The Tippett Foundation makes modest but focused grants to San Diego–area nonprofits, prioritizing local cultural institutions (contemporary visual arts and performing arts) alongside community services such as disability supports and animal welfare. Grants are typically general operating or program-support awards, often tied to matching campaigns or capacity-building (consultants, fundraising). The foundation appears to favor mid-sized, targeted investments that strengthen regional arts infrastructure and essential community services.
The William Hall Tippett and Ruth Rathell Tippett Foundation consistently backs San Diego-area nonprofits that combine cultural programming with direct community services. Its recent grants show a strong tilt toward contemporary visual arts, performing arts, disability services, and animal welfare, often through operating support, matching campaigns, or capacity-building assistance. The pattern is local and concentrated: every recent grant in the provided list went to a recipient in California, with many awards in San Diego, La Jolla, La Mesa, El Cajon, and National City. The largest recent awards include $40,000 to Challenge Center for core services for people with disabilities and $40,000 to San Diego Humane Society for general operating support. Arts organizations also receive repeated support, including ICA San Diego Art Institute for curatorial programming, operating expenses, and software implementation, as well as Opera Neo for a matching grant tied to its season and operating support. The foundation also funds organizations serving seniors, students in the arts, and local cultural education programs, which suggests a preference for targeted grants that support ongoing organizational capacity rather than one-time, stand-alone projects.
Contemporary visual arts is one of the foundation’s clearest priorities. It gave $30,000 to ICA San Diego Art Institute to support curatorial programming for the 2022-2023 season, then followed with $30,000 in 2024 for general operating expenses and a strategic consultant, plus $20,000 in 2025 for software implementation. Performing arts organizations also appear repeatedly. Opera Neo received $30,000 in 2025 for the Mary Ellen Clark matching grant for its 2024 season, a grant consultant, and operating support, while La Jolla Playhouse Theatre & Arts Foundation of San Diego County received $20,000 in 2025 to support the Jumpstart Theatre Program and $15,000 in 2024 for the same program. The foundation also supports services for older adults. Serving Seniors received $20,000 in 2025 for its case management program and $10,000 in 2024 for general operating expenses, while Write Out Loud received $25,000 in 2023 to expand programming for seniors and young people.
$283K
$5.6M
$502K
$331K
Most grants fall between $10K and $25K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Concentrated, local-focused giving with a small number of mid-sized grants ($30k–$40k). Mix of repeat support for arts organizations and one-off grants for program/matching needs and capacity-building; majority of awards are unrestricted or for general operating and fundraising/capital campaigns rather than long-term multi-year commitments.
Notable grantees: Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego (ICA San Diego / San Diego Art Institute), Opera Neo, Challenge Center, San Diego Humane Society, David's Harp Foundation
Typical grants cluster around a relatively narrow range: p25 is $10,000, median is $20,000, and p75 is $25,000. Recent awards include both general operating support and restricted-purpose grants, often paired with matching components, consultants, or equipment purchases. The same organizations appear across multiple years, including ICA San Diego Art Institute, Opera Neo, Challenge Center, Serving Seniors, David's Harp Foundation, Arms Wide Open, and La Jolla Playhouse Theatre & Arts Foundation of San Diego County. That repeat pattern points to ongoing relationships rather than one-off gifts. The foundation is a private foundation, does not fund individuals, and does not make program-related investments.
Giving is entirely local in the provided data: 100% of grants went to recipients in California, and the top state by grant count is CA. The grants land most often in San Diego, with additional recipients in La Mesa, La Jolla, El Cajon, National City, and Ramona. San Diego appears especially often, including arts, senior services, and animal welfare organizations. The recipient-country distribution is exclusively U.S.-based.
The foundation gives most often to San Diego-area arts organizations, disability services, senior-service providers, and animal welfare groups. Recent grants include support for contemporary visual arts, performing arts, case management for older adults, services for people with disabilities, and low-cost spay and neuter work.
Its typical grant size is fairly concentrated: p25 is $10,000, median is $20,000, and p75 is $25,000. Recent awards also reach $40,000, but most grants in the provided data sit in that $10,000 to $25,000 band.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including ICA San Diego Art Institute, Opera Neo, Challenge Center, Serving Seniors, David's Harp Foundation, Arms Wide Open, and La Jolla Playhouse Theatre & Arts Foundation of San Diego County. That shows a recurring-grant pattern rather than isolated gifts.
Its giving is local. Every grant in the provided list went to a California recipient, with frequent awards to organizations in San Diego, La Mesa, La Jolla, El Cajon, National City, and Ramona. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
It uses a mix of general operating support, matching grants, program support, and capacity-building support. Recent examples include operating support for nonprofit budgets, matching grants tied to seasons or campaigns, and funding for consultants, software, equipment, and educational or service programs.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE | LA JOLLA, CA | $35,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE 2026 PERFORMANCE OUTREACH PROGRAM (POP) TOUR. |
| OPERA NEO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT. |
| THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY | SAN DIEGO, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | A MATCHING GRANT TO SUPPORT THE KITTEN PROGRAM. |
| TIMKEN MUSEUM OF ART | SAN DIEGO, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT ARTSREACH, MEMORIES AT THE MUSEUM, AND ARTS4SCHOOLS YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAM. |
| DAVID'S HARP FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $16,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE STUDENT STUDIO PROGRAM. |
| CHALLENGE CENTER THERAPY CENTER | SAN DIEGO, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE INCREASE OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS CLASSES FOR SENIORS. |
| LUCKY DUCK FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT SENIORS SAFE AT HOME. |
| ARMS WIDE OPEN | EL CAJON, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT AWOS MUSICAL THEATRE OFFERINGS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. |
| OUTSIDE THE LENS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE TEEN MEDIA ARTS STUDIO. |
| NEW VILLAGE ARTS | CARLSBAD, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE MINDFUL THEATRE PROGRAM. |
| LIBERTY SCHOOL NTC FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATIONS OF LIBERTY SCHOOL. |
| MONARCH SCHOOL PROJECT | SAN DIEGO, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT K12 ARTS PROGRAMMING. |
| SERVING SENIORS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. |
| CARMA FOR HORSES | ARCADIA, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE LILAC FIRE FUND. |
| SAN DIEGO CHILDRENS CHOIR | SAN DIEGO, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE ACCESS FOR ALL PROGRAM. |
| THE FOUNDATION FOR GROSSMONT & CUYAMACA COLLEGES | EL CAJON, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT NEW INSTRUMENTS FOR THE GROSSMONT COLLEGE MUSIC DEPARTMENT. |
| VOICES OF OUR CITY CHOIR | SAN DIEGO, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE MUSIC AND THEATER ARTS PROGRAM. |
| INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE MARKETING INITIATIVE. |
| VILLA MUSICA | SAN DIEGO, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE LINK UP PROGRAM. |
| MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGO | LA JOLLA, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE REFLECTIONS PROGRAM. |
| LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE | LA JOLLA, CA | $4,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE 2026 PERFORMANCE OUTREACH PROGRAM (POP) TOUR. |
| THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY | SAN DIEGO, CA | $4,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES. |
| LUCKY DUCK FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $4,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES. |
| LIONS TIGERS AND BEARS | ALPINE, CA | $3,500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT ENRICHMENT TOYS FOR BIG CATS AND BEARS AT THE SANCTUARY. |
| ART OF ELAN | SAN DIEGO, CA | $3,500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT ALUMNI MASTER TEACHING ARTISTS IN THE YOUNG ARTISTS IN HARMONY PROGRAM. |
| MINGEI INTERNATIONAL INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $3,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT MAKE AT MINGEI. |
| FROSTED FACES FOUNDATION INC | REAMONA, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT FROSTED FUNDING. |
| YOUNG LIONS JAZZ CONSERVATORY | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE SHED & TOOLS FUND. |
| PLAYWRIGHTS PROJECTS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE PLAYS BY YOUNG WRITERS FESTIVAL. |
| LA JOLLA HISTORICAL SOCIETY | LA JOLLA, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE ORAL HISTORY TOOLKIT PILOT PROJECT. |
| OPERA NEO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MARY ELLEN CLARK MATCHING GRANT FOR OPERA NEO'S 2024 SEASON, A GRANT CONSULTANT, AND OPERATING SUPPORT. |
| TIMKEN MUSEUM OF ART PUTNAM FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE TIMKEN MUSEUM OF ART'S EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMS. |
| DAVID'S HARP FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT A PART-TIME TEACHING ARTIST. |
| SERVING SENIORS | SAN DIEGO, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. |
| THE FOUNDATION FOR GROSSMONT & CUYAMACA COLLEGES | EL CAJON, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT 20 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS STUDYING PERFORMING OR VISUAL ARTS. |
| INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO ART INSTITUTE | SAN DIEGO, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT SOFTWARE IMPLEMENTATION. |
| LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE THEATRE & ARTS FOUNDATION OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY | LA JOLLA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE JUMPSTART THEATRE PROGRAM. |
| CHALLENGE CENTER THERAPY CENTER | LA MESA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT AQUATICS, BALANCE AND CONDITIONING, AND AGE-ILITY CLASSES FOR SENIORS. |
| ARMS WIDE OPEN | EL CAJON, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE INSPIRE PROGRAM. |
| LIBERTY SCHOOL NTC FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATIONS OF THE LIBERTY SCHOOL. |
| MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGO | LA JOLLA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE REFLECTIONS PROGRAM. |
| NEW VILLAGE ARTS | CARLSBAD, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE THEATRE FRONT TO BACK PROGRAM. |
| SAN DIEGO CHILDREN'S CHOIR | SAN DIEGO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT SCHOOL OUTREACH AND ENSEMBLE PROGRAMMING. |
| INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO ART INSTITUTE | SAN DIEGO, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES AND A STRATEGIC CONSULTANT. |
| FROSTED FACES FOUNDATION | RAMONA, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE SENIORS FOR SENIORS PROGRAM AND THE FINAL WISH PROGRAM. |
| VILLA MUSICA | SAN DIEGO, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE EXPANSION OF THE MUSICAL BIOGRAPHIES INITIATIVE. |
| ARMS WIDE OPEN | EL CAJON, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE MUSICAL THEATRE PROGRAM. |
| EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY SERVICES | NATIONAL CITY, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE EXPANSION OF THE KINDERMUSIK PROGRAM. |
| CHALLENGE CENTER THERAPY CENTER INC | LA MESA, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE AQUATICS, BALANCE AND CONDITIONING, AND AGE-ILITY 360 CLASSES FOR SENIORS. |
| OPERA NEO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT OPERATING EXPENSES AND A MATCHING GRANT FOR THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR TECHNOLOGY AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. |
LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE
$35,000TO SUPPORT THE 2026 PERFORMANCE OUTREACH PROGRAM (POP) TOUR.
THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY
$25,000A MATCHING GRANT TO SUPPORT THE KITTEN PROGRAM.
TO SUPPORT ARTSREACH, MEMORIES AT THE MUSEUM, AND ARTS4SCHOOLS YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAM.
DAVID'S HARP FOUNDATION
$16,000TO SUPPORT THE STUDENT STUDIO PROGRAM.
CHALLENGE CENTER THERAPY CENTER
TO SUPPORT THE INCREASE OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS CLASSES FOR SENIORS.
ARMS WIDE OPEN
$10,000TO SUPPORT AWOS MUSICAL THEATRE OFFERINGS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATIONS OF LIBERTY SCHOOL.
CARMA FOR HORSES
$5,000TO SUPPORT THE LILAC FIRE FUND.
SAN DIEGO CHILDRENS CHOIR
$5,000TO SUPPORT THE ACCESS FOR ALL PROGRAM.
TO SUPPORT NEW INSTRUMENTS FOR THE GROSSMONT COLLEGE MUSIC DEPARTMENT.
INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGO
$5,000TO SUPPORT THE MARKETING INITIATIVE.
LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE
$4,000TO SUPPORT THE 2026 PERFORMANCE OUTREACH PROGRAM (POP) TOUR.
THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY
$4,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES.
TO SUPPORT ENRICHMENT TOYS FOR BIG CATS AND BEARS AT THE SANCTUARY.
ART OF ELAN
$3,500TO SUPPORT ALUMNI MASTER TEACHING ARTISTS IN THE YOUNG ARTISTS IN HARMONY PROGRAM.
MINGEI INTERNATIONAL INC
$3,000TO SUPPORT MAKE AT MINGEI.
YOUNG LIONS JAZZ CONSERVATORY
$2,500TO SUPPORT THE SHED & TOOLS FUND.
PLAYWRIGHTS PROJECTS
$2,500TO SUPPORT THE PLAYS BY YOUNG WRITERS FESTIVAL.
TO SUPPORT THE MARY ELLEN CLARK MATCHING GRANT FOR OPERA NEO'S 2024 SEASON, A GRANT CONSULTANT, AND OPERATING SUPPORT.
TO SUPPORT THE TIMKEN MUSEUM OF ART'S EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMS.
DAVID'S HARP FOUNDATION
$25,000TO SUPPORT A PART-TIME TEACHING ARTIST.
TO SUPPORT 20 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS STUDYING PERFORMING OR VISUAL ARTS.
INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO ART INSTITUTE
$20,000TO SUPPORT SOFTWARE IMPLEMENTATION.
LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE THEATRE & ARTS FOUNDATION OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY
$20,000TO SUPPORT THE JUMPSTART THEATRE PROGRAM.
CHALLENGE CENTER THERAPY CENTER
$20,000TO SUPPORT AQUATICS, BALANCE AND CONDITIONING, AND AGE-ILITY CLASSES FOR SENIORS.
ARMS WIDE OPEN
$15,000TO SUPPORT THE INSPIRE PROGRAM.
TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATIONS OF THE LIBERTY SCHOOL.
SAN DIEGO CHILDREN'S CHOIR
$5,000TO SUPPORT SCHOOL OUTREACH AND ENSEMBLE PROGRAMMING.
INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO ART INSTITUTE
$30,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES AND A STRATEGIC CONSULTANT.
TO SUPPORT THE SENIORS FOR SENIORS PROGRAM AND THE FINAL WISH PROGRAM.
ARMS WIDE OPEN
$25,000TO SUPPORT THE MUSICAL THEATRE PROGRAM.
TO SUPPORT THE EXPANSION OF THE KINDERMUSIK PROGRAM.
CHALLENGE CENTER THERAPY CENTER INC
$20,000TO SUPPORT THE AQUATICS, BALANCE AND CONDITIONING, AND AGE-ILITY 360 CLASSES FOR SENIORS.
TO SUPPORT OPERATING EXPENSES AND A MATCHING GRANT FOR THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR TECHNOLOGY AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.