Updated Oct 31, 2026
Private foundations based in Irvine, California
87 grantmaking foundations headquartered in Irvine, California, holding $3.1B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 13 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sequoia Climate Foundationsince 2021 | $305M187 grants · 2023 | $1.0M | Preselected only | $114M |
| Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundationsince 1998 | $49M1 grants · 2024 | $49M | Preselected only | $415M |
| Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundationsince 2021 | $29M318 grants · 2024 | $26K | Yes | $653M |
| Edwards Lifesciences Foundationsince 2014 | $9.0M224 grants · 2024 | $7,500 | Yes | $81M |
| Teach a Man to Fish Foundationsince 2013 | $8.5M11 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $144M |
| The Reed J Levecke Foundationsince 1994 | $7.5M4 grants · 2024 | $700K | Preselected only | $14M |
| Rivian Foundationsince 2023 | $6.6M54 grants · 2025 | $60K | Preselected only | $25M |
| Sun Family Foundationsince 2000 | $5.0M51 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $92M |
| The Jatain Foundationsince 2002 | $3.8M37 grants · 2025 | $35K | Yes | $99M |
| Irvine Health Foundationsince 1986 | $3.5M13 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $5.5M |
| McBeth Foundation Trust 021290 | $2.6M35 grants · 2024 | $75K | Yes | $18M |
| Shema Foundationsince 2007 | $2.1M24 grants · 2024 | $8,500 | Yes | $7.2M |
| Nicholas Endowment Trsince 2003 | $2.0M31 grants · 2024 | $60K | Preselected only | $44M |
| Treasure Foundationsince 2020 | $1.8M1 grants · 2024 | $1.8M | Preselected only | $34M |
| Je Foundationsince 2007 | $1.7M14 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $31M |
| Bluebird Legacy Incsince 2015 | $1.7M37 grants · 2025 | $45K | Preselected only | $43M |
| Wings of Freedom Foundation Trsince 2020 | $1.6M5 grants · 2024 | $400K | Preselected only | $2.8M |
| The Roberto Foundationsince 2005 | $1.5M4 grants · 2024 | $175K | Preselected only | $74M |
| Steinmetz Foundationsince 1998 | $1.5M32 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $21M |
| Croul Family Foundationsince 2004 | $1.4M72 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $24M |
| William S and Nancy E Thompson Foundationsince 2006 | $1.3M4 grants · 2024 | $221K | Preselected only | $79M |
| Warne Family Charitable Foundationsince 2001 | $1.2M20 grants · 2024 | $42K | Yes | $27M |
| Layne Foundation a Corpsince 1930 | $900K3 grants · 2025 | $300K | Yes | $62M |
| Cooper Housing Institutesince 2019 | $885K18 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $9.2M |
| Waltmar Foundationsince 1965 | $751K34 grants · 2025 | $16K | Preselected only | $11M |
| Lamb Family Foundationsince 2016 | $750K14 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $4.1M |
| Miki F Young Charitable Trustsince 2021 | $726K5 grants · 2025 | $160K | Preselected only | $14M |
| Wilson W Phelps Foundationsince 1997 | $663K20 grants · 2025 | $25K | Preselected only | $5.2M |
| Wintercreek Foundationsince 2006 | $585K4 grants · 2024 | $63K | Preselected only | $6.5M |
| Sunwest Bank Charitable Foundationsince 2010 | $545K27 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $3.7M |
| El Roi Foundationsince 2006 | $480K9 grants · 2025 | $36K | Preselected only | $12M |
| Shepherd Sower Sentinel and Scholar Foundationsince 2012 | $460K4 grants · 2025 | $100K | Preselected only | $6.1M |
| Boukai Family Foundationsince 2003 | $422K9 grants · 2024 | $7,500 | Preselected only | $2.7M |
| Toshiba America Foundationsince 1991 | $348K1 grants · 2024 | $348K | Preselected only | $7.7M |
| Eduligion Foundationsince 2017 | $303K2 grants · 2024 | $152K | Preselected only | $3.2M |
| Bandai Foundationsince 1996 | $291K55 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $8.6M |
| Garg Foundationsince 1990 | $281K1 grants · 2025 | $281K | Yes | $2.7M |
| Said Cohen Foundationsince 2007 | $280K6 grants · 2025 | $50K | Preselected only | $9.2M |
| Kitty Lovers Foundationsince 2023 | $275K4 grants · 2024 | $75K | Preselected only | $4.7M |
| Hasso Philanthropic Foundationsince 2016 | $247K11 grants · 2025 | $16K | Preselected only | $3.9M |
| David Chow Humanitarian Award Foundationsince 1996 | $243K11 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $5.6M |
| Ernest and Irma Rose Foundationsince 2004 | $220K5 grants · 2025 | $50K | Preselected only | $4.8M |
| Willette Charitable Foundationsince 2014 | $210K3 grants · 2025 | $50K | Preselected only | $4.8M |
| Razi Family Foundationsince 2002 | $200K10 grants · 2024 | $11K | Yes | $2.7M |
| Hasso Serrano Foundationsince 2016 | $194K14 grants · 2025 | $9,500 | Preselected only | $3.7M |
| I-Rise Foundationsince 2017 | $191K3 grants · 2024 | $26K | Preselected only | $8.5M |
| Chenns Foundationsince 2022 | $190K1 grants · 2024 | $190K | Preselected only | $2.8M |
| Helms Foundation Incsince 1947 | $176K51 grants · 2024 | $2,000 | Preselected only | $3.9M |
| Mission West Foundationsince 2013 | $165K4 grants · 2024 | $6,000 | Preselected only | $2.8M |
| Reve Foundationsince 1998 | $160K2 grants · 2024 | $80K | Preselected only | $3.1M |
| Huang & Gao Family Foundationsince 2023 | $160K2 grants · 2025 | $80K | Preselected only | $3.0M |
| Fan Family Foundationsince 2018 | $150K1 grants · 2025 | $150K | Preselected only | $9.3M |
| House of Ruachsince 2009 | $137K15 grants · 2025 | $2,655 | Preselected only | $6.1M |
| California Health Medical Reserve Corpssince 2015 | $125K2 grants · 2024 | $63K | Preselected only | $6.8M |
| H T F Charitable Foundationsince 2018 | $122K7 grants · 2024 | $15K | Preselected only | $3.5M |
| Sasa Family Foundationsince 2025 | $107K3 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $3.3M |
| Mazda Foundation USA Incsince 1991 | $100K1 grants · 2023 | $100K | Preselected only | $9.7M |
| Tidemark Foundationsince 2022 | $73K11 grants · 2025 | $3,178 | Preselected only | $3.2M |
| Tah Foundationsince 2004 | $65K6 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $34M |
| Aurora Care Foundation Incsince 2023 | — | — | Preselected only | $4.2M |
Sources: IRS Business Master File (assets), ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and IRS 990-PF e-file (grants paid, application policy). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own Part XV checkbox.
Open grant programs in California
All 162| Deadline | Grant | Funder | Award ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 23 days | Local Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)CaliforniaDepartment of Transportation | Department of Transportation | Up to $10M |
| Nov 23 days | Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Grant for Program Year 2026-27 (PY 26-27)CaliforniaEmployment Development Department | Employment Development Department | Up to $1.3M |
| Nov 23 days | 2026 CalAgPlate Grant ProgramCaliforniaCA Department of Food and Agriculture | CA Department of Food and Agriculture | Up to $196K |
| Nov 23 days | The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) – R27CaliforniaDepartment of Parks and Recreation | Department of Parks and Recreation | Not listed |
| Nov 34 days | 2026 California Nutrition Incentive ProgramCaliforniaCA Department of Food and Agriculture | CA Department of Food and Agriculture | Up to $13M |
| Nov 45 days | Youth Community Access Grant Program (Round 4)CaliforniaCA Natural Resources Agency | CA Natural Resources Agency | Up to $300K |
Common questions
How many private foundations are based in Irvine, California?
Our directory lists 87 private grantmaking foundations in Irvine, California with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $3.1B. The data comes from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File and Form 990-PF.
How do I get a grant from a private foundation?
Start with foundations that already fund organizations like yours nearby. Read the grantee list on each profile, check whether the foundation accepts applications (it says so on its 990-PF), and lead with a short letter of inquiry. Many family foundations fund only organizations they already know; an introduction through a shared grantee or board member works better than a cold proposal.
Can you help us approach foundations?
Yes. Our grant writers research foundation prospects, write letters of inquiry, and build a foundation fundraising plan. Request a free consultation.