The Ahmanson Foundation provides grant funding to support nonprofit organizations serving Los Angeles County. As a private philanthropic institution, it focuses on enhancing the quality of life in the region through strategic investment in capital and, on occasion, programmatic projects. The foundation prioritizes organizations that present one-time or short-term funding requests rather than ongoing or annual applications, aiming to distribute its support broadly across a range of local needs.
Grants from The Ahmanson Foundation are directed toward nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) public charity status, specifically those not classified as private foundations under sections 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) of the IRS code. The foundation's areas of interest span four sectors: Arts and Humanities, Education, Health and Medicine, and Human Services. Capital support is a key funding category and may include construction and renovation, equipment, furnishings, technology infrastructure, software and hardware, vehicles, and program supplies.
Organizations pursuing capital campaign support must demonstrate campaign success, with at least 60–80% of the campaign funding already secured and a timeline showing completion within one year of grant submission. Occasionally, program or operational funding is available for nonprofits with a proven track record of excellence in service delivery and a history of prior support from the foundation.
The application process begins with a required Letter of Inquiry (LOI), which can be submitted via the foundation’s online portal or by email as a PDF. The LOI must include detailed organization and contact information, a brief history, programming details, funding needs, a proposed amount, and a project budget. Additional information, such as property ownership, permits, funding commitments, and project timelines, may be required depending on the nature of the request.
Grant requests are accepted and reviewed year-round. The review process generally takes two to three months from submission to decision. Applicants are notified promptly upon decision, and the foundation staff will initiate contact for further discussions or site visits when necessary. While the foundation receives many qualified proposals, funding availability limits the number of projects supported in any cycle, and lack of funding should not be viewed as a reflection on the merit of the proposal or organization.
Preference given to short-term requests and those not submitted annually.
