Private foundation · EIN 45-6398630 · Garden City, New York · Philanthropy & grantmaking

The Lucky One Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 47 grants paid, $753K total, median $10K. 11% of grants stayed in New York.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
47
$753K
Median grant
$10K
Stays in NY
11%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$5.7M

Grants paid in 2025

47 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Ganna Walska Lotus LandSanta Barbara, CAOperational$100K
The Riviera Ridge SchoolSanta Barbara, CAOperational$90K
Moxi the Wolf MuseumSanta Barbara, CAOperational$70K
Music Academy of the WestSanta Barbara, CAOperational$55K
Reboot IncLongmeadow, MAOperational$35K
Bellosguardo Foundation IncSanta Barbara, CAOperational$33K
The Redford Center IncSan Francisco, CAOperational$25K
UC Regents Arts and LecturesSanta Barbara, CAOperational$25K
United Way of Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CAOperational$25K
Limitless Horizons IxilSanta Cruz, CAOperational$20K
Episcopal Relief and DevelopmentNew York, NYOperational$15K
Ganna Wlaska LotuslandSanta Barbara, CAOperational$15K
Social and Environmental Entreprueneurs - BirthfundCalabasas, CAOperational$15K
All Saints By the Sea Episcopal ChurchSanta Barbara, CAOperational$10K
Apples to Zucchini Cooking SchoolSanta Barbara, CAOperational$10K
Dance Downtown LA IncLos Angeles, CAOperational$10K
Explore EcologySanta Barbara, CAOperational$10K
Film Forum IncNew York, NYOperational$10K
Film IndependentLos Angeles, CAOperational$10K
Human Rights WatchNew York, NYOperational$10K
Life ChroniclesSanta Barbara, CAOperational$10K
Shelterbox USAPasadena, CAOperational$10K
St Olaf CollegeNorthfield, MNOperational$10K
The Transition HouseSanta Barbara, CAOperational$10K
Tribal Trust FoundationSanta Barbara, CAOperational$10K
Santa Barbara FoundationSanta Barbara, CAOperational$7,500
AHASanta Barbara, CAOperational$5,000
Angels Foster CareSanta Barbara, CAOperational$5,000
CalmSanta Barbara, CAOperational$5,000
Emergency Network Los Angeles IncLos Angeles, CAOperational$5,000
Freedom 4 YouthSanta Barbara, CAOperational$5,000
Jewish Federation of Greater Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CAOperational$5,000
One Thread CollectiveGoleta, CAOperational$5,000
Protect What We LoveStudio City, CAOperational$5,000
Puppies Behind BarsNew York, NYOperational$5,000
Santa Barbara Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsSanta Barbara, CAOperational$5,000
Santa Barbara South Coast Firefighters FoundationCarpinteria, CAOperational$5,000
Santa Ynez Valley Fruit and Vegetable RescueSanta Ynez, CAOperational$5,000
State Street BalletSanta Barbara, CAOperational$5,000
Storyteller Children's CenterSanta Barbara, CAOperational$5,000
The Edible Schoolyard ProjectBerkeley, CAOperational$5,000
The Olive FoundationWoodland Hills, CAOperational$5,000
The Pasadena Humane SocietyPasadena, CAOperational$5,000
UC Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CAOperational$5,000
World Central KitchenWashington, DCOperational$5,000
World Monuments FundNew York, NYOperational$5,000
The Laguna Blanca SchoolSanta Barbara, CAOperational$2,500

By state: California 39 · New York 5 · Massachusetts 1 · Minnesota 1 · District of Columbia 1

About this foundation

The Lucky One Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Garden City, New York, administered in care of Bessemer Trust, tax-exempt since 2011. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does The Lucky One Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does The Lucky One Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $753K across 47 grants, a median of $10K.

Where does The Lucky One Foundation give?

California (39 grants), New York (5 grants), Massachusetts (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Garden City

All in New York
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Perelman Family Charitable Tr Isince 2017 Garden City, NY $16M2 grants · 2024 $7.8MPreselected only $396M
Hartman Fam Foundationsince 2015 Garden City, NY $7.6M107 grants · 2024 $1,500Preselected only $95M
Rhodes Family Foundationsince 2017 Garden City, NY $100K2 grants · 2024 $50KPreselected only $50M
Cmh Charitable Trustsince 2025 Garden City, NY — —Preselected only $38M
Aah Charitable Trustsince 2025 Garden City, NY — —Preselected only $38M
Ruggles Family Foudationsince 2009 Garden City, NY $2.4M94 grants · 2024 $10KPreselected only $36M
Mebane Charitable Foundation Incsince 1999 Garden City, NY $1.5M38 grants · 2024 $5,000Preselected only $27M
Challenger Foundationsince 1998 Garden City, NY $1.5M10 grants · 2024 $63KPreselected only $24M
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