The Croul Family Foundation concentrates its giving in Orange County, CA, with large, multi-year gifts to a small set of local institutions. Its philanthropy is split between Catholic faith-based support and civic arts institutions, signaling an interest in sustaining religious community infrastructure and regional cultural assets. Grants are sizable and repetitive to favored organizations rather than broadly distributed across many recipients.
Concentrated giving: few, large grants with repeat funding to the same organizations (three grants to Orange Catholic Foundation and multiple grants to Orange County Museum of Art), favoring established local institutions over many small or new grantees.
A $250,000 annual pattern to Orange Catholic Foundation stands out in the Croul Family Foundation’s recent grant history, showing how the foundation sustains a small circle of Orange County institutions across multiple years. The grants are not broadly scattered; they concentrate on local organizations that serve Catholic philanthropic work, museums, libraries, food access, and other community supports. Orange County Museum of Art also appears at the same scale across 2023, 2024, and 2025, reinforcing the foundation’s repeated support for regional cultural institutions. The foundation’s giving mixes faith-based and civic priorities. On one side are Catholic organizations such as Orange Catholic Foundation and parish-linked work in Orange County. On the other are museums, libraries, and public-serving nonprofits including Newport Beach Library Foundation, Ocean Institute, and Goodwill Industries of Orange County. The repeated awards suggest a grantmaker that favors ongoing institutional support for established local groups rather than one-time, widely distributed grants. Recent grants also include support for education-related organizations and community services, indicating a portfolio that reaches beyond religion and the arts while remaining centered on Orange County.
Catholic philanthropy is one of the clearest threads in the Croul Family Foundation’s grant history. They gave $250,000 to Orange Catholic Foundation for program support, and the foundation’s stated focus includes parish, diocesan, and other faith-based programs in Orange County. Cultural institutions are another visible priority. Orange County Museum of Art received $131,000 for program support in 2023, 2024, and 2025, while Newport Beach Library Foundation received $100,000 in 2023 and $50,000 in 2024 and 2025. The foundation also backs food and human-services groups. Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County received $50,000 for program support, and Bracken’s Kitchen received $50,000 in 2025. Educational support appears as well, including $60,000 to Samueli Academy and $50,000 to Vista Charter Public Schools.
Typical grant size is modest to mid-sized: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $25,000. The recent-grants list also shows a higher-cap range, with several awards at $50,000 and above. This is a recurring grantmaker. Orange Catholic Foundation, Orange County Museum of Art, Newport Beach Library Foundation, Ocean Institute, Crystal Cove Conservancy, Goodwill Industries of Orange County, and Surfing Heritage appear in multiple years, often at the same or similar amounts. The structure is family foundation giving, with grants made through program support, operating/capacity support, and related grant categories. The foundation accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry for several grant programs, and some larger awards require an LOI followed by invitation.
$1.4M
$24M
$2.8M
$1.7M
Most grants fall between $1K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Notable grantees: Orange Catholic Foundation, Orange County Museum of Art, OC Museum of Art
Giving is highly concentrated in Orange County, California, which accounts for 69% of grants in the foundation’s HQ state of California. Recent recipient cities include Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Dana Point, Costa Mesa, Irvine, and San Clemente, with additional grants in Chino, Claremont, and Los Angeles. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 252 grants going to U.S. organizations.
The foundation funds 501(c)(3) organizations serving Orange County, California, with an emphasis on K–12 educational outcomes, food banks, shelters, homeless services, veterans, and economically disadvantaged populations. Its recent grants also include Catholic organizations and regional arts institutions.
Yes. Several active programs accept unsolicited letters of inquiry from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations. Some larger grants follow an LOI process and require an invitation to submit a full application.
The foundation’s typical grant size is $1,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. Its programs also include awards up to $50,000.
The foundation gives most often in California, and 69% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Its grantmaking is centered on Orange County cities such as Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Dana Point, and Irvine.
Recurring support is a clear pattern. Orange Catholic Foundation, Orange County Museum of Art, Newport Beach Library Foundation, and Ocean Institute each appear across multiple recent years, often with repeated program support at similar amounts.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORANGE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION | GARDEN GROVE, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| OC MUSEUM OF ART | COSTA MESA, CA | $131,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE | CLAREMONT, CA | $62,932 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SURFING ERITAGE FOUNDATION | SAN CLEMENTE, CA | $60,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NEWPORT BEACH LIBRARY FOUNDATION | NEWPORT BEACH, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CRYSTAL COVE CONSERVANCY | NEWPORT BEACH, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF ORANGE COOUNTY | SANTA ANA, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PLANES OF FAME AIR MUSEUM | CHINO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| OCEAN INSTITUTE | DANA POINT, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BRACKEN'S KITCHEN | GARDEN GROVE, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PROJECT HOPE ALLIANCE | COSTA MESA, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | CORVALLIS, OR | $34,189 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK | IRVINE, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PACIFIC CLUB IMPACT FOUNDATION | NEWPORT BEACH, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NEWPORT BALBOA SAILING & SEAMANSHIP ASSOCIATION | NEWPORT BEACH, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| KID WORKS COMMUNITY DEVEOPMENT CORPORATION | SANTA ANA, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GET INSPIRED | GARDEN GROVE, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PARENTIS FOUNDATION | LAGUNA HILLS, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HIGH SCHOOL INC ACADEMIES FOUNDATION | IRVINE, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ECO CENTER INC | SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN CAREER COLLEGE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | IRVINE, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SURFING | SEATTLE, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $21,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| AMERICA ON TRACK | SANTA ANA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MERCY HOUSE LIVING CENTERS | SANTA ANA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GIRLS INC OF OC | SANTA ANA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PEBBLE BEACH COMPANY FOUNDATION | PEBBLE BEACH, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| EXHALE AN AFTER- ABORTION COUNSELING TALKLINE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FOOD BANK OF NEVADA COUNTY | GRASS VALLEY, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE PRIORITY CENTER | SANTA ANA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE WOODEN FLOOR FOR YOUTH MOVEMENT | SANTA ANA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SUSANVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | SUSANVILLE, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| INTERFAITH FOOD MINISTRY OF NEVADA COUNTY | GRASS VALLEY, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SPARE A DIME INC | SUSANVILLE, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GOLD COUNTRY COMMUNITY SERVICES | GRASS VALLEY, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LAGUNA ART MUSEUM | LAGUNA BEACH, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LASSEN FAMILY SERVICES INC | SUSANVILLE, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SAINT JOHN VIANNEY CHAPEL | NEWPORT BEACH, CA | $7,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH | CAMARILLO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE CONSERVANCY | LOUISVILLE, KY | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE UCLA FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $3,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NEWPORT BEACH POLICE ASSOCIATION | NEWPORT BEACH, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| OJAI RAPTOR CENTER | OAK VIEW, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NETWORK FOR GOODS INC | WASHINTGON, DC | $2,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT IRVINE FOUNDATION | IRVINE, CA | $2,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY LONG BEACH RESEARCH FOUNDATION | LONG BEACH, CA | $1,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DECORATIVE ARTS SOCIETY | NEWPORT BEACH, CA | $1,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | ITHACA, NY | $1,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DESERT SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION | PALM DESERT, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE COLLEAGUES | SANTA MONICA, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
ORANGE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION
$250,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
OC MUSEUM OF ART
$131,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE
$62,932PROGRAM SUPPORT
SURFING ERITAGE FOUNDATION
$60,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
NEWPORT BEACH LIBRARY FOUNDATION
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CRYSTAL COVE CONSERVANCY
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF ORANGE COOUNTY
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PLANES OF FAME AIR MUSEUM
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
OCEAN INSTITUTE
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
BRACKEN'S KITCHEN
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PROJECT HOPE ALLIANCE
$40,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$34,189PROGRAM SUPPORT
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK
$30,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PACIFIC CLUB IMPACT FOUNDATION
$30,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
NEWPORT BALBOA SAILING & SEAMANSHIP ASSOCIATION
$30,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
KID WORKS COMMUNITY DEVEOPMENT CORPORATION
$30,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
GET INSPIRED
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PARENTIS FOUNDATION
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
HIGH SCHOOL INC ACADEMIES FOUNDATION
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ECO CENTER INC
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
AMERICAN CAREER COLLEGE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SURFING
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO
$21,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
AMERICA ON TRACK
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MERCY HOUSE LIVING CENTERS
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
GIRLS INC OF OC
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PEBBLE BEACH COMPANY FOUNDATION
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
EXHALE AN AFTER- ABORTION COUNSELING TALKLINE
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
FOOD BANK OF NEVADA COUNTY
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE PRIORITY CENTER
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE WOODEN FLOOR FOR YOUTH MOVEMENT
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
SUSANVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
INTERFAITH FOOD MINISTRY OF NEVADA COUNTY
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
SPARE A DIME INC
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
GOLD COUNTRY COMMUNITY SERVICES
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
LAGUNA ART MUSEUM
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
LASSEN FAMILY SERVICES INC
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
SAINT JOHN VIANNEY CHAPEL
$7,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE CONSERVANCY
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE UCLA FOUNDATION
$3,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
NEWPORT BEACH POLICE ASSOCIATION
$2,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
OJAI RAPTOR CENTER
$2,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
NETWORK FOR GOODS INC
$2,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT IRVINE FOUNDATION
$2,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY LONG BEACH RESEARCH FOUNDATION
$1,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
DECORATIVE ARTS SOCIETY
$1,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
$1,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
DESERT SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
$1,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE COLLEAGUES
$1,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
Current and upcoming funding from Croul Family Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Interested 501(c)(3) organizations are welcome to submit a Letter of Inquiry. Organizations are encouraged to review the grant criteria prior to submitting an LOI. Select organizations are invited to submit a full Grant Application after review.
Deadline: Letter of Inquiry deadline is September 1.
Who can apply: Interested 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible to submit a Letter of Inquiry. Organizations are encouraged to review the Grant Criteria before applying. The foundation focuses on organizations serving Orange County, California.
Deadline: Letter of Inquiry deadline: September 1.
Who can apply: Applicant must be a public charity organized under IRC sec. 501(c)(3) and qualified under IRC sec. 170(b)(1)(A). Grants not available for start-up organizations.
Deadline: Letter of Inquiry deadline: September 1 (annual). Basic Grant application available via private URL from Grant Administrator.
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