The Robert Ellis Simon Foundation concentrates giving in Los Angeles-area direct services that expand mental health care, housing stability and workforce supports for people with serious mental illness and other underserved communities. Grants commonly target youth and transitional-age populations, reentry and substance-use supports, and community-led advocacy for marginalized racial, ethnic and faith groups. The foundation favors organizations that combine clinical mental-health services with housing, employment or culturally specific outreach.
A large share of Robert Ellis Simon Foundation’s recent giving goes to organizations that combine mental health services with housing, workforce support, and direct services for people facing complex barriers. The biggest recent grant in the record is $80,000 to Step Up on 2nd in Santa Monica for permanent supportive housing, workforce development, and member-driven supportive services for individuals with mental health illnesses. Other sizable grants point in the same direction: $59,000 to Larca for job training and $57,200 to The Whole Child for mental health and wellness services for children in vulnerable communities, alongside family housing, parent enrichment, and nutrition education. The foundation also funds organizations serving specific communities in Los Angeles County, including Muslims for Progressive Values, Asian American Drug Abuse Program, and Accompany Worldwide. Its recent awards show sustained attention to people with serious mental illness, children and transitional-age youth, survivors of trafficking, and groups facing housing instability, substance use, or discrimination. In the record provided, every grant goes to a California recipient, with a strong Los Angeles-area emphasis.
Mental health and wellness is a core thread. Robert Ellis Simon Foundation gave $54,000 to Live Oak Mental Wellness Project for making mental health support more accessible through home-based information and workshops, and $45,000 to Gateways Hospital and Mental Health for treatment across children, adolescents, transitional-age youth, and adults. Housing appears alongside service delivery in multiple grants. The foundation awarded $53,000 to Watts of Power Foundation for social, emotional, and housing needs for Black male teachers-in-training, and $25,000 to West Hollywood Community Housing Co for affordable homes and essential services. It also supports specialized community services: $50,000 to Asian American Drug Abuse Program for substance abuse services for Asian Pacific Islanders and other underserved communities, and $50,000 to Coalition to Abolish Slavery Traffi for anti-trafficking survivor support and leadership development.
Typical grants cluster from small to mid-sized awards: p25 is $1,000, median is $20,000, and p75 is $45,000. The recent record includes both repeat support and one-time awards. Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025; One Generation and Alliance for Children's Rights also appear in more than one year. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF and does not fund individuals. The grant pattern suggests direct grants to operating nonprofits, often in amounts below the median for long-running partners and above it for larger program commitments.
$355K
$2.8M
$626K
$511K
Most grants fall between $1K and $45K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$45K
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Tends to make a small number (around 10) of mid-sized grants ($45k–$80k) concentrated on Los Angeles-area direct-service organizations; funding is predominantly single-year program support to a range of distinct grantees rather than large multi-year awards or many repeat payments.
Notable grantees: Step Up On 2nd, The Whole Child, Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking (CAST), Live Oak Mental Wellness Project, Asian American Drug Abuse Program
Giving is local and entirely California-based in the data provided: 100% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and California is also the top state by grant count. Los Angeles is the main city in the recipient list, with additional grants in Santa Monica, Whittier, Palmdale, Van Nuys, West Hollywood, and Culver City. The distribution is concentrated in the Los Angeles area rather than spread statewide. No non-U.S. recipient countries appear in the record.
The recent record centers on mental health care, supportive housing, workforce development, substance use services, reentry and restorative justice, anti-trafficking survivor services, and youth and family supports. Examples include grants for permanent supportive housing, job training, mental wellness workshops, and services for children, caregivers, and justice-involved communities.
The foundation’s grant sizes are relatively small to moderate: p25 is $1,000, median is $20,000, and p75 is $45,000. The recent list includes both very small follow-on awards and larger operating or program grants above that midpoint.
Yes. Several organizations appear in more than one year in the recent record. Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025, while One Generation and Alliance for Children's Rights each appear across multiple years as well.
The grant record is entirely California-based, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Within California, Los Angeles is the main recipient city, with additional awards in nearby cities such as Santa Monica, Culver City, West Hollywood, Van Nuys, Whittier, and Palmdale.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEP UP ON 2ND | SANTA MONICA, CA | $80,000 | 2025 | THIS ORGANIZATION PROVIDES PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING , WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND MEMBER-DRIVEN SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO HELP INDIVIDULS WITH MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESSES. |
| LARCA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $59,000 | 2025 | ORGANIZATION ALLOWS CLASS MEMBERS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF JOB TRAINING SERVICES PREPARING THEM TO ENTER THE WORK FORCE. |
| MUSLIMS FOR PROGRESSIVE VALUES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $58,000 | 2025 | ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO INCULCATE A CULTURE ROOTED IN HUMAN RIGHTS THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND THE ARTS. |
| LIVE OAK MENTAL WELLNESS PROJECT | PALMDALE, CA | $54,000 | 2025 | ORGANIZATION WORKS TO MAKE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT MORE ACCESSIBLE. THEY SHARE INFORMATION IN PROVIDING MENTAL WELLNESS AT HOME AND PROVIDING WORKSHOPS. |
| WATTS OF POWER FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $53,000 | 2025 | THEIR INITIATIVE IS A PROGRAM THAT ADDRESSES THE SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND HOUSING NEEDS OF BLACK MALE TEACHERS-IN-TRAINING. |
| ONE GENERATION | VAN NUYS, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | ORGANIZATION PROVIDES PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS THAT HELP KEEP THEM SAFE AND PROTECTED. THEY PROMOTE PHYsical health and mental well being and access to food and resources. |
| ACCOMPANY WORLDWIDE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $24,000 | 2025 | ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS KOREAN SINGLE MOTHERS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR HOMES TO THE DOMESTIC VIOLATION. |
| DIDI HIRSCH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES | CULVER CITY, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | THIS ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDES QUALITY MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES IN COMMUNITIES WHERE STIGMA OR POVERTY LIMIT ACCESS TO SUCH SERVICES. |
| ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | THIS ORGANIZATION PROTECTS RIGHTS OF YOUNG PEOPLE BY CLEARING BARRIERS TO STABILITY AND OPPORTUNITY TO FAMILIES IMPACTED BY FOSTER CARE SO THEY CAN ACCESS THE SUPPORT AND SERVICES THEY NEED TO THRIVE. |
| THE WHOLE CHILD | WHITTIER, CA | $57,200 | 2024 | ORGANIZATION SAW A NEED FOR ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF CHILDREN IN VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES. THEY ALSO PROVIDE FAMILY HOUSING, PARENT ENRICHMENT AND NUTRITION EDUCATION SERVICES. |
| COALITION TO ABOLISH SLAVERY TRAFFI | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | THEY ARE ONE OF PIONEERS OF THE US ANTI-TRAFFICKING MOVEMENT. THEY SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE SURVIVORS TO REALIZE THEIR OWN LEADERSHIP QUALITIES TO VALUE THEIR INSIGHTS AS EXPERTS IN THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING FIELD. |
| ASIAN AMERICAN DRUG ABUSE PROGRAM | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | ORGANIZATION IS DEDICATED TO SERVING ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDERS AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES THROUGHOUT LOS ANGELES COUNTY. |
| HEALING URBAN BARRIOS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | ORGANIZATION PROVIDES INTERVENTION/PREVENTION AND RE-ENTRY SERVICES TO AT YOUTH/YOUNG ADULTS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH HOLISTIC APPROACH USING CASH MANAGEMENT, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, MENTAL HEALTH, CULTURAL AWARENESS AND EDUCATION. |
| GATEWAYS HOSPITAL AND MENTAL HEALTH | LOS ANGELES, CA | $45,000 | 2024 | THE HOSPITAL TREATS ALL MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND PROVIDES SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, ADOLEscents, transitional-age youth and adults. |
| HOLLYWOOD FOOD COALITION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | ORGANIZATION OFFERS MOBILE HEALTH AND VISION CLINICS AND REFERRALS TO SOCIAL SERVICES, SUCH AS EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING. THEY ALSO PASS OUT VARIOUS ARTICLES OF CLOTHING AND HYGIENE KITS TO THOSE IN NEED. |
| WEST HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY HOUSING CO | WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | ORGANIZATION ADDRESSES THE HOUSING CRISIS BY PROVIDING LOW INCOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH HIGH QUALITY AFFORDABLE HOMES AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES. |
| ONE GENERATION | VAN NUYS, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | ORGANIZATION PROVIDES PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS THAT HELP KEEP THEM SAFE AND PROTECTED. THEY PROMOTE PHYsical health and mental well being and access to food and resources. |
| ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,000 | 2024 | THIS ORGANIZATION PROTECTS RIGHTS OF YOUNG PEOPLE BY CLEARING BARRIERS TO STABILITY AND OPPORTUNITY TO FAMILIES IMPACTED BY FOSTER CARE SO THEY CAN ACCESS THE SUPPORT AND SERVICES THEY NEED TO THRIVE. |
| DIDI HIRSCH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES | CULVER CITY, CA | $1,000 | 2024 | THIS ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDES QUALITY MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES IN COMMUNITIES WHERE STIGMA OR POVERTY LIMIT ACCESS TO SUCH SERVICES. |
| PUBLIC COUNSEL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $20,000 | 2023 | TO HELP PROTECT THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN, REPRESENT IMMIGRANTS WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE AND OTHER CRIMES AND SEEKING ECONOMIC JUSTICE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND INSTITUTIIONS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING QUALITY LEGAL REPRESENTATION. |
| NEW GROUND | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2023 | THEY PROVIDE MANY HOPE AND HEALING PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE HEALING AT PERSON'S OWN PACE.THESE WORKSHOPS CONSIST OF YOGA, JOURNALING, MUSIC, ART AND DANCE.THEY ALSO HAVE PROGRAMS DEALING WITH TRAUMA. |
| THE RAPE FOUNDATION | SANTA MONICA, CA | $5,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT COMPREHENSIVE, STATE OF THE ART TREATMENT FOR VICTIMS OF RAPE, SEXUAL ASSAULT AND OTHER FORMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE. |
| DIDI HIRSCH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES | CULVER CITY, CA | $1,500 | 2023 | THIS ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDES QUALITY MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES IN COMMUNITIES WHERE STIGMA OR POVERTY LIMIT ACCESS TO SUCH SERVICES. |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF HOLLYWOOD | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,000 | 2023 | THEY PROVIDE AN ARRAY OF LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDING ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT, LEADERSHIP SKILLS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND ATHLETICS, COMPUTER LITERACY, MUSIC LESSONS AND FINE ARTS PROGRAMS.THEY SERVE OVER 1,200 PREDOMINANTLY UNDERPRIVILEGED AND LOW INCOME STUDENTS. |
| ALLIANCE FOR CHILDRENS' RIGHTS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,000 | 2023 | THIS ORGANIZATION PROTECTS RIGHTS OF YOUNG PEOPLE BY CLEARING BARRIERS TO STABILITY AND OPPORTUNITY TO FAMILIES IMPACTED BY FOSTER CARE SO THEY CAN ACCESS THE SUPPORT AND SERVICES THEY NEED TO THRIVE. |
| WRIGHT INSTITUTE LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $250 | 2023 | TO HELP SUPPORT AN ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES AND FAMILIES LEAD RICHER, DEEPER, MORE FULFILLING LIVES BY OFFERING COMMUNICATION WITH LICENSED THERAPISTS AT FEES BASED ON A SLIDING SCALE. |
STEP UP ON 2ND
$80,000THIS ORGANIZATION PROVIDES PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING , WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND MEMBER-DRIVEN SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO HELP INDIVIDULS WITH MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESSES.
LARCA
$59,000ORGANIZATION ALLOWS CLASS MEMBERS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF JOB TRAINING SERVICES PREPARING THEM TO ENTER THE WORK FORCE.
ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO INCULCATE A CULTURE ROOTED IN HUMAN RIGHTS THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND THE ARTS.
LIVE OAK MENTAL WELLNESS PROJECT
$54,000ORGANIZATION WORKS TO MAKE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT MORE ACCESSIBLE. THEY SHARE INFORMATION IN PROVIDING MENTAL WELLNESS AT HOME AND PROVIDING WORKSHOPS.
WATTS OF POWER FOUNDATION
$53,000THEIR INITIATIVE IS A PROGRAM THAT ADDRESSES THE SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND HOUSING NEEDS OF BLACK MALE TEACHERS-IN-TRAINING.
ONE GENERATION
$25,000ORGANIZATION PROVIDES PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS THAT HELP KEEP THEM SAFE AND PROTECTED. THEY PROMOTE PHYsical health and mental well being and access to food and resources.
ACCOMPANY WORLDWIDE
$24,000ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS KOREAN SINGLE MOTHERS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR HOMES TO THE DOMESTIC VIOLATION.
THIS ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDES QUALITY MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES IN COMMUNITIES WHERE STIGMA OR POVERTY LIMIT ACCESS TO SUCH SERVICES.
THIS ORGANIZATION PROTECTS RIGHTS OF YOUNG PEOPLE BY CLEARING BARRIERS TO STABILITY AND OPPORTUNITY TO FAMILIES IMPACTED BY FOSTER CARE SO THEY CAN ACCESS THE SUPPORT AND SERVICES THEY NEED TO THRIVE.
THE WHOLE CHILD
$57,200ORGANIZATION SAW A NEED FOR ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF CHILDREN IN VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES. THEY ALSO PROVIDE FAMILY HOUSING, PARENT ENRICHMENT AND NUTRITION EDUCATION SERVICES.
THEY ARE ONE OF PIONEERS OF THE US ANTI-TRAFFICKING MOVEMENT. THEY SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE SURVIVORS TO REALIZE THEIR OWN LEADERSHIP QUALITIES TO VALUE THEIR INSIGHTS AS EXPERTS IN THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING FIELD.
ORGANIZATION IS DEDICATED TO SERVING ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDERS AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES THROUGHOUT LOS ANGELES COUNTY.
HEALING URBAN BARRIOS
$50,000ORGANIZATION PROVIDES INTERVENTION/PREVENTION AND RE-ENTRY SERVICES TO AT YOUTH/YOUNG ADULTS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH HOLISTIC APPROACH USING CASH MANAGEMENT, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, MENTAL HEALTH, CULTURAL AWARENESS AND EDUCATION.
GATEWAYS HOSPITAL AND MENTAL HEALTH
$45,000THE HOSPITAL TREATS ALL MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND PROVIDES SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, ADOLEscents, transitional-age youth and adults.
ORGANIZATION OFFERS MOBILE HEALTH AND VISION CLINICS AND REFERRALS TO SOCIAL SERVICES, SUCH AS EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING. THEY ALSO PASS OUT VARIOUS ARTICLES OF CLOTHING AND HYGIENE KITS TO THOSE IN NEED.
ORGANIZATION ADDRESSES THE HOUSING CRISIS BY PROVIDING LOW INCOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH HIGH QUALITY AFFORDABLE HOMES AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES.
ONE GENERATION
$25,000ORGANIZATION PROVIDES PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS THAT HELP KEEP THEM SAFE AND PROTECTED. THEY PROMOTE PHYsical health and mental well being and access to food and resources.
THIS ORGANIZATION PROTECTS RIGHTS OF YOUNG PEOPLE BY CLEARING BARRIERS TO STABILITY AND OPPORTUNITY TO FAMILIES IMPACTED BY FOSTER CARE SO THEY CAN ACCESS THE SUPPORT AND SERVICES THEY NEED TO THRIVE.
THIS ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDES QUALITY MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES IN COMMUNITIES WHERE STIGMA OR POVERTY LIMIT ACCESS TO SUCH SERVICES.
TO HELP PROTECT THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN, REPRESENT IMMIGRANTS WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE AND OTHER CRIMES AND SEEKING ECONOMIC JUSTICE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND INSTITUTIIONS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING QUALITY LEGAL REPRESENTATION.
NEW GROUND
$10,000THEY PROVIDE MANY HOPE AND HEALING PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE HEALING AT PERSON'S OWN PACE.THESE WORKSHOPS CONSIST OF YOGA, JOURNALING, MUSIC, ART AND DANCE.THEY ALSO HAVE PROGRAMS DEALING WITH TRAUMA.
THE RAPE FOUNDATION
$5,000TO SUPPORT COMPREHENSIVE, STATE OF THE ART TREATMENT FOR VICTIMS OF RAPE, SEXUAL ASSAULT AND OTHER FORMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE.
THIS ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDES QUALITY MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES IN COMMUNITIES WHERE STIGMA OR POVERTY LIMIT ACCESS TO SUCH SERVICES.
THEY PROVIDE AN ARRAY OF LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDING ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT, LEADERSHIP SKILLS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND ATHLETICS, COMPUTER LITERACY, MUSIC LESSONS AND FINE ARTS PROGRAMS.THEY SERVE OVER 1,200 PREDOMINANTLY UNDERPRIVILEGED AND LOW INCOME STUDENTS.
THIS ORGANIZATION PROTECTS RIGHTS OF YOUNG PEOPLE BY CLEARING BARRIERS TO STABILITY AND OPPORTUNITY TO FAMILIES IMPACTED BY FOSTER CARE SO THEY CAN ACCESS THE SUPPORT AND SERVICES THEY NEED TO THRIVE.
WRIGHT INSTITUTE LOS ANGELES
$250TO HELP SUPPORT AN ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES AND FAMILIES LEAD RICHER, DEEPER, MORE FULFILLING LIVES BY OFFERING COMMUNICATION WITH LICENSED THERAPISTS AT FEES BASED ON A SLIDING SCALE.