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Johnny Carson Foundation

Annual Giving
$13.3M
Grant Range
$1K - $5.0M
00

Johnny Carson Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $13,300,000
  • Total Assets: $120,500,000
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $5,020,000
  • Median Grant: $20,000
  • Number of Annual Grants: 252 (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily California and Nebraska, with emphasis on Los Angeles area

Contact Details

Address: 16000 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 900, Encino, CA 91436

Note: The foundation maintains a low profile and does not have a website or social media presence. They do not accept unsolicited grant requests.

Overview

The Johnny Carson Foundation was originally established in 1981 as the John W. Carson Foundation and reorganized in 2006 following the death of legendary late-night television host Johnny Carson. In 2010, the foundation received a transformative $156 million bequest from Carson's estate, establishing it as one of the most significant private foundations in California. The foundation's mission centers on supporting children, education, and health services, with a particular focus on Los Angeles-area organizations and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Carson's alma mater. The foundation operates as a strategic grantmaker, supporting preselected charitable organizations that align with Carson's philanthropic values and legacy. Leadership maintains a deliberate low profile, honoring Carson's preference for quiet philanthropy without seeking public recognition.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with separate application processes. Instead, it makes strategic grants through trustee discretion, primarily providing unrestricted support to established nonprofit partners.

Typical Grant Ranges:

  • Small to Medium Grants: $1,000 - $100,000
  • Major Grants: $250,000 - $1,000,000
  • Transformational Gifts: $1,000,000 - $5,020,000

Grant Distribution Pattern:

  • Majority of grants go to Los Angeles-area organizations
  • Significant ongoing support to University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Multi-year relationships with key beneficiaries
  • Preference for unrestricted operating support

Priority Areas

Education:

  • Higher education, particularly theatre, film, and emerging media arts
  • Scholarship programs for Nebraska students
  • Educational institutions in Southern California (USC, UCLA)
  • Career development and technical training

Children and Youth Services:

  • Children's hospitals and pediatric healthcare
  • Youth development programs
  • Services for at-risk and gang-involved youth
  • Educational opportunities for disadvantaged youth

Health Services:

  • Major children's hospitals
  • Community health centers
  • Medical equipment and facilities
  • Healthcare access for underserved populations

Human Services:

  • Food banks and hunger relief
  • Gang rehabilitation and reentry programs
  • Services for economically disadvantaged individuals
  • Community development initiatives

Arts and Culture:

  • Comedy and entertainment archives
  • Theatre and performing arts
  • Cultural institutions preserving Carson's legacy

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has not published specific exclusions, but their giving pattern shows they typically do not fund:

  • Organizations outside California and Nebraska
  • International programs
  • Religious organizations for sectarian purposes
  • Political campaigns or advocacy
  • Individual requests or scholarships (except through institutional partners)

Governance and Leadership

Key Executives:

  • Allan L. Alexander - CEO, President, and General Counsel: Beverly Hills attorney who manages foundation strategy and operations
  • Lawrence L. Witzer - COO, CFO, and Secretary: Co-founder of Gettelson, Witzer & Co., the foundation's accounting firm
  • Jeffrey Sotzing - Chief Program Officer and Board Director: Johnny Carson's nephew and former producer on "The Tonight Show," serves as advisor to the foundation

Board Composition: The board includes Steve Sotzing (also Carson's nephew), along with the executive leadership team. The foundation maintains a small, tight-knit governance structure that allows for strategic decision-making while honoring Carson's philanthropic vision.

Foundation Philosophy: Paul Steger, director of the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, noted: "Johnny Carson began his career right here in the Temple Building... never forgot his roots in Nebraska." This sentiment reflects the foundation's dual commitment to Carson's hometown roots in Nebraska and his adopted home of Los Angeles.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Johnny Carson Foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees to organizations with which they have established relationships or strategic alignment with the foundation's mission. The foundation identifies potential beneficiaries through:

  • Trustee relationships and networks
  • Institutional partnerships developed over multiple years
  • Organizations connected to Carson's legacy or interests
  • Strategic initiatives in Los Angeles and Nebraska

For organizations seeking support: There is no formal application portal or proposal submission process available.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made through trustee discretion rather than competitive application cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since the Johnny Carson Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, understanding what characterizes their funded organizations can provide insight:

Organizations that receive funding typically demonstrate:

  1. Geographic alignment: Strong presence and impact in Los Angeles County or Nebraska, particularly Lincoln area

  2. Mission alignment with Carson's values:

    • Focus on children's wellbeing and opportunities
    • Educational advancement, especially in arts and media
    • Healthcare access for vulnerable populations
    • Second chances and rehabilitation (e.g., Homeboy Industries' gang rehabilitation work)

  3. Institutional stability and track record: Major beneficiaries include well-established institutions like:

    • Children's Hospital of Los Angeles (received over $4 million in grants)
    • University of Nebraska-Lincoln (received over $30 million since early 2000s)
    • Homeboy Industries ($285,000-$295,000 in recent grants)
    • Los Angeles Regional Food Bank ($500,000 grant in 2023)

  4. Connection to Carson's legacy: Organizations that preserve or extend Carson's impact in comedy, entertainment, and the arts, such as the National Comedy Center (received $250,000 for Johnny Carson Exhibit)

  5. Capacity for unrestricted support: The foundation shows strong preference for providing unrestricted operating support, suggesting they fund organizations with strong governance and financial management

  6. Multi-year partnership potential: Rather than one-time grants, the foundation develops ongoing relationships with key beneficiaries, particularly the University of Nebraska Foundation and major Los Angeles institutions

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No unsolicited applications accepted: This foundation is not accessible through traditional grant proposal processes - they select beneficiaries through trustee discretion and established relationships

  • Geographic focus is paramount: Nearly all grants go to Los Angeles-area organizations or University of Nebraska-Lincoln - organizations outside these areas are extremely unlikely to receive funding

  • Significant capacity for major gifts: With $120+ million in assets and $13+ million in annual giving, the foundation has capacity for transformational gifts ($1M+) to aligned organizations

  • Focus on children, education, and health: These three pillars consistently appear across the foundation's grantmaking, reflecting Carson's personal philanthropic priorities

  • Unrestricted support preferred: The foundation provides unrestricted operating support rather than project-specific grants, indicating trust in beneficiary organizations' leadership

  • Long-term relationships valued: Major beneficiaries like Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and University of Nebraska-Lincoln receive repeated, substantial support over many years

  • Legacy preservation matters: Organizations that preserve Carson's impact in comedy, entertainment, and the arts receive consideration (e.g., National Comedy Center, UNL Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film)

References

  1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Johnny Carson Foundation (EIN 20-5885752), accessed January 2026: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/205885752

  2. Grantmakers.io Profile - Johnny Carson Foundation, accessed January 2026: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/205885752-johnny-carson-foundation/

  3. Instrumentl 990 Report - Johnny Carson Foundation, accessed January 2026: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/johnny-carson-foundation

  4. InfluenceWatch - Johnny Carson Foundation Profile, accessed January 2026: https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/johnny-carson-foundation/

  5. University of Nebraska Foundation - "NU's favorite son comedian makes another serious gift," accessed January 2026: https://nufoundation.org/nus-favorite-son-comedian-makes-another-serious-gift/

  6. Various web searches regarding Johnny Carson Foundation grant recipients, leadership, and funding priorities conducted January 2026

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