The Burnham Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on a small number of sizable, local grants that support community peacemaking and regional cultural life in San Diego. Its giving is narrowly focused—funding conflict resolution/peacemaking programs and the preservation and education work of the San Diego Symphony—often through repeat, high-dollar awards. The foundation favors organizations that advance civic harmony and local arts institutions rather than broad national portfolios.
A defining feature of The Burnham Foundation’s recent giving is its repeated support for community peacemaking in San Diego, including a $150,000 grant in 2025 to the National Conflict Resolution Center to fund the partnership between the NCRC and the YMCA. That emphasis is paired with sustained backing for regional arts and civic education, especially the San Diego Symphony, which received $125,000 in both 2023 and 2024 for education and preservation of regional music and culture. The foundation also appears in adjacent civic and educational work, such as support for the University of San Diego’s Burnham Moores Center for Real Estate and the Institute of the Americas’ Cross Boarder STEAM Lab. Its grantmaking is local in scope and concentrated in San Diego County organizations, with several recipients appearing more than once across the recent-grants list. The pattern suggests a funder that favors direct, place-based institutions and recurring partnerships rather than a broad portfolio of distant grantees.
In peacemaking and civic harmony work, the foundation gave $115,000 in 2023 and $95,000 in 2024 to the National Conflict Resolution Center for the Peacemaker Honorary Committee, then added $75,000 in 2025 for the Campus Civility Project. In arts and cultural preservation, the San Diego Symphony received $125,000 in 2023 and another $125,000 in 2024 for education and preservation of regional music and culture. The foundation also funds education-linked projects: Teach for America received $50,000 in 2023, $50,000 in 2024, and $50,000 in 2025 to provide low-income schools with educational equity and excellence. Its grant list also includes a $75,000 award to the Institute of the Americas for the Cross Boarder STEAM Lab.
Typical grants are modest to mid-sized for the foundation’s portfolio: the p25 is $2,000, median grant size is $5,000, and p75 is $25,000. The recent-grants list shows a clear mix of one-off awards and repeat support, with several recipients funded across multiple years, including the National Conflict Resolution Center, the San Diego Symphony, Teach for America, the University of San Diego, and the Institute of the Americas. The foundation funds individuals as well as organizations, and it makes no program-related investments. Its active programs also accept unsolicited requests, with small local grants described for community, arts, sport, volunteering, and elderly-support projects.
$467K
$6M
$3.3M
$1.3M
Most grants fall between $2K and $25K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Highly concentrated — very few grants, large-dollar awards, repeated support to the same local organizations rather than many small or one-off gifts.
Notable grantees: National Conflict Resolution Center, San Diego Symphony
Grantmaking is highly concentrated in California: 94% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the top state by grant count is also CA. Recent recipients are clustered in San Diego and nearby cities, including La Jolla, Carlsbad, and Bakersfield. Specific examples from the list include National Conflict Resolution Center in San Diego, Institute of the Americas in La Jolla, Maggie Kay Foundation in Carlsbad, and Fred Grier in Bakersfield. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
The recent-grants list shows a narrow set of priorities: community conflict resolution and peacemaking, regional cultural preservation through the San Diego Symphony, educational equity through Teach for America, and local civic or research institutions such as the University of San Diego and the Institute of the Americas.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including the National Conflict Resolution Center, the San Diego Symphony, Teach for America, the University of San Diego, and the Institute of the Americas. The pattern includes repeated awards to the same organizations rather than only one-time gifts.
The foundation’s typical grant size is small to mid-sized: p25 is $2,000, median is $5,000, and p75 is $25,000. The recent-grants list includes both smaller awards and larger repeat grants, with some gifts reaching six figures.
It is local in scope. Ninety-four percent of grants go to recipients in California, and the recent-grants list is entirely U.S.-based. The recipients shown are concentrated in San Diego, La Jolla, Carlsbad, Bakersfield, Stanford, and Olympia.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals, and the recent-grants list includes awards to Fred Grier for student tuition and housing in 2023 and scholarship support in 2024.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Burnham Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Groups, organisations or individuals located in Burnham or the surrounding district whose project fits the Foundation's stated focus areas; applicants are asked to complete and submit the Grant Request Form and follow the Grant Application Guidelines.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION CENTER | SAN DIEGO, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | FUND THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE NCRC AND THE YMCA. |
| NATIONAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION CENTER | SAN DIEGO, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | FUND THE CAMPUS CIVILITY PROJECT. |
| CAMPANILE FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | HAROLD K BROWN CAREER LEARNING AND UNDERSTANDING BIASES PROGRAM FUND. |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA | SAN DEIGO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE LOW-INCOME SCHOOLS WITH EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND EXCELLENCE |
| INSTITUTE OF THE AMERICAS | LA JOLLA, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR THE CROSS BOARDER STEAM LAB |
| UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $27,743 | 2025 | BURNHAM MOORES CENTER FOR REAL ESTATE |
| TIMKEN MUSEUM OF ART | SAN DIEGO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PRESERVE ART FOR THE EDUCATION OF LOCAL CHILDREN |
| MEALS ON WHEELS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | FEED ELDERLY SHUT-INS |
| RYAN FAMILY YMCA | SAN DIEGO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDER OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. |
| ST THERESE OF CARMEL | SAN DIEGO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | FUNDING OF PRISION MINISTRY AND CATHOLIC CHARITIES. |
| THE SAN DIEGO LGBTQ COMMUNITY CENTER | SAN DEIGO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | ENHANCE AND SUSTAIN THE WELLBEING OF QUEER AND TRANSGENDERED PEOPLE. |
| CAMPANILE FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $4,750 | 2025 | SUE RUSSELL SCHOLARSHIP FUND. |
| IIAN-LAEL FOUNDATION | JULIAN, CA | $4,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR ENDOWMENT FUND |
| VOLCAN MOUNTAIN FOUNDATION | JULIAN, CA | $3,000 | 2025 | PRESERVATION OF OPEN SPACE. |
| LAS PATRONAS | LA JOLLA, CA | $3,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL |
| TRANS FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES | SAN DIEGO, CA | $3,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR TRANSGENDERED AND NON-BINARY PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES |
| MAKE-A-WISH | SAN DEIGO, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | 28 MILE WALK FUNDRAISER TO FUND TERMINALLY ILL CHILDREN'S DREAMS. |
| JULIAN COMMUNITY HERITAGE FOUNDATION | JULIAN, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | PRESERVING THE HISTORY AND COMMUNITY OF JULIAN |
| SAN DIEGO AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM | SAN DEIGO, CA | $2,250 | 2025 | SPONSOR FLY ME TO THE MOON EVENT. |
| KSDS-FM | LA MESA, CA | $2,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT JAZZ RADIO STATION. |
| CELEBRATION OF CHAMPIONS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,000 | 2025 | UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN AT RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. |
| WARRIOR FOUNDATION FREEDOM STATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT WOUNDED WARRIORS |
| USS MIDWAY MUSEUM | SAN DIEGO, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | PRESERVATION OF NAVAL AVIATION HISTORY |
| SAN DIEGO AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM | SAN DIEGO, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | PROMOTE AIR AND SPACE PROGRAMS |
| LA JOLLA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | LA JOLLA, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT CHURCH ACTIVITIES |
| SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY | SAN DEIGO, CA | $125,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION AND PRESERVATION OF REGIONAL MUSIC AND CULTURE |
| UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $96,324 | 2024 | BURNHAM MOORES CENTER FOR REAL ESTATE |
| NATIONAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION CENTER | SAN DIEGO, CA | $95,000 | 2024 | PEACEMAKER HONORARY COMMITTEE |
| INSTITUTE OF THE AMERICAS | LA JOLLA, CA | $75,000 | 2024 | FUNDING FOR THE CROSS BOARDER STEAM LAB |
| CAMPANILE FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | SUE RUSSELL SCHOLARSHIP FUND. |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA | SAN DEIGO, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE LOW-INCOME SCHOOLS WITH EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND EXCELLENCE |
| PENINSULA FAMILY YMCA | SAN DIEGO, CA | $40,000 | 2024 | BUILD OUT OF NEW FACILITY |
| FRED GRIER | BAKERSFILED, CA | $33,500 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT |
| SAN DIEGO REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEV CORP | SAN DIEGO, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | PROMOTE BUSINESS IN SAN DIEGO |
| FREEDOM FOUNDATION | OLYMPIA, WA | $20,000 | 2024 | EDUCATING PUBLIC EMPLOYEES TO AVOID POLITICAL EXPLOITATION. |
| KYOTO SYMPOSIUM ORGANIZATION | LA JOLLA, CA | $15,000 | 2024 | SPONSOR KYOTO AWARDS. |
| RYAN FAMILY YMCA | SAN DIEGO, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | PROVIDER OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. |
| PLANO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | PLANO, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT ORCHESTRA MUSIC IN PLANO. |
| CLASSROOM OF THE FUTURE | SAN DIEGO, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | IMPROVEMENTS IN EDUCATION |
| FUTURO BRILLANTE | SAN DIEGO, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | ASSIST IN FUNDING A WOMENS SHELTER IN MONTAPALO, COSTA RICA |
| INSTALLATION GALLERY | SAN DEIGO, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | BINATIONAL COLLABORATIVE ARTS PARTNERSHIP. |
| IIAN-LAEL FOUNDATION | JULIAN, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR ENDOWMENT FUND |
| TIMKEN MUSEUM OF ART | SAN DIEGO, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | PRESERVE ART FOR THE EDUCATION OF LOCAL CHILDREN |
| MEALS ON WHEELS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | FEED ELDERLY SHUT-INS |
| JULIAN COMMUNITY HERITAGE FOUNDATION | JULIAN, CA | $2,500 | 2024 | PRESERVING THE HISTORY AND COMMUNITY OF JULIAN |
| SCORE SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,500 | 2024 | COUNSELING AND WORKSHOPS FOR BUSINESS |
| TREVOR PROJECT | WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA | $2,500 | 2024 | OUTREACH TO END SUICIDE AMONG QUEER AND QUESTIONING YOUNG PEOPLE |
| ST THERESE OF CARMEL | SAN DEIGO, CA | $2,000 | 2024 | FUND CONSTRUCTION AT OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE |
| SAN DIEGO AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,000 | 2024 | PROMOTE AIR AND SPACE PROGRAMS |
| RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,000 | 2024 | MEDICAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN |
FUND THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE NCRC AND THE YMCA.
HAROLD K BROWN CAREER LEARNING AND UNDERSTANDING BIASES PROGRAM FUND.
TEACH FOR AMERICA
$50,000TO PROVIDE LOW-INCOME SCHOOLS WITH EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND EXCELLENCE
MEALS ON WHEELS
$5,000FEED ELDERLY SHUT-INS
RYAN FAMILY YMCA
$5,000PROVIDER OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
ST THERESE OF CARMEL
$5,000FUNDING OF PRISION MINISTRY AND CATHOLIC CHARITIES.
THE SAN DIEGO LGBTQ COMMUNITY CENTER
$5,000ENHANCE AND SUSTAIN THE WELLBEING OF QUEER AND TRANSGENDERED PEOPLE.
IIAN-LAEL FOUNDATION
$4,500SUPPORT FOR ENDOWMENT FUND
VOLCAN MOUNTAIN FOUNDATION
$3,000PRESERVATION OF OPEN SPACE.
LAS PATRONAS
$3,000SUPPORT RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
TRANS FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES
$3,000SUPPORT FOR TRANSGENDERED AND NON-BINARY PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES
JULIAN COMMUNITY HERITAGE FOUNDATION
$2,500PRESERVING THE HISTORY AND COMMUNITY OF JULIAN
SAN DIEGO AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM
$2,250SPONSOR FLY ME TO THE MOON EVENT.
KSDS-FM
$2,000SUPPORT THE SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT JAZZ RADIO STATION.
CELEBRATION OF CHAMPIONS
$2,000UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN AT RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.
SAN DIEGO AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM
$1,000PROMOTE AIR AND SPACE PROGRAMS
LA JOLLA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$1,000SUPPORT CHURCH ACTIVITIES
TEACH FOR AMERICA
$50,000TO PROVIDE LOW-INCOME SCHOOLS WITH EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND EXCELLENCE
PENINSULA FAMILY YMCA
$40,000BUILD OUT OF NEW FACILITY
FRED GRIER
$33,500SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
SAN DIEGO REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEV CORP
$25,000PROMOTE BUSINESS IN SAN DIEGO
KYOTO SYMPOSIUM ORGANIZATION
$15,000SPONSOR KYOTO AWARDS.
RYAN FAMILY YMCA
$10,000PROVIDER OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
PLANO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$10,000SUPPORT ORCHESTRA MUSIC IN PLANO.
CLASSROOM OF THE FUTURE
$10,000IMPROVEMENTS IN EDUCATION
FUTURO BRILLANTE
$10,000ASSIST IN FUNDING A WOMENS SHELTER IN MONTAPALO, COSTA RICA
INSTALLATION GALLERY
$5,000BINATIONAL COLLABORATIVE ARTS PARTNERSHIP.
IIAN-LAEL FOUNDATION
$5,000SUPPORT FOR ENDOWMENT FUND
MEALS ON WHEELS
$5,000FEED ELDERLY SHUT-INS
JULIAN COMMUNITY HERITAGE FOUNDATION
$2,500PRESERVING THE HISTORY AND COMMUNITY OF JULIAN
SCORE SAN DIEGO
$2,500COUNSELING AND WORKSHOPS FOR BUSINESS
OUTREACH TO END SUICIDE AMONG QUEER AND QUESTIONING YOUNG PEOPLE
ST THERESE OF CARMEL
$2,000FUND CONSTRUCTION AT OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
SAN DIEGO AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM
$2,000PROMOTE AIR AND SPACE PROGRAMS