Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation Grant Program

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation established in 1983 to receive and manage charitable contributions from the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, its members, supporters, and the general public. Although the Tournament of Roses Association is internationally recognized for the annual Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game, the Foundation focuses its philanthropic efforts locally, supporting nonprofit organizations that serve the Greater Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley region. Since its founding, the Foundation has distributed more than $5.5 million in grants to over 800 organizations, reflecting a sustained commitment to civic, cultural, and educational advancement in its surrounding communities. The purpose of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation Grant Program is to support charitable programs that align with one of three core funding categories: Sports and Recreation, Visual and Performing Arts, and Education. Funded initiatives are intended to promote healthy and active lifestyles, expand access to high-quality arts experiences, and increase educational opportunities for children and youth, including early childhood education, K–12 programming, literacy, and STEM-related activities. The Foundation prioritizes projects that directly benefit residents of Pasadena and neighboring cities within the San Gabriel Valley, ensuring that grant funding has a meaningful local impact. Grant funding is provided as single-year awards under a tiered structure. Awards typically range from $1,000 up to $10,000, with one award of $20,000 and one award of $35,000 available during the cycle. Funds may be used only for program or project costs occurring after the official award date and must be expended within one year. The Foundation does not provide retroactive, reimbursement, or deficit funding. Certain uses of funds are explicitly prohibited, including endowments, capital or annual fundraising campaigns, debt repayment, general operating expenses such as rent or utilities, political or religious programming, and grants to private foundations. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and not classified as private foundations at the time of submission. Applicant organizations must have an annual operating budget under $2,000,000, though this limitation does not apply to fiscal sponsors. Organizations operating under a fiscal sponsor or parent organization are permitted, provided required documentation is submitted. Applicants must be based in one of the eligible cities identified by the Foundation, and at least 50 percent of the beneficiaries of the proposed program or project must reside within those same communities. The application process is conducted entirely online and follows a required two-phase structure. Phase One consists of an eligibility screening form with no document uploads. Organizations deemed eligible advance to Phase Two, which requires submission of a full grant request form and supporting documentation, including organizational budgets, project budgets, board information, IRS determination letters, financial statements, and collaboration letters where applicable. Applications for the 2026 grant cycle opened on January 20, 2026 and were due by February 20, 2026 at 5:00 pm Pacific Time. Late or incomplete applications were not accepted. Grant applications are reviewed by the Foundation’s Board of Directors, with award notifications issued between late April and early May. Successful applicants are required to comply with reporting requirements, including submission of a midterm and final report documenting use of funds and project outcomes. Organizations may receive funding for up to three consecutive years but must sit out one full grant cycle after a third consecutive award before reapplying. The Foundation’s administrative staff serves as the primary point of contact for applicant inquiries throughout the application period.

Double check eligibility before starting Phase 2 and ensure all documents are complete prior to submission