The David W Hearst Jr Foundation concentrates its giving on the Scripps biomedical ecosystem in San Diego, directing large, equality-sized gifts to research institutes and affiliated hospital foundations. Grants show a clear interest in supporting translational biomedical research and high-end clinical equipment/critical care capabilities rather than broad charitable causes. The foundation appears to operate as a targeted local funder that backs specific institutional projects and capital needs within the Scripps network.
The David W Hearst Jr Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by repeated six-figure support for the Scripps biomedical network in La Jolla, including $200,000 for The Scripps Research Institute in 2026 for salary support tied to Dr. Robert Russo’s CDAC & MagnaSafe clinical studies and another $200,000 in 2024 for Scripps Health Foundation for a LAVA ECMO machine. That pattern points to a funder focused on translational research and hospital capability, with gifts that are typically large and project-specific. The foundation also backs affiliated institutional programs through Scripps Foundation, showing a sustained connection to the same local ecosystem. Its grant record is not limited to biomedical research. The foundation has also funded military-family services, fire and rescue equipment, homelessness and shelter work, children’s services, and animal sheltering. The named recipients in those areas suggest a mix of institutional support and direct program funding, often tied to San Diego organizations but not exclusively so. Across the record, the foundation appears to favor specific, designated purposes rather than broad unrestricted giving.
One clear theme is support for veterans and military families. In 2026, the foundation gave $50,000 to Semper Fi & America’s Fund for the Service Member & Family Support Program, and it also gave $50,000 to the Navy Seal Foundation for the Warrior Fitness Program, restricted to San Diego. Public safety is another recurring area. San Diego Regional Fire and Emergency Services received $50,000 in 2026 for paramedic scholarships and firefighter safety equipment, while Honorary Deputy Sheriffs' Association received $50,000 in 2026 for Trunarc devices. The foundation also funds food and shelter work. Feeding San Diego received $50,000 in 2025 for the Feeding Heroes Initiative, and San Diego Rescue Mission received $50,000 in 2024 for its charitable purpose. For children, Our Military Kids received $50,000 in 2026 for extracurricular activity grants restricted to California.
Typical grants cluster at a higher level than many community foundations: the p25 is $25,000, the median is $30,000, and the p75 is $50,000. The record includes multiple grants of $200,000, showing that the foundation also makes larger project gifts when it is supporting research or equipment. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it gives directly to organizations rather than through program-related investments. Several recipients recur across years, including The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Health Foundation, Scripps Foundation, Semper Fi & America’s Fund, and Honorary Deputy Sheriffs' Association, which suggests continued relationships rather than one-off awards.
$1.3M
$41K
$1.5M
$1.5M
Most grants fall between $25K and $50K, with a median of $30K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$30K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Highly concentrated: very few (3) large, equal-size grants all to closely related Scripps entities—focused, local, institution-specific funding rather than broad or diffuse grantmaking.
Notable grantees: The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Foundation, Scripps Health Foundation
Giving is heavily centered in California, which accounts for 77% of grants to recipients in the HQ state. La Jolla appears repeatedly as a recipient city through the Scripps institutions, and San Diego is another major hub, with grants to San Diego-based organizations in veterans, food access, children’s services, and public safety. Outside California, the record reaches a smaller set of places including Memphis, Staten Island, Bronx, Hayden, Tallahassee, and Virginia Beach. All recorded grants in the dataset went to U.S. recipients.
It repeatedly funds the Scripps biomedical ecosystem in La Jolla, including The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Health Foundation, and Scripps Foundation. It also supports military-family services, fire and rescue groups, homelessness and shelter organizations, children’s programs, and animal shelters.
The typical grant size is $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $30,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The record also includes several $200,000 grants for research and hospital equipment.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Health Foundation, Scripps Foundation, Semper Fi & America’s Fund, and Honorary Deputy Sheriffs' Association. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated gifts.
Its grant record is concentrated in California, with 77% of grants to recipients in the HQ state. Within California, La Jolla and San Diego show up frequently, especially through Scripps-related institutions and local service organizations.
Named purposes include salary support for a research coordinator/scientist in Dr. Robert Russo’s CDAC & MagnaSafe clinical studies, a LAVA ECMO machine, patient care services, service member and family support, firefighter safety equipment, and extracurricular activity grants restricted to California.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE | LA JOLLA, CA | $200,000 | 2026 | SALARY SUPPORT FOR A RESEARCH COORDINATOR/SCIENTIST IN DR. ROBERT RUSSO'S CDAC & MAGNASAFE CLINICAL STUDIES |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $100,000 | 2026 | PATIENT CARE SERVICES |
| COMPANION ANIMAL CENTER | EUREKA, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | ANIMAL SHELTER |
| REMARKABLE MEN'S PRACTICE | SANTA MONICA, CA | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAN DIEGO REGIONAL FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES | SAN DIEGO, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | PARAMEDIC SCHOLARSHIPS AND FIREFIGHTER SAFETY EQUIPMENT |
| HONORARY DEPUTY SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | TRUNARC DEVICES |
| SEMPER FI & AMERICA'S FUND | OCEANSIDE, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | SERVICE MEMBER & FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM |
| OUR MILITARY KIDS | OAKTON, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY GRANTS - RESTRICTED TO GRANTS IN CALIFORNIA |
| NAVY SEAL FOUNDATION | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | WARRIOR FITNESS PROGRAM - RESTRICTED TO SAN DIEGO |
| TURNING POINT USA INC | PHOENIX, AZ | $50,000 | 2026 | K-12 TURNING POINT EDUCATION |
| KIDS TURN SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $40,000 | 2026 | CREATING BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR CHILDREN PROJECT |
| FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN WARRIORS | VISTA, CA | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STEPHEN SILLER TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $35,000 | 2026 | FALLEN FIRST RESPONDERS HOME PROGRAM |
| WARRIOR FOUNDATION FREEDOM STATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $34,250 | 2026 | RESOURCE CENTER AND CYBERSECURITY UPGRADES |
| CHALLENGED ATHLETES INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | GRANT FUNDS - OPERATION REBOUND PROGRAM |
| CASA DE AMPARO | SAN MARCOS, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | RESIDENTIAL SERVICES PROGRAM |
| SHELTER TO SOLDIER INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $26,040 | 2026 | EMERGENCY MEDICAL FUND |
| TEAM RUBICON | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | CENTRAL TEXAS FLOOD RELIEF |
| CRAIG HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $25,000 | 2026 | OPERATION TBI FREEDOM PROGRAM |
| MARINE TOYS FOR TOTS | TRIANGLE, VA | $25,000 | 2026 | SAN DIEGO CHAPTER - TRANSPORTATION AND RENTAL EXPENSES |
| NEW YORK YANKEES FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S RESOURCE CENTER |
| SAN DIEGO NICE GUYS INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS PARTY |
| US FOR WARRIORS FOUNDATION | CHULA VISTA, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | FOOD4WARRIORS PROGRAM |
| NATIONAL MILITARY FAMILY ASSOCIATION | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATION PURPLE CAMP IN SAN DIEGO |
| UNITED THROUGH READING | SAN DIEGO, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATION STORY TIME |
| NAVY-MARINE CORPS RELIEF SOCIETY | ARLINGTON, VA | $20,000 | 2026 | FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM |
| WORLEY FIRE FOUNDATION INC | COEUR DALENE, ID | $12,210 | 2026 | SLIP TANK |
| COEUR D ALENE GARDEN CLUB INC | COEUR DALENE, ID | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AIDSLIFECYCLE | SAN JOSE, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | RIDER MARGARET CASEY |
| THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE | LA JOLLA, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | DR. ROBERT RUSSO |
| KOOTENAI COUNTY REGIONAL AIR SUPPORT | HAYDEN, ID | $100,000 | 2025 | TRAKKABEAM TC-300 SWIR CAMERA |
| SAN DIEGO NICE GUYS INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $80,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS PARTY |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | SERVICES TO THE ARMED FORCES |
| COMPANION ANIMAL CENTER | PACIFICA, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL SHELTER |
| FEEDING SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | FEEDING HEROES INITIATIVE |
| WORKSHOP FOR WARRIORS INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TRAINING FOR YOUNG VETERANS FOR 2024 |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | HURRICANE HELENE |
| INNER-CITY ARTS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | PHOTOGRAPHY CLASSES AND CAMERA EQUIPMENT |
| PRAGER UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | SHERMAN OAKS, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | PRAGER U KIDS |
| SUPPORT THE ENLISTED PROJECT INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT - RESTRICTED TO SAN DIEGO |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $40,000 | 2025 | PATIENT CARE |
| GARY SINISE FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $35,000 | 2025 | R.I.S.E PROGRAM |
| BLUE STAR FAMILIES | ENCINITAS, CA | $32,500 | 2025 | WELCOME 365 INITIATIVE |
| FISHER HOUSE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INC | LONG BEACH, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ARMED SERVICES YMCA | SAN DIEGO, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | CAMP HERO PROGRAM |
| MARINE TOYS FOR TOTS | TRIANGLE, VA | $30,000 | 2025 | ASSIST THE SAN DIEGO CHAPTER WITH EXPENSES FOR FORKLIFT RENTALS AND TRANSPORTATION COSTS |
| VOICES FOR CHILDREN | SAN DIEGO, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES PROGRAM |
| HOME START INCORPORATED | BOSTON, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | HOUSING PROGRAM |
| INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES INC | ESCONDIDO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | FAMILY SHELTER PROGRAM AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR HOMELESS VETERANS |
THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
$200,000SALARY SUPPORT FOR A RESEARCH COORDINATOR/SCIENTIST IN DR. ROBERT RUSSO'S CDAC & MAGNASAFE CLINICAL STUDIES
COMPANION ANIMAL CENTER
$100,000ANIMAL SHELTER
REMARKABLE MEN'S PRACTICE
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SAN DIEGO REGIONAL FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES
$50,000PARAMEDIC SCHOLARSHIPS AND FIREFIGHTER SAFETY EQUIPMENT
HONORARY DEPUTY SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION
TRUNARC DEVICES
SEMPER FI & AMERICA'S FUND
$50,000SERVICE MEMBER & FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY GRANTS - RESTRICTED TO GRANTS IN CALIFORNIA
KIDS TURN SAN DIEGO
$40,000CREATING BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR CHILDREN PROJECT
FALLEN FIRST RESPONDERS HOME PROGRAM
RESOURCE CENTER AND CYBERSECURITY UPGRADES
CRAIG HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$25,000OPERATION TBI FREEDOM PROGRAM
NEW YORK YANKEES FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SAN DIEGO NICE GUYS INC
$25,000COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS PARTY
US FOR WARRIORS FOUNDATION
$20,000FOOD4WARRIORS PROGRAM
WORLEY FIRE FOUNDATION INC
$12,210SLIP TANK
COEUR D ALENE GARDEN CLUB INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AIDSLIFECYCLE
$2,500RIDER MARGARET CASEY
KOOTENAI COUNTY REGIONAL AIR SUPPORT
$100,000TRAKKABEAM TC-300 SWIR CAMERA
SAN DIEGO NICE GUYS INC
$80,000COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS PARTY
COMPANION ANIMAL CENTER
$50,000ANIMAL SHELTER
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TRAINING FOR YOUNG VETERANS FOR 2024
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN
$50,000HURRICANE HELENE
ARMED SERVICES YMCA
$30,000CAMP HERO PROGRAM
ASSIST THE SAN DIEGO CHAPTER WITH EXPENSES FOR FORKLIFT RENTALS AND TRANSPORTATION COSTS
HOME START INCORPORATED
$25,000HOUSING PROGRAM
FAMILY SHELTER PROGRAM AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR HOMELESS VETERANS