Ethel Frends Foundation Grant

The Ethel Frends Foundation, managed by Bank of America Private Bank, is a California-based philanthropic entity established in 1997. Its mission is to support and promote canine care and canine education throughout specific counties in Southern California. The foundation distributes approximately $275,000 annually and operates with a clear geographic focus, exclusively funding eligible nonprofit organizations that serve the counties of Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego. The Frends Foundation offers one-year grants with a preference for general operating support, which allows grantees to allocate funding flexibly across their organization’s needs. Program support is also considered, and small capital expenditures related directly to supported programming may be included within general operating or programmatic requests. However, the foundation does not typically support start-up organizations or projects that are not already operational. Grantmaking decisions are guided by a commitment to address community needs through organizations effectively engaged in canine welfare or education. Applications are submitted via an online portal managed by Bank of America. Interested applicants must access the foundation’s detail page through the Bank of America Philanthropic Solutions website to begin the application process. Detailed foundation overviews and FAQs are available on the site to help prospective applicants determine alignment with the foundation’s priorities and geographic restrictions. All proposals must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM Pacific Time on January 31. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, applicants must submit by the last preceding business day. Late applications are not accepted, and there is no extension policy. The foundation uses an internal review process where a trust officer conducts initial eligibility checks, followed by a more thorough evaluation by Bank of America philanthropic staff. This review may include site visits or requests for supplemental documentation. Funding recommendations are then forwarded to a review committee for final decision-making. All applicants will be notified of grant decisions by February 28. A key requirement for all grantees is the submission of a grant report within one year of the application date, regardless of whether the funds have been fully expended. Failure to submit a timely report will render an organization ineligible for future funding. Organizations receiving multi-year grants—which the Frends Foundation does not typically award—are expected to submit reports annually for the duration of the grant. Applicants may contact Bank of America Philanthropic Solutions staff for assistance prior to application submission. For technical inquiries or clarification regarding foundation priorities, applicants are encouraged to reach out via email during standard business hours. Email inquiries may be directed to [email protected], while specific staff contacts are also available for personalized guidance.