The Ahmanson Foundation - Grant Information & Application Details

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $60.8 million (2024)
Success Rate: Highly competitive - funds limited number of requests
Decision Time: 2-3 months
Grant Range: $5,000 - $1,000,000+
Typical Grants: $10,000 - $50,000
Geographic Focus: Los Angeles County exclusively
Total Assets: $1.52 billion (2024)
Grants Awarded Annually: ~450

Contact Details

Website: www.theahmansonfoundation.org Email: info@theahmansonfoundation.org Phone: 213-617-0710 Address: 9215 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Application Inquiries: Submit Letter of Inquiry via email to info@theahmansonfoundation.org

Overview

The Ahmanson Foundation was established in 1952 by financier Howard F. Ahmanson and his wife Dorothy Grannis Ahmanson. With assets of $1.52 billion and annual giving of approximately $60.8 million (2024), it stands as one of Southern California's most significant philanthropic institutions. The Foundation's corpus was substantially augmented following Howard Ahmanson's death in 1968, with additional contributions from nephews Robert H. Ahmanson and William H. Ahmanson. The Foundation exclusively serves Los Angeles County, funding cultural projects in arts and humanities, education at all levels, healthcare, programs addressing homelessness and underserved populations, and a wide range of human services. Under the leadership of President William H. Ahmanson, the Foundation has been recognized as a customer-focused, humble contributor and stable provider across its service areas. The Foundation awards approximately 450 grants annually, with a strong preference for capital expenses though program expenses are occasionally considered.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Ahmanson Foundation does not operate distinct named grant programs but rather reviews all requests across its priority areas on a rolling basis. Grants are tailored to project needs rather than predetermined amounts.

General Grant Support:

Range: $5,000 - $1,000,000+
Typical Awards: $10,000 - $50,000
Application Method: Rolling basis via Letter of Inquiry
Payment Structure: Grants may be paid in installments or as a lump sum depending on project timeline

The Foundation has not established maximum dollar amounts but evaluates each project based on scope and need. The Foundation rarely provides sole support for a project and prefers that costs be funded through multiple sources.

Priority Areas

Arts and Humanities:

Cultural institutions and projects
Museums and performing arts organizations
Arts education programs
Historic preservation

Education:

All levels from early childhood through higher education
Scholarship programs (through nonprofit institutions only)
Educational infrastructure and facilities
Special education programs
Vocational and professional training

Health Care and Medicine:

Medical facilities and equipment
Healthcare infrastructure
Emergency department improvements
Community health programs

Human Services:

Programs addressing homelessness
Services for underserved populations
Community development initiatives
Youth and family services
Veterans programs

Capital vs. Program Support:

Strong preference for capital expenses (buildings, equipment, facilities)
Program expenses considered on occasion
Multi-year commitments evaluated based on project scope

What They Don't Fund

Explicit Exclusions:

Individuals (including individual scholarships)
Religious organizations for sectarian purposes
Political organizations or advocacy campaigns
Organizations spending significant expenses on lobbying
Medical research
General solicitations
Organizations outside Los Angeles County
Organizations that are private foundations (non-509(a) entities)

Governance and Leadership

President: William H. Ahmanson

William H. Ahmanson serves as President of The Ahmanson Foundation and is the great-nephew of founder Howard F. Ahmanson. He studied political science, theater arts, and sculpture at Occidental College, worked at Home Savings of America for 17 years (from teller to chief underwriter), and later worked in Union Bank's wealth management division before retiring to lead the Foundation.

On his personal philosophy: "From my father: Just be fair."

On the Foundation's work: "Assisting organizations that make a difference in the lives of Angelenos." He notes his proudest achievement is that "The Foundation has been recognized in a number of our service areas as being a customer focused, humble contributor and as a stable/consistent provider."

Key Staff:

Karen Ahmanson Hoffman - Managing Director and Secretary
Kristen K. O'Connor - Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Kristina M. Farkas - Program Officer
Mindy Jones - Senior Program Officer
Yvonne de Beixedon - Program Officer

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

The Foundation strongly recommends submitting a Letter of Inquiry before sending a full proposal. Review funding guidelines at theahmansonfoundation.org/funding-guidelines/ to ensure compatibility.

LOI Requirements:

Submit via email to info@theahmansonfoundation.org as PDF attachment
Must be dated
Include contact information: name, title, telephone number, and email for both direct contact and organization head
Narrative should be 1-3 pages maximum
Important: Do NOT send full proposals at the LOI stage

Step 2: Preliminary Screening

All Letters of Inquiry undergo screening to determine alignment with funding priorities. Applicants receive:

Prompt written response if they don't qualify
Notification within 30 days if they qualify and are invited to submit full proposal

Step 3: Full Proposal (If Invited)

If invited, an assigned Program Officer or Program Associate will:

Provide a checklist of required information
Serve as your direct contact for the proposal submission
Guide you through the full application process

Submit your grant proposal directly to your assigned Program Officer.

Important Application Notes:

Meetings with Foundation staff prior to LOI submission are generally discouraged
Call if you have questions about guidelines
Apply for one project at a time
Focus on the project that best fits guidelines and is highest priority for your agency
Applicants who don't submit requests every year receive priority consideration

Decision Timeline

Review Period: 2-3 months from receipt of grant request to notification of decision

Notification: Applicants are notified promptly once a decision has been made

Board Meetings: The Foundation's board meets regularly to review and approve grant recommendations from staff

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publish specific success rate percentages. However:

The Foundation receives significantly more requests than it can fund
Competition for grant funds is described as "intense"
Approximately 450 grants are awarded annually from a larger pool of applicants
Requests are frequently declined because the Foundation is unable to fund every worthy request it receives

Reapplication Policy

Waiting Period: Organizations should wait 12-18 months from their decision date before submitting a new request

Applies To: Both approved and declined applicants

Priority: Organizations who do not submit requests every year are given priority consideration

Application Success Factors

Track Record and Stability

The Foundation explicitly looks for:

Established organizations: Programs should have a track record of success for 3-5 years
Operational history: Must be in operation for a minimum of 3-5 years
Stable leadership: Organizations must reflect established and stable leadership
Sound management: Demonstrate sound fiscal management and efficient operation
Program integrity: Show clear evidence of program effectiveness

Community Need and Impact

"The Foundation looks for community need and the ability to meet it" - this is their primary evaluation criterion. Demonstrate:

Clear evidence of need in Los Angeles County
Your organization's unique capacity to address that need
Measurable outcomes and impact

Geographic Alignment

Highest priority given to:

Organizations based in Los Angeles County
Organizations serving Los Angeles County
Local impact and community connection

Funding Strategy

The Foundation prefers:

Projects with multiple funding sources (they rarely provide sole support)
Capital projects with clear, defined costs
Organizations that don't apply every year
One focused project request rather than multiple simultaneous requests

Recent Grant Examples (2024)

Human Services:

$150,000 toward general support for Los Angeles Annual Awards Gala

Education:

$50,000 toward acquisition of refrigerated box truck and passenger van in Los Angeles
$90,000 for Ahmanson Veterans Scholarship Initiative, 2024-2025
$150,000 for scholarship support, 2024-2025 in Pasadena
$25,000 for UCLA Law's Public Services Internships
$15,000 for Children's Special Education Disability Fellowships

Health & Medicine:

$150,000 toward renovation of dormitory building in Lake Arrowhead
Major grant for purchase and installation of new technology and medical equipment for Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit at Queen of the Valley Hospital in West Covina

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Follow Guidelines Precisely:

The Foundation emphasizes: "Please do not send full proposals at the LOI stage"
Respect the 1-3 page limit for Letters of Inquiry
Apply for one project at a time

Demonstrate Sustainability:

Show multiple funding sources
Indicate how the project will continue beyond grant period
Provide evidence of organizational financial stability

Focus on Capital Projects:

While program grants are considered, the Foundation's priorities lean toward capital expenses
Clearly itemize capital needs with specific costs

Avoid Common Pitfalls:

Don't apply if you're not based in or primarily serving Los Angeles County
Don't submit if your organization is less than 3-5 years old
Don't request funding for sectarian, political, or advocacy purposes
Don't apply too frequently (wait 12-18 months between requests)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Geographic mandate is absolute: You must be based in and serving Los Angeles County - this is non-negotiable and the highest priority consideration.
Start with LOI, not full proposal: The Foundation has a two-stage process. Jumping straight to a full proposal will not be well-received. Keep LOI to 1-3 pages and wait for invitation.
Capital projects have the edge: While program grants are made, the Foundation's stated priorities favor capital expenses (buildings, equipment, facilities). Frame your request accordingly if possible.
Demonstrate 3-5 years of success: New organizations and new programs are not the Foundation's focus. You need an established track record with stable leadership and proven outcomes.
Multiple funding sources strengthen your case: The Foundation rarely provides sole support. Show you're seeking funding from multiple sources and have a diversified funding strategy.
Timing matters - don't over-apply: Organizations that don't submit requests every year receive priority. Wait 12-18 months between applications, whether you were approved or declined.
Be patient with the process: The 2-3 month decision timeline is standard. Competition is intense - around 450 grants from a much larger applicant pool - so prepare for the possibility of rejection even with a strong proposal.

References

The Ahmanson Foundation Official Website - Funding Guidelines. https://theahmansonfoundation.org/funding-guidelines/ (Accessed November 2024)
The Ahmanson Foundation - FAQs. https://theahmansonfoundation.org/faqs/ (Accessed November 2024)
The Ahmanson Foundation - Letter of Inquiry. https://theahmansonfoundation.org/letter-of-inquiry/ (Accessed November 2024)
The Ahmanson Foundation - Eligibility & Limitations. https://theahmansonfoundation.org/eligibility-limitations/ (Accessed November 2024)
The Ahmanson Foundation - History. https://theahmansonfoundation.org/history/ (Accessed November 2024)
The Ahmanson Foundation - Staff. https://theahmansonfoundation.org/staff/ (Accessed November 2024)
The Ahmanson Foundation - 2024 Grants. https://theahmansonfoundation.org/grants/year/2024/ (Accessed November 2024)
Instrumentl - The Ahmanson Foundation 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/ahmanson-foundation (Accessed November 2024)
Los Angeles Business Journal - "LA500 2024: William Ahmanson" https://labusinessjournal.com/la500-2024/arts-philanthropy/la500-2024-william-ahmanson/ (Accessed November 2024)
Cause IQ - The Ahmanson Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-ahmanson-foundation,956089998/ (Accessed November 2024)
The Ahmanson Foundation - Review of Grant Requests. https://theahmansonfoundation.org/review-of-grant-requests/ (Accessed November 2024)
The Ahmanson Foundation - Grant Proposals. https://theahmansonfoundation.org/grant-proposals/ (Accessed November 2024)