The Wilson W Phelps Foundation concentrates its local giving in Orange County, CA, prioritizing K–12 public school facility and student well‑being improvements alongside food security. The foundation's grants fund tangible infrastructure and programmatic needs—library/media modernization, wellness center build-outs, furniture and AV equipment—plus support for a regional food‑distribution Farm to Family program. Their giving pattern indicates a preference for a small number of focused, place‑based investments that produce visible, practical impact for students and vulnerable residents.
The Wilson W Phelps Foundation’s largest recent awards center on Fullerton School District, including $217,317 in 2023 for a wellness center, furniture, library transformation, and A/V equipment, followed by $178,119 in 2025 for books, a sixth-grade science camp, a second tiny home, culturally responsive Mariachi, a media center update, and outdoor furniture. That pattern shows a funder working through schools to support both facility improvements and student experience. Across its recent grants, the foundation backs practical upgrades that change how students learn and spend time on campus: expanded STEM activity, books, arts programming, and equipment for classrooms and common spaces. Its local giving also reaches community organizations in Orange County with food-distribution support and youth-serving programs. The same place-based approach appears in grants to college-access and foster-youth programs, where the foundation funds scholarships, emergency aid, and housing-related support. The Wilson W Phelps Foundation’s giving is concentrated in a small geographic area and shows a consistent preference for tangible, targeted projects rather than broad, abstract initiatives.
In K–12 enrichment, the foundation funded $125,714 in 2024 to Fullerton School District for expanded coding and science in a STEM lab, 4,405 books for students, two 13-week artist-in-residence programs, theater equipment for STEM, and ecosystem murals. It also gave $48,874 in 2024 to Fullerton Joint Union High Sch Dist for classroom STEAM kits and cabinetry to house equipment. Arts and cultural education appear in grants such as $40,000 in 2025 to Muckenthaler Cultural Center Founda for a fine art studio, portfolio mentoring, and general fund, plus $20,000 in 2024 to Fullerton Museum Center for field trips, hands-on art experiences, and public-outreach materials. For food security, the foundation supported Community Action Partnership three times for Orange County Food Bank’s Farm to Family Program, including $75,000 in both 2024 and 2025. It also funded Meals on Wheels of Fullerton Inc with $20,000 in 2025 for meal subsidies for low-income homebound individuals.
Typical awards cluster around the middle of the foundation’s distribution: p25 is $10,000, the median is $20,000, and p75 is $30,275. The recent grants list shows both larger school-based investments and many $20,000 to $25,000 awards. Recipients appear across multiple years, including Fullerton School District, Community Action Partnership, Boys and Girls Club, Cal State University Fullerton, and Young Lives Redeemed. The foundation funds individuals and also gives to organizations, with no program-related investments listed. The recent data shows repeated support for some grantees rather than one-off gifts only.
$663K
$5.2M
$771K
$684K
Most grants fall between $10K and $30K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$30K
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Concentrated, local giving with multiple grants to a few repeat grantees; funds are medium-to-large, project-specific awards for capital and program support rather than broad general operating grants.
Notable grantees: Fullerton School District, Community Action Partnership (Orange County Food Bank / Farm to Family Program), Fullerton-area K–12 facility and student wellness initiatives (representative focus)
Grant activity is entirely in California, with 100% of grants to recipients in the HQ state. The heaviest concentration is in Fullerton, where many awards go to school districts, colleges, museums, and youth-serving groups. Garden Grove appears through Community Action Partnership for the Farm to Family Program, and Yorba Linda appears through Higher Ground Youth Family Services. La Habra also appears in a college-scholarship grant. The pattern is tightly local and centered in North Orange County.
Recent grants go mainly to public K–12 schools, youth-serving organizations, food-security programs, and college-access or foster-youth services. Examples include school district funding for wellness centers and STEM upgrades, Farm to Family support through a food bank partner, and scholarships or emergency aid for college students and foster youth.
The distribution is centered at moderate-sized awards: p25 is $10,000, the median is $20,000, and p75 is $30,275. In the recent grants list, many awards fall in the $20,000 to $25,000 range, with some larger school-district grants above $100,000.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Fullerton School District, Community Action Partnership, Boys and Girls Club, Cal State University Fullerton, Young Lives Redeemed, Crittenton Services, Tara's Chance, and Fullerton Museum Center. That suggests recurring support for selected local partners.
The grants are concentrated in California, and every recent grant in the dataset goes to a California recipient. Fullerton is the main city of giving, with additional awards in Garden Grove, Yorba Linda, and La Habra, all in Orange County.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fullerton Joint Union High Sch Dist | Fullerton, CA | $129,525 | 2026 | Classroom Sets Steam Kits, Julie Kim Joy Service Scholarship, cabinetry to house equipment |
| Fullerton School District | Fullerton, CA | $76,556 | 2026 | Books, 6th grade 2 nights science camp, building & learning trades for 2nd Tiny home, develope Culturally responsive Mariachi,Update Media Center, Outdoor Furniture, Various other assistance |
| Community Action Partnership | Garden Grove, CA | $75,000 | 2026 | Orange County Food Bank's Farm to Family Program |
| Boys and Girls Club | Fullerton, CA | $52,500 | 2026 | Scholarship for 25 Students, and 30 Chromebooks |
| Hart Community Homes Inc | Fullerton, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | Fees and Architectural Services, 4 units 8 bedrooms |
| Cal State University Fullerton | Fullerton, CA | $45,000 | 2026 | Guardian Scholars -Scholarships for 2 Foster Youths and Emergency Fund |
| Young Lives Redeemed | Fullerton, CA | $35,000 | 2026 | House Homeless Foster Youths |
| SCRPA- Fullerton Train Museum | Fullerton, CA | $35,000 | 2026 | Union Pacific Car Transportation Upgrades |
| Tara's Chance | Fullerton, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | Care for Therapy Horses for one year |
| Meals on Wheels of Fullerton Inc | Fullerton, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | Meal subsidies for low income homebound individuals |
| Advance On to College | La Habra, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | College Scholarships |
| Higher Ground Youth Family Services | Yorba Linda, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | Upgrade outdoor space & harm prevention programs |
| PEO | Fullerton, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | Scholarships toWomen |
| Radiant Futures | Fullerton, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | Housing property Aquisition |
| Fullerton Arboretum | Fullerton, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | Field Trip at Heritage House |
| All the Arts for All the Kids Found | Fullerton, CA | $9,600 | 2026 | 5th Grade Field Trip |
| Action Alliance Foundation | Fullerton, CA | $8,300 | 2026 | 100 New Mattresses |
| NGA | Fullerton, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | Clothes the Needy |
| Friends of Jazz | Fullerton, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | Recorders and music books for 4th Grade Students |
| Assistance League of Fullerton | Fullerton, CA | $1,500 | 2026 | Operation School Bell Clothing & School Supplies for Children |
| Fullerton School District | Fullerton, CA | $178,119 | 2025 | Books, 6th grade 2 nights science camp, building & learning trades for 2nd Tiny home, develope Culturally responsive Mariachi,Update Media Center, Outdoor Furniture, Various other assistance |
| Community Action Partnership | Garden Grove, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | Orange County Food Bank's Farm to Family Program |
| Boys and Girls Club | Fullerton, CA | $55,080 | 2025 | New 11 passenger van |
| Muckenthaler Cultural Center Founda | Fullerton, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | Fine art studio, portfolio mentoring, general fund |
| Cal State University Fullerton | Fullerton, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | Guardian Scholars -Scholarships for 2 Foster Youths and Emergency Fund |
| Fullerton Museum Center | Fullerton, CA | $35,000 | 2025 | Union Pacific car transportation, Upgrades |
| Crittenton Services | Fullerton, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | Fund a tech initiative |
| Young Lives Redeemed | Fullerton, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | House Homeless Foster Youths |
| Meals on Wheels of Fullerton Inc | Fullerton, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | Meal subsidies for low income homebound individuals |
| Tara's Chance | Fullerton, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | Care for Therapy Horses for one year |
| Advance On to College | La Habra, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | College Scholarships |
| PEO | Fullerton, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | Scholarships toWomen |
| Fullerton Kiwanis Club Foundation | Fullerton, CA | $11,573 | 2025 | Replace roofs on training center and free standing patio |
| YMCA | Fullerton, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | Installing LED Light fixtures |
| Needle Work Guild of America | Fullerton, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | Clothing for needy people in community |
| Action Alliance Foundation | Fullerton, CA | $8,660 | 2025 | 100 New Mattresses |
| Little Eagle Free | Fullerton, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | Native American Scholarships |
| Friends of Jazz | Fullerton, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | Recorders and music books for 4th Grade Students |
| Assistance League of Fullerton | Fullerton, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | Operation School Bell Clothing & School Supplies for Children |
| Fullerton School District | Fullerton, CA | $125,714 | 2024 | Expand coding and science in STEM lab, 4,405 books for students, two 13 week artist in residency,theater equipment for STEM, fund 4 ecosystem murals, students building and learning trades |
| Community Action Partnership | Garden Grove, CA | $75,000 | 2024 | Orange County Food Bank's Farm to Family Program |
| Boys and Girls Club | Fullerton, CA | $52,500 | 2024 | Scholarships and Chromebooks |
| Fullerton Joint Union High Sch Dist | Fullerton, CA | $48,874 | 2024 | Classroom Sets Steam Kits, Julie Kim Joy Service Scholarship, cabinetry to house equipment |
| Cal State University Fullerton | Fullerton, CA | $40,000 | 2024 | Guardian Scholars -Scholarships for 2 Foster Youths and Emergency Fund |
| Hart Community Homes Inc | Fullerton, CA | $25,700 | 2024 | Fees and Architectural Services, 4 units 8 bedrooms |
| HIgher Ground Youth Family Services | Yorba Linda, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | Upgrade outdoor space & harm prevention programs |
| Young Lives Redeemed | Fullerton, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | House Homeless Foster Youths |
| CSUF Fullerton Arboretum | Fullerton, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | Matching through Friends Terrace |
| Meals on Wheels of Fullerton Inc | Fullerton, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | Meal subsidies for low income homebound individuals |
| Tara's Chance | Fullerton, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | Care for Therapy Horses for one year |
Fullerton Joint Union High Sch Dist
$129,525Classroom Sets Steam Kits, Julie Kim Joy Service Scholarship, cabinetry to house equipment
Fullerton School District
$76,556Books, 6th grade 2 nights science camp, building & learning trades for 2nd Tiny home, develope Culturally responsive Mariachi,Update Media Center, Outdoor Furniture, Various other assistance
Orange County Food Bank's Farm to Family Program
Boys and Girls Club
$52,500Scholarship for 25 Students, and 30 Chromebooks
Hart Community Homes Inc
$50,000Fees and Architectural Services, 4 units 8 bedrooms
Cal State University Fullerton
Guardian Scholars -Scholarships for 2 Foster Youths and Emergency Fund
SCRPA- Fullerton Train Museum
$35,000Union Pacific Car Transportation Upgrades
Tara's Chance
$25,000Care for Therapy Horses for one year
Meals on Wheels of Fullerton Inc
$25,000Meal subsidies for low income homebound individuals
Advance On to College
$25,000College Scholarships
Upgrade outdoor space & harm prevention programs
PEO
$15,000Scholarships toWomen
Radiant Futures
$10,000Housing property Aquisition
Fullerton Arboretum
$10,000Field Trip at Heritage House
All the Arts for All the Kids Found
$9,6005th Grade Field Trip
Action Alliance Foundation
$8,300100 New Mattresses
NGA
$5,000Clothes the Needy
Friends of Jazz
$5,000Recorders and music books for 4th Grade Students
Assistance League of Fullerton
$1,500Operation School Bell Clothing & School Supplies for Children
Fullerton School District
$178,119Books, 6th grade 2 nights science camp, building & learning trades for 2nd Tiny home, develope Culturally responsive Mariachi,Update Media Center, Outdoor Furniture, Various other assistance
Orange County Food Bank's Farm to Family Program
Boys and Girls Club
$55,080New 11 passenger van
Muckenthaler Cultural Center Founda
$40,000Fine art studio, portfolio mentoring, general fund
Cal State University Fullerton
$40,000Guardian Scholars -Scholarships for 2 Foster Youths and Emergency Fund
Fullerton Museum Center
$35,000Union Pacific car transportation, Upgrades
Crittenton Services
$25,000Fund a tech initiative
Meals on Wheels of Fullerton Inc
$20,000Meal subsidies for low income homebound individuals
Tara's Chance
$20,000Care for Therapy Horses for one year
Advance On to College
$20,000College Scholarships
PEO
$15,000Scholarships toWomen
Fullerton Kiwanis Club Foundation
$11,573Replace roofs on training center and free standing patio
YMCA
$10,000Installing LED Light fixtures
Needle Work Guild of America
$10,000Clothing for needy people in community
Action Alliance Foundation
$8,660100 New Mattresses
Little Eagle Free
$5,000Native American Scholarships
Friends of Jazz
$5,000Recorders and music books for 4th Grade Students
Assistance League of Fullerton
$1,000Operation School Bell Clothing & School Supplies for Children
Fullerton School District
$125,714Expand coding and science in STEM lab, 4,405 books for students, two 13 week artist in residency,theater equipment for STEM, fund 4 ecosystem murals, students building and learning trades
Orange County Food Bank's Farm to Family Program
Boys and Girls Club
$52,500Scholarships and Chromebooks
Fullerton Joint Union High Sch Dist
$48,874Classroom Sets Steam Kits, Julie Kim Joy Service Scholarship, cabinetry to house equipment
Cal State University Fullerton
$40,000Guardian Scholars -Scholarships for 2 Foster Youths and Emergency Fund
Upgrade outdoor space & harm prevention programs
CSUF Fullerton Arboretum
$25,000Matching through Friends Terrace
Meals on Wheels of Fullerton Inc
$20,000Meal subsidies for low income homebound individuals
Tara's Chance
$20,000Care for Therapy Horses for one year