The Atkinson Family Foundation concentrates large, general-purpose grants to a small set of repeat recipients, with a clear emphasis on naval/military youth and veteran-support organizations, regional cultural institutions, and major universities. Grants are often multi-year or repeated and frequently support operating needs rather than tightly restricted projects. The foundation shows a geographic tilt toward San Diego/California but also funds naval and cultural organizations in Florida and nationally.
A defining feature of Atkinson Family Foundation’s giving is its concentration in repeat, general-purpose awards to a small set of recipients, especially organizations tied to naval and maritime youth training, veteran and sea-service communities, and regional cultural institutions. The foundation’s recent grants include $600,000 to the Regents of the University of California for general support at Santa Cruz and $300,000 to the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps in Arlington, reflecting a pattern of sizable institutional grants rather than many small awards. Other repeat recipients show the same approach: the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps appears multiple times across recent years, as do the Navy League of the United States, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Trust Inc, and Voices for Children. That mix points to a funder that backs a limited portfolio of organizations over time, often with unrestricted support. Universities also sit within the portfolio, alongside museums, symphony orchestras, and navy-support groups. The result is a grantmaking profile shaped by a few durable relationships, with funding spread across education, culture, and naval-related public service.
Naval and maritime youth leadership is one of the clearest threads in the foundation’s recent giving. It awarded $300,000 to the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps in 2025 and $161,168 in 2024, both for general support. Sea-service advocacy is another recurring area: the Navy League of the United States Fort Launderdale Council Inc received $150,000 in 2024 and $25,000 in 2025, while the national Navy League of the United States received $90,000 in 2023 and $47,000 in 2025. Higher education also appears prominently. The University of South Florida received $100,000 in 2023 and $75,000 in 2025, and the US Naval Academy Foundation received $120,000 in 2023. Cultural institutions are part of the mix as well, including $150,000 to the San Diego Symphony in 2023 and $144,000 to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Trust Inc in 2024.
Typical grant size is $5,400 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $30,000 at the 75th percentile, but the recent record also includes much larger institutional awards. The pattern suggests a concentrated portfolio with repeat grants to the same organizations across multiple years, rather than one-time awards only. Grants are listed as general support, which aligns with a flexible funding style. The foundation does not make program-related investments and does not fund individuals.
$2.3M
$15.5M
$1.1M
$2.5M
Most grants fall between $5K and $30K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$30K
About 15% of grants go to recipients in FL.
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Concentrated giving to a small number of repeat grantees with relatively large, general‑purpose awards; several organizations receive multiple grants across years rather than many one‑off small gifts.
Notable grantees: Regents of the University of California, US Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Trust, San Diego Symphony, US Naval Academy Foundation
Grant recipients are all in the United States, and the foundation’s giving is especially active in Florida, where the top state by grant count is located. Recent Florida recipients include Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa, and Orlando-area institutions in the broader record. California remains important as well, with recipients in San Diego and La Jolla appearing repeatedly. Outside those states, the portfolio reaches Arlington, Virginia; Annapolis, Maryland; Bloomington, Indiana; Houston and Bellaire, Texas; and other U.S. locations.
Recent grants cluster around naval and maritime youth training, sea-service advocacy, universities, and cultural institutions. Examples include the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps, the Navy League of the United States, the University of South Florida, and the San Diego Symphony.
Yes. Several recipients appear more than once in the recent grant list, including the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Trust Inc, Voices for Children, the University of South Florida, and the Navy League of the United States Fort Launderdale Council Inc.
The grant-size distribution shows a 25th percentile of $5,400, a median of $10,000, and a 75th percentile of $30,000. Recent grants also include larger awards such as $600,000 and $300,000 to institutional recipients.
Florida is the top state by grant count. Recent Florida recipients include organizations in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa, and other cities across the state, while California recipients appear frequently as well, especially in San Diego and La Jolla.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INDIANA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | BLOOMINGTON, IN | $1,200,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDENS TRUST INC | MIAMI, FL | $298,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| US NAVAL SEA CADET CORPS | ARLINGTON, VA | $285,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| UCSD FOUNDATION | LA JOLLA, CA | $225,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES FORT LAUNDERDALE COUNCIL INC | FORT LAUDERDALE, FL | $45,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| UC PRESS FOUNDATION | BERKELEY, CA | $45,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| VOICES FOR CHILDREN | SAN DIEGO, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| FULL BELLIES INC | HOLLYWOOD, FL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| POST OAK SCHOOL | BELLAIRE, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| PEREZ ART MUSEUM OF MIAMI | MIAMI, FL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| GABLESTAGE INC | CORAL GABLES, FL | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| ROYAL DAMES OF CANCER RESEARCH | FORT LAUDERDALE, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES | ARLINGTON, VA | $11,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| NAVY RESERVE CENTER MIAMI CPDA | HIALEAH, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| EDEN CALHOUN CHARITABLE FUND | ST FLORENCE, AL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| HEROES FOUNDATION INC | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| THE MARINERS' MUSEUM AND PARK | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF BROWARD COUNTY | FORT LAUDERDALE, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| USO WOUNDED WARRIOR | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| M D ANDERSON CANCER CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| FRIENDS OF BIRCH STATE PARK INC | FORT LAUDERDALE, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| PHILLIPS EXETER ACADEMY | EXETER, NH | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| INTERNATIONAL CRANE FOUNDATION | BARABOO, WI | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| THE HOLLYWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC | HOLLYWOOD, FL | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| OAK PARK ELEMENTARY | SAN DIEGO, CA | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| US NAVAL SEA CADET CORPS | ARLINGTON, VA | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDENS TRUST INC | MIAMI, FL | $104,500 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA | TAMPA, FL | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| UC SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION | LA JOLLA, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES | ARLINGTON, VA | $47,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES FORT LAUNDERDALE COUNCIL INC | FORT LAUDERDALE, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| CHOPIN FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATED INC | MIAMI, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| FACULTY CLUB UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO INC | LA JOLLA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| VOICES FOR CHILDREN | SAN DIEGO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| POST OAK SCHOOL | BELLAIRE, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ROYAL DAMES OF CANCER RESEARCH | FORT LAUDERDALE, FL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| FULL BELLIES INC | HOLLYWOOD, FL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| NSU ART MUSEUM FORT LAUDERDALE | FORT LAUDERDALE, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| FRIENDS OF BIRCH STATE PARK INC | FORT LAUDERDALE, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| THE VETERANS TRUST | LAUDERDALE, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| USO WOUNDED WARRIOR | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| EDEN CALHOUN CHARITABLE FUND | ST FLORENCE, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| UNIVERSITY OF DUBLIN FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| HOUSTON ZOO | HOUSTON, TX | $5,400 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| THE HOLLYWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC | HOLLYWOOD, FL | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| INTERNATIONAL CRANE FOUNDATION | BARABOO, WI | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ART & CULTURE CENTRE HOLLYWOOD | HOLLYWOOD, FL | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP | TALLAHASSEE, FL | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
US NAVAL SEA CADET CORPS
$285,000GENERAL
UCSD FOUNDATION
$225,000GENERAL
NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES FORT LAUNDERDALE COUNCIL INC
$45,000GENERAL
UC PRESS FOUNDATION
$45,000GENERAL
FULL BELLIES INC
$25,000GENERAL
POST OAK SCHOOL
$25,000GENERAL
NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES
$11,000GENERAL
NAVY RESERVE CENTER MIAMI CPDA
$10,000GENERAL
EDEN CALHOUN CHARITABLE FUND
$10,000GENERAL
HEROES FOUNDATION INC
$10,000GENERAL
THE MARINERS' MUSEUM AND PARK
$10,000GENERAL
USO WOUNDED WARRIOR
$10,000GENERAL
M D ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
$10,000GENERAL
FRIENDS OF BIRCH STATE PARK INC
$10,000GENERAL
PHILLIPS EXETER ACADEMY
$5,000GENERAL
THE HOLLYWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC
$1,000GENERAL
OAK PARK ELEMENTARY
$500GENERAL
US NAVAL SEA CADET CORPS
$300,000GENERAL
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
$75,000GENERAL
NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES
$47,000GENERAL
NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES FORT LAUNDERDALE COUNCIL INC
$25,000GENERAL
CHOPIN FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATED INC
$25,000GENERAL
FACULTY CLUB UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO INC
$25,000GENERAL
POST OAK SCHOOL
$25,000GENERAL
FULL BELLIES INC
$20,000GENERAL
FRIENDS OF BIRCH STATE PARK INC
$10,000GENERAL
THE VETERANS TRUST
$10,000GENERAL
USO WOUNDED WARRIOR
$10,000GENERAL
EDEN CALHOUN CHARITABLE FUND
$10,000GENERAL
THE HOLLYWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC
$2,000GENERAL
ART & CULTURE CENTRE HOLLYWOOD
$1,000GENERAL
BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP
$1,000GENERAL