The Gochnaur Family Foundation concentrates modest, unrestricted grants to humanitarian and social‑service organizations, splitting its support between international relief/economic empowerment and local family violence services. Their recent giving shows interest in refugee assistance and global microfinance alongside funding for domestic domestic violence shelter/counseling services in California. Grants appear to be general support rather than project‑restricted, suggesting trust in grantees' overall operations.
A $45,000 general grant to the United States Association for UNHCR stands out in the Gochnauer Family Foundation’s recent record and points to a pattern of flexible support for humanitarian and social-service work. The foundation’s giving also reaches California-based domestic violence and family-support organizations, alongside international relief and economic empowerment groups. Recent recipients include Laura’s House, Opportunity International, and Unsilenced Project Inc, suggesting a mix of refugee assistance, shelter services, and economic opportunity grants. The foundation’s grants are typically unrestricted or broadly usable for operating and capital needs, rather than narrowly tied to a single project. Its recent awards are not limited to one niche; they support refugee resettlement advocacy, microfinance and small-business lending, domestic violence counseling and shelter, and related family-violence services. The presence of repeat awards to several organizations across 2023 and 2024 suggests an ongoing relationship style of grantmaking rather than one-off philanthropy. Gochnauer Family Foundation’s own grant criteria emphasize organizations with demonstrated impact, leverage, and capacity, and its active programs require a personal relationship with a board member before applications are considered.
In refugee assistance, the foundation gave $45,000 to United States Association for Unhcr in Washington, DC, indicating support for international displacement and resettlement work. In the economic empowerment lane, it awarded $30,000 to Opportunity International in Chicago, IL, a grant that aligns with microfinance and lending for low-income entrepreneurs in developing countries. Domestic violence services are another clear theme. Laura’s House in Ladera Ranch, CA received $36,697, and Unsilenced Project Inc in Rancho Mission Viejo, CA received $25,000 in 2024 and $20,000 in 2023. The foundation also backed Chicago House in Chicago, IL with $10,000 in both 2023 and 2024, showing repeated support for family- and survivor-focused services. Beyond those areas, the foundation has funded disability access and health-related service organizations, including Free Wheelchair Mission in Irvine, CA and City of Hope in Duarte, CA.
$313K
$15.2M
$360K
$478K
Most grants fall between $1K and $10K, with a median of $4K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$4K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Concentrated giving: a small number of mid‑sized unrestricted grants across a couple of thematic areas rather than many small awards; appears to favor repeatable, operational support to established nonprofits.
Notable grantees: United States Association for UNHCR, Opportunity International, Laura's House
Typical grants cluster around modest award sizes: p25 is $1,000, median is $3,500, and p75 is $10,000. Recent grants include larger exceptions such as $45,000, but most awards sit in the low five-figure range or below. The recent record also shows repeat support across years, with organizations such as Unsilenced Project Inc, The Shea Center, Equalities Illinois Education, Chicago House, Onegoal, Family Equalities Council, and Ebenezer Foundation appearing in both 2023 and 2024. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF and does not fund individuals. Its active grant programs describe operating and capital support for 501(c)(3) nonprofits, with applications accepted only after a personal relationship with a board member is established; new organizations require a site visit.
Giving is national, but California is the top state by grant count, accounting for 43% of grants. Recent California recipients include Ladera Ranch, Rancho Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Irvine, Duarte, Laguna Beach, and Corona del Mar. Outside California, the foundation also supported organizations in Chicago, New York, Washington, DC, Arlington, VA, Quincy, MA, and Greenbank, WA. All recent grants in the dataset went to US recipients.
The foundation supports 501(c)(3) nonprofits with operating or capital needs. Recent grants show a mix of refugee assistance, microfinance and economic empowerment, domestic violence shelter and counseling, and related family-violence services. Its program descriptions also mention organizations that foster spiritual growth, self-esteem, and demonstrable impact.
Typical awards are modest: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $3,500, and the 75th percentile is $10,000. Recent grants include both smaller awards and larger exceptions, including a $45,000 grant to the United States Association for UNHCR.
No. The active grant programs say applications are accepted only after a personal relationship with a board member is established, and new organizations require a site visit by a board member.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Unsilenced Project Inc, The Shea Center, Equalities Illinois Education, Chicago House, Onegoal, Family Equalities Council, and Ebenezer Foundation. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards.
California is the top state by grant count, with 43% of grants going to recipients in CA. Recent California recipients span cities including Ladera Ranch, Rancho Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Irvine, Duarte, and Laguna Beach.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORANGE WAY UNITED WAY | IRVINE, CA | $153,175 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| UNSILENCED PROJECT INC | RANCHO MISSION VIEJO, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| OPPORTUNITY INTERNATIONAL | CAROL STREAM, IL | $95,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| FRANCIS PARKER SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $61,200 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| CEO LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE ORANGE COUN | LAGUNA BEACH, CA | $35,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| VOCEL | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN GREEN BAY' | GREEN BAY, WI | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| CHICAGO HOUSE | CHICAGO, IL | $25,741 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| THE SHEA CENTER | SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| EQUALITIES ILLINOIS EDUCATION | CHICAGO, IL | $24,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| FAMILY EQUALITIES COUNCIL | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| HIGH JUMP | CHICAGO, IL | $16,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| CITY OF HOPE | DUARTE, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| NATIONAL IMMIGRANT JUSTICE CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| CRADLES TO CRAYONS | CHICAGO, IL | $13,292 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| UCI FOUNDATION | IRVINE, CA | $12,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| GAVIN HERBERT EYE INSTITUTE | IRVINE, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| THE WOODEN FLOOR | SANTA ANA, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| ONEGOAL | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| SUDARA FREEDOM FUND | SANTA ANA, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| SAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| REFUGIO 343 | CORONA DEL MAR, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| WHEELCHAIR MISSION | IRVINE, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| EBENEZER FOUNDATION | QUINCY, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF ORANGE | SANTA ANA, CA | $5,400 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA | CHICAGO, IL | $5,175 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| PBS FOUNDATION | ARLINGTON, VA | $5,004 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| LAGUNA DANCE FESTIVAL | LAGUNA BEACH, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| RUSH UNIVERSITY | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| DECORATIVE ARTS SOCIETY | NEWPORT BEACH, CA | $4,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| CHARTER 100 | IRVINE, CA | $2,145 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| NOURISHING HOPE CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $2,100 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| PASADENA HUMANE SOCIETY | PASADENA, CA | $2,100 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| AIDSLIFECYCLE | CHICAGO, IL | $2,080 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO | SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA | $2,060 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK | IRVINE, CA | $2,060 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY | CHICAGO, IL | $2,052 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| UNRECONCILED PROJECT | EASTHAMPTON, MA | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | CHICAGO, IL | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| LINCOLN PARK CONSERVANCY | CHICAGO, IL | $1,530 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| ORANGE COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART | COSTA MESA, CA | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| WORKING IN THE SCHOOLS CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| THE PRIORITY CENTER | SANTA ANA, CA | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| WISEPLACE | SANTA ANA, CA | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH USA | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| BIG CANYON SCHOLARSHIP | IRVINE, CA | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| RURAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INSTITUTE | LIVINGSTON, MT | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| CARA COLLECTIVE | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
ORANGE WAY UNITED WAY
$153,175GENERAL
UNSILENCED PROJECT INC
$100,000GENERAL
OPPORTUNITY INTERNATIONAL
$95,000GENERAL
FRANCIS PARKER SCHOOL
$61,200GENERAL
VOCEL
$30,000GENERAL
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN GREEN BAY'
$30,000GENERAL
CHICAGO HOUSE
$25,741GENERAL
THE SHEA CENTER
$25,000GENERAL
EQUALITIES ILLINOIS EDUCATION
$24,500GENERAL
FAMILY EQUALITIES COUNCIL
$20,000GENERAL
CRADLES TO CRAYONS
$13,292GENERAL
UCI FOUNDATION
$12,500GENERAL
GAVIN HERBERT EYE INSTITUTE
$10,000GENERAL
SUDARA FREEDOM FUND
$10,000GENERAL
SAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN
$10,000GENERAL
REFUGIO 343
$10,000GENERAL
WHEELCHAIR MISSION
$10,000GENERAL
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL
LAGUNA DANCE FESTIVAL
$5,000GENERAL
RUSH UNIVERSITY
$5,000GENERAL
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
$5,000GENERAL
DECORATIVE ARTS SOCIETY
$4,000GENERAL
CHARTER 100
$2,145GENERAL
NOURISHING HOPE CHICAGO
$2,100GENERAL
PASADENA HUMANE SOCIETY
$2,100GENERAL
AIDSLIFECYCLE
$2,080GENERAL
MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
$2,060GENERAL
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK
$2,060GENERAL
UNRECONCILED PROJECT
$2,000GENERAL
ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
$2,000GENERAL
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH USA
$1,000GENERAL
BIG CANYON SCHOLARSHIP
$1,000GENERAL
RURAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INSTITUTE
$1,000GENERAL