About Norman F Sprague Jr Foundation
The Norman F. Sprague Jr. Foundation gives a small number of relatively large, targeted grants focused on secondary education and youth-serving organizations in Southern California. Its giving is concentrated: the majority of funding goes to an independent college-preparatory school (Cate School) with repeat support, while the remainder supports a Los Angeles-based women's volunteer group that funds children's and youth programs (Las Madrinas). The foundation appears to prioritize local, institution-driven education and youth development efforts rather than broad national grantmaking.
Focus Areas
Independent college-preparatory/secondary schools in Southern California (Cate School)Southern California youth development and children's health programsSupport delivered via local volunteer philanthropy organizations (e.g., women's auxiliaries such as Las Madrinas)
Who They Fund
general publiccharitable nonprofits (unspecified)communities at large (unspecified)
Giving Approach
Concentrated and local: few, relatively large grants with repeat funding to at least one core grantee (Cate School); giving is focused on education and youth causes in the Los Angeles/Santa Barbara region rather than broad, diversified funding.
About Norman F Sprague Jr Foundation
A repeat commitment to Cate School stands out in the Norman F Sprague Jr Foundation’s recent grant record. The foundation gave the Carpinteria independent school multiple grants across 2023 and 2025, including awards of $115,000, $78,000, and $66,000, showing a sustained relationship rather than isolated support. That pattern sits alongside additional funding for other Southern California education and youth-serving institutions, including Harvard Westlake School and Harvey Mudd College. The foundation’s giving also reaches community organizations tied to children’s health and youth services, such as Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Las Madrinas. The grant list suggests a funder that makes selective, institution-focused grants rather than many small awards. Its recipients include schools, hospitals, a museum, and a public-land nonprofit, with most grants staying within California. The foundation’s recent activity shows a preference for established organizations with clear exempt-purpose missions, especially in education and youth development. In several cases, the same grantees appear in multiple years, indicating continuity in support. Awards are often substantial enough to matter for operating or program needs, and the distribution points to a regional donor with a strong Southern California emphasis.
What Norman F Sprague Jr Foundation Funds
Education is the clearest theme in the Norman F Sprague Jr Foundation’s recent grantmaking. In 2025, it gave $64,333 to Harvard Westlake School in Los Angeles and $25,000 to Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, alongside other school support in California and beyond. Youth and child-focused institutions are another consistent thread. The foundation awarded $50,000 to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in 2023 and followed with $40,000 and $30,000 grants in 2025, indicating ongoing support for children’s health. It also funded Las Madrinas, a City of Industry-based volunteer philanthropy group, with $90,000 and $20,000 in 2025. Beyond education and health, the foundation has supported cultural and conservation-related work, including $25,000 to Los Angeles County Museum of Art and $35,000 to Grand Teton National Park Foundation.
How Norman F Sprague Jr Foundation Gives
The foundation’s typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $15,000 at the 75th percentile, though several recent awards are much larger. The record shows repeat gifts to the same organizations across multiple years, especially Cate School, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Las Madrinas, Harvey Mudd College, and Bandon School District. That repetition points to recurring relationships rather than one-time support. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Its grants are framed as qualified charitable exempt purpose support.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$684K
Total Assets
$10.6M
Total Revenue
$1.3M
Total Expenses
$763K
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $5K and $15K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$15K
Geographic Reach
Regional12 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Where Norman F Sprague Jr Foundation Funds
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Norman F Sprague Jr Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 145 | $2.2M | 99.3% |
| 2 | Singapore |
Unlock Deep Analysis
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeSee Similar Funders
Free Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeExplore related grant guides
Want a Personalized Pitch for Norman F Sprague Jr Foundation?
Sign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Free plan available
No contracts
Cancel anytime