Falling Leaves Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The filing says the foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests, so a cold application is not the route it describes.
- If your work fits its stated themes of East–West understanding and the study of Chinese history, language and culture, look for a credible connection before you approach it.
- Most of its grants are small: about 8 in 10 of its 32 grants to organisations fall between $105 and $600,000, and the median was $1,000, so a modest request is the more realistic size to ask for.
- Only 5% of its grant dollars went to organisations it had also funded in earlier filings, so do not assume that past support will repeat.
- Charities that could only apply cold should look elsewhere.
Overview
Falling Leaves Foundation is a US private foundation based in Huntington Beach, CA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2025, TY2024, TY2023) and web pages about the foundation (committee100.org), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to promote understanding between East and West and to provide funds for the study of China’s history, language and culture. It frames its work in terms of understanding across cultures and the study of Chinese history, language and culture. Its filed application information says contributions are made only to preselected charitable organisations and that unsolicited requests are not accepted. The sources reviewed do not specify a preferred type of organisation or a geographic focus, so neither is presented as a funding priority.
Themes
- East–West understanding
- Chinese history
- Chinese language
- Chinese culture
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in the United States and California.
How to apply
The filing says the foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests; it gives no applicant-led submission steps.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2025 filing, 5% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2023 or TY2024 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2023, TY2024 and TY2025 filings, half of its 32 grants to organisations were $1,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2023–2025.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: <1%
- The largest single recipient received 67% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2025, 5% of grant dollars went to organisations Falling Leaves Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 76% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 7 grants in tax year 2025 by size
Median $1,000 (tax year 2025)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- National Philanthropic Trust · General support$11,660,2882025 tax year
- Fidelity Charitable · General support$600,0002025 tax year
- Committee of 100 · General support$3,5002025 tax year
- South Coast Chinese Cultural Center · General support$1,0002025 tax year
- University of California Irvine Foundation · General support$1,0002025 tax year
- Hutchins Consort · General support$3002025 tax year
- Segerstrom Center for the Arts · General support$1082025 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Margit Younis — Director
- Aspyn Remington — Director
- Chris Klein — Director
- Roger Mah — Director
- Shirley Feiwell — Secretary
- Robert A Mah — Vice-President
- Adeline Yen Mah — President
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 tax year | $2,117,547 | $1,272,479 | $21,680,660 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $4,863,790 | $3,973,381 | $19,076,947 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
| 2025 tax year | $13,069,640 | $12,266,196 | $7,799,152 | Filing for 2025 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 Falling Leaves Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Huntington Beach, CA
Applying to Falling Leaves Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Huntington Beach, CA