The James J. and Sue Femino Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on large, place-based capital and program investments in health care, medical research, and Catholic campus ministries in the Los Angeles area. Grants are dominated by major institutional gifts to hospitals, research institutes and facility projects, with an occasional broader community or athletics-related gift. The foundation favors visible, transformational capital and research support rather than many small operating grants.
A $1,000,000 grant to the USC Keck School of Medicine is the clearest signal in The James J and Sue Femino Foundation’s recent giving: this is a funder of large, place-based institutional support in Los Angeles. Their grants repeatedly back hospitals, medical research centers, and university-linked facilities, with a smaller but consistent line of support for Catholic campus ministry and student-focused programs. The foundation also gave $611,000 to Huntington Medical Research Inst in Pasadena for medical research, and $500,000 to Ronald Mcdonald House for property acquisition, showing interest in both research infrastructure and family-centered medical support. Other major awards point to a pattern of funding that favors capital, research, and organizational strengthening rather than broad small-grant activity. The foundation’s recent recipients include City of Hope in Duarte for research treatment and general organization support, Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles for general organization support, and Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena for cardiology and general organization support. Across the portfolio, the same institutions and campus partners recur in different years, suggesting sustained relationships with a set of local organizations tied to health care, higher education, and faith-based campus life.
Medical care and research are the foundation’s most visible themes. In 2023, they gave $200,000 to City of Hope in Duarte for research treatment and general organization support, and in 2025 they awarded $611,000 to Huntington Medical Research Inst in Pasadena for medical research. Health-related giving also appears in hospital support, including $100,000 to Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles for general organization support. Higher education is another recurring area. The foundation gave $158,000 to USC Univ of So Cal for music education and general organization support, $52,500 to Caltech Associates for education programs, and $30,000 to USC Thornton School of Music for music education and general organization support. Catholic campus ministry is also part of the portfolio, with $210,000 to USC Caruso Catholic Center Capital and $201,250 to USC Caruso Catholic Center for religious and educational facility construction. Community-facing support appears as well, including $200,000 to US Olympic Paralympic Foundation for general organization support and $32,500 to Rose Bowl Aquatics Center for scholarships and general organization support.
$1.4M
$32.1M
$1.3M
$1.6M
Most grants fall between $2K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Concentrated giving: a small number of large, one-time or episodic multi-hundred-thousand to seven-figure grants focused on institutional capital projects and research. The foundation gives repeatedly to select beneficiaries (e.g., USC Caruso Catholic Center) and prioritizes scale and visibility over broad, diversified small grants.
Notable grantees: USC Keck School of Medicine, Huntington Medical Research Institute, USC Caruso Catholic Center, Ronald McDonald House, City of Hope
Typical grants cluster at a modest scale even though the foundation also makes large outlier awards: p25 is $2,000, median is $5,000, and p75 is $10,000. That distribution suggests many smaller grants alongside a limited number of major institutional gifts. The recent record also shows repeat support to the same organizations across multiple years, including USC Center for Philanthropy, The Huntington Library, The Music Center, Descanso Gardens Foundation, and US Olympic Paralympic Foundation. The foundation funds individuals, and it does not make program-related investments. The data does not show an application process.
Giving is heavily concentrated in California, which accounts for 80% of grants and is also the top state by grant count. Pasadena, Los Angeles, San Marino, Duarte, Torrance, and La Canada Flintridge all appear among recipient cities, pointing to a strong Greater Los Angeles pattern. Outside California, the foundation has granted to Chicago, Colorado Springs, and Honolulu. All recorded recipients are in the United States.
The recent grant record is centered on hospitals, medical research institutes, and university-based facilities. Named recipients include USC Keck School of Medicine, Huntington Medical Research Inst, City of Hope, Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, and Huntington Memorial Hospital, alongside campus and cultural institutions such as USC Caruso Catholic Center and The Huntington Library.
The grant-size distribution is small at the center and larger at the top end: p25 is $2,000, median is $5,000, and p75 is $10,000. The same record also includes a few much larger awards, such as $1,000,000 and $611,000.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeated support across multiple years for USC Center for Philanthropy, The Huntington Library, The Music Center, Descanso Gardens Foundation, and US Olympic Paralympic Foundation. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts only.
California dominates the portfolio: 80% of grants go to recipients in CA, and CA is also the top state by grant count. The recent list is heavily centered in Greater Los Angeles, with recipient cities including Pasadena, Los Angeles, San Marino, Duarte, Torrance, and La Canada Flintridge.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals, in addition to organizations. Its recent grants also show a mix of scholarship-related support and institutional awards, including USC-affiliated education grants and scholarship funding to Uscswim With Mike Foundation and Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USC KECK SCHOOL OF MEDICINE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $350,000 | 2026 | SCH - for medical facilities & education |
| US OLYMPIC PARALYMPIC FOUNDATION | Colorado Springs, CO | $200,000 | 2026 | CA - general organization support |
| CALTECH ASSOCIATES | PASADENA, CA | $150,000 | 2026 | SCH - for scholarship/education programs |
| CATHOLIC EDUCATION FOUNDTION | Los Angeles, CA | $101,000 | 2026 | SCH - for scholarships |
| WELLESLEY COLLEGE | WELLESLEY, MA | $100,000 | 2026 | SCH - GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| THE HUNTINGTON LIBRARY | SAN MARINO, CA | $75,000 | 2026 | CA - for art museum, botanical gardens, and general support |
| USC LEONARD DAVIS GERONTOLOGY RESEA | Los Angeles, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | MR - for gerontology research and general organization support |
| USC CENTER FOR PHILANTHROPY | LOS ANGELES, CA | $35,000 | 2026 | CA - general organization support |
| CALTECH | PASADENA, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | SCH-GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| HUNTINGTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL | PASADENA, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | MF - FOR CARDIOLOGY DEPT AND GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| DESCANSO GARDENS FOUNDATION | LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | CA - GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| TOGETHER IN MISSION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $17,000 | 2026 | RO - general organization support |
| USC DORMSIFE COLLEGE OF LETTERS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | SCH - EDUCATION |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | EVANSTON, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | SCH - for engineering & journalism education |
| HUNTINGTON MEDICAL RESEARCH INST | PASADENA, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | MR - for Medical Research |
| THE MUSIC CENTER | Los Angeles, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | CA - general organization support |
| PASADENA GUILD OF CHILDRENS HOSP | SAN MARINO, CA | $13,500 | 2026 | MF - general organization support |
| THE PHIL SIMON CLINIC | PASADENA, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | MF - GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | PASADENA, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | CA - general organization support |
| PASADENA SENIOR CENTER | PASADENA, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | CA - general organization support |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | Los Angeles, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | CA - for general organization support |
| YOSEMITE CONSERVANCY | San Francisco, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | CA - general organization support |
| COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG FOUNDATION | WILLAIMSBURG, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | CA - Raleigh Tavern fund and general organization support |
| MERCY SHIPS | Garden Valley, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | MF-GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| CAMP WONDER CSDFORG | WALNUT CREEK, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | CA - GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| SANTA TERESITA SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | SCH-EDUCATION SUPPORT |
| USC CARUSO CATHOLIC CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | RO - for religious/educational facility construction |
| DOLORES MISSION SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $7,000 | 2026 | SCH - for education and general organization support |
| LOS ANGELES COUNTY ARBORETUM FOUND | ARCADIA, CA | $6,000 | 2026 | CA - GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| PRIEST RETIREMENT FUND - ADLA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | RO - for retirement of clergy |
| INSTITUTE FOR SYSTEMS BIOLOGY STEM | SEATTLE, WA | $5,000 | 2026 | MR-GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | CA COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | New York, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | MF - for medical relief aid and general organization support |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | MF PROPERTY ACQUISITION |
| THE SMILE TRAIN | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | MF - GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| CALIF STATE PARKS FDN | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | CA - GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| CITY OF HOPE | DUARTE, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | MF - research treatment and general organization support |
| BOY'S REPUBLIC | CHINO HILLS, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | SCH - general organization support |
| BOYS GIRLS CLUB OF PASADENA | Pasadena, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | CA - general organization support |
| ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH EDUCATION FOUN | ROSEMONT, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | MR MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| SWIM WITH MIKE FOUNDATION | PASADENA, CA | $4,400 | 2026 | SCH - for scholarships |
| HILLCREST | La Verne, CA | $3,000 | 2026 | CA - general organization support |
| HOAG HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | NEWPORT BEACH, CA | $3,000 | 2026 | MF MEDICAL FACILITY |
| PASADENA HUMANE SOCIETY | PASADENA, CA | $3,000 | 2026 | CA - GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| CHILDRENS HOSPITAL OF LOS ANGELES | Los Angeles, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | MF - general organization support |
| ALS ASSOCIATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $2,500 | 2026 | MR - general organization support |
| ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY | TEMPE, AZ | $2,500 | 2026 | SCH-GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| THE PASADENA VILLAGE | PASADENA, CA | $2,000 | 2026 | CA - GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| PHYSICIANS AID ASSOC | WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA | $2,000 | 2026 | CA - GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| USC CLASSICAL KUSC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,000 | 2026 | CA - GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
USC KECK SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
$350,000SCH - for medical facilities & education
CATHOLIC EDUCATION FOUNDTION
$101,000SCH - for scholarships
WELLESLEY COLLEGE
$100,000SCH - GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
CA - for art museum, botanical gardens, and general support
USC LEONARD DAVIS GERONTOLOGY RESEA
$50,000MR - for gerontology research and general organization support
USC CENTER FOR PHILANTHROPY
$35,000CA - general organization support
HUNTINGTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
$25,000MF - FOR CARDIOLOGY DEPT AND GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
TOGETHER IN MISSION
$17,000RO - general organization support
USC DORMSIFE COLLEGE OF LETTERS
$15,000SCH - EDUCATION
HUNTINGTON MEDICAL RESEARCH INST
$15,000MR - for Medical Research
THE MUSIC CENTER
$15,000CA - general organization support
PASADENA GUILD OF CHILDRENS HOSP
$13,500MF - general organization support
THE PHIL SIMON CLINIC
$10,000MF - GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
THE SALVATION ARMY
$10,000CA - general organization support
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$10,000CA - for general organization support
YOSEMITE CONSERVANCY
$10,000CA - general organization support
CA - Raleigh Tavern fund and general organization support
MERCY SHIPS
$10,000MF-GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
CAMP WONDER CSDFORG
$10,000CA - GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
SANTA TERESITA SCHOOL
$10,000SCH-EDUCATION SUPPORT
USC CARUSO CATHOLIC CENTER
$10,000RO - for religious/educational facility construction
DOLORES MISSION SCHOOL
$7,000SCH - for education and general organization support
LOS ANGELES COUNTY ARBORETUM FOUND
$6,000CA - GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
PRIEST RETIREMENT FUND - ADLA
$5,000RO - for retirement of clergy
INSTITUTE FOR SYSTEMS BIOLOGY STEM
$5,000MR-GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY
$5,000CA COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
$5,000MF - for medical relief aid and general organization support
HILLCREST
$3,000CA - general organization support
PASADENA HUMANE SOCIETY
$3,000CA - GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
$2,500SCH-GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
THE PASADENA VILLAGE
$2,000CA - GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
PHYSICIANS AID ASSOC
$2,000CA - GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
USC CLASSICAL KUSC
$2,000CA - GENERAL ORGANIZATION SUPPORT