About Natalie Orfalea Foundation
The Natalie Orfalea Foundation appears to make a small number of large, targeted grants focused on place-based conservation and arts/film initiatives. Grants are sizable and general-purpose or fiscal-sponsorship oriented, and recipients are outside the foundation's Santa Barbara home base (e.g., Virginia and Utah). There is no evidence of broad portfolio diversification or frequent repeat giving in the provided data.
Focus Areas
Land and habitat conservation (supporting state-level Nature Conservancy work in Virginia)Independent film and documentary support through fiscal sponsorship (via Utah Film Center)Unrestricted/general operating support for established nonprofit organizations
Who They Fund
climate scientists and environmental leadersartists, filmmakers and arts presenterswomen accessing clinic / maternal health servicescommunities affected by floods / disaster-impacted populationsNonprofit organizations and fiscally sponsored projects
About Natalie Orfalea Foundation
The Natalie Orfalea Foundation’s recent giving is marked by a large conservation grant to the Nature Conservancy of Virginia for general operations, alongside substantial support for film, climate storytelling, and Santa Barbara County community projects. That mix points to a funder that moves between place-based environmental work and local community investment rather than a single-issue portfolio. Recent grants also show support for Utah Film Center through a fiscal sponsorship arrangement tied to One Point Five, and for Dignity Moves on a general-operations basis. The foundation’s grant list includes environmental organizations, public-interest film work, health-related grantees, and local nonprofits serving underserved communities. In Santa Barbara County, grants have supported organizations such as Santa Barbara County Food Action Network, White Buffalo Land Trust, Planned Parenthood, and Freedom 4 Youth. The pattern is not broad, high-volume dispersal. Instead, the foundation appears to make targeted awards that can be used for core support, project work, or sponsored initiatives. Some grants are tied to leadership development and educational programs, while others back disaster mitigation, mobile hygiene services, and inclusive public spaces.
What Natalie Orfalea Foundation Funds
Environmental work appears in both statewide and local forms. The foundation gave $137,776 to Nature Conservancy Tnd Dangermond for general operations and $111,752 to The Nature Conservancy for Dangermond. It also supported Friends of Ballona Wetlands with $55,000 for general operations and Greater Yellowstone Coalition with $50,000 for general operations. Film and storytelling are another thread. Utah Film Center received $150,000 for One Point Five Fiscal Sponsor, and Exposure Labs received $100,000 for Chasing Time. Those grants point to support for film and media projects connected to climate or science themes. Health and community services also appear in the record. Planned Parenthood received $50,362 for general operations, while Direct Relief International received $50,000 for general operations. Community-focused giving includes $66,500 to Santa Barbara County Food Action Network for general operations, showing support for local food access and basic services.
How Natalie Orfalea Foundation Gives
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$1.2M
Total Assets
$19.2M
Total Revenue
$381K
Total Expenses
$1.5M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $10K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
Geographic Reach
Regional11 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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