The Shiley Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on higher education and regional health care, making large, targeted gifts to a small number of institutions. Its giving is centered in Southern California (notably San Diego area institutions) but includes selective support to an out‑of‑region university, suggesting donor ties to specific schools and medical organizations. The foundation frequently provides multi‑hundred‑thousand‑dollar grants aimed at program support and capacity for colleges and health systems.
The Shiley Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by repeated seven-figure commitments to a small set of institutions, especially California State San Marcos Foundation and Sharp Healthcare Foundation. Those grants point to a pattern of targeted support for education programs and regional health care, rather than broad, widely dispersed philanthropy. The foundation has also made substantial awards to universities and research institutions, including the University of Portland, University of San Diego, University of California San Diego, and Salk Institute. Across the recent grants list, the foundation’s priorities are visible in the types of organizations it backs: public university programs, hospital and health-system funding, higher education, biomedical research, and community services for San Diego-area residents. Serving Seniors appears multiple times as a local grantee, alongside support for low-income seniors and homebound older adults. The foundation also funds organizations serving children and families, including Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego and Voices for Children, and it has made selective grants to arts and Catholic school institutions in San Diego. The result is a portfolio built around institutions that serve the San Diego region, with a few larger education and health grants outside the area.
In higher education, The Shiley Foundation supports both public and private institutions. It gave $500,000 to CA State San Marcos Foundation for education programs and $400,000 to the University of Portland for higher education programs, then added grants to the University of San Diego and the University of California San Diego for the same broad purpose. Health care is another clear line of giving. Sharp Healthcare Foundation received $500,000 and $314,764 in separate years, each described as support for the current and future health care needs of San Diegans. The foundation also awarded $50,000 to Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego for pediatric health care. Its community-service grantmaking includes support for older adults and food access. Serving Seniors received $102,000 and earlier $40,000 and $25,000 grants, while Meals on Wheels got $50,000 for local community food banks.
Typical grant size sits at $25,000 at the 25th percentile, a $40,000 median, and $126,250 at the 75th percentile, though the recent record also includes several $500,000 awards. The foundation shows repeat support to the same organizations across multiple years, including CA State San Marcos Foundation, Sharp Healthcare Foundation, Serving Seniors, Salk Institute, and University of California San Diego. That repetition suggests ongoing institutional relationships rather than one-time gifts. The Shiley Foundation is a private foundation with a local giving scope and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The recent grants record shows a consistent pattern of program-level support rather than open application-based funding.
$1.1M
$13.9M
$978K
$1.2M
Most grants fall between $25K and $126K, with a median of $40K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$40K
75th Percentile
$126K
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, large-dollar grants to a very small set of recurring grantees — repeat multi‑grant support for a few education and health organizations rather than many small awards.
Notable grantees: CA State San Marcos Foundation, Sharp Healthcare Foundation, University of Portland
Grant dollars are heavily concentrated in California, with 83% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. San Diego is the main recipient city, with frequent awards to organizations there, and La Jolla and San Marcos also appear repeatedly. Outside California, the foundation made a smaller number of grants to Portland, New York, Washington, and San Francisco. All recent grants in the data went to U.S. recipients.
Recent grants show a strong mix of higher education, health care, and community services. Recurring support went to CA State San Marcos Foundation for education programs, Sharp Healthcare Foundation for San Diegans’ health care needs, and several San Diego-based service organizations serving seniors, children, and food-insecure households.
Yes. CA State San Marcos Foundation appears in both 2024 and 2025 at $500,000 each, Sharp Healthcare Foundation appears in multiple years including $500,000, $314,764, and $184,749, and Serving Seniors appears three times across 2023 and 2025.
The distribution centers on $25,000 to $126,250, with a median grant size of $40,000. The recent record also includes larger awards such as $500,000 to CA State San Marcos Foundation and Sharp Healthcare Foundation.
Its grants are concentrated in California, with 83% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. San Diego-area organizations appear most frequently, including recipients in San Diego, La Jolla, San Marcos, and nearby local institutions.
Most grants are local, but not all. The recent record includes support for the University of Portland in Portland, Oregon, along with grants to organizations in New York, Washington, DC, New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA STATE SAN MARCOS FOUNDATION | SAN MARCOS, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS. |
| SERVING SENIORS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $102,000 | 2025 | IMPROVING THE WELL-BEING OF LOW-INCOME SENIORS THROUGH INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON SENIORS AND OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE |
| SALK INSTITUTE | LA JOLLA, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT EDUCATION AND RESEARCH |
| UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| MEALS ON WHEELS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY FOOD BANKS |
| RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | PEDIATRIC HEALTH CARE |
| ST RITA'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL | SAN DIEGO, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | TO HELP ENRICH THE LIVES OF STUDENTS AND IMPROVE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS |
| LA JOLLA INSTITUTE OF IMMUNOLOGY | LA JOLLA, CA | $38,430 | 2025 | BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO | LA JOLLA, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| PROVIDENCE FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT BUILDING OF HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES |
| PATRONS OF THE PRADO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | BENEFIT THE ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND MUSEUMS ON THE PRADO IN BALBOA PARK, SAN DIEGO, CA |
| MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL | SANTA ANA, CA | $24,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION |
| OLD GLOBE THEATRE | SAN DIEGO, CA | $21,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE PUBLIC THEATRE |
| CA STATE SAN MARCOS FOUNDATION | SAN MARCOS, CA | $500,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS. |
| UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND | PORTLAND, OR | $400,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $130,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO | LA JOLLA, CA | $125,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| SAN DIEGO OPERA | SAN DIEGO, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | PROVIDE WORLD-CLASS OPPERA ALONGSIDE LEADING EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS |
| VOICES FOR CHILDREN | SAN DIEGO, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF ABUSED, ABANDONED, OR NEGLECTED CHILDREN BY PROVIDING THEM WITH TRAINED, VOLUNTEER COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES (CASAS). |
| OUR LADY'S SCHOOL | SAN DIEGO, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE A QUALITY CATHOLIC EDUCATION THAT PREPARES STUDENTS FOR LIVES OF SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP. |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| MALTESER INTERNATIONAL AMERICAS | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2024 | TURKEY/SYRIA EARTHQUAKE RELIEF |
| VILLA MUSICA | SAN DIEGO, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | TO MAKE MUSIC ACCESSIBLE THROUGH EDUCATION, PERFORMANCE, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. |
| NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE | SOLANA BEACH, CA | $3,500 | 2024 | FOR THE PROMOTION OF THE PUBLIC APPRECIATION AND EDUCATION REGARDING THEATRE ARTS |
| SHARP HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $500,000 | 2023 | ENHANCES THE CURRENT AND FUTURE HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF SAN DIEGANS |
| SHARP HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $314,764 | 2023 | ENHANCES THE CURRENT AND FUTURE HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF SAN DIEGANS |
| SHARP HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $184,749 | 2023 | ENHANCES THE CURRENT AND FUTURE HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF SAN DIEGANS |
| SALK INSTITUTE | LA JOLLA, CA | $65,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT EDUCATION AND RESEARCH |
| ST RITA'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL | SAN DIEGO, CA | $40,000 | 2023 | TO HELP ENRICH THE LIVES OF STUDENTS AND IMPROVE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS |
| SERVING SENIORS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $40,000 | 2023 | IMPROVING THE WELL-BEING OF LOW-INCOME SENIORS THROUGH INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON SENIORS AND OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE |
| SERVING SENIORS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $25,000 | 2023 | IMPROVING THE WELL-BEING OF LOW-INCOME SENIORS THROUGH INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON SENIORS AND OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE |
| PRIORY IN THE USA | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2023 | RELIEF EFFORTS IN UKRAINE |
| INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2023 | RELIEVE SUFFERING OF THOSE AFFECTED BY NATURAL DISASTER, DISEASE AND CONFLICT |
| CALIFORNIA MISSION FOUNDATION | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $12,000 | 2023 | PRESERVATION & EDUCATION OF HISTORY |
| ARMS WIDE OPEN | STONE MOUNTAIN, GA | $10,000 | 2023 | PROVIDE THE NEEDIEST MEMBERS OF THE IN-HOME AGED, CHRONICALLY ILL AND DISABLED COMMUNITIES WITH SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENHANCING THEIR COMFORT, INDEPENDENCE AND SAFETY. |
| SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA FOUNDATION | ONTARIO, CA | $10,000 | 2023 | PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO ACQUIRE SUSTAINABLE LIFE SKILLS AND VALUES OBTAINED THROUGH THE GAME OF GOLF |
| MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL | SANTA ANA, CA | $5,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION |
IMPROVING THE WELL-BEING OF LOW-INCOME SENIORS THROUGH INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON SENIORS AND OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE
SALK INSTITUTE
$100,000SUPPORT EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
MEALS ON WHEELS
$50,000SUPPORT FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY FOOD BANKS
PEDIATRIC HEALTH CARE
ST RITA'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL
$40,000TO HELP ENRICH THE LIVES OF STUDENTS AND IMPROVE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO
$30,000SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS
PROVIDENCE FOUNDATION
$25,000SUPPORT BUILDING OF HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES
PATRONS OF THE PRADO
$25,000BENEFIT THE ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND MUSEUMS ON THE PRADO IN BALBOA PARK, SAN DIEGO, CA
MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL
$24,000SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND
$400,000SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS
UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO
$130,000SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO
$125,000SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS
PROVIDE WORLD-CLASS OPPERA ALONGSIDE LEADING EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS
TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF ABUSED, ABANDONED, OR NEGLECTED CHILDREN BY PROVIDING THEM WITH TRAINED, VOLUNTEER COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES (CASAS).
OUR LADY'S SCHOOL
$50,000TO PROVIDE A QUALITY CATHOLIC EDUCATION THAT PREPARES STUDENTS FOR LIVES OF SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO
$30,000SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS
TO MAKE MUSIC ACCESSIBLE THROUGH EDUCATION, PERFORMANCE, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE
$3,500FOR THE PROMOTION OF THE PUBLIC APPRECIATION AND EDUCATION REGARDING THEATRE ARTS
ENHANCES THE CURRENT AND FUTURE HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF SAN DIEGANS
ENHANCES THE CURRENT AND FUTURE HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF SAN DIEGANS
ENHANCES THE CURRENT AND FUTURE HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF SAN DIEGANS
SALK INSTITUTE
$65,000SUPPORT EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
ST RITA'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL
$40,000TO HELP ENRICH THE LIVES OF STUDENTS AND IMPROVE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
IMPROVING THE WELL-BEING OF LOW-INCOME SENIORS THROUGH INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON SENIORS AND OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE
IMPROVING THE WELL-BEING OF LOW-INCOME SENIORS THROUGH INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON SENIORS AND OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE
PRIORY IN THE USA
$25,000RELIEF EFFORTS IN UKRAINE
RELIEVE SUFFERING OF THOSE AFFECTED BY NATURAL DISASTER, DISEASE AND CONFLICT
ARMS WIDE OPEN
$10,000PROVIDE THE NEEDIEST MEMBERS OF THE IN-HOME AGED, CHRONICALLY ILL AND DISABLED COMMUNITIES WITH SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENHANCING THEIR COMFORT, INDEPENDENCE AND SAFETY.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA FOUNDATION
$10,000PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO ACQUIRE SUSTAINABLE LIFE SKILLS AND VALUES OBTAINED THROUGH THE GAME OF GOLF
MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL
$5,000SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION