in October. Restrictions: The Foundation provides awards to promote environmental, educational, and social progress.
Quoted from Part XV of the foundation's 2025 Form 990-PF; the full text is in the filing. Confirm on the foundation's website before you write.
Grants paid in 2025
7 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Sierra InstituteBishop, CA | Outdoor STEM program for 3-8 grade | $20K |
| Lone Pine Unified School DistLone Pine, CA | LP Pool, 8th grade STEM trip to Catalina | $19K |
| Stay Indiana Youth AviationGranger, IN | Youth Building Airplane | $11K |
| Wildcare Eastern SierraBishop, CA | Injured wildlife and education program for local schools | $10K |
| Housed Great FallsGreat Falls, MT | Housing Homeless | $6,000 |
| Friends of the Lp AirportLone Pine, CA | Youth Building Airplanes | $5,000 |
| Land and Trust of AlabamaHuntsville, AL | Youth Outdoor Education program | $3,500 |
By state: California 4 · Indiana 1 · Montana 1 · Alabama 1
About this foundation
Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Lone Pine, California, administered in care of Bruce Branson, tax-exempt since 2006. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.
Does Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation indicates it accepts applications. Tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service may submit grant requests to the Foundation. Deadlines: Grant inquiries accepted year-round with awards in October..
How much does Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation give each year?
In tax year 2025 it paid $75K across 7 grants, a median of $10K.
Where does Donald and Ruby Branson Foundation give?
California (4 grants), Indiana (1 grants), Montana (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.
More foundations near Lone Pine that accept applications
All in California| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William & Flora Hewlett Foundationsince 1968 | Menlo Park, CA | $625M2,001 grants · 2024 | $150K | Yes | $13B |
| Sergey Brin Family Foundationsince 2015 | San Francisco, CA | $699M170 grants · 2024 | $1.0M | Preselected only | $4.1B |
| Gordon E and Betty I Moore Foundationsince 2001 | Palo Alto, CA | $403M920 grants · 2024 | $200K | Preselected only | $8.8B |
| David and Lucile Packard Foundationsince 1964 | Los Altos, CA | $350M1,029 grants · 2024 | $150K | Yes | $8.3B |
| Good Ventures Foundationsince 2013 | Palo Alto, CA | $307M565 grants · 2024 | $154K | Preselected only | $5.9B |
| The California Endowmentsince 1996 | Los Angeles, CA | $141M845 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $4.3B |
| The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovationsince 2014 | Palo Alto, CA | $244M379 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $1.4B |
| Carl Victor Page Memorial Foundationsince 2006 | Palo Alto, CA | $285M17 grants · 2024 | $2.0M | Preselected only | $6.3B |