The Schlinger Chrisman Foundation focuses on place-based, community-serving institutions on California’s Central Coast, concentrating its limited giving into large, targeted gifts. Recent grants show a dual interest in youth-focused experiential programs (maritime/outdoor education) and sustaining regional performing arts infrastructure. The foundation appears to make sizable, one-off or infrequent awards to established local organizations rather than many small grants.
A defining feature of Schlinger Chrisman Foundation Northern Trust Company Trustee is its repeated support for Santa Barbara institutions at the upper end of its grant range, including multi-year gifts to the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum for museum research and exhibits and to Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts for performing arts support. The foundation’s grantmaking shows a clear preference for established, place-based organizations rather than broad, dispersed funding. It has backed youth-serving programs, cultural institutions, environmental stewardship, and health and education initiatives, but the pattern is especially visible on California’s Central Coast. Central Coast Ocean Adventures received $325,000 in 2025 for youth support, and Santa Barbara Symphony received $200,000 in 2024 for performing arts. Similar awards to Anacapa School, Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, Opera Santa Barbara, and Catalina Island Conservancy reinforce a portfolio built around local institutions that serve community residents, children and adolescents, and cultural audiences. The foundation’s giving is regional and concentrated, with very little evidence of small-grant breadth in the recent record.
Youth development is one of the clearest threads in the foundation’s recent grants. It gave $325,000 to Central Coast Ocean Adventures in 2025 for youth support, and it also backed Anacapa School with $172,000 in 2025 for youth. A second cluster is performing arts, where the foundation supported Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts with $300,000 in 2023 for performing arts and $235,000 in 2025 for the same purpose. Opera Santa Barbara also received funding for performing arts in multiple years. The foundation also funds museums and environmental work. Santa Barbara Maritime Museum received $250,000 in 2024 for museum research and exhibits, while Catalina Island Conservancy received $200,000 in 2024 and $150,000 in 2025 for the environment.
Typical grants sit at $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile, though the recent record also includes much larger targeted awards. The pattern is not one-off philanthropy: several recipients appear in multiple years, including Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts, Opera Santa Barbara, Catalina Island Conservancy, Anacapa School, Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, Western University of Health Sciences, and Santa Cruz Island Foundation. The foundation is a regular funder, and the recent grants suggest discretionary, project-oriented support rather than an open application model.
$2.9M
$3.1M
$3.1M
$2.9M
Most grants fall between $15K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in CA.
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Highly concentrated giving: very few but large grants (two grants totaling $625K), directed at established local institutions rather than a broad portfolio; appears to favor single sizable awards to community-rooted organizations.
Notable grantees: Central Coast Ocean Adventures, Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in California, with Santa Barbara as the most frequent recipient city. Other recurring recipient locations include Long Beach, Carpinteria, Los Angeles, Rancho Mirage, and Pomona. The recent record also shows a strong Santa Barbara County emphasis, with many awards landing in Santa Barbara and nearby Carpinteria. All recipient grants in the provided data are in the United States, and none are shown for other countries.
Recent grants go to youth-serving groups, performing arts organizations, museums, environmental stewardship groups, health and education institutions, and an animal welfare grantee. Examples include Central Coast Ocean Adventures for youth, Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts for performing arts, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum for research and exhibits, and Catalina Island Conservancy for the environment.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts, Opera Santa Barbara, Catalina Island Conservancy, Anacapa School, Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, Western University of Health Sciences, and Santa Cruz Island Foundation.
The grant-size distribution shows $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes larger targeted awards such as $325,000 to Central Coast Ocean Adventures and $300,000 to Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts.
Its grants are concentrated in California, with Santa Barbara appearing most often among recipient cities. Other recipient locations in the recent record include Long Beach, Carpinteria, Los Angeles, Rancho Mirage, and Pomona. The recipient-country distribution shown is entirely U.S.-based.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CENTRAL COAST OCEAN ADVENTURES | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $325,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH. |
| SANTA BARBARA CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $235,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR PERFORMING ARTS. |
| ANACAPA SCHOOL | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $172,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH. |
| SANTA BARBARA SYMPHONY | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $170,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR PERFORMING ARTS. |
| SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION OF SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH. |
| CATALINA ISLAND CONSERVANCY | LONG BEACH, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. |
| SANTA BARBARA MARITIME MUSEUM | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR MUSEUM RESEARCH AND EXHIBITS. |
| OPERA SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR PERFORMING ARTS. |
| WESTERN UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES | POMONA, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION. |
| MCCALLUM THEATRE | PALM DESERT, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR PERFORMING ARTS. |
| KAVLI INSTITUTE OF THEORETICAL PHYSICS | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH. |
| SANTA BARBARA COTTAGE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION. |
| SANTA BARBARA YOUTH SAILING FOUNDATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH. |
| EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER | RANCHO MIRAGE, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION. |
| SANTA BARBARA RESCUE MISSION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS. |
| SANTA CRUZ ISLAND FOUNDATION | CARPINTERIA, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR MUSEUM RESEARCH AND EXHIBITS. |
| PUPS WITHOUT BORDERS | VAN NUYS, CA | $45,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS. |
| COMMUNITY ANIMAL MEDICINE PROJECT | SAN PEDRO, CA | $37,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS. |
| VOLUNTEERS OF THE BURBANK ANIMAL SHELTER | BURBANK, CA | $35,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS. |
| KITT CRUSADERS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $35,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS. |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF TRUCKEE TAHOE | TRUCKEE, CA | $35,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS. |
| LA TUNA CAT RANCH | SUN VALLEY, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS. |
| SANTA BARBARA HUMANE SOCIETY | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS. |
| LOBERO THEATRE FOUNDATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR PERFORMING ARTS. |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH. |
| DESERT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | PALM DESERT, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMS. |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA VENTURA COUNCIL | CAMARILLO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH. |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF COACHELLA VALLEY | PALM DESERT, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH. |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA WESTERN LOS ANGELES | VAN NUYS, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH. |
| ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE | SANTA MARIA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH. |
| STATE STREET BALLET | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR PERFORMING ARTS. |
| CATALINA ISLAND MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION | AVALON, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION. |
| ANIMAL SAMARITANS | THOUSAND PALMS, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS. |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA LOS PADRES COUNCIL | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH. |
| OPERATION BLANKETS OF LOVE | GRANADA HILLS, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS. |
| SANTA BARBARA ZOO | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS. |
| ELINGS PARK FOUNDATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMS. |
| COLLEGE OF THE DESERT FOUNDATION | PALM DESERT, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH. |
| MOXI | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH. |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF SAN GORGONIO COUNCIL | REDLANDS, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH. |
| SANTA BARBARA NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR MUSEUM RESEARCH AND EXHIBITS. |
| CHANNEL ISLAND YMCA | CARPINTERIA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMS. |
| FELLOWSHIP FOR PERFORMING ARTS | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR PERFORMING ARTS. |
| TRANSITION HOUSE | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS. |
| SANTA BARBARA SEA SHELLS ASSOCIATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH. |
| GIRLS INC OF GREATER SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH. |
| CHILD ABUSE LISTENING MEDIATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH. |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA COACHELLA VALLEY SCOUTS | INDIO, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH. |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA REGENTS | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH. |
| WILDLIFE CARE NETWORK | GOLETA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS. |
CENTRAL COAST OCEAN ADVENTURES
$325,000SUPPORT FOR YOUTH.
SUPPORT FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
ANACAPA SCHOOL
$172,000SUPPORT FOR YOUTH.
SANTA BARBARA SYMPHONY
$170,000SUPPORT FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
CATALINA ISLAND CONSERVANCY
SUPPORT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
SANTA BARBARA MARITIME MUSEUM
$150,000SUPPORT FOR MUSEUM RESEARCH AND EXHIBITS.
OPERA SANTA BARBARA
$100,000SUPPORT FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
WESTERN UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES
$100,000SUPPORT FOR HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION.
MCCALLUM THEATRE
$50,000SUPPORT FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
KAVLI INSTITUTE OF THEORETICAL PHYSICS
$50,000SUPPORT FOR YOUTH.
SUPPORT FOR HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION.
SANTA BARBARA YOUTH SAILING FOUNDATION
$50,000SUPPORT FOR YOUTH.
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND FOUNDATION
$50,000SUPPORT FOR MUSEUM RESEARCH AND EXHIBITS.
PUPS WITHOUT BORDERS
$45,000SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS.
VOLUNTEERS OF THE BURBANK ANIMAL SHELTER
$35,000SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS.
KITT CRUSADERS
$35,000SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS.
LA TUNA CAT RANCH
$30,000SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS.
SANTA BARBARA HUMANE SOCIETY
$30,000SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS.
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA VENTURA COUNCIL
$25,000SUPPORT FOR YOUTH.
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA WESTERN LOS ANGELES
$25,000SUPPORT FOR YOUTH.
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE
$25,000SUPPORT FOR YOUTH.
CATALINA ISLAND MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION
$25,000SUPPORT FOR HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION.
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA LOS PADRES COUNCIL
$25,000SUPPORT FOR YOUTH.
OPERATION BLANKETS OF LOVE
$25,000SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS.
SANTA BARBARA ZOO
$25,000SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS.
MOXI
$20,000SUPPORT FOR YOUTH.
GIRL SCOUTS OF SAN GORGONIO COUNCIL
$20,000SUPPORT FOR YOUTH.
SANTA BARBARA NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
$20,000SUPPORT FOR MUSEUM RESEARCH AND EXHIBITS.
FELLOWSHIP FOR PERFORMING ARTS
$20,000SUPPORT FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
SANTA BARBARA SEA SHELLS ASSOCIATION
$20,000SUPPORT FOR YOUTH.
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA COACHELLA VALLEY SCOUTS
$15,000SUPPORT FOR YOUTH.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA REGENTS
$10,000SUPPORT FOR YOUTH.