The Ralph M Parsons Foundation is focused on supporting major cultural and educational institutions in Los Angeles, with an emphasis on museum infrastructure and public-facing science education. Its giving is directed toward large, capital projects that expand visitor experiences — in this case funding a multi-year phase of the California Science Center's master plan, centered on the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.
The Ralph M Parsons Foundation’s recent giving is anchored in large capital projects for Los Angeles cultural and educational institutions, including a $1.5 million grant to the California Science Center Foundation over two years for Phase III of the center’s master plan, centered on the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. That same pattern appears across museum, music, and campus-buildout work: the foundation awarded $1 million to the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History Foundation over three years for the NHM Commons and $500,000 to The Colburn School over three years for its campus expansion project. The foundation’s portfolio also reaches into public science learning, with support for Altasea at the Port of Los Angeles to renovate an educational facility at the Center of Innovation, and for the University of California, Los Angeles Foundation to transform the Hammer Museum. Its grants show an emphasis on projects that change how institutions serve visitors, students, and community audiences through construction, renovation, and expansion. In addition to cultural institutions, the foundation backs community-serving organizations where capital improvements or program support can extend services, such as food distribution, housing support, and youth programs.
A clear thread in the foundation’s giving is museum and campus infrastructure. It gave $700,000 to Destination Crenshaw over three years for construction of a new open-air museum, and $250,160 to The UCLA Foundation over two years for capital support to transform the Hammer Museum. The Colburn School also received $500,000 over three years for its campus expansion project. Science and informal learning are another major theme. The Ralph M Parsons Foundation awarded $1.5 million to the California Science Center Foundation over two years for Phase III of the center’s master plan, and $250,000 to Altasea at the Port of Los Angeles for renovations of an educational facility at the Center of Innovation. Beyond culture, the foundation supports community infrastructure: it gave $250,000 to Los Angeles Regional Food Bank for capital improvements to expand local food distribution, and $200,000 to Via Care Community Health Center for capital support to renovate a community clinic.
$19.8M
$452.4M
$17.7M
$34M
Most grants fall between $20K and $75K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$75K
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Highly concentrated, single large multi-year capital commitment rather than many small grants; supports flagship civic institutions and major building or expansion projects.
Notable grantees: California Science Center Foundation (Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center project)
Typical grant size clusters around $20,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $75,000 at the 75th percentile, while the recent list also includes repeated six- and seven-figure capital awards. The pattern is multi-year rather than one-off: many grants run over two or three years, and several recipients appear more than once across 2023 to 2025, including Destination Crenshaw, The People Concern, The UCLA Foundation, Childrens Bureau of Southern Calif, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Southern California Grantmakers, and Henry E Huntington Library & Art Gallery. The foundation is a regular funder and funds individuals, but the recent grants shown here are institution-focused and largely support capital projects, general support, or pilot programs.
Grantmaking is highly concentrated in California, with 96% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Los Angeles is the main center of activity, alongside Pasadena, San Marino, San Pedro, Panorama City, Commerce, and Lancaster. The recent grants also include a smaller number of out-of-state recipients, such as The Bridgespan Group Inc in Boston. In the recipient country distribution, all grants in the dataset go to the United States.
Recent grants show a strong tilt toward capital projects for museums, cultural campuses, science education sites, and community-serving facilities. Examples include construction, renovation, and expansion work for the California Science Center, the NHM Commons, The Colburn School, and a community clinic in Lancaster.
Yes. The recent grants list is full of two- and three-year commitments, including $1.5 million over two years to the California Science Center Foundation, $1 million over three years to the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History Foundation, and $700,000 over three years to Destination Crenshaw.
Very concentrated. The dataset shows 96% of grants going to recipients in California, and the top state by grant count is CA. Los Angeles and nearby California cities dominate the recent recipient list.
The typical grant-size distribution is $20,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $75,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants table also shows several much larger awards, especially for capital projects.
Yes. Recent grants include $500,000 over two years to The Bridgespan Group Inc for leadership development for executive teams in Los Angeles County and $400,000 over two years to the California Community Foundation for the Nonprofit Sustainability Initiative.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE COLBURN SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | OVER THREE YEARS FOR SUPPORT OF THE CAMPUS EXPANSION PROJECT |
| THE PEOPLE CONCERN | LOS ANGELES, CA | $300,000 | 2025 | OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF HOMELESS SERVICES |
| PASADENA CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC | PASADENA, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | OVER TWO YEARS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW MUSIC LEARNING CENTER AND OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATER |
| SEED SCHOOL OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY | LOS ANGELES, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | FOR CAPITAL SUPPORT TO CONSTRUCT THE SEED SCHOOL OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY |
| PROJECT ANGEL FOOD | LOS ANGELES, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | OVER TWO YEARS FOR THE CAMPUS EXPANSION PROJECT |
| PEOPLE ASSISTING THE HOMELESS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF HOUSING AND HOMELESS SERVICES IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY |
| PROJECT ANGEL FOOD | LOS ANGELES, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | OVER TWO YEARS FOR THE CAMPUS EXPANSION PROJECT |
| SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GRANTMAKERS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF STRATEGIC RESTRUCTURING AND EXECUTIVE TRANSITION |
| PEOPLE ASSISTING THE HOMELESS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF HOUSING AND HOMELESS SERVICES IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY |
| LIBERTY HILL FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | OVER TWO YEARS TO SUPPORT CAPACITY BUILDING FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS |
| PUBLIC MEDIA GROUP OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | BURBANK, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | FOR CAPITAL SUPPORT OF STUDIO RENOVATIONS AND EQUIPMENT IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY |
| THE CLINIC INC (DBA THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTERS) | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | TO RENOVATE AND EXPAND THE LENNOX HEALTH CENTER |
| PARA LOS NINOS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS AND FAMILY SERVICE PROGRAMS |
| HEART OF LOS ANGELES YOUTH INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF EXPANDING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS |
| HEART OF LOS ANGELES YOUTH INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF EXPANDING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS |
| A PLACE CALLED HOME | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS |
| UNION RESCUE MISSION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS |
| BLIND CHILDRENS CENTER INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | FOR RENOVATIONS TO THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF THE LOS ANGELES HARBOR | SAN PEDRO, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS |
| CHILDRENS INSTITUTE INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES |
| SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF NONPROFIT CAPACITY BUILDING SERVICES IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY |
| MOUNT SAINT MARYS UNIVERSITY | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | OVER TWO YEARS FOR CAPITAL SUPPORT TO CONSTRUCT THE CHALON WELLNESS PAVILION |
| THE WENDE MUSEUM OF THE COLD WAR INC | CULVER CITY, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | FOR CAPITAL SUPPORT OF THE CREATIVE COMMUNITY CENTER |
| INNER CITY LAW CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $125,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF LEGAL SERVICES |
| SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RADIO | PASADENA, CA | $125,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF PUBLIC SERVICE JOURNALISM AND CIVIC PROGRAMS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY |
| LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC ASSOCIATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $125,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF MUSIC AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| THE ACTORS' FUND OF AMERICA (DBA ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND) | LOS ANGELES, CA | $125,000 | 2025 | OVER TWO YEARS FOR CAPITAL SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY SPACES IN THE HOLLYWOOD ARTS COLLECTIVE HOUSING COMPLEX |
| MUSE-IQUE | PASADENA, CA | $125,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF MUSICAL EVENTS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS |
| UNION STATION HOMELESS SERVICES | PASADENA, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS |
| PUBLIC COUNSEL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES |
| INNER-CITY ARTS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMMING |
| CENTER THEATRE GROUP OF LOS ANGELES (DBA CENTER THEATRE GROUP) | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMMING |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF TEACHER PLACEMENT AND TRAINING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY |
| JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF EXHIBITIONS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS |
| PERFORMING ARTS CENTER OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY (DBA THE MUSIC CENTER) | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF ARTS AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS |
| AUTRY MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN WEST | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF MUSEUM PROGRAMMING |
| THE CHRYSALIS CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA | DAVIS, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF COSMOS |
| ORTHOPAEDIC INSTITUTE FOR CHILDREN FOUNDATION (DBA ORTHOPAEDIC FOUNDATION) | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | OVER TWO YEARS FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO ITS OUTPATIENT MEDICAL CENTER |
| EXTRAORDINARY FAMILIES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF SERVICES FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM |
| DOWNTOWN WOMENS CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR WOMEN |
| CCF COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FUND | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN |
| YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES |
| EQUITAS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF EDUCATION AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS |
| PERFORMING ARTS CENTER OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY (DBA THE MUSIC CENTER) | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF ARTS AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS |
| LOS ANGELES YOUTH NETWORK LA YOUTH (DBA YOUTH EMERGING STRONGER) | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES |
| VENICE COMMUNITY HOUSING CORPORATION | VENICE, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES |
| IMAGINE LOS ANGELES INC (DBA IMAGINE LA) | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF SERVICES TO END FAMILY HOMELESSNESS |
| ST JOSEPH CENTER | VENICE, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF HOUSING, JOB TRAINING, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES |
THE COLBURN SCHOOL
$500,000OVER THREE YEARS FOR SUPPORT OF THE CAMPUS EXPANSION PROJECT
OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF HOMELESS SERVICES
PASADENA CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
$250,000OVER TWO YEARS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW MUSIC LEARNING CENTER AND OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATER
FOR CAPITAL SUPPORT TO CONSTRUCT THE SEED SCHOOL OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY
OVER TWO YEARS FOR THE CAMPUS EXPANSION PROJECT
OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF HOUSING AND HOMELESS SERVICES IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GRANTMAKERS
$200,000OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF STRATEGIC RESTRUCTURING AND EXECUTIVE TRANSITION
OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF HOUSING AND HOMELESS SERVICES IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY
OVER TWO YEARS TO SUPPORT CAPACITY BUILDING FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
FOR CAPITAL SUPPORT OF STUDIO RENOVATIONS AND EQUIPMENT IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY
THE CLINIC INC (DBA THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTERS)
$150,000TO RENOVATE AND EXPAND THE LENNOX HEALTH CENTER
HEART OF LOS ANGELES YOUTH INC
$150,000OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF EXPANDING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
HEART OF LOS ANGELES YOUTH INC
$150,000OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF EXPANDING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF NONPROFIT CAPACITY BUILDING SERVICES IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY
MOUNT SAINT MARYS UNIVERSITY
$150,000OVER TWO YEARS FOR CAPITAL SUPPORT TO CONSTRUCT THE CHALON WELLNESS PAVILION
FOR CAPITAL SUPPORT OF THE CREATIVE COMMUNITY CENTER
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RADIO
$125,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF PUBLIC SERVICE JOURNALISM AND CIVIC PROGRAMS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY
FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF MUSIC AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS
THE ACTORS' FUND OF AMERICA (DBA ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND)
$125,000OVER TWO YEARS FOR CAPITAL SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY SPACES IN THE HOLLYWOOD ARTS COLLECTIVE HOUSING COMPLEX
FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF MUSICAL EVENTS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS
UNION STATION HOMELESS SERVICES
$100,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMMING
TEACH FOR AMERICA INC
$100,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF TEACHER PLACEMENT AND TRAINING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY
FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF EXHIBITIONS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS
OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF ARTS AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
AUTRY MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN WEST
$100,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF MUSEUM PROGRAMMING
FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
$100,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF COSMOS
OVER TWO YEARS FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO ITS OUTPATIENT MEDICAL CENTER
FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF SERVICES FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM
FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR WOMEN
CCF COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FUND
$100,000OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
PLANNED PARENTHOOD LOS ANGELES
$100,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES
FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF EDUCATION AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF ARTS AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
IMAGINE LOS ANGELES INC (DBA IMAGINE LA)
$100,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF SERVICES TO END FAMILY HOMELESSNESS
OVER TWO YEARS FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF HOUSING, JOB TRAINING, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
Current and upcoming funding from Ralph M Parsons Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations must be nonprofit entities (generally serving Los Angeles County). Only one request per organization is considered annually. Applicants whose LOIs are declined may reapply 12 months after the declination date.
Deadline: LOIs accepted on a rolling basis (daily, no deadlines). Only one request per organization per year.
Who can apply: Organizations serving Los Angeles County with work aligned to education priorities, especially those serving underserved populations.
Deadline: LOIs accepted on a rolling basis; no deadlines.
Who can apply: Organizations providing direct service in Los Angeles County; due to funding constraints, the Foundation generally does not fund requests outside its priorities or excluded categories.
Deadline: LOIs accepted on a rolling basis; no deadlines.
Who can apply: Organizations serving Los Angeles County; responsive grantmaking prioritizes direct-service organizations and support aligned to the civic and cultural program area.
Deadline: LOIs accepted on a rolling basis; no deadlines.
Who can apply: Organizations serving Los Angeles County that address essential health needs and support vulnerable populations.
Deadline: LOIs accepted on a rolling basis; no deadlines.
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