Foundations that fund organizations in Costa Mesa, California
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Costa Mesa nonprofits
433 private foundations gave $27M to Costa Mesa organizations in their latest filings; 29 of the 100 that say either way accept applications.
595 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Costa Mesa around $50K. 76 of these funders are based in California; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 433
- Accept applications
- 29
- of 100 that state a policy
- Dollars to Costa Mesa
- $27M
- latest filings
- Grants
- 595
- Typical median grant
- $50K
- Based in CA
- 76%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Costa Mesa organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samueli Foundation | Corona del Mar, CA | 10 | $4.1M | $263K | Preselected only | Arts & learning conservatory theater campaign; Performing arts center; Build and expand occs high school career academies |
| The Haque Family Foundation | Saratoga, CA | 1 | $3.6M | $3.6M | Preselected only | Charitable activities |
| Lyons Share Foundation | Newport Beach, CA | 3 | $3.6M | $75K | Preselected only | Support of national presentations/concerts; Support of performances; Support educational and arts programs |
| Malachi 3 Foundation | Irvine, CA | 1 | $1.8M | $1.8M | Preselected only | Program support |
| Lilly Endowment Inc | Indianapolis, IN | 1 | $1.3M | $1.3M | Yes | Nurturing children-worship & prayer |
| The William Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation | Laguna Beach, CA | 2 | $900K | $450K | Preselected only | General donation |
| Gates Foundation | Seattle, WA | 1 | $571K | $571K | Yes | K-12 education |
| Living Legacy Foundation | Franklin, TN | 1 | $535K | $535K | Preselected only | General support |
| Maximum Impact Foundation Inc | Costa Mesa, CA | 2 | $432K | $216K | Yes | Help for the poor; Provide food for homeless people. |
| The Marisla Foundation | Laguna Beach, CA | 1 | $350K | $350K | Yes | General support |
| Argyros Family Foundation | Costa Mesa, CA | 4 | $318K | $25K | Yes | Public charity; Arts |
| The Shubert Foundation Inc | New York, NY | 1 | $300K | $300K | Yes | General operating support for theatrical productions and ac… |
| Cornerstone Legacy Foundation | Irvine, CA | 1 | $295K | $295K | Preselected only | Support of exempt function |
| The Segerstrom Foundation | Costa Mesa, CA | 4 | $275K | $70K | Yes | To support current programs that assist children; To support endowment of great performances dance series; To support the 2025 theater for young audiences series |
| The Kling Family Foundation | Tustin, CA | 2 | $235K | $117K | Preselected only | Unrestricted |
| The Sharon D Lund Foundation | Orange, CA | 4 | $200K | $55K | Preselected only | General operation |
| Nicholas Endowment | Irvine, CA | 2 | $179K | $90K | Preselected only | Professional development; Core support |
| The Mr and Mrs Gqb Foundation | Newport Beach, CA | 2 | $172K | $86K | Preselected only | Operating fund and pass the torch fund; Operating fund |
| Croul Family Foundation | Irvine, CA | 2 | $171K | $86K | Yes | Program support |
| The Bridges Larson Foundation 81-38296510 | Beverly Hills, CA | 1 | $160K | $160K | Preselected only | Education/scholarship |
| Spenuzza-Velastegui Family Foundation | Monarch Beach, CA | 2 | $159K | $80K | Preselected only | Provide public performing arts porgrams.; Support public art programs. |
| McMillen Family Foundation | Temecula, CA | 1 | $150K | $150K | Yes | Fund program support |
| Jack and Shanaz Langson Family Foundation | Newport Beach, CA | 5 | $132K | $5,000 | Preselected only | Segerstrom general fund; To honor judy morr; To guide organization |
| Corey & Leslie Leyton Family Foundation | Orange, CA | 2 | $121K | $61K | Preselected only | General support |
| Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation | Irvine, CA | 6 | $121K | $11K | Yes | Research, general support & education |
| Sun Family Foundation | Fountain Valley, CA | 2 | $120K | $60K | Preselected only | Arts education; Education |
| Oneroot Foundation | Ketchum, ID | 4 | $114K | $24K | Preselected only | To provide emergency financial assistance and support to ch…; To protect swimmable, drinkable, fishable water and promote…; To create and present theatre of the highest quality while… |
| Eric & Martha Schweiger Foundation | Costa Mesa, CA | 1 | $104K | $104K | Preselected only | charity |
| Thatcher Foundation Inc | Las Vegas, NV | 1 | $103K | $103K | Preselected only | General grant |
| Costa Mesa High School Foundation | Costa Mesa, CA | 1 | $103K | $103K | Preselected only | SR High and Middle School Educational Tools |
| The J W and Sandra L Mitchell Foundation | Newport Beach, CA | 1 | $100K | $100K | Preselected only | To aid in charitable activities |
| Schlinger Family Foundation | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $100K | $100K | Preselected only | General & Unrestricted |
| The Conrad Prebys Foundation | San Diego, CA | 1 | $100K | $100K | Yes | General operating |
| Tappan Foundation Agy | Newport Beach, CA | 2 | $100K | $50K | Preselected only | General operating |
| The Foster Family Foundation | Stockton, CA | 1 | $100K | $100K | Preselected only | Charitable |
| Simon Family Foundation | White Plains, NY | 1 | $100K | $100K | Preselected only | General |
| Jatain Charitable Foundation | Irvine, CA | 1 | $100K | $100K | Yes | Exempt activities support |
| The Larry and Helen Hoag Foundation | Long Beach, CA | 1 | $100K | $100K | Preselected only | Community programs |
| Colburn Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | 3 | $100K | $30K | Yes | Support of the classical arts |
| The Makray Family Foundation C/O Harrison Llp | Chicago, IL | 1 | $90K | $90K | Preselected only | General purposes |
| Ronald M Simon Family Foundation | Newport Beach, CA | 3 | $88K | $10K | Yes | To further donee organization's exempt purpose. |
| Warne Family Charitable Foundation Co FIRST Foundation Bank | Irvine, CA | 2 | $85K | $43K | Yes | General use; For general use |
| The Don and Maxine Judkins Family Foundation | Granite Bay, CA | 2 | $78K | $39K | Preselected only | Religious instruction; Religious education |
| The Ceres Foundation Inc | Groton, MA | 1 | $75K | $75K | Yes | Fund need based scholarships in support of addiction treatm… |
| Lisa Stone Pritzker Family Fund C/O Frank Rimerman Co Llp | Palo Alto, CA | 1 | $75K | $75K | Preselected only | To empower all learners by providing the critical resources… |
| O L Halsell Foundation | Costa Mesa, CA | 4 | $70K | $15K | Yes | Operating Funds; Operating funds |
| Jennie V Foundation | Newport Beach, CA | 2 | $65K | $33K | Preselected only | School of Sailing $20,000, STEM Academy $20,000; General operations and support |
| The Annenberg Foundation | Conshohocken, PA | 2 | $62K | $31K | Preselected only | General operating support |
| The Crean Foundation | Laguna Hills, CA | 8 | $61K | $7,500 | Preselected only | Assistance to poor pregnant women who cannot keep their bab…; Music program.; Medical, food and clothing for poor people. |
| Waltmar Foundation C/O Larry Beltramo | Irvine, CA | 2 | $61K | $30K | Preselected only | For camperships and scholarships for underserved and low-in…; Support for student scholarships. |
| The Elizabeth George Writers Foundation Co Susan Elizabeth George | Seattle, WA | 1 | $60K | $60K | Yes | Support |
| The Loftus Family Foundation | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $60K | $60K | Preselected only | General & Unrestricted |
| The Kundu Foundation Inc C/O Steven a Branson Esq | Weymouth, MA | 1 | $59K | $59K | Preselected only | supporting foundation purposes |
| Frome Family Foundation | Costa Mesa, CA | 7 | $58K | $5,000 | Preselected only | Social Services; Arts |
| Mark H and Blanche M Harrington Foundation | Ontario, CA | 3 | $57K | $8,000 | Yes | General use; General |
| J Stanley & Mary W Johnson Family Foundation | Newport Beach, CA | 1 | $55K | $55K | Preselected only | General operations |
| Lamb Family Foundation % Dave Lamb | Irvine, CA | 1 | $55K | $55K | Preselected only | General fund |
| Dorrance Family Foundation | Scottsdale, AZ | 1 | $55K | $55K | Yes | To support Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge Living Shore… |
| Edgerton Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | 2 | $52K | $26K | Preselected only | General support of organization mission |
| Stanley W Ekstrom Foundation Inc | Santa Ana, CA | 3 | $51K | $10K | Yes | To enhance education by providing eteran milityar speakers…; Scholarship program; Providing benefits to employees of the california highway p… |
| Lloyd E Rigler Lawrence E Deutsch Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | Charitable contribution |
| Elevance Health Foundation Inc | Indianapolis, IN | 1 | $50K | $50K | Yes | The Family Program |
| Frank Family Foundation | Deerfield, IL | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | General fund raising |
| Curci Fund | Newport Beach, CA | 2 | $50K | $25K | Yes | General support of charity |
| Steinmetz Foundation | Irvine, CA | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | Provide educational programming |
| Archer Family Foundation | Baverly Hills, CA | 2 | $50K | $25K | Preselected only | General operations |
| The Shelly Family Foundation | Irvine, CA | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | Support of visual arts in our community |
| The Rediger Family Foundation | Burbank, CA | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | To be used for charitable purposes of the recipient |
| Swenson Family Foundation | Orange, CA | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | Children's programs |
| The James & Glenys Slavik Family Foundation | Newport Beach, CA | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | To provide support to end the cycle of homelessness - one c… |
| The Joe Macpherson Foundation Inc | Tustin, CA | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | Charitable |
| James P Previti Charitable Fund | Carlsbad, CA | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | Education |
| Ellucian Foundation | Reston, VA | 1 | $50K | $50K | Yes | Path scholarship 2025 |
| The Jonathan and Nicole Cronstedt Foundation | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $48K | $48K | Preselected only | General & Unrestricted |
| The Bowie Family Foundation | Newport Beach, CA | 2 | $46K | $23K | Preselected only | General operations support; Genearl Operations Support |
| Stinehart Family Foundation | Corona del Mar, CA | 4 | $46K | $9,839 | Preselected only | Support; Non-profit faith based organization which improves the spir… |
| Louise Laraway Teal Foundation | Manhattan Beach, CA | 1 | $45K | $45K | Preselected only | Aid faimilies of chp |
| The Foothills Foundation | San Francisco, CA | 2 | $45K | $23K | Preselected only | To support the organization's mission to provide emergency…; For general operating support |
| Livingston Family Foundation | San Diego, CA | 2 | $45K | $23K | Preselected only | Contribution to general fund |
| Barbara Bluhm-Kaul Foundation (f/K/A Mayfair Foundation) | Chicago, IL | 2 | $45K | $22K | Preselected only | Donation; Board of trustees |
| Lm1983 Inc | Tustin, CA | 1 | $44K | $44K | Preselected only | Donation |
| Charles and Mildred Schnurmacher Foundation Inc | Miami Beach, FL | 2 | $40K | $20K | Preselected only | General funding |
| Bluebird Legacy Inc | Irvine, CA | 1 | $40K | $40K | Preselected only | School and community programs |
| California Physicians' Service Fdn Dba Blue Shield of California Fdn | San Francisco, CA | 1 | $40K | $40K | Yes | Building support for restorative practices to prevent domes… |
| The Veronica & Henry Bialer Charitable Foundation Inc | Newport Beach, CA | 4 | $38K | $7,500 | Yes | Support of local contemporary art museum; Support for Jewish Cultural Films.; Support of a public charity dedicated to assisting individu… |
| Edwards Lifesciences Foundation | Irvine, CA | 10 | $36K | $2,125 | Yes | General operating support; On-site case management for youth experiencing homelessness; Behind the scenes |
| Je Foundation | Irvine, CA | 2 | $35K | $18K | Preselected only | Assist with offering medical, dental, behavoral, and social…; Assist in protecting swimmable, drinkable, fishable water a… |
| The Smidt Foundation | Beverly Hills, CA | 1 | $35K | $35K | Preselected only | General operating support |
| Hrh Foundation | Menlo Park, CA | 2 | $35K | $18K | Preselected only | General operating purposes |
| 2003 Eagle Foundation | Newport Beach, CA | 2 | $35K | $18K | Preselected only | General use; General |
| The Anthony and Carie Ferry Foundation | Irvine, CA | 1 | $34K | $34K | Yes | General funds for the performing arts |
| Mark Chapin Johnson Foundation | Mission Viejo, CA | 3 | $32K | $1,000 | Preselected only | Sponsorship of program |
| Heck Family Charitable Trust 38598157 | Fort Mill, SC | 2 | $31K | $16K | Preselected only | General support |
| Roberta Freeman Cox Charitable Foundation | Newport Beach, CA | 1 | $30K | $30K | Preselected only | To further their exempt purpose |
| Labowe Family Foundation Inc | Los Angeles, CA | 1 | $30K | $30K | Preselected only | Provide general funds to the charitable organization. |
| O'Sullivan Family Charitable Foundation | Birmingham, AL | 1 | $30K | $30K | Yes | Charitable |
| The Grosvenor Family Foundation | Sherman Oaks, CA | 1 | $29K | $29K | Preselected only | General support |
| Thomas & Misako Yuen Family Foundation | Newport Coast, CA | 1 | $29K | $29K | Preselected only | support to aid in the rehabilitation of homeless people in… |
| Bill Holmes Charitable Trust Co Susan Holmes Ceo | North Las Vegas, NV | 1 | $29K | $29K | Preselected only | Feed and support families |
| William and Karen Lavoie Foundation | Redondo Beach, CA | 1 | $28K | $28K | Preselected only | Charitable support |
Source: IRS Form 990-PF Part XV, latest electronic return per foundation (2026-10-28). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own checkbox on Part XV line 2. Grants to individuals excluded.
Common questions
Which foundations give to nonprofits in Costa Mesa, California?
Samueli Foundation, The Haque Family Foundation, Lyons Share Foundation, Malachi 3 Foundation, Lilly Endowment Inc and 95 others reported grants to Costa Mesa organizations on their latest Form 990-PF.
How do I approach a foundation that doesn't accept applications?
A foundation that checks "contributes only to preselected organizations" on its 990-PF won't review a cold proposal. Look at who it funds, find a shared board member, grantee or advisor, and ask for an introduction. Foundations that accept applications usually list a contact and deadlines in Part XV; we show that text on each foundation's page.
Is this list complete?
No. It covers private foundations (Form 990-PF filers) whose latest electronic return lists at least one grant to an organization in Costa Mesa. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.