The H & H Lee Charitable Foundation concentrates its giving into a very small number of large grants, primarily supporting culinary education and children’s residential/outdoor programs. Its funding pattern shows repeated, substantial commitments to a couple of long-term partners rather than broad, diversified grantmaking. The foundation appears to prioritize program-level support that advances skills training (culinary) and youth development in ranch or camp settings.
H & H Lee Charitable Foundation makes large, repeated grants to a small set of partners, with culinary education and children’s programs emerging as the clearest themes. Its recent giving includes back-to-back support for Emeril Lagasse Foundation for culinary schools education, a multi-year sequence for Victory Ranch’s children’s programs, and repeated funding for My City Life Youth Center in Hemet. The pattern suggests a funder that favors sustained relationships over broad dispersion, often returning to the same organizations across consecutive years. The foundation’s portfolio also reaches into youth education, student support, therapeutic services, and workforce-related training. First Tee of Orange County, Boys Girls Club San Juan Capistrano, and Western Center Academy appear among the recipients, alongside grants for therapeutic horsemanship, student crisis funds, and workforce support. Several awards are in the six-figure range, reflecting a grantmaking style built around program-level commitments rather than many small awards. Across the recent grants list, the foundation supports children, students, and service-oriented organizations through direct program support, scholarships, and facility-related needs. The overall picture is of a regional grantmaker with a concentrated set of recurring partners and a strong preference for practical, operating-level assistance.
Culinary education is one of the foundation’s most visible priorities. It gave $410,000 in 2024 and $400,000 in 2025 to Emeril Lagasse Foundation for support of culinary schools education, and it also gave $120,000 in 2025 and $120,000 in 2023 to Roy Choi for support of culinary programs. Those grants point to a sustained interest in training pathways tied to food service. Children’s programs form another major line of giving. Victory Ranch received $370,000 in 2023, $370,000 in 2024, and $235,000 in 2025 for children’s programs, while My City Life Youth Center received $240,000 in 2023, $240,000 in 2024, and $230,000 in 2025 for the same general purpose. The foundation also supported children’s education through First Tee of Orange County and Western Center Academy. Other recent awards show support for student crisis funds, therapeutic horsemanship, and workforce support, indicating a mix of youth, wellness, and practical aid.
$3.2M
$18.8M
$1.3M
$3.4M
Most grants fall between $20K and $50K, with a median of $40K.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$40K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Highly concentrated: few large grants, repeated funding to the same grantees (multi-grant support), focused rather than geographically or topically broad.
Notable grantees: Emeril Lagasse Foundation, Victory Ranch
Typical grant size clusters around $20,000 at the 25th percentile, $40,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. Even so, the recent grants list shows a smaller set of much larger awards, including several six-figure commitments. The pattern is recurring rather than one-off: Victory Ranch, My City Life Youth Center, First Tee of Orange County, Timberline Lodge, Boys Girls Club San Juan Capistrano, Kick It Forward, the University of Oregon, Reins, and Emeril Lagasse Foundation each appear more than once across recent years. The foundation does not make program-related investments and also funds individuals. The giving pattern is consistent with direct program support, scholarships, facility improvements, and other targeted operating needs.
Grant recipients are overwhelmingly in the United States, and 76% of grants go to recipients in California. The strongest cluster is in Southern California, including Moreno Valley, Hemet, Anaheim, San Juan Capistrano, Fallbrook, Santa Ana, and Los Angeles. Outside California, recent recipients include New Orleans, Eugene, Des Moines, Lamoni, and Frasier, Colorado. The geographic profile fits a regional funder with a clear California center of gravity.
Its recent grants center on culinary education, children’s programs, student support, therapeutic horsemanship, workforce support, and facility improvements. The recipient mix includes youth-serving organizations, schools, a university, and community-based service providers.
Repeat support is a defining feature. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Victory Ranch, My City Life Youth Center, First Tee of Orange County, Timberline Lodge, Boys Girls Club San Juan Capistrano, Kick It Forward, the University of Oregon, Reins, and Emeril Lagasse Foundation.
The typical grant size is $20,000 at the 25th percentile, $40,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes larger awards in the six-figure range, showing that some partners receive major program support.
California receives 76% of grants, and the recipient list is especially concentrated in Southern California cities such as Moreno Valley, Hemet, Anaheim, San Juan Capistrano, Fallbrook, Santa Ana, and Los Angeles.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals, alongside organizational grants to nonprofits, schools, and community-serving programs.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMERIL LAGASSE FOUNDATION | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $425,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT CULINARY SCHOOLS EDUCATION |
| CORNERSTONE BUILDING HEMET | HEMET, CA | $270,000 | 2026 | BUILDING FUND |
| FIRST TEE OF ORANGE COUNTY | ANAHEIM, CA | $205,000 | 2026 | CHILDRENS EDUCATION |
| VICTORY RANCH | MORENO VALLEY, CA | $170,000 | 2026 | CHILDRENS PROGRAMS |
| MY CITY LIFE YOUTH CENTER | HEMET, CA | $150,000 | 2026 | CHILDRENS PROGRAMS |
| TIMBERLINE LODGE | FRASIER, CO | $135,000 | 2026 | FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS |
| REINS-WYLDE HORSES | FALLBROOK, CA | $125,000 | 2026 | THERAPUTIC HORSEMANSHIP PROGRAM |
| BOYS GIRLS CLUB SAN JUAN CAP | SJ CAPISTRANO, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | CHILDRENS PROGRAMS AND CARE |
| WORKING WARDROBES | SANTA ANA, CA | $70,000 | 2026 | WORK FORCE SUPPORT |
| ORANGE COUNTY COMMUN FOUNDATION | NEWPORT BEACH, CA | $60,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP FOR AVID STUDENTS |
| HIGH HOPES | TUSTIN, CA | $60,000 | 2026 | BRAIN INJURY EQUIPMENT |
| LITERACY PARK | OAKLAND, CA | $60,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| HARVEST LAHAINA FIRE RELIEF | LAHAINA, HI | $60,000 | 2026 | REBUILD HAWAII |
| PALOMAR CONFERENCE CENTER | PALOMAR MTN, CA | $60,000 | 2026 | HOUSING |
| WESTERN CENTER ACADEMY | HEMET, CA | $60,000 | 2026 | CHILDRENS EDUCATION |
| UCI PUBLIC HEALTH SCHOLARSHIP | IRVINE, CA | $60,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH SCHOOL |
| CHINO FIRE DEPARTMENT | CHINO HILLS, CA | $55,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| UNIVERSTIY OF OREGON | EUGENE, OR | $50,000 | 2026 | STUDENT CRISIS FUNDS |
| FARE START | SEATTLE, WA | $50,000 | 2026 | JOB TRAINING |
| KLCC PUBLIC RADIO FOUND | EUGENE, OR | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT RADIO STATION |
| JAIME JARRIN FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | STUDENT AID PROGRAMS |
| IVEY RANCH | OCEANSIDE, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | THERAPUTIC PROGRAMS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS |
| THE VINE 1025 | HEMET, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | FUND PUBLIC RADIO |
| RONALD REAGAN LIBRARY | SIMI VALLEY, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN |
| COMAL HERITAGE FOOD INC | DENVER, CO | $50,000 | 2026 | JOB TRAINING |
| AGE WELL SENIOR SERVICES | LAKE FOREST, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | PROGRAMS AND MEALS FOR SENIORS |
| ABWE NURSING SCHOOL | HARRISBURG, PA | $40,000 | 2026 | NURSE SCHOOL AFRICA |
| HOME SCHOOL LEGAL DEFENSE | PURCELLVILLE, VA | $40,000 | 2026 | ADVOCACY FOR DEFENSE FOR HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMS |
| CALICINTO RANCH | SAN JACINTO, CA | $40,000 | 2026 | CHILDRENS PROGRAMS |
| SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $40,000 | 2026 | RESCUES FOR ANIMALS |
| PREBORN | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $40,000 | 2026 | SERVICES |
| JOE GROHMAN FOUNDATION | HOBE SOUND, FL | $40,000 | 2026 | WOUNDED WARRIOR PROGRAMS |
| JFEDLA WILDFIRE CRISIS FUND | LOS ANGELES, CA | $40,000 | 2026 | FIRE RELIEF FUNDS |
| VALLEY RESTART | HEMET, CA | $35,000 | 2026 | CHILDRENS PROGRAMS |
| HAPI FOUNDATION | WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | HORTICULTURE & FOOD SUPPLY |
| CALIFORNIA PRO LIFE COUNCIL | SACRAMENTO, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | SERVICES |
| WOUNDED WARRIORS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | VETERANS PROGRAMS |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS | LONG BEACH, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | HELP SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN |
| LIVE ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS | ARLINGTON, VA | $30,000 | 2026 | HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAMS |
| VETERANS VILLAGE OF SD | SAN DIEGO, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | VETERANS PROGRAMS |
| IDYLLWILD PINES CAMP | IDYLLWILD, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | CHILDRENS CAMPS |
| SAFE HARBOR COUNSELING | HEMET, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | COUNSELING PROGRAMS |
| BIRTH CHOICE OF HEMET | HEMET, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| SHEEPFOLD | ORANGE, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | WOMENS SHELTER FUNDS |
| NORTH COUNTY FOOD BANK | VISTA, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | FOOD BANK |
| SAN JACINTO MTN COMMUN CTR | IDYLLWILD, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| MISSIONARIES OF CHARITIES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| HEMET POLICE DEPT | HEMET, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | POLICE PROGRAMS |
| FRIENDS HEMET PUBLIC LIBRARY | HEMET, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | NEW COMPUTER LAB |
| EMERIL LAGASSE FOUNDATION | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $400,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT CULINARY SCHOOLS EDUCATION |
CORNERSTONE BUILDING HEMET
$270,000BUILDING FUND
VICTORY RANCH
$170,000CHILDRENS PROGRAMS
MY CITY LIFE YOUTH CENTER
$150,000CHILDRENS PROGRAMS
TIMBERLINE LODGE
$135,000FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS
REINS-WYLDE HORSES
$125,000THERAPUTIC HORSEMANSHIP PROGRAM
BOYS GIRLS CLUB SAN JUAN CAP
$100,000CHILDRENS PROGRAMS AND CARE
HIGH HOPES
$60,000BRAIN INJURY EQUIPMENT
LITERACY PARK
$60,000EDUCATION
HARVEST LAHAINA FIRE RELIEF
$60,000REBUILD HAWAII
PALOMAR CONFERENCE CENTER
$60,000HOUSING
WESTERN CENTER ACADEMY
$60,000CHILDRENS EDUCATION
UCI PUBLIC HEALTH SCHOLARSHIP
$60,000SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH SCHOOL
CHINO FIRE DEPARTMENT
$55,000EDUCATION
JAIME JARRIN FOUNDATION
$50,000STUDENT AID PROGRAMS
IVEY RANCH
$50,000THERAPUTIC PROGRAMS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS
THE VINE 1025
$50,000FUND PUBLIC RADIO
RONALD REAGAN LIBRARY
$50,000EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN
COMAL HERITAGE FOOD INC
$50,000JOB TRAINING
ABWE NURSING SCHOOL
$40,000NURSE SCHOOL AFRICA
HOME SCHOOL LEGAL DEFENSE
$40,000ADVOCACY FOR DEFENSE FOR HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMS
CALICINTO RANCH
$40,000CHILDRENS PROGRAMS
JOE GROHMAN FOUNDATION
$40,000WOUNDED WARRIOR PROGRAMS
JFEDLA WILDFIRE CRISIS FUND
$40,000FIRE RELIEF FUNDS
VALLEY RESTART
$35,000CHILDRENS PROGRAMS
HAPI FOUNDATION
$30,000HORTICULTURE & FOOD SUPPLY
CALIFORNIA PRO LIFE COUNCIL
$30,000SERVICES
WOUNDED WARRIORS
$30,000VETERANS PROGRAMS
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
$30,000HELP SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN
VETERANS VILLAGE OF SD
$30,000VETERANS PROGRAMS
IDYLLWILD PINES CAMP
$25,000CHILDRENS CAMPS
SAFE HARBOR COUNSELING
$25,000COUNSELING PROGRAMS
BIRTH CHOICE OF HEMET
$20,000EDUCATION
NORTH COUNTY FOOD BANK
$10,000FOOD BANK
SAN JACINTO MTN COMMUN CTR
$10,000EDUCATION PROGRAMS
MISSIONARIES OF CHARITIES
$10,000EDUCATION
HEMET POLICE DEPT
$10,000POLICE PROGRAMS
FRIENDS HEMET PUBLIC LIBRARY
$5,000NEW COMPUTER LAB