Foundations that fund organizations in El Cajon, California
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for El Cajon nonprofits
124 private foundations gave $6.6M to El Cajon organizations in their latest filings; 21 of the 100 that say either way accept applications.
169 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to El Cajon around $10K. 62 of these funders are based in California; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 124
- Accept applications
- 21
- of 100 that state a policy
- Dollars to El Cajon
- $6.6M
- latest filings
- Grants
- 169
- Typical median grant
- $10K
- Based in CA
- 62%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to El Cajon organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Conrad Prebys Foundation | San Diego, CA | 7 | $1.4M | $200K | Yes | General operating |
| Lilly Endowment Inc | Indianapolis, IN | 1 | $1.0M | $1.0M | Yes | Pathways for tomorrow initiative |
| The James Irvine Foundation | San Francisco, CA | 1 | $750K | $750K | Preselected only | To support Better Careers in California |
| Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Foundation | Palo Alto, CA | 1 | $300K | $300K | Preselected only | Education: research to practice - measures |
| Patrick & Shirley Campbell Foundation Inc | Pleasant Hill, CA | 1 | $300K | $300K | Yes | This non-profit strives to improve the lives of those they… |
| David C Copley Foundation | San Diego, CA | 4 | $281K | $59K | Preselected only | General support & lucky duck match; Renovate five classrooms with furnishings; Screen your team/cardiac health screenings |
| The McGrath Family Foundation | San Diego, CA | 2 | $264K | $132K | Preselected only | Assistance with senior building by donation of 890 shares o…; People with disabilities & families |
| David B Rogers Foundation Dtd 6282000 | Arcadia, CA | 1 | $200K | $200K | Preselected only | Provides food, clothing and daycare for low income families. |
| College Futures Foundation | Oakland, CA | 1 | $182K | $182K | Preselected only | Program grant |
| Kasperick Foundation | San Diego, CA | 1 | $150K | $150K | Preselected only | Homeless solutions: san diego |
| The California Endowment | Los Angeles, CA | 2 | $125K | $63K | Preselected only | General operating support |
| Price Philanthropies Foundation | LA Jolla, CA | 3 | $104K | $30K | Yes | General support; General support; programs and projects |
| John and Elizabeth Leonard Family Foundation | San Diego, CA | 1 | $100K | $100K | Preselected only | Funds allocated to s.t.e.a.m. makerspace and community heal… |
| California Educational Foundation Trust Scd266439 | LA Mesa, CA | 1 | $96K | $96K | Preselected only | General purpose |
| Rice Family Foundation | San Diego, CA | 8 | $95K | $5,513 | Preselected only | Educational Programs; Student Scholarships; M. Rice Intern Program |
| Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation | San Diego, CA | 2 | $80K | $40K | Yes | General assistance |
| Donald C and Elizabeth M Dickinson Foundation | San Diego, CA | 1 | $75K | $75K | Preselected only | Education |
| The J Douglas and Marian R Pardee | Oakland, CA | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | Supporting programs for disabled adu |
| The Kitty Lovers Foundation | Irvine, CA | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | Charitable purpose |
| Avila Fund | San Diego, CA | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | General support |
| The Galena Foundation | Denver, CO | 1 | $50K | $50K | Yes | Program development |
| Lb Charitable Foundation | Escondido, CA | 1 | $50K | $50K | Yes | Program support |
| Thoman Family Foundation Inc | Indianapolis, IN | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | General support |
| McMillen Family Foundation | Temecula, CA | 1 | $36K | $36K | Yes | Fund facility rennovation & repair |
| The John C Kish Foundation | Las Vegas, NV | 1 | $35K | $35K | Preselected only | Unrestricted general support |
| Girard Foundation | San Diego, CA | 1 | $32K | $32K | Preselected only | General |
| Thomas and Michelle Wermers Family Foundation | Garden City, NY | 1 | $30K | $30K | Preselected only | General purpose |
| Yocom Family Foundation | Norco, CA | 1 | $25K | $25K | Preselected only | To support the education & care of underprivileged children |
| Covenant Foundation Inc | San Antonio, TX | 1 | $25K | $25K | Preselected only | General funding |
| Synchrony Foundation | Stamford, CT | 1 | $25K | $25K | Preselected only | Funding supports general operations and programming. |
| Kerr Family Foundation | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $24K | $24K | Preselected only | Charitable Event |
| Christian Development Foundation Inc | Solana Beach, CA | 3 | $22K | $8,000 | Preselected only | General fund; Scholarship fund |
| Menard Family Foundation | LA Jolla, CA | 2 | $22K | $11K | Preselected only | General support |
| Fund for Education | Ardmore, PA | 1 | $22K | $22K | Preselected only | Charitable |
| Foundation for Improving Horizons | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $21K | $21K | Preselected only | Charitable |
| Lawrence a Appley Foundation | Hershey, PA | 1 | $20K | $20K | Preselected only | Charitable |
| Mac Fehsenfeld Family Foundation | Indianapolis, IN | 1 | $18K | $18K | Preselected only | Unrestricted |
| The Parker Foundation | Carlsbad, CA | 2 | $18K | $8,750 | Yes | To support a wheelchair ramp.; To support a community outreach program. |
| The Stephen and Lynne Doyle Family Foundation | San Diego, CA | 1 | $16K | $16K | Preselected only | Training and advocacy for people with development problems |
| Dove Givings Foundation II | Purchase, NY | 1 | $15K | $15K | Preselected only | Public charity |
| The William Hall Tippett and Ruth Rathell Tippett Foundation | Carlsbad, CA | 2 | $15K | $7,500 | Preselected only | To support awos musical theatre offerings for people with d…; To support new instruments for the grossmont college music… |
| Augustyn Foundation Trust | Claremont, CA | 1 | $15K | $15K | Yes | Support of public charity |
| Heller Foundation of San Diego | Eagan, MN | 1 | $15K | $15K | Preselected only | General operating |
| Andrew and Gladys van Noord Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | 1 | $15K | $15K | Preselected only | General funding |
| The Moran Foundation | Las Vegas, NV | 1 | $15K | $15K | Preselected only | Educational/religious |
| Pacific Dental Services Foundation | Irvine, CA | 1 | $12K | $12K | Yes | Scholarship |
| Timothy T Day Foundation Inc | Phoenix, AZ | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Social services |
| The David and Elaine Lozier Foundation | Lynden, WA | 1 | $10K | $10K | Yes | Support for evangelical ministry to needy children in mexico |
| Arlene and Michael Rosen Foundation | Santa Barbara, CA | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | General operating support |
| Chamberlin Family Philanthropy | Richmond, CA | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Program support |
| The Gregory and Vera Kiernan Foundation | Chappaqua, NY | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | General funds |
| William F Courtney Foundation | Detroit, MI | 2 | $10K | $5,000 | Yes | Support daily operations |
| Samueli Foundation | Corona del Mar, CA | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | General operations |
| From His Hand Foundation | Sycamore, IL | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Where most needed |
| The Issa Foundation | Cheyenne, WY | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Annual giving |
| The Stein Family Foundation | San Diego, CA | 2 | $10K | $5,000 | Yes | General operating expenses |
| Liana Foundation Inc | Jackson, WY | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Charitable donation-general |
| The George P Lauren Foundation | San Diego, CA | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | General operations |
| Melvin Garb Foundation | Encinitas, CA | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Support young musicians with orchestral education and perfo… |
| The John and Lucile Andreas Family Foundation | LA Verne, CA | 1 | $8,500 | $8,500 | Preselected only | To support the church's activities |
| Virginia J Barber Foundation | San Diego, CA | 1 | $8,000 | $8,000 | Preselected only | For humane treatment of greyhounds |
| Paul and Lea Levine Foundation | Coronado, CA | 2 | $7,500 | $3,750 | Preselected only | General Purpose |
| Preston B & Maurine M Hotchkis Family Foundation | Santa Barbara, CA | 1 | $7,500 | $7,500 | Preselected only | In furtherance of 501(c)(3) charitable purpose |
| Laurie C McGrath Foundation | San Diego, CA | 2 | $7,500 | $3,750 | Preselected only | Animal rescue and shelter; Animal rescue |
| Sage Angel Foundation Inc | Austin, TX | 1 | $7,000 | $7,000 | Yes | Grant |
| Klaas Gustave P T U a | St Louis, MO | 1 | $6,000 | $6,000 | Preselected only | General operating |
| Baja Bound Foundation Inc | San Diego, CA | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | To support the organization's charity purpose |
| The Negri Foundation | San Marino, CA | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | Educational needssupport educational progams |
| Goodwin Family Memorial Tua | St Louis, MO | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | General operating |
| Thomas J & Theodora Lynch Fleming Foundation | LA Jolla, CA | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | Gen purpose |
| The Coeta and Donald Barker Foundation | Rancho Mirage, CA | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | Program donation |
| Arthur L Funk & Joan a Funk Charita Charitable Foundation | Scottsdale, AZ | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | General support |
| The Diana Dollar Knowles Foundation C/O Hilary C Pierce | San Francisco, CA | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | General support |
| The Andreas Rickenbach Foundation | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | General & Unrestricted |
| Hueppchen Family Foundation | El Cajon, CA | 2 | $4,330 | $2,165 | Preselected only | Operating |
| John Garbaczewski Family Foundation | Carlsbad, CA | 2 | $4,200 | $2,100 | Preselected only | Unrestricted |
| The Oak Tree Philanthropic Foundation | San Diego, CA | 2 | $4,000 | $2,000 | Preselected only | Aid to disadvantaged childern; Education for childern |
| Thomas Joseph Charitable Foundation | Bloomfield Hills, MI | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | Preselected only | For general purposes |
| Sempra Foundation | San Diego, CA | 8 | $3,591 | $160 | Preselected only | Health and human services; Human services; Environmental |
| The Chuck and Ernestina Kreutzkamp Foundation | Chula Vista, CA | 1 | $3,500 | $3,500 | Preselected only | Dinner with youth holiday event |
| Samuel I & John Henry Fox Foundation | Eagan, MN | 1 | $3,390 | $3,390 | Preselected only | General operating |
| Costello Family Foundation Inc | Portola Valley, CA | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | Preselected only | Youth music programs |
| Shining Light Charitable Trust | El Cajon, CA | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | Preselected only | Religious education and outreach |
| Shared Vision Charitable Foundation | Jamul, CA | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | Preselected only | Cash Support of Charity General Fund |
| Marvin Family Foundation C/O Mrs Catherine a Marvin | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | Yes | Provides services for adults with developmental disabilities |
| Wm Keck Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | Yes | For general support of charitable purposes. |
| Hood Family Foundation | Woodland Hills, CA | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | Preselected only | Physical education |
| Arbol Christian Communications | Walnut, CA | 1 | $2,400 | $2,400 | Preselected only | To provide support for people in hardship and in times of c… |
| The Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation | The Woodlands, TX | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Yes | To serve refugees, immigrants and the most vulnerable among… |
| Jim & Susan Neuberger Foundation | Oklahoma City, OK | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Preselected only | Exempt purpose |
| William Male Foundation | San Diego, CA | 1 | $1,870 | $1,870 | Yes | Payment to go towards the costs of yarn spinning equipment… |
| Jpmorgan Chase Foundation | New York, NY | 3 | $1,800 | $500 | Preselected only | Matching contribution (general operating support) |
| Assistoday Foundation Now Blessing From Heaven Foundation | Coronada, CA | 3 | $1,745 | $250 | Yes | Charitable |
| Considine-Reilly Charitable Foundat | Scarsdale, NY | 1 | $1,530 | $1,530 | Preselected only | General charitable purposes |
| Dome Construction Foundation | South San Francisco, CA | 1 | $1,500 | $1,500 | Preselected only | Contribution provided |
| Real World Scholars Inc | Mariposa, CA | 1 | $1,478 | $1,478 | Preselected only | To support organization's mission |
| Lothlorien Foundation | Omaha, NE | 1 | $1,272 | $1,272 | Yes | Operating cost of non-profit org |
| Gienapp Family Foundation | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $1,200 | $1,200 | Preselected only | Chamber Orchestra |
| The Carl a Davis and Lois E Davis Foundation | Houston, TX | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | Operating support |
| The Jp Martin Foundation | El Cajon, CA | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | 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 El Cajon, California?
The Conrad Prebys Foundation, Lilly Endowment Inc, The James Irvine Foundation, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Foundation, Patrick & Shirley Campbell Foundation Inc and 95 others reported grants to El Cajon 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 El Cajon. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.