Henry L. Guenther Foundation Grant

The Henry L. Guenther Foundation is a private nonprofit charitable corporation based in California. Its core mission is to support charitable endeavors that promote social welfare, improve societal conditions, and help alleviate human suffering. The foundation operates solely within the State of California and focuses its grantmaking activities on supporting qualified 501(c)(3) organizations serving California residents, with a particular emphasis on Southern California when applicable. Grants provided by the foundation are limited to a 12-month implementation period. All awarded funds must be used for the specific purposes described in the original application and approved by the Board of Directors. Any organization that is unable to complete its proposed work or fully expend its funding within the one-year term is required to return the unspent funds. The foundation strictly prohibits changes to the scope of work. If a change becomes necessary, the organization must return the full grant and submit a new application for reconsideration. Eligibility is limited to tax-exempt charitable organizations operating in California. Applications from individuals are not accepted. Furthermore, organizations that have received funding from the foundation must observe a mandatory three-year waiting period before reapplying, beginning from the date the previous grant was received. The foundation’s board meets semi-annually in winter and summer to review and decide upon submitted grant applications. The submission deadlines for each cycle are October 31 for review in January and May 31 for review in July. All applications must be submitted through the online portal available on the Henry L. Guenther Foundation’s website. A downloadable PDF worksheet of the application is available for convenience but must not be submitted in place of the online form. To apply, organizations must submit detailed documentation, including a copy of their IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter, California Franchise Tax Board exemption letter under Section 23701d, and classification under Section 509(a) of the Tax Reform Act of 1969. Additionally, audited financial statements, a current list of board members, and a detailed proposal with budget, timeline, and supporting financial documentation must be included. The application must also describe the anticipated benefits to California residents, outline the need for the proposed services or facilities, and explain how outcomes will be reported to the foundation. Communications regarding the grant process should be directed to the foundation office via email or letter. The foundation discourages direct communication with board members. The designated contact for applications is acolorado@guentherfoundation.org, and inquiries may also be sent to the office at 3020 Old Ranch Parkway, Suite 300, Seal Beach, CA 90740, or by phone at (562) 799-5544. Applications must be submitted by an authorized officer, such as an executive director or manager, who can provide additional information if needed.

Submit via online portal only; avoid phone calls; use the PDF worksheet only as a guide.