The Lowell Milken Family Foundation concentrates very large, targeted gifts to higher education—especially UCLA and its School of Law—and to Jewish day schools and congregational education in the Los Angeles area. The foundation makes multi-million-dollar, repeat grants to a small set of institutions, blending support for elite university programs, K–12 Jewish education, and some community philanthropy/Israel-related causes. Its giving emphasizes institution-building rather than many small, dispersed awards.
The Lowell Milken Family Foundation’s recent giving is defined by large, repeat support for UCLA and its School of Law, alongside major gifts to Jewish education institutions in Los Angeles. In 2024, the foundation gave $5,550,000 to The UCLA Foundation for educational programs and $4,975,000 to UCLA Foundation - School of Law for higher education and research programs. Those same institutions recur across the grant list, with another $2,987,500 to the UCLA School of Law in 2023 and $2,440,000 to University of California Los Angeles - School of Law in 2025. The pattern points to institution-building rather than broad, scattered grantmaking. Its work also reaches K–12 Jewish schooling and synagogue-based education, including Milken Community School and Stephen Wise Temple, both in Los Angeles. Beyond education, the foundation has made six- and seven-figure awards to community and Israel-related organizations, including American Friends of Ariel and the National Philanthropic Trust. The mix shows a funder that concentrates capital in a small set of organizations over multiple years, with higher education and Jewish education as the clearest anchors.
Higher education is a central theme. The foundation gave $860,000 to UCLA Foundation - School of Music in 2023, then $425,000 to the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music in 2025, showing continued support for UCLA-linked academic programs. In law, it funded UCLA Foundation - School of Law with $2,987,500 in 2023 and $4,975,000 in 2024, followed by $2,440,000 to University of California Los Angeles - School of Law in 2025. Jewish K–12 education is another major area: Milken Community School received $2,500,000 in 2025 and $800,000 in 2024, while Stephen Wise Temple received $2,252,804 in 2023 and $1,022,000 in 2024. Community and public-affairs groups also appear, including $500,000 to Jerusalem Center for Security & Foreign Affairs in 2025 and $500,000 to The Lawfare Project in 2025.
Typical grant size is $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $150,000 at the 75th percentile, but the recent record also includes repeated multi-million-dollar awards. Several recipients appear across multiple years, especially UCLA-linked entities, Stephen Wise Temple, Art Center College of Design, and Nami Westside Los Angeles, which suggests recurring institutional support rather than one-off giving. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it also funds individuals. Its recent awards show a pattern of concentrated, high-commitment grants to a limited set of organizations.
$10M
$143.3M
$20.2M
$11.5M
Most grants fall between $15K and $150K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$150K
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Lowell Milken Family Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 179 | $43.8M | 99.4% |
| 2 | Canada |
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Concentrated, high-dollar awarding pattern with repeated multi-million-dollar grants to a few core institutions; favors large, institutional and capital/program support over many small grants.
Notable grantees: UCLA Foundation / UCLA School of Law, Stephen Wise Temple, Milken Community School, American Friends of Ariel, National Philanthropic Trust
Grant recipients are overwhelmingly in the United States, with one grant in Canada. Los Angeles is the main recipient city, appearing repeatedly through UCLA, Milken Community School, Stephen Wise Temple, Nami Westside Los Angeles, and Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. Other recipient cities include Pasadena, Cedarhurst, New York, Boca Raton, Jenkintown, Beaverton, and Woodmere. California accounts for 55% of grants given, even though New York is the top state by grant count.
Its recent grants center on higher education, especially UCLA and UCLA School of Law, plus Jewish K–12 education in Los Angeles. The list also includes community and Israel-related organizations, such as the National Philanthropic Trust, American Friends of Ariel, and Friends of the Israel Defense Forces.
The foundation’s typical grant size is $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $150,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include several gifts in the hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars.
Yes. UCLA Foundation - School of Law appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Stephen Wise Temple appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Art Center College of Design appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025. That pattern shows recurring support for a small group of institutions.
California receives 55% of grants, but New York is the top state by grant count. Recipient cities in the recent list include Los Angeles, Pasadena, Cedarhurst, New York, Boca Raton, Jenkintown, Beaverton, and Woodmere.
Yes. The foundation’s profile indicates that it funds individuals, alongside institutional and programmatic grants.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 1 |
| $1K |
0.6% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MILKEN COMMUNITY SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,500,000 | 2025 | PRESCHOOL - 12TH GRADE PROGRAMS |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES - SCHOOL OF LAW | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,440,000 | 2025 | HIGHER ED & RESEARCH INST. & PROGS |
| STEPHEN WISE TEMPLE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $527,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY CENTERS & PROGRAMS |
| LETTER OF THE LAW - SHURAT HADIN ISRAEL LAW CENTER | WOODMERE, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY CENTERS & PROGRAMS |
| JERUSALEM CENTER FOR SECURITY & FOREIGN AFFAIRS | CEDARHURST, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY CENTERS & PROGRAMS |
| FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY CENTERS & PROGRAMS |
| THE LAWFARE PROJECT | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY CENTERS & PROGRAMS |
| UCLA HERB ALPERT SCHOOL OF MUSIC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $425,000 | 2025 | HIGHER ED & RESEARCH INST. & PROGS |
| ART CENTER COLLEGE OF DESIGN | PASADENA, CA | $400,000 | 2025 | HIGHER ED & RESEARCH INST. & PROGS |
| JEWISH NEWS SERVICE INC | BEAVERTON, OR | $400,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY CENTERS & PROGRAMS |
| MEMRI - THE MIDDLE EAST MEDIA AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $275,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY CENTERS & PROGRAMS |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF AISH HATORAH-WESTERN REGION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY CENTERS & PROGRAMS |
| RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION & INSTITUTE | SIMI VALLEY, CA | $106,000 | 2025 | CULTURAL, LIBRARIES & MUSEUMS |
| PROSTATE CANCER FOUNDATION | SANTA MONICA, CA | $102,000 | 2025 | PROSTATE CANCER RESEARCH |
| MICHAEL J FOX FOUNDATION FOR PARKINSONS RESEARCH | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL RESEARCH |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL RESEARCH |
| PARKINSONS FOUNDATION | MIAMI, FL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL RESEARCH |
| VAN LEER-JERUSALEM INSTITUTEMILKEN INNOVATION CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $75,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY CENTERS & PROGRAMS |
| FUENTE LATINA | MIAMI, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY CENTERS & PROGRAMS |
| ISRAEL AMERICA ACADEMIC EXCHANGE | BEVERLY HILLS, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | HIGHER ED & RESEARCH INST. & PROGS |
| AMERICAN PARKINSON DISEASE ASSOCIATION | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL RESEARCH |
| UCLA - GERIATRIC MEDICINE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL RESEARCH |
| STANDWITHUS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY CENTERS & PROGRAMS |
| VARIETY CHILDRENS CHARITIES OF THE DESERT TENT 66 | PALM DESERT, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS |
| CITY YEAR INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PRESCHOOL - 12TH GRADE PROGRAMS |
| BEIT T'SHUVAH | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS |
| BREAKTHROUGH T1D | TUSTIN, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL RESEARCH |
| LOS ANGELES YOUTH ORCHESTRA | ENCINO, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | CULTURAL, LIBRARIES & MUSEUMS |
| MEGAN H | ANCHORAGE, AK | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
| LESLIE S | SUMMERVILLE, SC | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
| JAYDA P | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
| KRISTIN P | STRATFORD, CT | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
| KEVIN D | PETERSBURG, KY | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
| SANDRA H | MISSISSANGA, ON | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
| ATHANASIA K | COCKEYSVILLE, MD | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
| KIMBERLY V | SPOKANE, WA | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
| LUCTRICA L | DUBLIN, CA | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
| KYLE D | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
| MELISSA S | CAPE ELIZABETH, ME | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
| SARAH L | IBERIA, MO | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
| SUSAN K | TWP WASHINGTON, NJ | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
| ADDISON T | NEW YORK, NY | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
| MEVLIDA T | METAIRIE, LA | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
| FEKERTE K | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
| CATHARINE M | HOLTON, KS | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
| ROSE A | OLYMPIA, WA | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
| JILL K | FORT PIERRE, SD | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
| KONSTANTINOS K | MERRICK, NY | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
| JOHNNA S | ANDOVER, KS | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
| ALYSSA N | SAN DIEGO, CA | $1,250 | 2025 | APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT |
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES - SCHOOL OF LAW
$2,440,000HIGHER ED & RESEARCH INST. & PROGS
STEPHEN WISE TEMPLE
$527,500COMMUNITY CENTERS & PROGRAMS
LETTER OF THE LAW - SHURAT HADIN ISRAEL LAW CENTER
$500,000COMMUNITY CENTERS & PROGRAMS
JERUSALEM CENTER FOR SECURITY & FOREIGN AFFAIRS
$500,000COMMUNITY CENTERS & PROGRAMS
FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES
$500,000COMMUNITY CENTERS & PROGRAMS
UCLA HERB ALPERT SCHOOL OF MUSIC
$425,000HIGHER ED & RESEARCH INST. & PROGS
ART CENTER COLLEGE OF DESIGN
$400,000HIGHER ED & RESEARCH INST. & PROGS
MEMRI - THE MIDDLE EAST MEDIA AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE
$275,000COMMUNITY CENTERS & PROGRAMS
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF AISH HATORAH-WESTERN REGION
$150,000COMMUNITY CENTERS & PROGRAMS
CULTURAL, LIBRARIES & MUSEUMS
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
$100,000GENERAL RESEARCH
PARKINSONS FOUNDATION
$100,000GENERAL RESEARCH
VAN LEER-JERUSALEM INSTITUTEMILKEN INNOVATION CENTER
$75,000COMMUNITY CENTERS & PROGRAMS
AMERICAN PARKINSON DISEASE ASSOCIATION
$50,000GENERAL RESEARCH
UCLA - GERIATRIC MEDICINE
$50,000GENERAL RESEARCH
VARIETY CHILDRENS CHARITIES OF THE DESERT TENT 66
$20,000HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS
CITY YEAR INC
$10,000PRESCHOOL - 12TH GRADE PROGRAMS
BREAKTHROUGH T1D
$2,500GENERAL RESEARCH
LOS ANGELES YOUTH ORCHESTRA
$2,500CULTURAL, LIBRARIES & MUSEUMS
MEGAN H
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT
LESLIE S
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT
JAYDA P
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT
KRISTIN P
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT
KEVIN D
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT
SANDRA H
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT
ATHANASIA K
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT
KIMBERLY V
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT
LUCTRICA L
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT
KYLE D
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT
MELISSA S
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT
SARAH L
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT
SUSAN K
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT
ADDISON T
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT
MEVLIDA T
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT
FEKERTE K
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT
CATHARINE M
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT
ROSE A
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT
JILL K
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT
KONSTANTINOS K
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT
JOHNNA S
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT
ALYSSA N
$1,250APPROVED PROGRAM GRANT