Lawrence Foundation Grant

The Lawrence Foundation, headquartered in Santa Monica, California, is a private philanthropic organization that awards grants twice a year to U.S.-based, qualified charitable organizations. The foundation supports nonprofit efforts primarily through unrestricted grants aimed at providing general operating or program/project support. Its funding philosophy emphasizes a streamlined and accessible application process via the Common Grant Application website, where interested applicants must submit completed forms online by designated deadlines. The foundation has historically supported organizations working in the fields of the environment, human services, and disaster relief. Eligible programs may be operated either domestically or internationally by U.S.-headquartered nonprofits. Additional eligibility includes public schools and libraries, provided they have public charity status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. While the foundation has no geographical restrictions, it maintains a focus on domestic applicants operating worldwide programs and accepts proposals for both general operating and specific program support. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $10,000, although larger amounts may be awarded to organizations the foundation has established a relationship with over time. The foundation generally does not issue multi-year grants but may fund the same organization annually. Funding can cover reasonable indirect costs up to 50 percent of the grant award. However, the foundation does not fund individuals, for-profit entities, non-U.S.-qualified international organizations, or initiatives outside its stated areas of interest. Organizations must submit applications by midnight Central Time on either April 30 for the June cycle or October 31 for the December cycle. All grants are issued as unrestricted, offering flexibility in their use. The foundation does not provide Program Related Investments and typically does not support expenses such as technology equipment, promotional materials, arts programs, or events like fundraisers. Requests falling outside the foundation’s core priorities or into disfavored categories are likely to be denied. Recent years have seen hundreds of applications submitted per cycle, with only a select number approved—highlighting the competitive nature of the grant. For example, in the June 2025 cycle, 1,816 applications were received and only 18 were funded. Past recipients include well-known environmental and human services organizations, reflecting the foundation’s ongoing commitment to these areas. While the foundation does not list specific contacts, applicants are directed to begin their process through the Apply for a Grant section on the Common Grant Application website. No phone number or email contact is explicitly provided in the guidelines, and the foundation advises applicants to ensure they are reaching out to the correct Lawrence Foundation, as other similarly named entities exist with different focuses.

The foundation recommends reviewing past funded grants and 990-PFs to understand priorities.