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Audrey Irmas Foundation For Social Justice

Annual Giving
$2.7M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.8M

Audrey Irmas Foundation For Social Justice

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,709,905 (2023)
  • Assets: $51 million
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $800,000
  • Median Grant: $25,000-$30,000
  • Number of Grants: 36 grants (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Southern California, especially Los Angeles

Contact Details

Contact Person: Matthew Irmas, CEO/CFO/Director

Address: 12301 Wilshire Blvd Suite 418, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Phone: (310) 476-0261

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website or online application portal.

Overview

Established in 2007 by Audrey Irmas following the death of her husband Sydney, the Audrey Irmas Foundation for Social Justice represents a focused approach to addressing social justice issues, particularly in Southern California. The foundation manages approximately $51 million in assets and distributes nearly $3 million annually to organizations working in education, youth development, human rights, healthcare, and housing. Founded by one of America's largest art collectors and a prominent Los Angeles philanthropist, the foundation reflects Audrey Irmas's lifelong commitment to Jewish causes and social justice, continuing the legacy of the Audrey and Sydney Irmas Charitable Foundation established in 1983. The foundation operates with a proactive grantmaking approach, primarily supporting organizations through multi-year commitments and significant capacity-building grants.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a general grantmaking program with no fixed grant cycles or deadlines. Recent grants demonstrate several funding patterns:

  • Major Institutional Support: $200,000 - $295,000 (multi-year commitments to anchor organizations)
  • Program Support: $100,000 - $250,000 (specific initiatives and projects)
  • General Operating Support: $25,000 - $100,000 (organizational capacity building)
  • Smaller Grants: $1,000 - $25,000 (targeted support)

Priority Areas

Human Rights & Civil Liberties: The foundation has demonstrated strong commitment to LGBTQ rights, immigrant rights, and civil liberties organizations. Notable support includes a five-year, $1 million grant to establish the Audrey Irmas Director of the LGBTQ, Gender and Reproductive Justice Project at ACLU of Southern California.

Youth Development: Sustained support for youth-serving organizations, with particular emphasis on underserved Los Angeles communities. Recent recipients include Heart of Los Angeles ($295,985 for scholarships) and A Place Called Home ($100,000).

Legal Services: Support for organizations providing legal assistance to vulnerable populations, including Bet Tzedek Legal Services ($100,000 for Medical/Legal Partnership) and Public Counsel ($250,000).

Housing & Homelessness: Significant grants to address Los Angeles housing challenges, including LA Family Housing ($250,000 for capital campaign). Audrey Irmas previously served as Chairperson of LA Family Housing Corporation.

Jewish Causes: Continuing support for Jewish educational institutions, including Wilshire Boulevard Temple and organizations like Jewish World Watch and Builders of Jewish Education.

Education: Sustained funding for educational institutions, particularly USC Law School, reflecting long-term institutional relationships.

Global Health: Selected international grants, including support for Amref Health Africa's surgical outreach programs in East Africa (Africa Foundation USA received $150,000).

Healthcare: Support for healthcare institutions including USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center ($200,000).

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not specify explicit exclusions, though funding patterns indicate:

  • Primary focus on Southern California organizations
  • Limited international grantmaking outside strategic partnerships
  • No evidence of arts funding through this foundation (handled through separate family foundation)

Governance and Leadership

Matthew Irmas serves as CEO, CFO, and Director, working approximately 25 hours per week with annual compensation of $82,500. Matthew has taken over leadership of the family's philanthropic efforts from his parents, and brings experience from the real estate and entertainment industries. He serves as the primary contact for grant inquiries and manages the foundation's proactive grantmaking strategy.

Board of Directors:

  • Jack Irmas (Director)
  • Daniel Irmas (Director)
  • Aaron Irmas (Director)
  • David Lash (Director)
  • Deborah Lynn Irmas (Director) - A photographic historian who introduced her parents to art collecting in the 1970s

All directors other than Matthew serve in unpaid capacity with minimal time commitment.

Founder: Audrey Irmas, prominent Los Angeles philanthropist and one of the largest art collectors in the United States. Her transformative philanthropy includes a $30 million gift to Wilshire Boulevard Temple, funded through the sale of a Cy Twombly painting for $70.5 million.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation operates with a "proactive approach to grantmaking," meaning the board and leadership actively identify and approach organizations for funding rather than soliciting applications.

Application Method: Letter of inquiry to Matthew Irmas Deadlines: None specified Application Portal: None available

Organizations interested in support may send a letter to Matthew Irmas at the foundation's Los Angeles address, though networking and existing relationships appear critical to securing funding. The foundation's approach means that "getting through the door will be challenging without deep networking," according to philanthropy sector observers.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation's grantmaking patterns reveal several pathways to potential funding:

Existing Relationships: The foundation demonstrates preference for multi-year relationships with proven organizations. Many grant recipients receive repeated support, suggesting that once an organization enters the portfolio, sustained funding is possible.

Board Connections: The Irmas family's deep ties to Los Angeles' Jewish community, arts sector, and social service networks appear influential. Organizations with connections to Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Los Angeles Family Housing, USC, or the broader Los Angeles philanthropic community may have advantages.

Named Programs: The foundation has established named programs (such as the Audrey Irmas Director at ACLU SoCal), suggesting openness to legacy-creating partnerships with organizations that can demonstrate significant impact.

Geographic Proximity: Nearly all grants support Southern California organizations, particularly those serving Los Angeles. Organizations outside this region face significant barriers unless addressing issues of particular family interest (such as global health initiatives with clear impact).

Matthew Irmas as Gatekeeper: As the primary staff member (25 hours/week), Matthew Irmas personally reviews opportunities. Building a relationship with him through appropriate professional channels may be valuable, though the foundation's low profile suggests caution about unsolicited outreach.

Decision Timeline

No specific decision timeline information is publicly available. As a proactive funder without fixed grant cycles, the foundation likely makes decisions on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. Given the proactive grantmaking approach and the fact that the foundation made 36 grants in 2023, the foundation appears to work primarily with organizations it has identified rather than responding to a large volume of unsolicited proposals.

Reapplication Policy

No formal reapplication policy is stated. However, grant patterns suggest the foundation values long-term relationships, with many organizations receiving repeated support across multiple years.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's proactive approach and limited public information, success factors must be inferred from funding patterns:

Multi-Year Impact Potential: The foundation's flagship grant—a five-year, $1 million commitment to ACLU SoCal—demonstrates preference for sustained, transformational support. Organizations should be prepared to articulate long-term vision and impact, not just annual program needs.

Connection to Core Values: The foundation name explicitly references "Social Justice," and grants consistently support organizations working on civil rights, legal advocacy, youth development, and addressing poverty and homelessness. Organizations should clearly articulate how their work advances social justice outcomes.

Established Track Record: Recent grant recipients are established, well-known Los Angeles institutions (Public Counsel, ACLU, Heart of Los Angeles, LA Family Housing). The foundation appears to invest in proven organizations rather than emerging groups.

Alignment with Jewish Values: While the foundation supports diverse causes, connections to Jewish values and Jewish community priorities remain evident (support for Bet Tzedek, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Jewish World Watch). Organizations able to connect their work to Jewish traditions of social justice (tikkun olam) may resonate.

Capacity for Significant Grants: With a median grant around $25,000-$30,000 but grants frequently in the $100,000-$250,000 range, the foundation appears to seek organizations with capacity to absorb and effectively deploy substantial funding.

Los Angeles Focus: Geographic proximity to Los Angeles is nearly essential. Organizations should demonstrate deep understanding of and connection to Los Angeles communities and challenges.

Concrete, Specific Programs: Grants often support named programs or specific initiatives (LGBTQ Gender & Reproductive Justice Project, Medical/Legal Partnership, capital campaigns) rather than unrestricted general support, though some general support grants do appear in the portfolio.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Proactive approach: This foundation seeks out grantees rather than soliciting applications. Traditional application strategies may not apply; focus on visibility and reputation within Los Angeles social justice sectors.

  • Relationship-driven: Matthew Irmas personally manages grantmaking decisions. Cultivating appropriate professional relationships within the Los Angeles philanthropic community may create pathways to the foundation's attention.

  • Large, sustained commitments: The foundation makes significant multi-year grants to organizations it believes in. Be prepared to discuss long-term partnership rather than single-year funding.

  • Social justice lens is central: The foundation's name reflects its mission. Organizations must clearly articulate how their work addresses systemic inequities and advances justice for marginalized communities.

  • Established organizations preferred: Recent grantees are well-known, established institutions. Newer or smaller organizations may face challenges unless they have powerful champions or unique programmatic approaches.

  • Los Angeles geography matters: Nearly all funding stays in Southern California. Organizations outside this region should carefully consider whether pursuit of this foundation represents wise use of time.

  • No public application process: Traditional grant application strategies will not work. Visibility through impact, sector leadership, and networking are more relevant approaches.

References

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