The Lappen Family Foundation concentrates its modest philanthropy on a single beneficiary, providing repeat general operating support to an organization called Center for Childhood. Their giving appears locally focused and oriented toward childhood- and family-related services, though grants are labeled as broad charity/general support rather than restricted program funding. The foundation acts as a steady, loyal donor to one community nonprofit rather than distributing funds across many causes.
Highly concentrated: all recorded grants go to one grantee (Center for Childhood), repeated, relatively small total disbursements with unrestricted/general-purpose funding.
Chet & Jon Lappen Foundation Dba Lappen Family Foundation shows a strong repeat pattern around Center for Childhood, which received the foundation’s three largest recent grants: $24,300 in 2023, $23,975 in 2024, and $20,800 in 2025. That continuity suggests a grantmaking style built around sustained support rather than one-off gifts. Beyond that core relationship, the foundation also backs a small set of community charities and educational institutions, with awards that stay mostly in the low-thousands. The recent grants list includes support for La Regional Foodbank, Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica, University High Education Foundation, and several schools and faith-based nonprofits, indicating a broad charitable orientation rather than a narrow programmatic field. Most of the foundation’s giving lands in California, and the recipient list is concentrated in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Oakland, and nearby communities. The foundation’s work appears centered on general charity and operating support, with grant purposes frequently labeled simply as charity/general or public charity. Taken together, the pattern points to a family foundation that makes modest but recurring gifts to a familiar circle of nonprofits, anchored by an especially durable relationship with Center for Childhood.
Childhood and family services are the clearest thread in the foundation’s giving. Center for Childhood received $24,300 in 2023, $23,975 in 2024, and $20,800 in 2025, all labeled charity/general, showing repeated operating-style support across multiple years. Community food access is another visible area: La Regional Foodbank received $11,000 in 2023 and $5,000 in both 2024 and 2025. Youth development appears as well through gifts to Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica, which received $9,000 in 2023, $5,200 in 2024, and $5,800 in 2025. The foundation also gave to University High Education Foundation and UCLA School of Law, indicating that education-related support is part of the mix alongside community-serving public charities.
Typical gifts are small: the foundation’s grant size distribution is $1,000 at the 25th percentile, $1,000 at the median, and $2,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also shows a few larger outliers, but most awards cluster around modest general-support checks. The giving pattern is recurring rather than one-time, with Center for Childhood, La Regional Foodbank, Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica, Var Organized Charities, Kehilla Community Synagogue, Campbell Hall School, Colorado Academy, and UCLA School of Law appearing in multiple years. The foundation is not an operating charity itself and does not make program-related investments. The records provided do not show an application process.
$301K
$802K
$114K
$122K
Most grants fall between $1K and $2K, with a median of $1K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$1K
75th Percentile
$2K
About 68% of grants go to recipients in CA.
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Notable grantees: Center for Childhood
Giving is strongly California-centered: 68% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Los Angeles appears repeatedly in the recipient list, along with Santa Monica, Oakland, and Santa Barbara, while other awards go to Washington, DC; Boston; Philadelphia; and Denver. The top state by grant count is California, and the recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 145 grants going to U.S. organizations.
Its recent grants focus on community-serving public charities and schools, often through charity/general support. Center for Childhood, La Regional Foodbank, Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica, University High Education Foundation, and UCLA School of Law all appear in the recent grants list, showing a mix of childhood services, food access, youth development, and education.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Center for Childhood in 2023, 2024, and 2025; La Regional Foodbank in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica in 2023, 2024, and 2025. That pattern points to repeat support rather than isolated awards.
The typical grant size is modest. The distribution is $1,000 at both the 25th percentile and median, with $2,000 at the 75th percentile. Most listed gifts fall near that range, even though a few larger grants stand out in the recent grants table.
California is the main giving state, with 68% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Recent recipient cities include Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Oakland, and Santa Barbara, showing a California-heavy pattern with a few grants elsewhere in the U.S.
The foundation does not make program-related investments. The records provided do not show an application process, so the recent grant history mainly indicates direct support to named nonprofit organizations rather than a documented open application system.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CENTER FOR CHILDHOOD | LOS ANGELES, CA | $20,800 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| HOPEWELL FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $6,100 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF SANTA MONICA | SANTA MONICA, CA | $5,800 | 2025 | PUBLIC CHARITY |
| ACCELERATE CHANGE INC | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| LA REGIONAL FOODBANK | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| MACCABI USA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $4,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| UCLA SCHOOL OF LAW | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| COLORADO ACADEMY | DENVER, CO | $2,500 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| KEHILLA COMMUNITY SYNAGOGUE | OAKLAND, CA | $2,400 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER | MONTGOMERY, AL | $2,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| TEMPLE BETH SHALOM | SANTA ANA, CA | $2,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| ALAMEDA COUNTY COMMUNITY FOOD BANK | OAKLAND, CA | $2,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD | SAN BARBARA, CA | $2,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| GROUND GAME FUND | MANCHACA, TX | $2,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| PSYCHOTHERAPY INSTITUTE | BERKELEY, CA | $2,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| UNIVERSITY HIGH EDUCATION FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| PETERSON AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,800 | 2025 | PUBLIC CHARITY |
| PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM | PALM SPRINGS, CA | $1,210 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| BUDDHIST CHURCHES OF AMERICA | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,100 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| CEDARS SINAI | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL | KANSAS CITY, MO | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| JANE GOODALL INSTITUTE | VIENNA, VA | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| ELEPHANT SANCTUARY | GALT, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC CHARITY |
| VISTA DEL MAR | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| NATIONAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| US FUND FOR UNICEF | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| PALESTINE CHILDREN'S RELIEF FUND | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS | OAKLAND, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| KQED PUBLIC RADIO | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| 24TH STREET THEATRE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| FOCUS FOR DEMOCRACY | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| SAVE THE CHIMPS | FORT PIERCE, FL | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| HIRSHBERG FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $750 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| VAR ORGANIZED CHARITIES | SANTA MONICA, CA | $750 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES | NEW YORK, NY | $740 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| CHABAD OF PACIFIC PALISADES | PACIFIC PALISADES, CA | $500 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| KALW - PUBLIC RADIO | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $500 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| DOWNTOWN DOG RESCUE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $500 | 2025 | PUBLIC CHARITY |
| MADD | SACRAMENTO, CA | $500 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (ASPCA) | NEW YORK, NY | $500 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| THE BOTTOM | KNOXVILLE, TN | $500 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| THE CARTER CENTER | ATLANTA, GA | $500 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM (JANM) | LOS ANGELES, CA | $400 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| SOGOREA TE LAND TRUST | OAKLAND, CA | $400 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
| MARINE MAMMAL CENTER | SAUSALITO, CA | $100 | 2025 | CHARITY/GENERAL |
CENTER FOR CHILDHOOD
$20,800CHARITY/GENERAL
HOPEWELL FUND
$6,100CHARITY/GENERAL
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF SANTA MONICA
$5,800PUBLIC CHARITY
ACCELERATE CHANGE INC
$5,000CHARITY/GENERAL
LA REGIONAL FOODBANK
$5,000CHARITY/GENERAL
MACCABI USA
$4,000CHARITY/GENERAL
UCLA SCHOOL OF LAW
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
$2,500EDUCATION
COLORADO ACADEMY
$2,500CHARITY/GENERAL
KEHILLA COMMUNITY SYNAGOGUE
$2,400CHARITY/GENERAL
SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER
$2,000CHARITY/GENERAL
TEMPLE BETH SHALOM
$2,000CHARITY/GENERAL
ALAMEDA COUNTY COMMUNITY FOOD BANK
$2,000CHARITY/GENERAL
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
$2,000CHARITY/GENERAL
GROUND GAME FUND
$2,000CHARITY/GENERAL
PSYCHOTHERAPY INSTITUTE
$2,000CHARITY/GENERAL
UNIVERSITY HIGH EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$2,000CHARITY/GENERAL
PETERSON AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM FOUNDATION
$1,800PUBLIC CHARITY
PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM
$1,210CHARITY/GENERAL
BUDDHIST CHURCHES OF AMERICA
$1,100CHARITY/GENERAL
CEDARS SINAI
$1,000CHARITY/GENERAL
CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS FOUNDATION
$1,000CHARITY/GENERAL
CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL
$1,000CHARITY/GENERAL
JANE GOODALL INSTITUTE
$1,000CHARITY/GENERAL
ELEPHANT SANCTUARY
$1,000CHARITY/GENERAL
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
$1,000PUBLIC CHARITY
VISTA DEL MAR
$1,000CHARITY/GENERAL
NATIONAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL
$1,000CHARITY/GENERAL
US FUND FOR UNICEF
$1,000CHARITY/GENERAL
PALESTINE CHILDREN'S RELIEF FUND
$1,000CHARITY/GENERAL
UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS
$1,000EDUCATION
KQED PUBLIC RADIO
$1,000CHARITY/GENERAL
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
$1,000CHARITY/GENERAL
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$1,000CHARITY/GENERAL
24TH STREET THEATRE
$1,000CHARITY/GENERAL
FOCUS FOR DEMOCRACY
$1,000CHARITY/GENERAL
SAVE THE CHIMPS
$1,000CHARITY/GENERAL
HIRSHBERG FOUNDATION
$750CHARITY/GENERAL
VAR ORGANIZED CHARITIES
$750CHARITY/GENERAL
FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES
$740CHARITY/GENERAL
CHABAD OF PACIFIC PALISADES
$500CHARITY/GENERAL
KALW - PUBLIC RADIO
$500CHARITY/GENERAL
DOWNTOWN DOG RESCUE
$500PUBLIC CHARITY
MADD
$500CHARITY/GENERAL
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (ASPCA)
$500CHARITY/GENERAL
THE BOTTOM
$500CHARITY/GENERAL
THE CARTER CENTER
$500CHARITY/GENERAL
JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM (JANM)
$400CHARITY/GENERAL
SOGOREA TE LAND TRUST
$400CHARITY/GENERAL
MARINE MAMMAL CENTER
$100CHARITY/GENERAL