The Katie McGrath & JJ Abrams Family Foundation concentrates its giving in a small number of large, targeted awards that blend civic-media democracy work with Los Angeles–based youth and education initiatives. They provide major unrestricted and campaign support to investigative journalism and election-focused nonprofits while also funding community empowerment in South Central LA and capital/financial aid campaigns for a high-profile private arts-and-sciences school. The mix suggests a dual strategy: national impact through media and civic institutions and local investment in education and youth empowerment in their home region.
The Katie Mcgrath & Jj Abrams Family Foundation gives some of its largest recent awards to investigative journalism and election-related nonprofit infrastructure, with ProPublica receiving $1,500,000 in 2025 for unrestricted support and a capital campaign. That pattern sits alongside substantial support for civic-defense organizations such as the Hopewell Fund, which received $1,000,000 in 2025 for the Free Election Fund, and $900,000 in 2023 for the Democracy Docket Legal Fund. The foundation also backs education and youth-focused work in Los Angeles, including Community Coalition and Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences, where the grants combined direct program support with capital and financial-aid components. Its recent grants show a mix of unrestricted funding, campaign support, endowment support, and program-specific awards. The funding profile suggests a foundation that uses large, targeted grants to support institutions it views as important in media, democracy, and local youth opportunity. Alongside those larger commitments, it has also funded arts, legal, and community organizations, including theater and internship programming, legal defense work, and local community services.
In media and journalism, the foundation has supported both reporting and the institutions around it. ProPublica received $1,250,000 in 2023 for unrestricted support, and The 19th News received $250,000 in 2023 and another $250,000 in 2025, both unrestricted. The grant list also includes Aubin Pictures at $250,000 in 2023 for Farai Chideya's Our Body Politic. For democracy and civil rights work, the foundation gave $100,000 to Black Futures Lab in 2023 for unrestricted support and $100,000 to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Inc in 2025, also unrestricted. In education and student support, Northeastern University received $100,000 in 2025 for the Northeastern Financial Aid Fund, while The UCLA Foundation received $100,000 in 2025 for UCLA Nimoy Theater.
Typical grant size centers on mid-sized awards: the p25 is $8,750, the median is $25,000, and the p75 is $100,000. Recent giving also includes a smaller number of large grants in the hundreds of thousands and above. The recipient list shows repeat funding across years for several organizations, including ProPublica, Hopewell Fund, Community Coalition, Array Alliance, The 19th News, Motion Picture & Television Fund, The Obama Foundation, The UCLA Foundation, National Domestic Workers Alliance, and others. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF and makes grants to individuals. The recent awards include unrestricted support, campaign support, endowment support, and program-specific grants.
$5.3M
$5.5M
$5.6M
$5.7M
Most grants fall between $9K and $100K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$100K
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Concentrated, high-dollar giving to a small set of repeat grantees—mix of unrestricted general support and large capital/campaign gifts; combination of national civic/media funding and targeted local (Los Angeles) education and community investments.
Notable grantees: ProPublica, Hopewell Fund, Community Coalition, Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences
Grant recipients are entirely in the US. California is the top state by grant count, with 56% of grants going to recipients there. Recent California recipients include Los Angeles, Santa Monica, San Francisco, Woodland Hills, and Fremont, showing a strong concentration in the state while still funding organizations in New York, Washington, DC, Chicago, Austin, Boston, Beaverton, and Ohio. The pattern mixes local Los Angeles-area support with national organizations based elsewhere.
The foundation supports journalism, democracy and legal advocacy, education, youth programs, arts and media projects, and community services. Recent grants include unrestricted support, capital campaign funding, endowment support, and program-specific awards such as school supplies and financial aid funds.
Yes. Although California receives 56% of its grants, the recipient list also includes organizations in New York, Washington, DC, Chicago, Austin, Boston, Beaverton, and Ohio. The country distribution shown is entirely US-based.
The p25 grant size is $8,750, the median is $25,000, and the p75 is $100,000. The recent list also includes much larger awards, including seven-figure grants to journalism and election-related organizations.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including ProPublica, Hopewell Fund, Community Coalition, Array Alliance, The 19th News, Motion Picture & Television Fund, The Obama Foundation, The UCLA Foundation, and National Domestic Workers Alliance.
It uses unrestricted support, capital campaign grants, endowment funding, program-specific support, and some event or sponsorship-style funding. Examples in the recent grants include financial aid endowment support, annual fund support, and named program funding.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRO PUBLICA INC | NEW YORK, NY | $1,500,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT$500,000 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| HOPEWELL FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000,000 | 2025 | FREE ELECTION FUND |
| COMMUNITY COALITION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $555,545 | 2025 | $5,545 SCHOOL SUPPLIES$250,000 SOUTH CENTRAL YOUTH EMPOWERED THRU ACTION (SCYEA) PROGRAM$50,000 UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| ARRAY ALLIANCE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| THE 19TH NEWS | AUSTIN, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| MOTION PICTURE & TELEVISION FUND | WOODLAND HILLS, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| THE UCLA FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | UCLA NIMOY THEATER |
| THE OBAMA FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATIONAL FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | BOSTON, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | NORTHEASTERN FINANCIAL AID FUND |
| NATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKERS ALLIANCE | NEW YORK, NY | $75,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | 2024 LOS ANGELES BENEFIT |
| CROSSROADS SCHOOL FOR ARTS & SCIENCES | SANTA MONICA, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | $50,000 ANNUAL FUND |
| PODERISTAS COMMUNITY FUND | BRONX, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF GREATER LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| THE VAD FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | BOBBY NEWMYER DINING HALL & AUDITORIUM |
| NATIONAL WOMENS LAW CENTER | PITTSBURGH, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE | BRONXVILLE, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| FILM INDEPENDENT | LOS ANGELES, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | KEEP MY BROTHER |
| CIVIC NATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| SHARE OUR STRENGTH | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| SAVE THE CHILDREN | FAIRFIELD, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF |
| THE OPPORTUNITY NETWORK | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| THE PANISCUS PROJECT | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| PEOPLE FOR THE AMERICAN WAY | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| US IRELAND ALLIANCE | ARLINGTON, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S MEDIA FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL TRUST FOR LOCAL NEWS | LEXINGTON, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | MAINE TRUST FOR LOCAL NEWS |
| WESTSIDE FOOD BANK | SANTA MONICA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | HOLIDAY FOOD RESOURCE PROGRAM |
| THE PEOPLE CONCERN | LOS ANGELES, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| ALLIANCE FOR CHILDRENS RIGHTS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| ABORTION FREEDOM FUND | MIDDLETOWN, MD | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| SO CA PUB RADIO | PASADENA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| JHPIEGO | BALTIMORE, MD | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| WOMEN FILM | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| THE EDWARD M KENNEDY INSTITUTE FOR UNITED STATES SENATE | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| POINTS NORTH INSTITUTE | CAMDEN, ME | $10,000 | 2025 | GOLD-LEVEL SPONSORSHIP OF THE CAMDEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL |
| BABY2BABY | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| POSSIBILITY LABS | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| ARCHER SCHOOL FOR GIRLS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| THE FORGOTTEN DOG FOUNDATION | SANTA MONICA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| SANTA MONICA PAL | SANTA MONICA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHRIS CARREY PAL EDUCATION FUND |
| NEW YORKERS FOR CHILDREN | HARTSDALE, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| LAANE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $6,200 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| SIMMONS UNIVERSITY | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| UNATTI FOUNDATION | SANTA MONICA, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| CITY YEAR | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN'S ACTION NETWORK | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT |
COMMUNITY COALITION
$555,545$5,545 SCHOOL SUPPLIES$250,000 SOUTH CENTRAL YOUTH EMPOWERED THRU ACTION (SCYEA) PROGRAM$50,000 UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
MOTION PICTURE & TELEVISION FUND
$100,000UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
THE OBAMA FOUNDATION
$100,000UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
PODERISTAS COMMUNITY FUND
$50,000UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
THE VAD FOUNDATION
$50,000BOBBY NEWMYER DINING HALL & AUDITORIUM
NATIONAL WOMENS LAW CENTER
$50,000UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE
$50,000SCHOLARSHIPS
SAVE THE CHILDREN
$25,000HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF
THE OPPORTUNITY NETWORK
$25,000UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
THE PANISCUS PROJECT
$25,000UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
PEOPLE FOR THE AMERICAN WAY
$25,000UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
US IRELAND ALLIANCE
$25,000UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER
$25,000UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
NATIONAL TRUST FOR LOCAL NEWS
$25,000MAINE TRUST FOR LOCAL NEWS
WESTSIDE FOOD BANK
$25,000HOLIDAY FOOD RESOURCE PROGRAM
ABORTION FREEDOM FUND
$10,000UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
SO CA PUB RADIO
$10,000UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
JHPIEGO
$10,000UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
THE EDWARD M KENNEDY INSTITUTE FOR UNITED STATES SENATE
$10,000UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
GOLD-LEVEL SPONSORSHIP OF THE CAMDEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
THE FORGOTTEN DOG FOUNDATION
$10,000UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
SANTA MONICA PAL
$10,000CHRIS CARREY PAL EDUCATION FUND
NEW YORKERS FOR CHILDREN
$10,000UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
UNATTI FOUNDATION
$5,000UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
CHILDREN'S ACTION NETWORK
$5,000UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT