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Gilbert and Jacki Cisneros Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.3M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.1M

Gilbert and Jacki Cisneros Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $345,000 (2019 data)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only grants)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application process)
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $100,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily California, with national reach through signature programs

Contact Details

Address: 10880 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 2100, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Email: info@cisnerosfoundation.org (general inquiries), acorrea@foundationsource.com (grants contact)
Website: https://cisnerosfoundation.org
Social Media: Instagram (@cisnerosfoundation)

Overview

The Gilbert and Jacki Cisneros Foundation was established in 2010 by Gilbert and Jacki Cisneros, who endowed it with an initial $20 million following their $266 million Mega Millions lottery win. Gilbert, a U.S. Navy veteran and George Washington University alumnus, and Jacki, a two-time Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist and USC Annenberg graduate, dedicated their windfall to educational philanthropy. The foundation's mission is to fuel a future where Latino and Veteran communities thrive in higher education and leadership. Combined with their personal giving, the couple has distributed over $40 million to educational and veterans programs. Notable recognition includes being named to Michelle Obama's Reach Higher Advisory Board, and Gilbert's appointment to the Advisory Committee of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts by President Barack Obama in 2014. The foundation focuses on "Education. Representation. Transformation."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through three main program areas:

Latino Higher Education: College access and scholarship support for Latino students, including:

  • The G.W. Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute at George Washington University (established with a $7 million gift in 2015)
  • Generation First Degree - Pico Rivera (launched with $1.25 million in partnership with Hispanic Scholarship Fund in 2011)
  • Support for Excelencia in Education and research initiatives

Veteran Higher Education: Scholarships, transition support, and leadership development for military veterans, including:

  • Cisneros Veterans Scholars Program at Brown University
  • $100,000 donation to GW's Yellow Ribbon Program
  • Support for Bob Hope USO at LAX, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Navy Supply Corps Foundation

Policy & Awareness: Advocacy and awareness initiatives supporting recognition of first-generation, college-bound Latino students

Typical Grant Range: $10,000 - $100,000
Application Method: No public application process; invitation only

Priority Areas

  • College access programs for Latino and first-generation students
  • Scholarship programs and direct student support
  • Research on Latino student success and college selectivity
  • Veteran education and transition programs
  • Leadership development initiatives
  • College readiness and awareness efforts
  • Pre-college programs and mentorship
  • Catholic education organizations in Orange County, California

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Funding is directed through established partnerships and trustee-identified initiatives.

Governance and Leadership

Jacki Cisneros - President and Co-Founder of The Gilbert & Jacki Cisneros Foundation. A USC Annenberg graduate with an 18-year career in broadcast journalism, Jacki is a two-time Emmy Award winner who worked as an assignment editor at several Los Angeles news stations. She serves on the Board of Councilors at USC Annenberg and on the advisory board of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI).

Gilbert Ray Cisneros Jr. - Co-Founder. A 1994 graduate of George Washington University (CCAS BA), Gilbert is a former U.S. Naval Officer who served 10 years and was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (2), the National Defense Medal, and the Armed Forces Medal. After leaving the Navy, he worked for Frito-Lay as a manufacturing manager. He has served in the U.S. House of Representatives and as Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.

Foundation Philosophy: As Gilbert stated when launching Generation First Degree, the couple's approach reflects their belief in giving back: "My wife Jacki and I are truly blessed to be in the position we are in. We want to give others the same opportunities we had to pursue higher education."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Gilbert and Jacki Cisneros Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not respond to unsolicited applications for funding. According to multiple sources, grants are awarded through:

  • Trustee discretion and board-identified priorities
  • Established multi-year partnerships with key organizations
  • Strategic initiatives aligned with the foundation's signature programs

Organizations interested in the foundation's work should contact acorrea@foundationsource.com or use the online contact form at cisnerosfoundation.org, but should understand that funding opportunities are limited to foundation-initiated relationships.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded through board discretion rather than application cycles.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation makes a limited number of grants each year (9 awards in 2019, 33 awards in 2018), with ongoing support concentrated on signature programs and established partners.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only funding model.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, there are no traditional "application success factors." However, research reveals the following about their funding priorities and approach:

Signature Program Model: The foundation concentrates resources on signature, high-impact programs rather than distributing many small grants. Their flagship initiative, the Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute at George Washington University, exemplifies this approach—described by the foundation as "the only endowed institute in the United States combining research and direct student support with a specific focus on elevating the Latino community."

Evidence-Based Approach: The foundation funds research to inform practice, such as the "From Selectivity to Success: Latinos at Selective Institutions" study through Excelencia in Education, examining Latino student under-matching issues.

Community-Focused Initiatives: Generation First Degree - Pico Rivera demonstrates their commitment to place-based, comprehensive approaches. The program served over 1,500 students through College Blueprint, Be A Leader, and the Frank Terrazas Scholarship, with the goal of achieving "at least one member of every household in Pico Rivera earn a college degree."

Measurable Outcomes: The foundation emphasizes concrete results. Their scholars achieve:

  • 100% retention rate for undergraduate Cisneros Scholars at GW
  • Two-thirds of scholars graduate with honors distinctions
  • 100% placement rate in jobs or graduate schools within six months
  • 90% qualify for Federal Work Study

Veterans and Education Intersection: Gilbert's background as a Navy veteran influences funding priorities. As he noted, he "found an avenue into education through a Navy ROTC scholarship, which paid for his tuition at GW," and the foundation extends similar opportunities through programs like the Cisneros Veterans Scholars Program at Brown University.

Long-term Partnership Philosophy: Rather than one-time grants, the foundation provides "ongoing support" to key partners like Excelencia in Education and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No unsolicited applications accepted: This foundation operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis through trustee discretion
  • Signature program focus: The foundation invests in major, multi-year initiatives rather than making numerous small grants—their 2019 giving of $345,000 across 9 awards reflects concentrated support
  • Geographic concentration: Strong focus on California, particularly Southern California and Pico Rivera, alongside national programs at institutions like George Washington University and Brown University
  • Dual focus populations: Latino students and veterans are the foundation's core constituencies, with particular attention to first-generation college students
  • Research + Practice model: The foundation values evidence-based programs and funds research (through Excelencia in Education) alongside direct student support
  • Relationship-driven: With only 9-33 grants made annually, funding flows to established partners and organizations connected to the founders' networks and priorities
  • Personal connection matters: The founders' biography—Gilbert's GW education, Navy service, and lottery win; Jacki's USC Annenberg education and journalism career—influences funding decisions toward their alma maters and communities

References

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