General Grantmaking
Who can apply: Not publicly specified on homepage; applicants should use the foundation's online application portal to determine eligibility.

The Brittingham Family Foundation concentrates on capital and scholarship support, with a strong emphasis on higher education scholarships and local Santa Barbara cultural and park infrastructure. They make sizeable, targeted gifts for capital campaigns, building maintenance/loan forgiveness, and scholarship/endowment funds, and show some loyalty to repeat university grantees. Their giving blends local community-building (parks, theaters, arts centers) with investments in education and athletic philanthropy.
A defining feature of Brittingham Family Foundation grantmaking is its repeated support for named scholarship funds and capital projects that tie education to place. The foundation has backed the Scott and Ella Brittingham Viking Fund at the University of Wisconsin Foundation in multiple years, while also funding the Brittingham Family Scholarship Fund at USC Marshall School of Business. Those grants sit alongside major local support for Santa Barbara institutions, including Elings Park Foundation for the EPIC! Capital Campaign - Godric Grove and the Santa Barbara Center for Performing Arts for loan forgiveness. The pattern points to a funder that works through specific institutions rather than broad thematic grants alone. Their giving also reaches into arts and community infrastructure. Recent awards include Lobero Theatre Foundation for capital campaign and building maintenance endowment, Fractured Atlas Productions Inc for Plays in Verse and SJK Art & Humanity, and Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation for a capital campaign. The foundation’s portfolio shows a mix of scholarship support, facility funding, and targeted operating help, with some recipients appearing more than once across the recent-grants list. The result is a grantmaker that combines long-term educational support with place-based cultural and civic investments.
Education is a major thread in the foundation’s giving. They awarded $150,000 to USC Marshall School of Business for the Brittingham Family Scholarship Fund and $25,000 to Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara for the CSUCI BSN Nursing Program 5 Scholarships. Arts and theater also receive steady support. Brittingham Family Foundation gave $100,000 to Santa Barbara Center for Performing Arts for loan forgiveness, and $40,000 to Fractured Atlas Productions Inc for Plays in Verse. Their community and infrastructure grants include $150,000 to Elings Park Foundation for the EPIC! Capital Campaign - Godric Grove and $100,000 to Lobero Theatre Foundation for capital campaign and building maintenance endowment. The foundation also made a $75,000 grant to Thacher School Inc for a community restoration and recovery fund, showing interest in institutional recovery and resilience.
$1.4M
$53.9M
$1.8M
$2.2M
Most grants fall between $3K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Relatively concentrated, mid-to-large sized grants with a mix of repeat support to familiar university beneficiaries and one-off major gifts for local capital campaigns; emphasis on capital/asset-building and scholarship/endowment investments over many small operating grants.
Notable grantees: University of Wisconsin Foundation, USC Marshall School of Business, Lobero Theatre Foundation, Elings Park Foundation, Santa Barbara Center for Performing Arts
Typical grants cluster in the low five figures, with a p25 of $2,500, median of $5,000, and p75 of $10,000. The recent list also includes larger targeted awards, especially for scholarships, capital campaigns, and endowment-related purposes. The foundation’s pattern is recurring rather than one-off for some recipients: the University of Wisconsin Foundation appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Fractured Atlas Productions Inc appears across multiple years as well. Brittingham Family Foundation accepts unsolicited requests and uses an online portal for open grants. It also makes grants to individuals, which is uncommon among many foundations.
Grantmaking is heavily California-centered: 81% of grants go to recipients in California, and the top giving state is CA. Santa Barbara is a frequent destination, with grants to Elings Park Foundation, Santa Barbara Center for Performing Arts, Lobero Theatre Foundation, Crane Country Day School, and Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara. Other California recipients include Los Angeles, Oakland, Ojai, and Goleta. Outside California, grants have gone to Madison, Wisconsin; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Dear Harbor, Washington; Aspen, Colorado; and Hartsdale, New York. All recent grants listed are to U.S. recipients.
The foundation funds organizations working in education, arts, social services, youth, health, and the environment. Recent grants also show support for scholarships, capital campaigns, endowments, and operating needs tied to schools, theaters, parks, and community services.
Yes. The foundation’s open grantmaking notes say it accepts grant requests via its online portal, and its active grant programs list unsolicited applications as accepted.
Typical grants are relatively small: the p25 is $2,500, the median is $5,000, and the p75 is $10,000. The recent grants list also includes larger targeted awards for scholarships and capital projects.
Yes. Its geographic scope is listed as local, 81% of grants go to recipients in California, and many recent awards go to Santa Barbara organizations and institutions.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals, and its recent grantmaking also shows scholarship support through named scholarship funds and scholarship programs at universities and scholarship foundations.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Brittingham Family Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Not publicly specified on homepage; applicants should use the foundation's online application portal to determine eligibility.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELINGS PARK FOUNDATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | EPIC! CAPITAL CAMPAIGN - GODRIC GROVE |
| USC MARSHALL SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | BRITTINGHAM FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION | MADISON, WI | $139,880 | 2025 | SCOTT AND ELLA BRITTINGHAM VIKING FUND |
| COMMUNITY INITIATIVES | OAKLAND, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | HOUSE OF VICTORY FOUNDATION |
| SANTA BARBARA CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | LOAN FORGIVENESS |
| LOBERO THEATRE FOUNDATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN/BUILDING MAINTENANCE ENDOWMENT |
| US OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC FOUNDATION | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FOUR WINDS INC | DEAR HARBOR, WA | $50,000 | 2025 | SKY AND SEA CAMPAIGN |
| REX FOUNDATION | SAN ANSEIMO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | EVENT SPONSORSHIP |
| CRANE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| FRACTURED ATLAS PRODUCTIONS INC | HARTSDALE, NY | $40,000 | 2025 | PLAYS IN VERSE |
| ASPEN CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES | ASPEN, CO | $26,000 | 2025 | ENDOWMENT PADDLE RAISE |
| THACHER SCHOOL INC | OJAI, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION OF SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | CSUCI BSN NURSING PROGRAM 5 SCHOLARSHIPS |
| TRANSITION HOUSE | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| O-HIGHER ED | OJAI, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HEAL THE OCEAN | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NEIGHBORS FOR A BETTER SAN FRANCISCO | SAN RAFEAL, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GOS RESTRICTED TO SANTA BARBARA COUNTY |
| THE ALCAZAR THEATRE | CARPINTERIA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | SOUND SYSTEM |
| LOBERO THEATRE FOUNDATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SURF HAPPENS FOUNDATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY - OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT | STANFORD, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | DOERR SCHOOL OF SUSTAINABILITY |
| ASPEN CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES | ASPEN, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ASPEN VALLEY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | ASPEN, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | IN HONOR OF JOHN SARPA |
| SB COUNTY IMMIGRANT LEGAL DEFENSE CENTER | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR INDIGENT IMMIGRANTS |
| SANTA BARBARA NEIGHBORHOOD CLINICS | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRACTURED ATLAS PRODUCTIONS INC | HARTSDALE, NY | $8,000 | 2025 | SJK ART & HUMANITY |
| FRACTURED ATLAS PRODUCTIONS INC | HARTSDALE, NY | $8,000 | 2025 | SJK ART & HUMANITY |
| FRACTURED ATLAS PRODUCTIONS INC | HARTSDALE, NY | $8,000 | 2025 | SJK ART & HUMANITY |
| FRACTURED ATLAS PRODUCTIONS INC | HARTSDALE, NY | $8,000 | 2025 | SJK ART & HUMANITY |
| SANTA BARBARA EDUCATION FOUNDATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $7,500 | 2025 | MISSION SCHOLARS |
| IMMIGRANT HOPE SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $7,500 | 2025 | HELP AND HOPE TO IMMIGRANTS IN SB COUNTY |
| ASPEN FILM | ASPEN, CO | $6,000 | 2025 | REAL BUTTER AT ISIS THEATER |
| DREAM FOUNDATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | FLOWER EMPOWER EVENT UNDERWRITING |
| SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FAMILY SERVICE AGENCY | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SANTA BARBARA HISTORICAL MUSEUM | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SANTA BARBARA RESCUE MISSION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LITTLE VILLAGE FOUNDATION | SOLVANG, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DREAM FOUNDATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FOUR WINDS INC | DEAR HARBOR, WA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COASTAL RANCHES CONSERVANCY | GAVIOTA, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SANTA BARBARA BUCKET BRIGADE | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | WALK MONTECITO |
| HEARST CASTLE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION | SAN RAMON, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TIP THE SPEAR LANDMINE REMOVAL INC | MILTON, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | UKRAINE METAL DETECTOR |
| ASPEN VALLEY SKI SNOWBOARD CLUB INC | ASPEN, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | IN HONR OF MICHAEL RUEGGEBURG |
| ASPEM WILDLIFE FOUNDATION | ASPEN, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOSPICE OF SANTA BARBARA INC | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PATIENT CARE SERVICES |
| HARVARD-WESTLAKE SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $3,500 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
LOAN FORGIVENESS
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN/BUILDING MAINTENANCE ENDOWMENT
FOUR WINDS INC
$50,000SKY AND SEA CAMPAIGN
REX FOUNDATION
$50,000EVENT SPONSORSHIP
CSUCI BSN NURSING PROGRAM 5 SCHOLARSHIPS
O-HIGHER ED
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PLANNED PARENTHOOD SANTA BARBARA
$10,000GOS RESTRICTED TO SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
THE ALCAZAR THEATRE
$10,000SOUND SYSTEM
SURF HAPPENS FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR INDIGENT IMMIGRANTS
IMMIGRANT HOPE SANTA BARBARA
$7,500HELP AND HOPE TO IMMIGRANTS IN SB COUNTY
DREAM FOUNDATION
$5,000FLOWER EMPOWER EVENT UNDERWRITING
SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LITTLE VILLAGE FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DREAM FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FOUR WINDS INC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COASTAL RANCHES CONSERVANCY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HEARST CASTLE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TIP THE SPEAR LANDMINE REMOVAL INC
$5,000UKRAINE METAL DETECTOR
ASPEM WILDLIFE FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HARVARD-WESTLAKE SCHOOL
$3,500ANNUAL FUND