Robert and Lisa Margolis Family Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The filing says this foundation is by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests, so an organisation with no existing connection should not send a cold proposal.
- Most grants are modest: about 8 in 10 of its 74 grants to organisations fall between $5,000 and $145,000, with a median of $32,500, so a request in that range is typical for it, though its largest grant was $2,000,000 and that band is not a ceiling.
- In its most recent filing, 96% of grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had also funded in earlier filings, so funding appears to be relationship-led and hard to reach as a first-time applicant.
- The filing shows grants mainly in California, North Carolina and New York, but no geographic focus is stated, so location alone should not rule you in or out.
Overview
Robert and Lisa Margolis Family Foundation is a US private foundation based in Santa Monica, CA.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The filings describe the grants as financial support. Recorded recipients include universities and schools, hospitals and other health organisations, conservation groups, food-assistance organisations, veteran and homelessness services, cultural institutions, and community organisations. Grants reached California and North Carolina, as well as New York and other states. The filings do not describe a general programme or a set of named funding themes for applicants. The application information says contributions are made only to preselected charitable organisations and unsolicited requests are not accepted.
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in California, North Carolina and New York.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 96% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 74 grants to organisations were $32,500 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
1 other state: <1%
- The largest single recipient received 31% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 96% of grant dollars went to organisations Robert and Lisa Margolis Family Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 17% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 26 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $41,250 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Duke University · Financial support$1,710,0002024 tax year
- California Science Center Foundation · Financial support$1,025,0002024 tax year
- Aquarium of the Pacific · Financial support$100,0002024 tax year
- U.S. Vets · Financial support$100,0002024 tax year
- Canine Companions · Financial support$100,0002024 tax year
- Save the Redwoods League · Financial support$95,0002024 tax year
- Campbell Hall · Financial support$90,0002024 tax year
- Usc Nieghborhood Academic Intiative · Financial support$75,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Robert J Margolis MD — President / CEO
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $4,563,025 | $3,885,285 | $81,942,859 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $4,532,764 | $4,053,097 | $88,375,544 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $4,516,894 | $3,877,500 | $95,978,204 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Robert and Lisa Margolis Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Santa Monica, CA
Applying to Robert and Lisa Margolis Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Santa Monica, CA