The Segerstrom Foundation is a concentrated arts funder based in Costa Mesa, CA, that prioritizes sustaining major performing and visual arts institutions in Orange County and the surrounding region. They favor multi-year and repeat support for flagship organizations—particularly theater, symphony, and the Segerstrom Center itself—while also funding arts education and exhibition programming. Grants often cover programmatic series, touring/artistic partnerships, capital or capacity needs (marketing/website), and targeted arts-in-schools initiatives.
The Segerstrom Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by repeated support for arts organizations serving Orange County audiences, with large grants recurring across theater, symphony, museum, and arts-center programming. The foundation has backed South Coast Repertory three years in a row for its Theatre for Young Audiences series, including a $200,000 grant in 2025 and $100,000 grants in 2024 and 2023. It has also made multi-year support a pattern with Pacific Symphony, including $140,000 in 2024, $100,000 in 2023, and $100,000 in 2025 for the Heartstrings program or programming. Those grants sit alongside funding for the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Orange County Museum of Art, Philharmonic Society, and Pacific Chorale, showing a portfolio built around institutions rather than one-off projects. The foundation also supports arts education and youth-facing work, including school-based and audience-development efforts. A smaller but still visible portion of its grantmaking reaches children’s programming and educational partnerships, indicating that the foundation’s arts focus extends beyond performances into access and learning.
A major thread in the foundation’s grantmaking is theater for young audiences. South Coast Repertory received $200,000 in 2025 for the 2024 Theater for Young Audiences series, after earlier support of $100,000 in 2024 and $100,000 in 2023 for the same series. Music is another consistent area: Pacific Symphony received $140,000 in 2024 and $100,000 in both 2023 and 2025 for the Heartstrings program or programming. Visual arts also appear in the portfolio. Orange County Museum of Art received $100,000 in 2024 for the Alice Neel exhibit and $50,000 in 2025 for education programs. Arts education shows up through Turnaround Arts California and Turnaround Arts, including support for arts education and school-based programming at Sierra Prep and Willard.
Typical grants cluster around the middle of the foundation’s range, with a p25 of $15,000, a median of $35,000, and a p75 of $100,000. The pattern leans toward repeat support rather than isolated awards: South Coast Repertory, Pacific Symphony, Orange County Museum of Art, Philharmonic Society, and Turnaround Arts each appear in multiple years. The foundation operates as a grantmaker rather than an individual-giving funder and does not make program-related investments. The recent record is overwhelmingly program-focused, with support for series, seasons, exhibits, education, and organizational capacity.
$673K
$16.8M
$975K
$766K
Most grants fall between $15K and $100K, with a median of $35K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$35K
75th Percentile
$100K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, relatively large grants focused on a small set of repeat flagship grantees in the Orange County arts ecosystem; mixes program support (season/series/exhibitions) with occasional capacity/capital-related gifts. Few small or one-off outside the core arts cluster.
Notable grantees: South Coast Repertory, Pacific Symphony, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Orange County Museum of Art, Philharmonic Society
Grantmaking is entirely in California, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Orange County institutions dominate, especially Costa Mesa and Irvine, with additional grants in Laguna Beach, Santa Ana, Corona del Mar, and San Juan Capistrano. Los Angeles-based recipients also appear, including Turnaround Arts California and Turnaround Arts. The geographic pattern is local rather than national or international.
Recent grants show a focus on arts institutions and arts education groups, including theater, symphony, museum, chorale, and arts-center partners. The foundation also funds school-based arts programming and children’s arts initiatives.
Yes. All recent grants in the data went to recipients in California, and California accounts for 100% of grants listed in the recipient country distribution as well.
The grant-size distribution centers on mid-sized awards: p25 is $15,000, median grant size is $35,000, and p75 is $100,000.
Yes. South Coast Repertory, Pacific Symphony, Orange County Museum of Art, Philharmonic Society, and Turnaround Arts each appear in multiple years, indicating recurring support rather than one-time grants.
Recent program areas include the Theater for Young Audiences series at South Coast Repertory, the Heartstrings program at Pacific Symphony, the Alice Neel exhibit and education programs at Orange County Museum of Art, and arts education work through Turnaround Arts California.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOUTH COAST REPERTORY | COSTA MESA, CA | $125,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE 2025 THEATER FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES SERIES |
| SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS | COSTA MESA, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT ENDOWMENT OF GREAT PERFORMANCES DANCE SERIES |
| PACIFIC SYMPHONY | IRVINE, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE HEARTSTRINGS PROGRAM |
| TURNAROUND ARTS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $70,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE ARTS EDUCATION |
| VANGUARD-SEGERSTROM CHARITABLE GIFT FUND | WARWICK, RI | $60,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT VARIOUS PROGRAMS |
| PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY | IRVINE, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT VIOLINS OF HOPE |
| FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN | COSTA MESA, CA | $40,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT CURRENT PROGRAMS THAT ASSIST CHILDREN |
| LAGUNA ART MUSEUM | LAGUNA BEACH, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE FREE CHILDREN'S ADMISSION PROGRAM |
| CAL STATE FULLERTON PHILANTHROPIC FOUNDATION | FULLERTON, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT VARIOUS PROGRAMS |
| UCI FOUNDATION | IRVINE, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE NEW SWAN SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL |
| CHARITY GLOBAL INC | FRANKLIN, TN | $20,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT VARIOUS PROGRAMS |
| THE WOODEN FLOOR | SANTA ANA, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOL MENTORING PROGRAM |
| THE ALL AMERICAN BOYS CHORUS | COSTA MESA, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT BUILDING NEW HEADQUARTERS |
| THE AMERICAN ORCHESTRA EUROPA FOUNDATION INC | IRVINE, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT CONCERT RECORDINGS |
| THE MUZEO FOUNDATION | ANAHEIM, CA | $7,500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT CURRENT PROGRAMS |
| SOUTH COAST REPERTORY | COSTA MESA, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE 2024 THEATER FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES SERIES |
| PACIFIC SYMPHONY | IRVINE, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE HEARTSTRINGS PROGRAMMING |
| SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS | COSTA MESA, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT WOOLF WORKS PERFORMANCE |
| VANGUARD-SEGERSTROM CHARITABLE GIFT FUND | WARWICK, RI | $53,250 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT VARIOUS PROGRAMS |
| LAGUNA ART MUSEUM | LAGUNA BEACH, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT VARIOUS PROGRAMS |
| PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY | IRVINE, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT 2024-2025 SEASON |
| ORANGE COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART | COSTA MESA, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN | COSTA MESA, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT CURRENT PROGRAMS THAT ASSIST CHILDREN |
| TURNAROUND ARTS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE ARTS EDUCATION |
| BOWERS MUSEUM | SANTA ANA, CA | $35,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT SCHOOL TOURS PROGRAM |
| UCI FOUNDATION | IRVINE, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE NEW SWAN SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL |
| THE WOODEN FLOOR | SANTA ANA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOL MENTORING PROGRAM |
| OC HUMANE SOCIETY | HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT CURRENT PROGRAMS |
| MAYFIELD ACRES OF LOVE | SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT VARIOUS PROGRAMS |
| PACIFIC SYMPHONY | IRVINE, CA | $140,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE HEARTSTRINGS PROGRAM |
| SOUTH COAST REPERTORY | COSTA MESA, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE 2023 THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES SERIES |
| ORANGE COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART | COSTA MESA, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT ALICE NEEL EXHIBIT |
| PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY | IRVINE, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON |
| TURNAROUND ARTS CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $56,350 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE ARTS EDUCATION |
| PACIFIC CHORALE | COSTA MESA, CA | $35,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT VARIOUS PROGRAMS |
| FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN FOUNDATION | COSTA MESA, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT CURRENT PROGRAMS THAT ASSIST CHILDREN |
| SHERMAN LIBRARY AND GARDENS | CORONA DEL MAR, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT VARIOUS PROGRAMS |
| UCI FOUNDATION | IRVINE, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE NEW SWAN SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL |
| ACRES OF LOVE | SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA | $15,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT VARIOUS PROGRAMS |
| THE WOODEN FLOOR | SANTA ANA, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOL MENTORING PROGRAM |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL | COSTA MESA, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT CHORAL PROGRAM |
| SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS | COSTA MESA, CA | $137,490 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT VARIOUS PROGRAMS, WEBSITE DESIGN AND HIRING PR FIRM |
| PACIFIC SYMPHONY | IRVINE, CA | $100,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE HEARTSTRINGS PROGRAM |
| SOUTH COAST REPERTORY | COSTA MESA, CA | $100,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE 2022 THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES SERIES |
| ORANGE COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART | COSTA MESA, CA | $100,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT VARIOUS PROGRAMS |
| PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY | IRVINE, CA | $100,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE MARINSKY ORCHESTRA |
| LAGUNA ART MUSEUM | LAGUNA BEACH, CA | $42,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT VARIOUS ART PROGRAMS |
| FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN | COSTA MESA, CA | $40,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT CURRENT PROGRAMS THAT ASSIST CHILDREN |
| TURNAROUND ARTS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $30,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE ARTS PROGRAM AT SIERRA PREP AND WILLARD |
| PACIFIC CHORALE | COSTA MESA, CA | $25,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT VARIOUS PROGRAMS |
TO SUPPORT THE 2025 THEATER FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES SERIES
SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$100,000TO SUPPORT ENDOWMENT OF GREAT PERFORMANCES DANCE SERIES
VANGUARD-SEGERSTROM CHARITABLE GIFT FUND
$60,000TO SUPPORT VARIOUS PROGRAMS
TO SUPPORT VIOLINS OF HOPE
FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN
$40,000TO SUPPORT CURRENT PROGRAMS THAT ASSIST CHILDREN
THE ALL AMERICAN BOYS CHORUS
$10,000TO SUPPORT BUILDING NEW HEADQUARTERS
THE AMERICAN ORCHESTRA EUROPA FOUNDATION INC
$10,000TO SUPPORT CONCERT RECORDINGS
THE MUZEO FOUNDATION
$7,500TO SUPPORT CURRENT PROGRAMS
TO SUPPORT THE 2024 THEATER FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES SERIES
SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$75,000TO SUPPORT WOOLF WORKS PERFORMANCE
VANGUARD-SEGERSTROM CHARITABLE GIFT FUND
$53,250TO SUPPORT VARIOUS PROGRAMS
FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN
$40,000TO SUPPORT CURRENT PROGRAMS THAT ASSIST CHILDREN
TURNAROUND ARTS
$40,000TO SUPPORT THE ARTS EDUCATION
UCI FOUNDATION
$20,000TO SUPPORT THE NEW SWAN SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
OC HUMANE SOCIETY
$10,000TO SUPPORT CURRENT PROGRAMS
MAYFIELD ACRES OF LOVE
$10,000TO SUPPORT VARIOUS PROGRAMS
TO SUPPORT THE 2023 THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES SERIES
FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN FOUNDATION
$20,000TO SUPPORT CURRENT PROGRAMS THAT ASSIST CHILDREN
SHERMAN LIBRARY AND GARDENS
$20,000TO SUPPORT VARIOUS PROGRAMS
ACRES OF LOVE
$15,000TO SUPPORT VARIOUS PROGRAMS
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL
$5,000TO SUPPORT CHORAL PROGRAM
SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$137,490TO SUPPORT VARIOUS PROGRAMS, WEBSITE DESIGN AND HIRING PR FIRM
TO SUPPORT THE 2022 THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES SERIES
PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
$100,000TO SUPPORT THE MARINSKY ORCHESTRA
FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN
$40,000TO SUPPORT CURRENT PROGRAMS THAT ASSIST CHILDREN