Stanley E Hanson Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1.8-2.3 million
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: N/A (no public application)
• Grant Range: Varies widely
• Geographic Focus: National (US-based organizations)

Contact Details

• Phone: 800-839-1754
• Address: 23091 Mill Creek Dr, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
• Website: None available
• Email: Not publicly available
• Application Process: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

The Stanley E Hanson Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2009 following the death of Stanley E. Hanson, a U.S. Navy veteran and founder of ACRA Aerospace. With assets of approximately $38 million, the foundation distributes $1.8-2.3 million annually to charitable organizations focusing on children, veterans, and animals - causes that were close to Hanson's heart during his lifetime. As President James Kilkowski noted, "Stan had a really big heart. He was a very generous guy, and he was significantly involved in charities while he was alive." The foundation operates as an invitation-only funder, selecting grantees through trustee discretion rather than accepting public applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes discretionary grants to preselected organizations. Recent annual distributions include:

• 2023: $1,829,350 across 51 grants
• 2022: $2,340,275 across 61 grants
• Grant sizes vary widely depending on organizational needs and alignment

Priority Areas

• Children's Services: Supporting youth development, education, and health initiatives
• Veterans Support: Programs benefiting military veterans and their families
• Animal Welfare: Organizations focused on animal care and protection

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and only funds preselected charitable organizations.

Governance and Leadership

James (Jim) Kilkowski - President and Director

• Responsible for vetting and making grants to deserving charities
• Compensation: $180,000 (2024)

Chris Jones - Board Member/Trustee

• Compensation: $72,000 (2024)

The foundation is also supported by the Eve Kornyei Trust. Trustees guide the foundation's philanthropic endeavors in alignment with Stanley E. Hanson's charitable interests during his lifetime.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Stanley E Hanson Foundation explicitly states that it "does not accept unsolicited requests for funds" and "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations." Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on organizational research and alignment with the foundation's focus areas of children, veterans, and animals.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation identifies grantees through trustee research and existing relationships within their focus areas. Organizations cannot directly apply but may be identified through their work and impact in supporting children, veterans, or animals. The foundation has supported established organizations like Children's Hospital Los Angeles, The Trevor Project, and No Kid Hungry, suggesting they look for organizations with proven track records in their priority areas.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made on a discretionary basis throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept applications, organizations in their focus areas should:

• Build strong reputations and demonstrable impact in serving children, veterans, or animals
• Develop visibility within these sectors through partnerships and collaborations
• Focus on creating measurable outcomes that align with the foundation's mission
• Consider connections with other organizations the foundation has supported, such as Children's Hospital Los Angeles or The Trevor Project

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Stanley E Hanson Foundation is a legitimate grant maker distributing $1.8-2.3 million annually
• No public application process exists - all grants are made through trustee discretion
• Focus areas are strictly limited to children, veterans, and animals
• The foundation has substantial assets ($38 million) ensuring long-term sustainability
• Past grantees include major national organizations suggesting preference for established nonprofits
• Organizations cannot directly solicit funding but may be identified through sector visibility
• Building relationships with current grantees may provide indirect pathways to consideration

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Stanley E Hanson Foundation Profile. Accessed February 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/271104044
• Cause IQ - The Stanley E Hanson Foundation Overview. Accessed February 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-stanley-e-hanson-foundation,271104044/
• Candid Foundation Directory - Stanley E. Hanson Foundation Profile. Accessed February 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=STAN411
• Grantmakers.io - Stanley E Hanson Foundation Grant History. Accessed February 2026. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/271104044-stanley-e-hanson-foundation/
• Emeril Lagasse Foundation - "Donor Spotlight: The Stanley E. Hanson Foundation". Accessed February 2026. https://emeril.org/news/donor-spotlight-stanley-e-hanson-foundation/
• The Trevor Project - Foundation Supporters. Accessed February 2026. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/?trevor_gi_grant=the-stanley-e-hanson-foundation
• Instrumentl - Stanley E Hanson Foundation 990 Reports. Accessed February 2026. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/stanley-e-hanson-foundation