The Seaver Institute concentrates its giving on environmental and wildlife conservation, with a particular emphasis on marine science and habitat protection, while also supporting higher education. Grants are sizable and directed to a small set of organizations—several California-based conservation groups as well as nationally recognized research institutions—indicating targeted strategic philanthropy rather than broad grassroots support.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a limited number of organizations (several six-figure awards), including repeat funding to core grantees; mix of regional California partners and national research institutions.
The Seaver Institute’s recent grantmaking is anchored by environmental and wildlife conservation, with marine science and habitat protection recurring alongside support for higher education. In 2024, its largest recent award went to Sustainable Conservation for $400,000, a signal of how heavily the foundation backs applied conservation work. Other large grants point to the same pattern: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance received $247,000 in 2024, and Woods Hole Oceanographic received $180,000 in 2023. The grant list also includes The Nature Conservancy, Island Conservation, and Save the Redwoods League, showing attention to conservation organizations working across species, habitats, and ecosystems. Higher education is also part of the portfolio, with awards to Mount Saint Mary’s University, UCLA Foundation, Scripps College, and UC-related entities. The Seaver Institute gives through a relatively focused set of organizations rather than a wide dispersal of small awards, and its recent support includes both California-based institutions and nationally recognized research organizations. The pattern suggests a foundation that favors targeted grants to established nonprofits and universities working in environmental and scientific fields.
Environmental conservation is the clearest theme. The Seaver Institute gave $400,000 to Sustainable Conservation in 2024 and $200,000 to the same organization in 2023, indicating sustained support for conservation solutions. Wildlife and habitat work is another major area: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance received $247,000 in 2024 and San Diego Wildlife Alliance received $235,000 in 2023. Marine and oceanographic research also appears in the portfolio through a $180,000 grant to Woods Hole Oceanographic in 2023. Higher education is present as well, including $150,000 to UCLA Foundation in 2024 and $150,000 to UC Regents in 2023, alongside support for Scripps College and Mount Saint Mary’s University. These grants show a mix of conservation practice, scientific research, and academic institutions tied to environmental or regional priorities.
Typical grants are modest to mid-sized, with a p25 of $1,000, a median of $4,500, and a p75 of $10,000. The recent record also shows a smaller set of much larger awards, which is why the portfolio reads as concentrated rather than uniform. Recipients appear in multiple years, including Sustainable Conservation, Island Conservation, Scripps College, Mount Saint Mary’s University, Good Samaritan Hospital, Michigan State University, and Arcs Foundation Inc., indicating repeat support rather than one-time giving only. The Seaver Institute is a private foundation and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
$1.7M
$0
$3.7M
$2.9M
Most grants fall between $1K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Notable grantees: Sustainable Conservation, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance / San Diego Wildlife Alliance, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, The Nature Conservancy, Mount Saint Mary’s University
Grant recipients are overwhelmingly in the United States, and 69% of grants go to recipients in California. The strongest recipient concentration is in California cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Claremont. Outside California, recent grants reached Woods Hole, Massachusetts; Adelphi, Maryland; and East Lansing, Michigan. New Jersey is the top state by grant count, showing that the foundation’s giving footprint is not limited to its Los Angeles headquarters.
Its recent grants center on environmental and wildlife conservation, marine science, habitat protection, and higher education. Examples include Sustainable Conservation, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Woods Hole Oceanographic, and UCLA Foundation, along with other universities and conservation groups.
Yes. Several recipients appear in more than one year, including Sustainable Conservation, Island Conservation, Scripps College, Mount Saint Mary’s University, Good Samaritan Hospital, Michigan State University, and Arcs Foundation Inc. That pattern points to ongoing relationships rather than only one-off awards.
The grant-size distribution is relatively small at the center: p25 is $1,000, median is $4,500, and p75 is $10,000. At the same time, the recent-grants list includes much larger awards, including $400,000, $250,000, and $247,000.
California receives 69% of the grants. Recent recipient cities include Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Claremont, while the top state by grant count is New Jersey.
2024
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2024.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $400,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MOUNT SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY | LOS ANGELES, CA | $250,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE | SAN DIEGO, CA | $247,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| UCLA FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| UC SANTA CRUZ | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $110,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ISLAND CONSERVATION | SANTA CRUZ, CA | $105,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE GREATER LOS ANGELES ZOO ASSOCIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $102,500 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SCRIPPS COLLEGE | CLAREMONT, CA | $27,500 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY | SACRAMENTO, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ARCS FOUNDATION INC | TORRANCE, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| UNIV SYSTEM OF MARYLAND FOUNDATION | ADELPHI, MD | $20,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF SOUTHERN CALI | LOS ANGELES, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY | EAST LANSING, MI | $16,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $15,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| DIGITAL NEST | COVINA, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY | STANFORD, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| POMONA COLLEGE | CLAREMONT, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE RAPE FOUNDATION | SANTA MONICA, CA | $7,500 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| DUCKS UNLIMITED | MEMPHIS, TN | $6,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ST JOHNS PROVIDENCE HOSPITAL | SANTA MONICA, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| UNIV OF TX - AUSTIN SCHOOL OF ENGIN | AUSTIN, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SWARTHMORE COLLEGE | SWARTHMORE, PA | $5,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SCHOOL FOR FIELD STUDIES | BEVERLY, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| AMERICAN UNIVERSITY KOSOVO FOUNDATI | STAMFORD, CT | $5,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| WATSONVILLE WETLANDS WATCH | WATSONVILLE, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS FUND | THOUSAND OAKS, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| LOS ANGELES MARITIME INSTITUTE | SAN PEDRO, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY | DURHAM, NC | $5,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| COMMUNITY BRIDGES | WATSONVILLE, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SANTA CRUZ COU | APTOS, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| VOICES OF ASCENSION | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF LOS ANGEL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| GLOBALGIVING | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| BLOY HOUSE | GLENDALE, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| LA GUILD FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH | SANTA MONICA, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| PACIFIC PALISADES PRESBYRTERIAN CHU | PALISADES, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CALIFORNIA TROUT INC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE | GLENDALE, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS | NEW YORK, NY | $4,500 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ACLU FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $4,500 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $3,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $3,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| BOSTON COLLEGE | CHESTNUT HILL, MA | $3,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CHICAGO MAHOGANY FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $2,700 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC | LONG BEACH, CA | $2,500 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| PACIFIC ASIAN COUNSELING SERVICES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,500 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MUSEUM OF JURASSIC TECHNOLOGY | CULVER CITY, CA | $2,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| HARVARD WESTLAKE SCHOOL | STUDIO CITY, CA | $2,000 | 2024 | QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
MOUNT SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY
$250,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
UC SANTA CRUZ
$110,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
ARCS FOUNDATION INC
$20,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$16,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL
$15,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
$10,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
POMONA COLLEGE
$10,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
THE RAPE FOUNDATION
$7,500QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
DUCKS UNLIMITED
$6,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
ST JOHNS PROVIDENCE HOSPITAL
$5,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
UNIV OF TX - AUSTIN SCHOOL OF ENGIN
$5,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
$5,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
SWARTHMORE COLLEGE
$5,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
SCHOOL FOR FIELD STUDIES
$5,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY KOSOVO FOUNDATI
$5,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
LOS ANGELES MARITIME INSTITUTE
$5,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
COMMUNITY BRIDGES
$5,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
VOICES OF ASCENSION
$5,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF LOS ANGEL
$5,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
BLOY HOUSE
$5,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
LA GUILD FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
$5,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
PACIFIC PALISADES PRESBYRTERIAN CHU
$5,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE
$5,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
BOSTON COLLEGE
$3,000QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CHICAGO MAHOGANY FOUNDATION
$2,700QUALIFIED EXEMPT CHARITABLE PURPOSE