ShemaStella Foundation concentrates large, targeted gifts to Catholic and faith-based organizations with a strong Korean/Korean-American connection and an emphasis on international child welfare and mission work. They fund a small number of sizable grants—often to religious orders, Korean diaspora charities, and children’s village projects—rather than many small, general-purpose awards. Repeated support for Korean-focused groups suggests a sustained interest in that community and its mission-driven institutions.
A single $1,000,000 grant to World Village for Children sets the tone for Shemastella Foundation’s recent giving: large, mission-driven awards aimed at Catholic and faith-based work tied to Korean and Korean-American communities. The foundation’s grants also include major support for Sisters of Mary World Villages For, Korea Hope Foundation, and Kkottongnae Inc, showing a consistent preference for organizations that combine religious service with child welfare, parish support, and community-based care. Their portfolio is not broad and diffuse; it is concentrated in a small set of recipients that appear across multiple years, often with repeated awards at meaningful dollar levels. That pattern points to a funder that backs institutions, not one-off projects alone. Korea Hope Foundation received several sizable awards over three years, while Korean Martyrs Catholic Center and Christus Corp also recur in the record. Other grants support Korean Catholic centers, special education for Korean Americans, and organizations serving mothers, children, and seniors. The result is a grant profile built around faith-based service, Korean diaspora institutions, and international child welfare projects, with the largest awards reserved for organizations closely aligned with those priorities.
International child welfare is a major thread in the record. Shemastella Foundation gave $1,000,000 to World Village for Children for charitable contribution and $500,000 to Sisters of Mary World Villages For for Catholic mission, both tied to village-based care models. Korean Catholic infrastructure is another clear focus. The foundation awarded $100,000 to Korean Martyrs Catholic Center in Westminster for Catholic mission, then followed with another $30,000 and a $10,000 grant to the same center in later years. They also support Korean-American community services and education. Korea Hope Foundation in Irvine received $433,500, $163,500, and $148,900 across 2024 and 2025, while Korean American Special Education in Anaheim received $16,200 in 2024 and $15,000 in 2023. Smaller grants also reached Korea Town Senior and Community Cen for senior support and Home on the Green Pleasures for refuge for mother and children.
Shemastella Foundation’s typical grant size is $5,250 at the 25th percentile, $12,600 at the median, and $30,000 at the 75th percentile, but the recent record also includes much larger awards that drive the overall total. The foundation appears to favor repeated support for the same organizations across years rather than one-time gifts: Korea Hope Foundation, Korean Martyrs Catholic Center, Christus Corp, Charitable Foundation of African CA, and Korean American Special Education all show multiple grants. The funder does not give to individuals and does not make program-related investments. The pattern is consistent with direct charitable contributions to operating organizations and mission-focused institutions.
$2.1M
$7.2M
$1.1M
$2.5M
Most grants fall between $5K and $30K, with a median of $13K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$13K
75th Percentile
$30K
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Highly concentrated: few, very large grants (many six‑figure) to a small set of organizations, including repeat funding to Korea Hope Foundation; preference for mission-driven, faith-based international work over broad diversified giving.
Notable grantees: World Village for Children, Korea Hope Foundation, Sisters of Mary World Villages for, Korean Martyrs Catholic Center, Kkottongnae Inc
Giving is heavily concentrated in California, which accounts for 87% of grants and is also the top state by grant count. Within the state, awards landed in Irvine, Westminster, Anaheim, Buena Park, Garden Grove, Los Angeles, Cerritos, Lynwood, and Torrance. Outside California, the foundation granted to Lanham, Maryland; Corpus Christi, Texas; Clinton, Maryland; Bethel Park, Pennsylvania; and Center Valley, Pennsylvania. All recent grants in the data went to U.S. recipients.
The recent record centers on Catholic and faith-based organizations, especially those connected to Korean and Korean-American communities. It also includes international child welfare projects, faith-based social services run by religious orders, Korean diaspora charities, and groups serving seniors, people with disabilities, and mothers and children.
Yes. Korea Hope Foundation appears with grants of $433,500, $163,500, and $148,900 across 2024 and 2025. Korean Martyrs Catholic Center, Christus Corp, Charitable Foundation of African CA, Korean American Special Education, and Kkottongnae Inc also each received more than one grant.
The typical grant size is $5,250 at the 25th percentile, $12,600 at the median, and $30,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes much larger awards, including $1,000,000 to World Village for Children and $500,000 to Sisters of Mary World Villages For.
California is the top state by grant count, with 87% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Recent California recipients include Irvine, Westminster, Anaheim, Buena Park, Garden Grove, Los Angeles, Cerritos, Lynwood, and Torrance.
The provided records identify the foundation’s grants, size pattern, and recipient types, but they do not describe an application process or unsolicited submission route. The giving pattern suggests awards are made directly to selected organizations rather than through an open application program.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAESALIM USA | CHERRY VALLEY, CA | $700,000 | 2026 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| SISTERS OF MARY BOYSTOWN | LANHAM, MD | $500,000 | 2026 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| KKOTDONGNAE INC | LAKEWOOD, CA | $300,000 | 2026 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| KOREAN AMERICAN SPECIAL EDUCATION | ANAHEIM, CA | $223,346 | 2026 | DISABILITIES EDUCATION |
| KOREA HOPE FOUNDATION | IRVINE, CA | $200,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| DOSAN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION OF AMERIC | CERRITOS, CA | $40,000 | 2026 | TO HONOR KOREAN INDEPENDENCE ACTIVIS |
| ST THOMAS KOREAN CATHOLIC CENTER | ANAHEIM, CA | $26,000 | 2026 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| CHRISTUS RETREAT | WESTMINSTER, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| SPIRIT FILLED HEART MINISTRY | IRVINE, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF AFRICAN CA | TORRANCE, CA | $12,600 | 2026 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| SOLPH | BUENA PARK, CA | $12,500 | 2026 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CH | CLINTON, MD | $10,000 | 2026 | MEDICAL MISSION |
| KOREAN MARTYRS CATHOLIC CENTER | WESTERMINSTER, CA | $7,000 | 2026 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| MADISON HOUSE YOUTH CENTER | YAKIMA, WA | $4,000 | 2026 | CATHOLIC MISSION FOR YOUTH |
| SPECTRUM OF HOPE FOUNDATION | FULLERTON, CA | $3,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| MEDI2KOREACOM | GARDEN GROVE, CA | $2,109 | 2026 | AIRLINE TICKET DONATION FOR KMCC |
| SARANG COMMUNITY CHURCH | ANAHEIM, CA | $2,000 | 2026 | CHRISTIAN MISSION |
| ONESIMUS MINISTRY | BUENA PARK, CA | $2,000 | 2026 | CHRISTIAN MISSION |
| KOREAN CATHOLIC CURSILLA MOVEMENT | BUENA PARK, CA | $1,000 | 2026 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| OBA FOUNDATION INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,000 | 2026 | LAPD FUNDRAISING DONATION |
| HUFS LAGCEO | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,000 | 2026 | LAGCEO DEVELOPMENT FUND |
| RAISING BRIGHT YOUTH PROJECT | ARTESIA, CA | $1,000 | 2026 | YOUTH PROJECT CONCERT |
| PACIFIC AMERICAN VOLUNTEER NON-PROF | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,000 | 2026 | VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION DONATION |
| OUR LADY OF PEACE KOREAN CATHOLIC C | IRVINE, CA | $500 | 2026 | CHATHOLIC MISSION |
| SISTERS OF MARY WORLD VILLAGES FOR | LANHAM, MD | $500,000 | 2025 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| KOREA HOPE FOUNDATION | IRVINE, CA | $163,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| THE SISTERS OF THE SOCIETY OF OUR | CORPUS CHRISTI, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| HOME ON THE GREEN PLEASURES | TUSTIN, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | REFUGE FOR MOTHER & CHILDREN (VICTIM |
| CHRISTUS RETREAT | WESTMINSTER, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| ST THOMAS KOREAN CATHOLIC CENTER | ANAHEIM, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| DOSAN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION OF AMERIC | CERRITOS, CA | $13,000 | 2025 | TO HONOR KOREAN INDEPENDENCE ACTIVIS |
| CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF AFRICAN CA | TORRANCE, CA | $12,600 | 2025 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CH | CLINTON, MD | $10,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL MISSION |
| KOREAN MARTYRS CATHOLIC CENTER | WESTERMINSTER, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| KOREA TOWN SENIOR AND COMMUNITY CEN | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT KOREAN-AMERICAN SENIOR COMMU |
| ST THOMAS CATHOLIC CHURCH | ANAHEIM, CA | $7,500 | 2025 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| KOREAN AMERICAN SPECIAL EDUCATION | ANAHEIM, CA | $6,200 | 2025 | DISABILITIES EDUCATION |
| SPECTRUM OF HOPE FOUNDATION | FULLERTON, CA | $6,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| KOREAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT KOREAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY |
| THE GOOD HANDS FOUNDATION | GARDEN GROVE, CA | $4,000 | 2025 | ANGIE KIM SUPPORT |
| GRACE KOREAN CHURCH | FULLERTON, CA | $3,000 | 2025 | CHRISTIAN MISSION |
| KOREAN CATHOLIC CURSILLA MOVEMENT | BUENA PARK, CA | $2,000 | 2025 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| KOREA HOPE FOUNDATION | IRVINE, CA | $433,500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| OUR LADY OF PEACH KOREAN CATHOLIC | IRVINE, CA | $31,500 | 2024 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| ASOCIACION MIRINE | GUATEMALA, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| KOREAN COMMUNITY SERVICES | GARDEN GROVE, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| KOREAN MARTYRS CATHOLIC CENTER | WESTMINSTER, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| CHRISTUS CORP | WESTMINSTER, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| KKOTTONGNAE INC | LYNWOOD, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | CATHOLIC MISSION |
| KOREAN AMERICAN SPECIAL EDUCATION | ANAHEIM, CA | $16,200 | 2024 | DISABILITIES EDUCATION |
DAESALIM USA
$700,000CATHOLIC MISSION
KKOTDONGNAE INC
$300,000CATHOLIC MISSION
KOREAN AMERICAN SPECIAL EDUCATION
$223,346DISABILITIES EDUCATION
KOREA HOPE FOUNDATION
$200,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
DOSAN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION OF AMERIC
$40,000TO HONOR KOREAN INDEPENDENCE ACTIVIS
ST THOMAS KOREAN CATHOLIC CENTER
$26,000CATHOLIC MISSION
CHRISTUS RETREAT
$25,000CATHOLIC MISSION
SPIRIT FILLED HEART MINISTRY
$15,000CATHOLIC MISSION
CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF AFRICAN CA
$12,600CATHOLIC MISSION
SOLPH
$12,500CATHOLIC MISSION
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CH
$10,000MEDICAL MISSION
KOREAN MARTYRS CATHOLIC CENTER
$7,000CATHOLIC MISSION
MADISON HOUSE YOUTH CENTER
$4,000CATHOLIC MISSION FOR YOUTH
SPECTRUM OF HOPE FOUNDATION
$3,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
MEDI2KOREACOM
$2,109AIRLINE TICKET DONATION FOR KMCC
SARANG COMMUNITY CHURCH
$2,000CHRISTIAN MISSION
ONESIMUS MINISTRY
$2,000CHRISTIAN MISSION
KOREAN CATHOLIC CURSILLA MOVEMENT
$1,000CATHOLIC MISSION
OBA FOUNDATION INC
$1,000LAPD FUNDRAISING DONATION
HUFS LAGCEO
$1,000LAGCEO DEVELOPMENT FUND
RAISING BRIGHT YOUTH PROJECT
$1,000YOUTH PROJECT CONCERT
PACIFIC AMERICAN VOLUNTEER NON-PROF
$1,000VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION DONATION
OUR LADY OF PEACE KOREAN CATHOLIC C
$500CHATHOLIC MISSION
KOREA HOPE FOUNDATION
$163,500CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
THE SISTERS OF THE SOCIETY OF OUR
$50,000CATHOLIC MISSION
HOME ON THE GREEN PLEASURES
$30,000REFUGE FOR MOTHER & CHILDREN (VICTIM
CHRISTUS RETREAT
$25,000CATHOLIC MISSION
ST THOMAS KOREAN CATHOLIC CENTER
$20,000CATHOLIC MISSION
DOSAN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION OF AMERIC
$13,000TO HONOR KOREAN INDEPENDENCE ACTIVIS
CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF AFRICAN CA
$12,600CATHOLIC MISSION
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CH
$10,000MEDICAL MISSION
KOREAN MARTYRS CATHOLIC CENTER
$10,000CATHOLIC MISSION
KOREA TOWN SENIOR AND COMMUNITY CEN
$10,000SUPPORT KOREAN-AMERICAN SENIOR COMMU
ST THOMAS CATHOLIC CHURCH
$7,500CATHOLIC MISSION
KOREAN AMERICAN SPECIAL EDUCATION
$6,200DISABILITIES EDUCATION
SPECTRUM OF HOPE FOUNDATION
$6,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
THE GOOD HANDS FOUNDATION
$4,000ANGIE KIM SUPPORT
GRACE KOREAN CHURCH
$3,000CHRISTIAN MISSION
KOREAN CATHOLIC CURSILLA MOVEMENT
$2,000CATHOLIC MISSION
KOREA HOPE FOUNDATION
$433,500CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
OUR LADY OF PEACH KOREAN CATHOLIC
$31,500CATHOLIC MISSION
ASOCIACION MIRINE
$30,000CATHOLIC MISSION
KOREAN COMMUNITY SERVICES
$30,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
KOREAN MARTYRS CATHOLIC CENTER
$30,000CATHOLIC MISSION
CHRISTUS CORP
$20,000CATHOLIC MISSION
KKOTTONGNAE INC
$20,000CATHOLIC MISSION
KOREAN AMERICAN SPECIAL EDUCATION
$16,200DISABILITIES EDUCATION