The Cotsen Foundation for the Art of Teaching concentrates almost exclusively on funding K–12 teacher mentoring and induction programs in Southern California public school districts. Their grants are large, district-level awards intended to support mentor programs that strengthen teacher practice and retention across urban and suburban districts. The foundation’s giving is programmatic and operationally focused rather than arts- or capital-focused despite the founder’s name, privileging direct school partnerships over intermediary nonprofits.
Cotsen Foundation for the Art of Teaching is defined by a long-running commitment to mentor-based teacher development in Southern California public school districts. Its largest recent grant, $1,589,864 to Los Angeles Unified School District in 2024, reflects a district-level model rather than small project grants, with support flowing directly into school systems that run the ART of TEACHING program. That pattern repeats across other large awards to districts such as Buena Park School District, Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District, and Fullerton School District. The foundation’s work centers on helping experienced teachers deepen instructional practice through mentoring, coaching cycles, inquiry, and professional learning. It also extends that model beyond the initial fellowship through alumni support, including study grants, strategic opportunity grants, conference support, and classroom library grants. The recent grants list shows the same basic structure across years: grants tied to participation in the ART of TEACHING network, with schools and districts receiving resources to sustain the work begun in the program. A smaller set of grants also appears for network partners such as The Acme Network.
Teacher mentoring and induction is the clearest cause area in the foundation’s grantmaking. In 2024, it gave $591,829 to Buena Park School District for a mentor program and $589,604 to Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District for the same purpose. The foundation also supports professional growth inside the ART of TEACHING network through grants for alumni study, strategic opportunities, and conference participation. Those awards are designed to extend the work of fellows and mentors after the formal program ends. In addition, the grant list includes support for teaching and learning tools, classroom libraries, and family engagement activities tied to Cotsen-affiliated schools and districts. A smaller general-support grant to The Acme Network in South Pasadena shows that the foundation also funds network participants beyond district mentor programs.
The typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $12,000 at the median, and $139,796 at the 75th percentile, indicating a split between smaller network grants and much larger district awards. The recent grants are not one-off gifts: the same districts appear in multiple years, including Los Angeles Unified School District, Buena Park School District, Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District, Fullerton School District, Long Beach Unified School District, and others. The foundation is a regular funder and funds individuals as well as institutions, including alumni-focused grants in its ART of TEACHING network. Its grantmaking is programmatic and tied to an established fellowship and mentor model rather than open-ended applications across broad fields.
$8.1M
$289.8M
$17.9M
$15.9M
Most grants fall between $5K and $140K, with a median of $12K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$12K
75th Percentile
$140K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Highly concentrated giving: a small number of very large grants to public school districts, repeating support to major recipients (e.g., LAUSD), focused on a single program type (mentor programs) rather than many small or diverse grants.
Notable grantees: Los Angeles Unified School District, Buena Park School District, Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District, Fullerton School District, Long Beach Unified School District
Grantmaking is highly concentrated in California, where recipients account for 71% of grants and the state ranks first by grant count. Recent awards land in Los Angeles, Buena Park, Norwalk, Fullerton, Long Beach, Rowland Heights, Whittier, Tustin, Pomona, and El Segundo, with additional grants in Santa Monica, Walnut, Monrovia, and South Pasadena. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 91 grants to U.S. organizations and no non-U.S. recipient countries in the recent data.
The foundation focuses on K–12 public school districts and network participants tied to the ART of TEACHING program. Recent grants include district mentor programs, support for schools and districts participating in the fellowship, and alumni grants for teachers who have completed the program.
The distribution is wide: $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $12,000 at the median, and $139,796 at the 75th percentile. That pattern suggests a mix of smaller alumni or network grants and much larger district-level mentor program awards.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Los Angeles Unified School District, Buena Park School District, Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District, Fullerton School District, Long Beach Unified School District, Whittier City School District, and Pomona Unified School District.
California receives the vast majority of grants, with 71% going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Recent recipient cities include Los Angeles, Buena Park, Norwalk, Fullerton, Long Beach, Rowland Heights, Whittier, Tustin, Pomona, and El Segundo.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals, including alumni study grants and alumni strategic opportunity grants for fellows and mentors who have completed the ART of TEACHING program.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Cotsen Foundation for the Art of Teaching that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Applicants must be Cotsen alumni and classroom teachers. Current fellows and mentors are not eligible. Funds may not be used for guided reading text sets or library organization materials such as bins and shelves.
Deadline: Applications accepted daily; no deadline stated.
Who can apply: Applicants must be Cotsen alumni classroom teachers or consistently work with a dedicated group of students. Current fellows and mentors are not eligible. Funds may not be used for consumable materials or organization materials such as bins and shelves.
Deadline: Applications accepted daily; no deadline stated.
Who can apply: Current Fellows, Mentors, and Alumni of the ART of TEACHING may apply. School projects must involve the principal and at least half the school staff, or all upper-grade or all lower-grade teachers. Funds may not be used for participant stipends, financial compensation, or gift cards.
Deadline: Applications accepted daily; no deadline.
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,647,898 | 2026 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| WALNUT VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | WALNUT, CA | $739,790 | 2026 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| LONG BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | LONG BEACH, CA | $690,999 | 2026 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| NORWALK-LA MIRADA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | NORWALK, CA | $661,422 | 2026 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| CENTRALIA SCHOOL DISTRICT | BUENA PARK, CA | $635,316 | 2026 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| FULLERTON SCHOOL DISTRICT | FULLERTON, CA | $532,192 | 2026 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| FOUNTAIN VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT | FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA | $500,497 | 2026 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| POMONA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | POMONA, CA | $461,178 | 2026 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| BUENA PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT | BUENA PARK, CA | $446,580 | 2026 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| SANTA MONICA-MALIBU UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | SANTA MONICA, CA | $390,146 | 2026 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| WISEBURN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | EL SEGUNDO, CA | $312,804 | 2026 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| WHITTIER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | WHITTIER, CA | $299,475 | 2026 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| EAST WHITTIER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | WHITTIER, CA | $223,870 | 2026 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| LARCHMONT CHARTER SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $208,607 | 2026 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| TUSTIN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | TUSTIN, CA | $204,315 | 2026 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| GRANTS TO TEACHERS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $162,944 | 2026 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| THE ACME NETWORK | SOUTH PASADENA, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOCIETY FOR AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY | WASHINGTON, DC | $30,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| CAAASA | GRANADA HILLS, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE UNITY BRANCH |
| ISRAEL-AMERICA ACADEMIC EXCHANGE | BEVERLY HILLS, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GABRIELLA CHARTER SCHOOLS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $16,500 | 2026 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ROME | DALLAS, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS + FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN |
| DANCE AND DIALOGUE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ROWLAND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | ROWLAND HEIGHTS, CA | $14,765 | 2026 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| LOS ANGELES REVIEW OF BOOKS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $12,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE HUNTINGTON LIBRARY | SAN MARINO, CA | $12,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GO PROJECT INC | NEW YORK, NY | $12,000 | 2026 | SUMMER TEACHER TRAINING |
| LAUREL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | DIVERSITY IN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE |
| CALIFORNIA COMPETES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SCRIPPS COLLEGE | CLAREMONT, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF THE ARTS | VALENCIA, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | CAP + REDCAT |
| DALY HSA INC | PORT WASHINGTON, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ROOSEVELT PTA - SANTA MONICA INC | SANTA MONICA, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| LOS ALAMITOS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | LOS ALAMITOS, CA | $9,800 | 2026 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA | HAGERSTOWN, MD | $8,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PORT WASHINGTON UFSD | PORT WASHINGTON, NY | $8,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR JOHN J. DALY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $6,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY | STATE COLLEGE, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | STANISH ENHANCEMENT FUND |
| GOFUNDME | REDWOOD CITY, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | LA FIREFIGHTERS BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER |
| PANETTA INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY | SEASIDE, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UCLA FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | MUSIC AND KIDNEY EVENT |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA FOUNDATION | TAMPA, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | ANTHROPOLOGY OPERATING FUND |
| PASADENA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | PASADENA, CA | $4,000 | 2026 | EATON FIRE RESPONSE |
| FUNDS FOR THE BIBLIOTECA INC | LAREDO, TX | $2,500 | 2026 | LITERACY & ART EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,564,993 | 2025 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| SANTA MONICA-MALIBU UNIFIED SCHOOL DIST | SANTA MONICA, CA | $755,156 | 2025 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| NORWALK-LA MIRADA UNIFIED SCHOOL DIST | NORWALK, CA | $752,988 | 2025 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| LONG BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | LONG BEACH, CA | $743,608 | 2025 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| BUENA PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT | BUENA PARK, CA | $635,943 | 2025 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
| FULLERTON SCHOOL DISTRICT | FULLERTON, CA | $563,377 | 2025 | MENTOR PROGRAM |
WALNUT VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$739,790MENTOR PROGRAM
LONG BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$690,999MENTOR PROGRAM
NORWALK-LA MIRADA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$661,422MENTOR PROGRAM
CENTRALIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
$635,316MENTOR PROGRAM
FULLERTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
$532,192MENTOR PROGRAM
FOUNTAIN VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$500,497MENTOR PROGRAM
POMONA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$461,178MENTOR PROGRAM
BUENA PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT
$446,580MENTOR PROGRAM
SANTA MONICA-MALIBU UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$390,146MENTOR PROGRAM
WISEBURN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$312,804MENTOR PROGRAM
WHITTIER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$299,475MENTOR PROGRAM
EAST WHITTIER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$223,870MENTOR PROGRAM
LARCHMONT CHARTER SCHOOL
$208,607MENTOR PROGRAM
TUSTIN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$204,315MENTOR PROGRAM
GRANTS TO TEACHERS
$162,944MENTOR PROGRAM
THE ACME NETWORK
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SOCIETY FOR AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY
$30,000SCHOLARSHIPS
CAAASA
$30,000SUPPORT THE UNITY BRANCH
GABRIELLA CHARTER SCHOOLS
$16,500MENTOR PROGRAM
THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ROME
$15,000SCHOLARSHIPS + FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
DANCE AND DIALOGUE
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ROWLAND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$14,765MENTOR PROGRAM
LOS ANGELES REVIEW OF BOOKS
$12,500GENERAL SUPPORT
DALY HSA INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ROOSEVELT PTA - SANTA MONICA INC
$10,000MENTOR PROGRAM
LOS ALAMITOS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$9,800MENTOR PROGRAM
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA
$8,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PORT WASHINGTON UFSD
$8,000SUPPORT FOR JOHN J. DALY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
$5,000STANISH ENHANCEMENT FUND
FUNDS FOR THE BIBLIOTECA INC
$2,500LITERACY & ART EDUCATION PROGRAMS
SANTA MONICA-MALIBU UNIFIED SCHOOL DIST
$755,156MENTOR PROGRAM
NORWALK-LA MIRADA UNIFIED SCHOOL DIST
$752,988MENTOR PROGRAM
LONG BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$743,608MENTOR PROGRAM
BUENA PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT
$635,943MENTOR PROGRAM
FULLERTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
$563,377MENTOR PROGRAM