The Don and Barbara Chapin Foundation focuses on local, direct-service charities in the Salinas area, prioritizing hands-on youth vocational training and basic health supports for low-income families. The bulk of their funding goes to a single partner that provides construction trades education for disadvantaged youth, with a smaller allocation to home health care for low-income households. Their giving emphasizes practical, workforce-oriented outcomes and community-level impact.
The Don and Barbara Chapin Foundation gives repeatedly to a small circle of local organizations serving Salinas-area youth, families, and animals, with Rancho Cielo receiving the largest recent grants for tool belts and tools used in construction education. That pattern points to a funder centered on practical, direct-service support rather than broad institutional grantmaking. In the recent grants list, the foundation also backed Coastal Kids Homecare for home health care for low-income families and Yosal for music programs for kids, showing attention to both basic needs and youth enrichment. Additional grants to SPCA Monterey County, Monterey Jr Cycling Development, and North County Youth Recreation Assoc. suggest a mix of hands-on youth development, recreation, and animal care within the same local network. The foundation’s giving is highly concentrated in California and especially around Salinas, with most grants going to recipients in the same region as its headquarters. Its recent record shows a pattern of multi-year support for several organizations rather than isolated one-off awards, with recurring grants visible across 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Vocational training is one of the clearest through-lines in the foundation’s recent awards. Rancho Cielo received $15,000 in 2023, $11,000 in 2024, and $10,000 in 2025 for tool belts and tools for construction education. Youth arts and recreation also appear in the record: Yosal received $7,500 in 2024 and $5,000 in both 2023 and 2025 for music programs for kids, while Monterey Jr Cycling Development received $5,000 in 2025 to promote youth cycling and physical fitness. The foundation also supports basic services. Coastal Kids Homecare received $7,500 in 2023, $5,000 in 2024, and $10,000 in 2025 for home health care for low-income families. In health-related youth work, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society received $2,500 in 2023 for leukemia and lymphoma research.
Typical grants are small: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $2,000, and the 75th percentile is $3,500. The recent record also includes larger recurring awards in the $5,000 to $15,000 range, but most gifts cluster below that level. Several recipients appear in multiple years, which indicates repeat support rather than isolated one-time grants. The foundation is not a funder of individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its grants are predominantly restricted, direct-service awards tied to specific projects or services.
$88K
$895K
$208K
$184K
Most grants fall between $1K and $4K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$4K
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Highly concentrated and local: a small number of relatively modest grants, with repeated, large share of funding directed to one core grantee (Rancho Cielo) and occasional support to other nearby service providers.
Notable grantees: Rancho Cielo, Coastal Kids Homecare
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local. California recipients account for 96% of grants, and the country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Salinas appears repeatedly among recipient locations, including Salinas, Castroville, Monterey, Hollister, Pacific Grove, Carmel, and Santa Rosa. The giving pattern shows a Monterey County core with some neighboring Central Coast reach, but not a broader regional or national spread.
The foundation backs local direct-service organizations, with recent grants in construction education, home health care, music programs for kids, youth recreation, animal care and rescue, literacy, and youth advocacy. Several awards are tied to specific programs or equipment rather than general operating support.
Its grant sizes are modest. The 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $2,000, and the 75th percentile is $3,500. Recent awards also include larger repeat grants such as $10,000 and $15,000.
Yes. Multiple recipients appear across 2023, 2024, and 2025, including Rancho Cielo, Coastal Kids Homecare, Yosal, SPCA Monterey County, and Casa of Monterey County. That pattern suggests ongoing support for a core group of local partners.
The foundation gives mainly in California, where 96% of grants go to recipients in the state. Recipient cities in the recent list include Salinas, Castroville, Monterey, Hollister, Pacific Grove, Carmel, and Santa Rosa.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals, and it does not make program-related investments.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COASTAL KIDS HOMECARE | SALINAS, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | HOME HEALTH CARE FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES |
| RANCHO CIELO | SALINAS, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TOOL BELTS AND TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION |
| SPCA MONTEREY COUNTY | Salinas, CA | $5,500 | 2025 | ANIMAL CARE & RESCUE |
| HARMONY AT HOME | CARMEL, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | Program Support |
| YOSAL | SALINAS, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | MUSIC PROGRAMS FOR KIDS |
| MONTEREY JR CYCLING DEVELOPMENT | Pacific Grove, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROMOTE YOUTH CYCLING & PHYSICAL FITNESS |
| NORTH MONTEREY COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL | Castroville, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION SUPPORT |
| CANINE COMPANIONS | SANTA ROSA, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | Program Support |
| UNITED FOR SAN BENITO | HOLLISTER, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | Program Support |
| BRIGHTER BITES | Salinas, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE HEALTHY NUTRITION |
| THE AGRICULTURAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL | Salinas, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | Promote Leadership in Agriculture |
| DOOR TO HOPE | SALINAS, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | Program Support |
| SALINAS REGIONAL SPORTS AUTHORITY | Salinas, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | Support Youth Sports & Activities |
| YOUTH ON COURSE | Monterey, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT YOUTH ON COURSE PROGRAM |
| CASA OF MONTEREY COUNTY | Salinas, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | YOUTH ADVOCACY |
| NORTH COUNTY BULLDOGS | CASTROVILLE, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | YOUTH PROGRAMS |
| MADONNA DEL SASSO SCHOOL | SALINAS, CA | $1,500 | 2025 | Support Student and School Programs |
| SALINAS AREA RIF PROGRAM | SALINAS, CA | $1,500 | 2025 | BOOKS FOR CHILDREN |
| LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY | Pasadena, CA | $1,500 | 2025 | LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA RESEARCH |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL PARENTS CLUB | SALINAS, CA | $1,500 | 2025 | Support Student and School Programs |
| SALINAS FC UNION | Salinas, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | Promote developmental soccer |
| LIVE FOR ROSS | SALINAS, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | Program Support |
| MAX'S HELPING PAWS FOUNDATION | Carmel, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL HEALTHCARE AND WELLBEING |
| SAND CITY VOLLEYBALL CLUB | Monterey, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | YOUTH SPORTS |
| SOLEDAD POLICE DEPT YOUTH PREVENTIO | SOLEDAD, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | Provide Youth Support |
| NORTH MONTEREY COUNTY HS BOOSTERS | Salinas, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | Program Support |
| SECOND CHANCE AT LOVE HUMANE SOCIET | TEMPLETON, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | Program Support |
| THE BLAZIN GATORS | MARINA, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | Program Support |
| CASTROVILLE COALITION | CASTROVILLE, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | Program Support |
| SAN BENITO COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH SER | HOLLISTER, CA | $300 | 2025 | Public Health Support |
| SALINAS BOWMAN INC | SALINAS, CA | $100 | 2025 | Program Support |
| RANCHO CIELO | SALINAS, CA | $11,000 | 2024 | TOOL BELTS AND TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION |
| YOSAL | SALINAS, CA | $7,500 | 2024 | MUSIC PROGRAMS FOR KIDS |
| COASTAL KIDS HOMECARE | SALINAS, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | HOME HEALTH CARE FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES |
| SPCA MONTEREY COUNTY | Salinas, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | ANIMAL CARE & RESCUE |
| WHITE STAG LEADERSHIP DEVELOP ACADE | Monterey, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | Program Support |
| SUN STREET CENTERS | Salinas, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | Program Support |
| KIWANIS LITERACY CLUB OF SALINAS | Salinas, CA | $3,000 | 2024 | Advance Literacy in Community |
| CASA OF MONTEREY COUNTY | Salinas, CA | $2,500 | 2024 | YOUTH ADVOCACY |
| THE AGRICULTURAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL | Salinas, CA | $2,500 | 2024 | Promote Leadership in Agriculture |
| HOLLISTER FFA ALUMNI | Hollister, CA | $2,500 | 2024 | Promote FFA and agricultural education initiatives |
| HOPE HORSES AND KIDS | SALINAS, CA | $2,500 | 2024 | FULFILL STATED MISSION |
| ERNIE CAMACHO ED FOUNDATION | SALINAS, CA | $2,500 | 2024 | BASEBALL CAMP |
| NORTH COUNTY RECREATION PARK DISTRI | Castroville, CA | $2,000 | 2024 | Program Support |
| SAND CITY VOLLEYBALL CLUB | Monterey, CA | $2,000 | 2024 | YOUTH SPORTS |
| CASTROVILLE ARTICHOKE FESTIVAL INC | Castroville, CA | $1,500 | 2024 | Program Support |
| ANIMAL FRIENDS RESCUE PROJECT | PACIFIC GROVE, CA | $1,500 | 2024 | ANIMAL RESCUE PROJECTS |
| MAX'S HELPING PAWS FOUNDATION | Carmel, CA | $1,000 | 2024 | ANIMAL HEALTHCARE AND WELLBEING |
| YOUTH ON COURSE | Monterey, CA | $1,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT YOUTH ON COURSE PROGRAM |
| NORTH MONTEREY COUNTY FOOTBALL BOOS | Salinas, CA | $1,000 | 2024 | Program Support |
RANCHO CIELO
$10,000TOOL BELTS AND TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION
YOSAL
$5,000MUSIC PROGRAMS FOR KIDS
MONTEREY JR CYCLING DEVELOPMENT
PROMOTE YOUTH CYCLING & PHYSICAL FITNESS
NORTH MONTEREY COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
$5,000EDUCATION SUPPORT
UNITED FOR SAN BENITO
$5,000Program Support
BRIGHTER BITES
$2,500TO PROMOTE HEALTHY NUTRITION
THE AGRICULTURAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
$2,500Promote Leadership in Agriculture
DOOR TO HOPE
$2,500Program Support
CASA OF MONTEREY COUNTY
$2,500YOUTH ADVOCACY
NORTH COUNTY BULLDOGS
$2,500YOUTH PROGRAMS
MADONNA DEL SASSO SCHOOL
$1,500Support Student and School Programs
SALINAS AREA RIF PROGRAM
$1,500BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
SACRED HEART SCHOOL PARENTS CLUB
$1,500Support Student and School Programs
SALINAS FC UNION
$1,000Promote developmental soccer
LIVE FOR ROSS
$1,000Program Support
MAX'S HELPING PAWS FOUNDATION
$1,000ANIMAL HEALTHCARE AND WELLBEING
SAND CITY VOLLEYBALL CLUB
$1,000YOUTH SPORTS
SOLEDAD POLICE DEPT YOUTH PREVENTIO
$1,000Provide Youth Support
NORTH MONTEREY COUNTY HS BOOSTERS
$1,000Program Support
SECOND CHANCE AT LOVE HUMANE SOCIET
$1,000Program Support
THE BLAZIN GATORS
$1,000Program Support
CASTROVILLE COALITION
$1,000Program Support
SAN BENITO COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH SER
$300Public Health Support
SALINAS BOWMAN INC
$100Program Support
RANCHO CIELO
$11,000TOOL BELTS AND TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION
YOSAL
$7,500MUSIC PROGRAMS FOR KIDS
WHITE STAG LEADERSHIP DEVELOP ACADE
$5,000Program Support
KIWANIS LITERACY CLUB OF SALINAS
$3,000Advance Literacy in Community
CASA OF MONTEREY COUNTY
$2,500YOUTH ADVOCACY
THE AGRICULTURAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
$2,500Promote Leadership in Agriculture
HOLLISTER FFA ALUMNI
$2,500Promote FFA and agricultural education initiatives
HOPE HORSES AND KIDS
$2,500FULFILL STATED MISSION
ERNIE CAMACHO ED FOUNDATION
$2,500BASEBALL CAMP
NORTH COUNTY RECREATION PARK DISTRI
$2,000Program Support
SAND CITY VOLLEYBALL CLUB
$2,000YOUTH SPORTS
CASTROVILLE ARTICHOKE FESTIVAL INC
$1,500Program Support
ANIMAL FRIENDS RESCUE PROJECT
$1,500ANIMAL RESCUE PROJECTS
MAX'S HELPING PAWS FOUNDATION
$1,000ANIMAL HEALTHCARE AND WELLBEING
NORTH MONTEREY COUNTY FOOTBALL BOOS
$1,000Program Support