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Robert And Lisa Margolis Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.0M
Grant Range
$25K - $1.7M

Robert And Lisa Margolis Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,000,000
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $1,710,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily California, with national grants for health policy

Contact Details

Address: Santa Monica, CA
EIN: 203951826
Total Assets: $96,000,000 (2024)

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited funding requests. No public contact information is available for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Robert And Lisa Margolis Family Foundation is a private family foundation established by Robert J. Margolis, M.D., Duke University School of Medicine alumnus (1971) and former CEO of HealthCare Partners LLC, and his wife Lisa Margolis. The foundation has been active since at least 2016 and maintains total assets of approximately $96 million with annual grantmaking of approximately $4 million. The foundation focuses on health policy, STEM education for minorities, support for injured and returning veterans, science education, and community organizations primarily in California. The foundation made 26 grants in 2024. Dr. Margolis is a board-certified internist and medical oncologist who led HealthCare Partners from 1992 through February 2014 and has been a long-time leader in the managed care industry and integrated healthcare delivery.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-selected grants without formal application cycles or programs. All grants are made to preselected charitable organizations.

Major Grant Areas:

  • Health Policy: $1,500,000+ (grants to Duke University for health policy research and education)
  • Science Education: $100,000 - $1,025,000 (California Science Center Foundation)
  • Veterans Services: $100,000 (U.S. VETS and related organizations)
  • Animal Welfare/Service Animals: $100,000 (Canine Companions)
  • Marine Conservation/Education: $100,000 (Aquarium of the Pacific)
  • Community Organizations: $25,000 - $100,000 (various California-based nonprofits)

Priority Areas

Based on documented grants, the foundation actively funds:

  • Health policy research and education - particularly work advancing health equity, healthcare transformation, and biomedical innovation
  • STEM education initiatives - especially those serving minority students
  • Veterans programs - supporting injured and returning veterans
  • Science museums and educational institutions - primarily in Southern California
  • Service animal organizations - providing assistance dogs to veterans and people with disabilities
  • Healthcare institutions - particularly those aligned with Dr. Margolis's background in medical oncology and integrated care

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications from any organization. All funding decisions are made at the discretion of the trustees based on their predetermined charitable interests.

Governance and Leadership

Robert J. Margolis, M.D. - President/CEO and Founder

  • Duke University School of Medicine graduate (1971)
  • Fellowship at National Cancer Institute
  • Board certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology
  • Former Managing Partner and CEO of HealthCare Partners (1992-2014)
  • Former Co-Chairman of the Board of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc.
  • Chair of Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy Advisory Board
  • Board member of Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital
  • Board member of National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), past Chairman
  • Past Chairman of American Medical Group Association and California Association of Physician Groups

Lisa Margolis - Co-Founder

Through their philanthropic work, the Margolis family has demonstrated particular commitment to Duke University, having contributed over $26 million since 2016 to establish and support the Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy (formerly the Duke-Robert J. Margolis, MD, Center for Health Policy).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

All grants are awarded at the discretion of the foundation's trustees based on their predetermined charitable priorities and existing relationships with organizations.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the Robert And Lisa Margolis Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, there is no traditional application process. However, analysis of their funding patterns reveals:

Organizations They Support:

  • Duke University has received the foundation's largest grants ($16.5 million in 2016, $10 million in 2023) for health policy work
  • California-based educational and cultural institutions, particularly those focused on science education
  • Veterans service organizations
  • Organizations aligned with Dr. Margolis's professional background in healthcare and medical oncology

Funding Characteristics:

  • The foundation made 26 grants in 2024, with a median grant size of $41,000
  • Grant amounts range significantly from $25,000 to over $1.7 million
  • The majority of recipients are based in California, reflecting the foundation's Santa Monica location
  • Multi-year support is evident, particularly for Duke University

Philanthropic Focus Areas: According to available information, the foundation remains "active in support of innovative initiatives focused on STEM education for minorities, injured and returning veterans, and health policy."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists - This foundation exclusively funds preselected organizations at the trustees' discretion
  • Strong California focus - Most grants support Southern California organizations, particularly in the Los Angeles area
  • Health policy is paramount - Over half of the foundation's giving supports Duke University's health policy institute
  • Education and veterans are priorities - STEM education for minorities and support for veterans are clearly stated focus areas
  • Relationship-based grantmaking - Funding flows to organizations with established connections to the Margolis family
  • Significant range in grant sizes - Awards span from $25,000 to over $1 million, suggesting flexibility based on project scope
  • Multi-year partnerships valued - Duke University has received sustained support over nearly a decade

References

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