The California Foundation for Stronger Communities funds California-based nonprofits focused on direct social services and community strengthening, with a particular emphasis on supports for children and youth, people with disabilities, and vulnerable/underserved populations (including farmworkers and trafficking survivors). Grants are often mid-size and targeted to local organizations and community foundations, and the foundation routinely makes repeat grants to the same grantees, suggesting multi-year relationships and sustained program support. Cultural, recreational, and historical nonprofits also receive periodic support, reflecting a broad but service-oriented local giving strategy.
California Foundation for Stronger Communities makes large, repeated grants to California nonprofits that provide direct services, with many awards framed as support for local charities or for an organization’s mission. The foundation’s recent giving shows a steady pattern of backing youth-serving groups, disability services, anti-trafficking work, and basic-needs organizations, often at mid-size grant levels and often to the same recipients across years. A 2025 grant of $165,000 to Vistability stands out as one of its largest recent awards, and the same year it gave $147,000 to the Oscar De La Hoya Foundation. Other sizable grants went to Friends of Fieldworkers Inc in Oak View, California, and to Special Olympics Southern California Inc in Long Beach, indicating support for organizations serving vulnerable populations through community-based programs. The foundation also funds community foundations and other local intermediaries, including The San Diego Foundation and the Community Foundation of Orange, alongside direct-service nonprofits. Its grant list suggests a place-based strategy centered on California communities rather than a broad national portfolio.
In youth and family services, the foundation funded Diabetes Youth Families (dyf) in Concord, California, and SOS Children’s Villages California in Los Angeles, both at $70,000 in 2025. It also supported the Oscar De La Hoya Foundation in Los Angeles with $100,000 in 2023 and $147,000 in 2025. Disability-related grantmaking appears in awards to Vistability in Martinez, Special Olympics Southern California Inc in Long Beach, and Pride Industries in prior grant patterns noted in the summary. Basic-needs and food-security work shows up in grants to Feeding America in Chicago and Community Action of Napa Valley Food Bank in Napa. The foundation also backed anti-human-trafficking work through Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking in Los Angeles and farmworker-focused services through Friends of Fieldworkers Inc in Oak View.
Typical grants fall in a mid-size band: the 25th percentile is $15,000, the median is $20,000, and the 75th percentile is $30,803. Recent awards are often much larger than the median, which suggests selective larger commitments alongside routine smaller grants. The foundation is a regular funder and the recipient list shows repeat support over multiple years, including multiple grants to the same organizations. Its structure is consistent with a family or independent grantmaker making direct charitable grants rather than program-related investments or individual funding.
$8M
$38K
$8M
$8.1M
Most grants fall between $15K and $31K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$31K
EDWARD J BECKER
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Moderately concentrated statewide giving in California with many repeat, mid-sized grants to local service organizations and a mix of direct program support and gifts to community foundations; patterns indicate sustained relationships rather than one-off, high-dollar endowments.
Notable grantees: Oscar De La Hoya Foundation, Rainbow Family Inc, Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking, Second Harvest Food Bank Orange County, Pride Industries
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly California-based: 98% of grants go to recipients in the headquarters state, and the top state by grant count is California. Recent recipients are concentrated in cities such as Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego, Martinez, Orange, Buena Park, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and Chula Vista. The list also includes a smaller number of grants outside California, including Chicago, Illinois, and Decatur, Georgia.
It supports California-based nonprofits doing direct social services and community strengthening, with recurring attention to children and youth, people with disabilities, food security, anti-trafficking work, and services for farmworkers and immigrant families. Community foundations and local intermediaries also appear in the grant list.
The typical grant size is mid-range: $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $30,803 at the 75th percentile. Several recent awards are larger than that baseline, showing that the foundation sometimes makes substantial one-off commitments.
Yes. California is the top state by grant count, and 98% of grants go to recipients in the headquarters state. Recent grants are centered in California cities including Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego, Martinez, Orange, Buena Park, Napa, and Chula Vista.
Yes. The recent grant list shows repeat funding for organizations such as Oscar De La Hoya Foundation and Special Olympics Southern California Inc across multiple years, and the broader pattern indicates sustained relationships rather than one-time awards.
It is classified as a regular funder, does not fund individuals, and does not make program-related investments. The grant list also suggests direct charitable support rather than a competitive application program, with awards labeled either for an organization’s mission or to provide support to local charities.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION | SACRAMENTO, CA | $265,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| THE FORAGER SCHOOL | COVINA, CA | $205,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| OLIVE CREST | SANTA ANA, CA | $185,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| RODEO BASEBALL ASSOCIATION | RODEO, CA | $175,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| MAYA'S MUSIC THERAPY | BERKELEY, CA | $165,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| THE RESPITE INN | CONCORD, CA | $145,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| VISTABILITY | MARTINEZ, CA | $140,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $140,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| YOUTH HOMES INCORPORATED | CONCORD, CA | $135,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| BABY2BABY | LOS ANGELES, CA | $120,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| SFR COMMUNITY FUND INC | RODEO, CA | $108,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| WHITE PONY EXPRESS | CONCORD, CA | $105,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| OPERATION SAFE HOUSE INC | RIVERSIDE, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| SKYHOOK FOUNDATION | COSTA MESA, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| LAS TRAMPAS SCHOOL INC | LAFAYETTE, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| COVENANT HOUSE CALIFORNIAINC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $95,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| JUST IN TIME FOR FOSTER YOUTH | SAN DIEGO, CA | $90,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| SEAL - NSW FAMILY FOUNDATION | CARLSBAD, CA | $90,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| PASADENA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | PASADENA, CA | $90,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $85,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| EAST BAY INNOVATIONS INC | SAN LEANDRO, CA | $75,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| A SENSE OF HOME | HAWTHORNE, CA | $75,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| CAL STATE FULLERTONCOLLEGE OF BUSINESS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $75,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| LEGION COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | CARLSBAD, CA | $75,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| MISSION EDGE SAN DIEGO | PASADENA, CA | $75,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| BAY AREA COMMUNITY RESOURCES | EL CERRITO, CA | $75,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| NEW HORIZONS CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER | RODEO, CA | $72,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| EDUCATION IS FOREVER CORP | CERRITOS, CA | $70,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| REGIONAL CENTER OF THE EAST BAY INC | SAN LEANDRO, CA | $70,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| ARC OF CALIFORNIA | SACRAMENTO, CA | $70,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| FOSTERING YOUTH INDEPENDENCE | SANTA CLARITA, CA | $68,038 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| FRIENDS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS | FREMONT, CA | $65,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF NW SAN DIEGO | ENCINITAS, CA | $65,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| END 68 HOURS OF HUNGER | FARMINGTON, NH | $65,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| CLERGY COMMUNITY COALITION INC | PASADENA, CA | $65,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| PROJECT RIDE INC | ELK GROVE, CA | $65,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| THE ROTARY FOUNDATION OF HERCULES RODEO | HERCULES, CA | $60,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| SOUTHWESTERN LAW SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $60,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| RIVERSIDE COUNTY PHILHARMONIC ASSOCIATION | RIVERSIDE, CA | $60,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| THE MAGIC YARN PROJECT INC | PALMER, AR | $60,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| RODEO YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAM | RODEO, CA | $60,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| LINCOLN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | LINCOLN, CA | $60,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| THE PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | PLEASANT HILL, CA | $55,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| BERKELEY SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM SUPPORT | FOLSOM, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| SAN JOAQUIN CTY CHILD ABUSE PREV COUNCIL | STOCKTON, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE-ORANGE COUNTY | LAGUNA HILLS, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| LINCOLN | OAKLAND, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| DIABETES YOUTH FAMILIES (DYF) | CONCORD, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| THE STEPS FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
| EASTSIDE STUDENT CENTER | BISHOP, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES |
THE FORAGER SCHOOL
$205,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
RODEO BASEBALL ASSOCIATION
$175,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
MAYA'S MUSIC THERAPY
$165,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
THE RESPITE INN
$145,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
VISTABILITY
$140,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
SFR COMMUNITY FUND INC
$108,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
SKYHOOK FOUNDATION
$100,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
LAS TRAMPAS SCHOOL INC
$100,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
SEAL - NSW FAMILY FOUNDATION
$90,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION
$85,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
EAST BAY INNOVATIONS INC
$75,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
LEGION COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$75,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
NEW HORIZONS CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER
$72,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
EDUCATION IS FOREVER CORP
$70,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
REGIONAL CENTER OF THE EAST BAY INC
$70,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
ARC OF CALIFORNIA
$70,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
FOSTERING YOUTH INDEPENDENCE
$68,038PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
CLERGY COMMUNITY COALITION INC
$65,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
PROJECT RIDE INC
$65,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION OF HERCULES RODEO
$60,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
SOUTHWESTERN LAW SCHOOL
$60,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
RIVERSIDE COUNTY PHILHARMONIC ASSOCIATION
$60,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
THE MAGIC YARN PROJECT INC
$60,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
RODEO YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAM
$60,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
LINCOLN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$60,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
THE PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$55,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
BERKELEY SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM SUPPORT
$50,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE-ORANGE COUNTY
$50,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
THE STEPS FOUNDATION
$50,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES
EASTSIDE STUDENT CENTER
$50,000PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL CHARITIES