The Gary and Mary West Charitable Trust concentrates almost all of its giving on health-related organizations it controls or founded, funding large-scale operational support and applied medical research alongside health policy and policy research efforts. Grants are overwhelmingly directed to two affiliated entities — a health research institute and a health policy center — indicating a strategic focus on translating medical research into policy and practice rather than a broad portfolio of external grantees.
The Gary and Mary West Charitable Trust’s largest recent grant was $36,000,000 to the Gary and Mary West Health Institute in 2025, earmarked for operations and applied medical research initiatives. That scale, paired with a $12,000,000 grant to the Gary and Mary West Health Policy Center Inc. in Washington, DC, shows a funder built around affiliated organizations rather than a broad open grant portfolio. Across the recent grants list, the trust repeatedly backs health research, health policy analysis, and operating support for entities tied to the West health network. The trust also funds older-adult services in San Diego County and nearby communities. Serving Seniors appears with grants for integrated care coordination and for operations at the Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center, while Interfaith Community Services Inc. received support for senior services in North San Diego County. Other recipients include the Gary and Mary West Senior Dental Center Inc., Legal Aid Society of San Diego Inc., The Scan Foundation, Challenge Center, Apple Tree Dental, Intercultural Senior Center, and Outlook Enrichment. The pattern suggests a funder focused on translating research into practice, with aging-related service delivery and policy work as parallel priorities.
Aging services are a major thread in the trust’s grantmaking. Serving Seniors received $261,000 in 2024 and $130,500 in 2025 for integrated care coordination, plus $168,000 in 2024 and $105,000 in 2025 for operations at the Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center. The trust also supports senior support infrastructure in North San Diego County. Interfaith Community Services Inc. received $100,000 in 2024 and two $50,000 grants in 2025 for senior services in North San Diego County. In oral health, Apple Tree Dental received $36,400 in 2024 and $36,400 in 2025 for the Healthy Aging Project. Policy and advocacy are another clear lane. The Scan Foundation received $150,000 in 2024 to support the California Master Plan for Aging project, and Legal Aid Society of San Diego Inc. received $192,500 in 2024 and $192,500 in 2025 for the Health Advocacy Project.
Typical awards cluster tightly around the mid-$20,000 range, with p25 at $23,500, median grant size at $27,500, and p75 at $140,250. The trust’s recent giving also includes several very large operating and research grants, creating a wide spread between routine awards and major institutional support. Recipients often reappear across multiple years: the Gary and Mary West Health Institute, the Gary and Mary West Health Policy Center, Serving Seniors, Interfaith Community Services Inc., Apple Tree Dental, and Challenge Center each received repeat funding. The trust is a charitable trust and makes program-related investments.
$57.4M
$411.2M
$131.7M
$63.6M
Most grants fall between $24K and $140K, with a median of $28K.
25th Percentile
$24K
Median
$28K
75th Percentile
$140K
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Very concentrated, high-dollar funding to a small number of affiliated organizations; multiple large grants to the same entities rather than dispersed or small-dollar grants to many partners.
Notable grantees: Gary and Mary West Health Institute, Gary and Mary West Health Policy Center Inc, Gary and Mary West Health Policy Center
Grant dollars land mostly in California, which accounts for 52% of grants to recipients in the HQ state, though the trust gives nationally. San Diego is the most visible recipient city, with grants to Serving Seniors, Legal Aid Society of San Diego Inc., Gary and Mary West Senior Dental Center Inc., and the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation. Washington, DC appears through the Gary and Mary West Health Policy Center. Outside California, recent grants reached Omaha, Nebraska; Mounds View, Minnesota; and Long Beach, California. All grants in the recent list went to US recipients.
The trust supports affiliated health research and policy organizations, plus older-adult service providers and aging-sector groups. Recent grants include operations and applied medical research support, integrated care coordination, senior services in North San Diego County, the Health Advocacy Project, the California Master Plan for Aging project, and healthy aging work.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including the Gary and Mary West Health Institute, the Gary and Mary West Health Policy Center, Serving Seniors, Interfaith Community Services Inc., Apple Tree Dental, and Challenge Center. That pattern points to recurring support rather than one-time awards only.
The distribution centers on smaller awards: p25 is $23,500, median grant size is $27,500, and p75 is $140,250. The recent list also includes much larger grants for affiliated health entities, so the trust uses both routine mid-sized grants and major institutional awards.
California is the top state by grant count, with 52% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. San Diego is the most common recipient city in the recent grants list, alongside grants to Washington, DC; Omaha, Nebraska; Mounds View, Minnesota; and Long Beach, California.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GARY AND MARY WEST HEALTH INSTITUTE | LA JOLLA, CA | $36,000,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS AND APPLIED MEDICAL RESEARCH INITIATIVES |
| GARY AND MARY WEST HEALTH POLICY CENTER INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $12,000,000 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT FOR EXPENDITURE RESPONSIBILITY GRANT |
| OMAHA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $520,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE TRUST'S CONTINUED EFFORTS IN FUNDING CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS |
| LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $192,500 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE HEALTH ADVOCACY PROJECT |
| SERVING SENIORS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $130,500 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT INTEGRATED CARE COORDINATION |
| SERVING SENIORS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $105,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS AT THE GARY AND MARY WEST SENIOR WELLNESS CENTER |
| SERVING SENIORS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $87,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT INTEGRATED CARE COORDINATION |
| SAN DIEGO SENIORS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SERVING SENIORS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $63,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS AT THE GARY AND MARY WEST SENIOR WELLNESS CENTER |
| INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES INC | ESCONDIDO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT SENIOR SERVICES IN NORTH SAN DIEGO COUNTY |
| INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES INC | ESCONDIDO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT SENIOR SERVICES IN NORTH SAN DIEGO COUNTY |
| APPLE TREE DENTAL | MOUNDS VIEW, MN | $36,400 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE HEALTHY AGING PROJECT |
| CHALLENGE CENTER | LA MESA, CA | $35,750 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT AGING WITH INDEPENDENCE AND DIGNITY |
| SAN DIEGO REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATIONS FOCUSED ON SUCCESSFUL AGING |
| SERVING SENIORS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | CHALLENGE GRANT TO SUPPLEMENT SERVING SENIORS OPERATIONS |
| SPECIAL FORCES CHARITABLE TRUST | SOUTHERN PINES, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES |
| LAKE NONA INSTITUTE INC | ORLANDO, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE LAKE NONA IMPACT FORUM 2025 |
| CHALLENGE CENTER | LA MESA, CA | $17,875 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT AGING WITH INDEPENDENCE AND DIGNITY |
| GIFFORD MEDICAL CENTER | RANDOLPH, VT | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT LAST MILE EVENT FOR END OF LIFE CARE |
| CALIFORNIA FOUNDATION ON AGING | SACRAMENTO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT CALIFORNIA COMMISSION ON AGING'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT |
| DENTAL LIFELINE NETWORK | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT DENTAL SERVICES FOR SENIORS |
| GRANTMAKERS IN AGING INC | WHITE PLAINS, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GRANTMAKERS IN AGING GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| THE SILVER GATE YACHT CLUB FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $7,500 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT HARBOR EXCURSIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES |
| GARY AND MARY WEST HEALTH INSTITUTE | LA JOLLA, CA | $22,000,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS AND APPLIED MEDICAL RESEARCH INITIATIVES |
| GARY AND MARY WEST HEALTH POLICY CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $6,000,000 | 2024 | SEE STATEMENT FOR EXPENDITURE RESPONSIBILITY GRANT |
| OMAHA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $519,950 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE TRUST'S CONTINUED EFFORTS IN FUNDING CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS |
| SERVING SENIORS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $261,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT INTEGRATED CARE COORDINATION |
| GARY AND MARY WEST SENIOR DENTAL CENTER INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $200,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATIONS AND SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING |
| LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $192,500 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE HEALTH ADVOCACY PROJECT |
| SERVING SENIORS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $168,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS AT THE GARY AND MARY WEST SENIOR WELLNESS CENTER |
| THE SCAN FOUNDATION | LONG BEACH, CA | $150,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE CALIFORNIA MASTER PLAN FOR AGING PROJECT |
| INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES INC | ESCONDIDO, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT SENIOR SERVICES IN NORTH SAN DIEGO COUNTY |
| CHALLENGE CENTER | LA MESA, CA | $71,500 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT AGING WITH INDEPENDENCE AND DIGNITY |
| APPLE TREE DENTAL | MOUNDS VIEW, MN | $36,400 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE HEALTHY AGING PROJECT |
| INTERCULTURAL SENIOR CENTER | OMAHA, NE | $27,500 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT CASE MANAGEMENT FOR OLDER ADULTS |
| OUTLOOK ENRICHMENT | OMAHA, NE | $27,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT IMPROVING SENIORS' CONNECTIVITY & MENTAL HEALTH W/ ADAPTIVE TECH. TRAINING & SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN SOCIETY ON AGING | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE MASTER PLAN FOR AGING SYMPOSIUM |
| SAN DIEGO REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATIONS FOCUSED ON SUCCESSFUL AGING |
| SERVING SENIORS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | CHALLENGE GRANT TO SUPPLEMENT GMWSWC OPERATIONS |
| NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE WORKSHOP IN ADVANCING ORAL HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN |
| NOTRE DAME HOUSING INC | OMAHA, NE | $25,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT LIFE ENRICHMENT COORDINATOR AND SERVICE COORDINATOR |
| VOLUNTEERS ASSISTING SENIORS | OMAHA, NE | $22,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE SENIOR BENEFITS COUNSELING PROGRAM |
| SERVING SENIORS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $21,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS AT THE GARY AND MARY WEST SENIOR WELLNESS CENTER |
| GIFFORD MEDICAL CENTER | RANDOLPH, VT | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT LAST MILE EVENT |
| GRANTMAKERS IN AGING INC | WHITE PLAINS, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT GRANTMAKERS IN AGING GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SERVING SENIORS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $130,500 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT INTEGRATED CARE COORDINATION |
| SERVING SENIORS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $84,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS AT THE GARY AND MARY WEST SENIOR WELLNESS CENTER |
| CHALLENGE CENTER | LA MESA, CA | $35,750 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT AGING WITH INDEPENDENCE AND DIGNITY |
| INTERCULTURAL SENIOR CENTER | OMAHA, NE | $27,500 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT CASE MANAGEMENT FOR OLDER ADULTS |
| AMERICAN SOCIETY ON AGING | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE MASTER PLAN FOR AGING SYMPOSIUM |
GARY AND MARY WEST HEALTH INSTITUTE
$36,000,000TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS AND APPLIED MEDICAL RESEARCH INITIATIVES
GARY AND MARY WEST HEALTH POLICY CENTER INC
$12,000,000SEE STATEMENT FOR EXPENDITURE RESPONSIBILITY GRANT
TO SUPPORT THE TRUST'S CONTINUED EFFORTS IN FUNDING CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS
TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS AT THE GARY AND MARY WEST SENIOR WELLNESS CENTER
TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS AT THE GARY AND MARY WEST SENIOR WELLNESS CENTER
TO SUPPORT SENIOR SERVICES IN NORTH SAN DIEGO COUNTY
TO SUPPORT SENIOR SERVICES IN NORTH SAN DIEGO COUNTY
CHALLENGE CENTER
$35,750TO SUPPORT AGING WITH INDEPENDENCE AND DIGNITY
SAN DIEGO REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
$25,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATIONS FOCUSED ON SUCCESSFUL AGING
LAKE NONA INSTITUTE INC
$25,000TO SUPPORT THE LAKE NONA IMPACT FORUM 2025
CHALLENGE CENTER
$17,875TO SUPPORT AGING WITH INDEPENDENCE AND DIGNITY
GIFFORD MEDICAL CENTER
$10,000TO SUPPORT LAST MILE EVENT FOR END OF LIFE CARE
CALIFORNIA FOUNDATION ON AGING
$10,000TO SUPPORT CALIFORNIA COMMISSION ON AGING'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT
DENTAL LIFELINE NETWORK
$10,000TO SUPPORT DENTAL SERVICES FOR SENIORS
TO SUPPORT GRANTMAKERS IN AGING GENERAL OPERATIONS
THE SILVER GATE YACHT CLUB FOUNDATION
$7,500TO SUPPORT HARBOR EXCURSIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
GARY AND MARY WEST HEALTH INSTITUTE
$22,000,000TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS AND APPLIED MEDICAL RESEARCH INITIATIVES
GARY AND MARY WEST HEALTH POLICY CENTER
$6,000,000SEE STATEMENT FOR EXPENDITURE RESPONSIBILITY GRANT
TO SUPPORT THE TRUST'S CONTINUED EFFORTS IN FUNDING CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS
GARY AND MARY WEST SENIOR DENTAL CENTER INC
$200,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATIONS AND SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING
TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS AT THE GARY AND MARY WEST SENIOR WELLNESS CENTER
THE SCAN FOUNDATION
$150,000TO SUPPORT THE CALIFORNIA MASTER PLAN FOR AGING PROJECT
TO SUPPORT SENIOR SERVICES IN NORTH SAN DIEGO COUNTY
CHALLENGE CENTER
$71,500TO SUPPORT AGING WITH INDEPENDENCE AND DIGNITY
OUTLOOK ENRICHMENT
$27,000TO SUPPORT IMPROVING SENIORS' CONNECTIVITY & MENTAL HEALTH W/ ADAPTIVE TECH. TRAINING & SUPPORT
AMERICAN SOCIETY ON AGING
$25,000TO SUPPORT THE MASTER PLAN FOR AGING SYMPOSIUM
SAN DIEGO REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
$25,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATIONS FOCUSED ON SUCCESSFUL AGING
TO SUPPORT THE WORKSHOP IN ADVANCING ORAL HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
NOTRE DAME HOUSING INC
$25,000TO SUPPORT LIFE ENRICHMENT COORDINATOR AND SERVICE COORDINATOR
VOLUNTEERS ASSISTING SENIORS
$22,000TO SUPPORT THE SENIOR BENEFITS COUNSELING PROGRAM
TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS AT THE GARY AND MARY WEST SENIOR WELLNESS CENTER
GIFFORD MEDICAL CENTER
$10,000TO SUPPORT LAST MILE EVENT
TO SUPPORT GRANTMAKERS IN AGING GENERAL OPERATIONS
TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS AT THE GARY AND MARY WEST SENIOR WELLNESS CENTER
CHALLENGE CENTER
$35,750TO SUPPORT AGING WITH INDEPENDENCE AND DIGNITY
AMERICAN SOCIETY ON AGING
$25,000TO SUPPORT THE MASTER PLAN FOR AGING SYMPOSIUM