The Sean and Christine Yu Private Foundation concentrates its giving on higher education and student support, with a strong emphasis on scholarships for Taiwanese American students and institutional support for universities. Grants are mostly large, targeted gifts to a small set of recurring beneficiaries (notably Cal Poly Pomona and the University of Chicago), suggesting a preference for deep, relationship-based philanthropy rather than broad, one-off funding. While headquartered in Pasadena, CA, the foundation funds both local (Cal Poly Pomona) and national (University of Chicago, national scholarship fund) educational priorities.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small number of repeat grantees; a mix of multi-year or multi-grant commitments rather than many small awards.
A defining pattern of the Sean and Christine Yu Private Foundation is its repeated, large support for higher education institutions and Taiwanese American scholarship programs. The foundation’s recent grants show a clear preference for concentrated gifts rather than broad dispersal, with multi-year commitments appearing again and again in Pasadena and beyond. Cal Poly Pomona received some of the largest awards in the file, including support through both the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation Inc and Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation, while The University of Chicago also appears as a recurring beneficiary. Beyond those anchor institutions, the foundation has backed scholarship and educational organizations tied to Taiwanese American communities, including the Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund and Taiwan Center Foundation of Greater LA. It also gives to select Pasadena-area cultural and community groups such as Polytechnic School, USC Pacific Asia Museum, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Pasadena. The overall picture is a private foundation that uses targeted grants to sustain a small set of education-centered relationships over multiple years.
Higher education is the clearest throughline in the Sean and Christine Yu Private Foundation’s recent grantmaking. Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation received $125,000 in 2025 and $120,000 in 2024 for charitable purposes, extending a multi-year pattern of support for the university community. The University of Chicago also received $111,000 in 2025 and $140,000 in 2023, showing that the foundation supports institutions well beyond Southern California. Scholarships are another major theme. The Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund received $100,000 in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025, pointing to a sustained commitment to Taiwanese American students. Community and cultural funding appears alongside that work: Taiwan Center Foundation of Greater LA received $30,000 in 2025 and $20,000 in 2024, while USC Pacific Asia Museum received $10,000 in 2024 and $5,000 in 2023.
Typical grants are small at the low end but extend to larger institutional gifts: the p25 is $1,875, the median is $3,000, and the p75 is $21,000. The recent record also shows repeated grants across multiple years to the same recipients, especially in higher education and scholarship support, which suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards. The foundation is a private foundation and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The available data shows charitable-purpose grants; no application process is listed in the grant records provided.
$1.3M
$525K
$498K
$646K
Most grants fall between $2K and $21K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$21K
About 86% of grants go to recipients in CA.
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Notable grantees: The University of Chicago, Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund, Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation, Cal Poly Pomona Foundation Inc
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly concentrated in California, which accounts for 86% of grants, and the foundation’s stated scope is local. Pasadena appears frequently in the recipient list, including Polytechnic School, USC Pacific Asia Museum, Boys & Girls Clubs of Pasadena, and Huntington Memorial Hospital. Other California destinations include Pomona, Rosemead, Davis, San Marino, Arcadia, and Los Angeles. Outside California, the recent grants list includes The University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
The foundation focuses on higher education, scholarships, and selected community or cultural institutions. Recent recipients include Cal Poly Pomona, The University of Chicago, the Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund, Taiwan Center Foundation of Greater LA, Polytechnic School, and USC Pacific Asia Museum.
Recent grants cluster around a median of $3,000, with a p25 of $1,875 and a p75 of $21,000. The file also includes larger institutional awards such as $150,000, $140,000, $125,000, and $120,000.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation in 2024 and 2025, The University of Chicago in 2023 through 2025, and the Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund in 2023 through 2025.
California receives most of the grants, with 86% of grants going to recipients in CA. Recent California recipients are concentrated in Pasadena, Pomona, Rosemead, Davis, San Marino, Arcadia, and Los Angeles.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments, according to the provided data.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation | Pomona, CA | $125,000 | 2025 | Charitable Purpose |
| The University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $111,000 | 2025 | Charitable Purpose |
| TAIWANESE AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND | PASADENA, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | Charitable Purpose |
| POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL | PASADENA, CA | $35,000 | 2025 | Charitable Purpose |
| Taiwan Center Foundation of Greater LA | Rosemead, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | Charitable Purpose |
| UC DAVIS FOUNDATION | DAVIS, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | Charitable Purpose |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF PASADENA | PASADENA, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | Charitable Purpose |
| The Huntington Library Art Museu and B | San Marino, CA | $3,000 | 2025 | Charitable Purpose |
| USC Arcadia Hospital | Arcadia, CA | $3,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation | San Dimas, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | Charitable Purpose |
| GLENDALE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION | GLENDALE, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN | WASHINGTON, DC | $500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation | Pomona, CA | $120,000 | 2024 | Charitable Purpose |
| The University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $111,000 | 2024 | Charitable Purpose |
| TAIWANESE AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND | PASADENA, CA | $100,000 | 2024 | Charitable Purpose |
| POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL | PASADENA, CA | $35,000 | 2024 | Charitable Purpose |
| Taiwan Center Foundation of Greater LA | Rosemead, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | Charitable Purpose |
| USC PACIFIC ASIA MUSEUM | PASADENA, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | Charitable Purpose |
| COLBURN SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $4,500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| The Huntington Library Art Museu and B | San Marino, CA | $3,000 | 2024 | Charitable Purpose |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF PASADENA | PASADENA, CA | $3,000 | 2024 | Charitable Purpose |
| USC Arcadia Hospital | Arcadia, CA | $2,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| OLYMPIA PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY | ARCADIA, CA | $1,500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation | San Dimas, CA | $1,000 | 2024 | Charitable Purpose |
| HIGHLAND OAKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | ARCADIA, CA | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| Ronald Mcdonald House Charities Inc | Oak Brook, IL | $500 | 2024 | Charitable Purpose |
| Cal Poly Pomona Foundation Inc | Pomona, CA | $150,000 | 2023 | Charitable Purpose |
| The University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $140,000 | 2023 | Charitable Purpose |
| TAIWANESE AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND | PASADENA, CA | $100,000 | 2023 | Charitable Purpose |
| UC DAVIS FOUNDATION | DAVIS, CA | $25,000 | 2023 | Charitable Purpose |
| Taiwan Center Foundation of Greater LA | Rosemead, CA | $24,000 | 2023 | Charitable Purpose |
| HUNTINGTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL | PASADENA, CA | $20,000 | 2023 | Charitable Purpose |
| UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST | ROSEMEAD, CA | $5,000 | 2023 | Charitable Purpose |
| USC PACIFIC ASIA MUSEUM | PASADENA, CA | $5,000 | 2023 | Charitable Purpose |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF PASADENA | PASADENA, CA | $3,000 | 2023 | Charitable Purpose |
| SINO AMERICAN CPA ASSOCIATION | CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA | $3,000 | 2023 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ARMORY CENTER FOR THE ARTS | PASADENA, CA | $2,500 | 2023 | Charitable Purpose |
| The Huntington Library Art Museu and B | San Marino, CA | $2,500 | 2023 | Charitable Purpose |
| TAIWANESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN ORANGE | IRVINE, CA | $2,000 | 2023 | Charitable Purpose |
| Methodist Hospital Foundation | Arcadia, CA | $2,000 | 2023 | Charitable Purpose |
| ASIAN PACIFIC CPA ASSOCIATION | WEST COVINA, CA | $2,000 | 2023 | Charitable Purpose |
| STUF UNITED FUND | COLLEGE POINT, NY | $2,000 | 2023 | Charitable Purpose |
| ACTIVE MINDS | WASHINGTON DC, DC | $2,000 | 2023 | Charitable Purpose |
| Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation | San Dimas, CA | $1,000 | 2023 | Charitable Purpose |
| SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ACADEMY | NORTHRIDGE, CA | $1,000 | 2023 | Charitable Purpose |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL | WEST COVINA, CA | $1,000 | 2023 | Charitable Purpose |
| SHOES THAT FIT | CLAREMONT, CA | $500 | 2023 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| OPERATION GRATITUDE | CHATSWORTH, CA | $500 | 2023 | Charitable Purpose |
Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation
$125,000Charitable Purpose
The University of Chicago
$111,000Charitable Purpose
TAIWANESE AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$100,000Charitable Purpose
POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL
$35,000Charitable Purpose
Taiwan Center Foundation of Greater LA
$30,000Charitable Purpose
UC DAVIS FOUNDATION
$25,000Charitable Purpose
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF PASADENA
$5,000Charitable Purpose
The Huntington Library Art Museu and B
$3,000Charitable Purpose
USC Arcadia Hospital
$3,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation
$1,000Charitable Purpose
GLENDALE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
$1,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN
$500CHARITABLE PURPOSE
Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation
$120,000Charitable Purpose
The University of Chicago
$111,000Charitable Purpose
TAIWANESE AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$100,000Charitable Purpose
POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL
$35,000Charitable Purpose
Taiwan Center Foundation of Greater LA
$20,000Charitable Purpose
USC PACIFIC ASIA MUSEUM
$10,000Charitable Purpose
COLBURN SCHOOL
$4,500CHARITABLE PURPOSE
The Huntington Library Art Museu and B
$3,000Charitable Purpose
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF PASADENA
$3,000Charitable Purpose
USC Arcadia Hospital
$2,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
OLYMPIA PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
$1,500CHARITABLE PURPOSE
Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation
$1,000Charitable Purpose
HIGHLAND OAKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$1,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
Ronald Mcdonald House Charities Inc
$500Charitable Purpose
Cal Poly Pomona Foundation Inc
$150,000Charitable Purpose
The University of Chicago
$140,000Charitable Purpose
TAIWANESE AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$100,000Charitable Purpose
UC DAVIS FOUNDATION
$25,000Charitable Purpose
Taiwan Center Foundation of Greater LA
$24,000Charitable Purpose
HUNTINGTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
$20,000Charitable Purpose
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST
$5,000Charitable Purpose
USC PACIFIC ASIA MUSEUM
$5,000Charitable Purpose
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF PASADENA
$3,000Charitable Purpose
SINO AMERICAN CPA ASSOCIATION
$3,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
ARMORY CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$2,500Charitable Purpose
The Huntington Library Art Museu and B
$2,500Charitable Purpose
TAIWANESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN ORANGE
$2,000Charitable Purpose
Methodist Hospital Foundation
$2,000Charitable Purpose
ASIAN PACIFIC CPA ASSOCIATION
$2,000Charitable Purpose
STUF UNITED FUND
$2,000Charitable Purpose
ACTIVE MINDS
$2,000Charitable Purpose
Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation
$1,000Charitable Purpose
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ACADEMY
$1,000Charitable Purpose
CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL
$1,000Charitable Purpose
SHOES THAT FIT
$500CHARITABLE PURPOSE
OPERATION GRATITUDE
$500Charitable Purpose