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Kisco Cares Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.1M
Grant Range
$200K - $0.6M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3.1M (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Variable - from student scholarships to major environmental grants ($200,000 - $550,000 documented)
  • Geographic Focus: National (U.S.) with significant focus on environmental conservation
  • Total Assets: $41.5M (2024)

Contact Details

Address: 5790 Fleet St Ste 300, Carlsbad, CA 92008-4703

Phone: 760-804-5900

Email: ben.davis@kiscosl.com

Associated Organization: Kisco Senior Living

Note: The foundation does not maintain a separate public website and operates through Kisco Senior Living.

Overview

Kisco Cares Foundation was established in April 2011 as a private independent foundation based in Carlsbad, California. With total assets of $41.5 million as of 2024, the foundation distributed $3.1 million in charitable grants during its most recent fiscal year. The foundation is closely affiliated with Kisco Senior Living, a nationally recognized senior living provider founded by Andrew S. Kohlberg, who serves as the foundation's President. The foundation's primary focus areas include environmental conservation and land protection, as well as student scholarship programs. The foundation has demonstrated significant growth, with revenue increasing to $11.8 million in 2024, driven primarily by contributions (86.9%), interest revenue (8.9%), and dividends (3.8%). Recent notable grants include major support for conservation projects such as the Bears Ears National Monument Cottonwood Wash acquisition and substantial funding to leading environmental organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking rather than formal grant programs with published guidelines. Based on available 990-PF data, the foundation has made 55+ grants to various organizations.

Known Focus Areas:

  • Environmental Conservation: Major grants ($200,000 - $550,000) to land conservation and environmental protection organizations
  • Student Scholarships: Scholarship support for students, though specific amounts and application processes are not publicly detailed

Priority Areas

  • Environmental protection and land conservation
  • Biodiversity and wildlife protection
  • Cultural resource preservation (particularly related to Indigenous lands)
  • Student education support
  • Climate change and environmental advocacy organizations

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a private independent foundation associated with Kisco Senior Living, the foundation appears to focus on environmental conservation and education rather than healthcare or senior living causes.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors/Officers (as of 2024 filing):

  • Andrew S. Kohlberg - President (Founder and CEO of Kisco Senior Living)
  • David P. King - Director
  • Annica Kreuter - Director (described as a lifelong environmentalist and animal welfare advocate)
  • Jason K. Howerton - Director
  • Brendan R. Cummings - Director

The foundation reports no compensation for directors in recent filings, indicating volunteer board governance. The board's composition reflects expertise in environmental conservation, with board member Annica Kreuter specifically noted for her environmental advocacy background.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants appear to be awarded through trustee discretion and board initiative rather than through open solicitation of applications. The foundation identifies grant recipients through board member research, existing relationships in the environmental conservation sector, and philanthropic networks.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable for public applicants.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Given that this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on the foundation's documented grantmaking patterns, the following characteristics appear to align with their funding interests:

Organizations the Foundation Has Recently Supported:

  • Center for Biological Diversity - $550,000 (2023): National environmental advocacy organization working on biodiversity protection
  • The Wildlands Conservancy - $500,000 (2023): Land conservation organization, supported for the Bears Ears National Monument Cottonwood Wash acquisition
  • Earth Island Institute - $200,000 (2023): International environmental organization supporting grassroots conservation projects

Common Themes in Funded Projects:

  • Large-scale land conservation and acquisition projects
  • Protection of culturally significant landscapes (e.g., Bears Ears National Monument)
  • Organizations working on biodiversity and endangered species protection
  • Projects that combine environmental conservation with Indigenous cultural resource protection
  • Established environmental organizations with proven track records

Alignment Factors: The foundation's support for the Bears Ears Cottonwood Wash project demonstrates interest in:

  • Permanent land protection through acquisition
  • Collaborative approaches involving multiple stakeholders (Indigenous tribes, conservation groups, local communities)
  • Projects with biological, cultural, and educational significance
  • Innovative conservation models (such as cultural conservation easements)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process - This foundation awards grants through trustee discretion and does not accept unsolicited proposals
  • Environmental conservation focus - The foundation's primary interest is in land conservation, biodiversity protection, and environmental advocacy
  • Substantial grant sizes - Recent documented grants range from $200,000 to $550,000, indicating capacity for major projects
  • Relationship-based grantmaking - Grants appear to go to established environmental organizations with strong reputations
  • Board expertise matters - With board members like Annica Kreuter (environmental advocate), the foundation has internal expertise to evaluate conservation projects
  • Growing assets - With $41.5 million in assets and significant annual revenue growth, the foundation has increasing capacity for larger grants
  • No geographic limitations documented - While based in California, grants support national and international environmental work

For organizations seeking funding: Building relationships within the environmental conservation community and demonstrating alignment with the foundation's documented interests in land conservation and biodiversity protection may be valuable, though direct solicitation is not an option. Demonstrating overlap with organizations already funded by the foundation could increase visibility.

References

  1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Kisco Cares Foundation (EIN 27-2239057)

  2. Cause IQ - Kisco Cares Foundation Profile

  3. Center for Biological Diversity Press Release - "Key Private Property in Bears Ears National Monument to Be Protected Forever"

  4. Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition - Cottonwood Wash Acquisition

  5. Fund for Wild Nature - Board of Directors

  6. Charity Navigator - Kisco Cares Foundation Profile

  7. Kisco Senior Living Corporate Website

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