Bill Hannon Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $6,959,220 (2024)
• Assets: $2,935,344
• Decision Time: Within 30 days of quarterly board meeting
• Grant Range: Variable - up to $150,000 maximum per institution annually
• Geographic Focus: California, primarily Los Angeles area
• Number of Recipients: Approximately 40 institutions annually (15 colleges, 25 high schools)

Contact Details

Address: 24950 Valley Way, Carmel, CA 93923-8340

Phone: (310) 207-0303

President: Elaine Ewen

EIN: 31-1663038

Note: The foundation does not appear to have a public website. Contact by phone for application inquiries.

Overview

The Bill Hannon Foundation was established in 2002, shortly before founder William H. Hannon's death, as his second philanthropic entity. Unlike his earlier family-run William H. Hannon Foundation (founded 1983), this foundation was intentionally structured with board members from various walks of life rather than family members. The foundation concentrates exclusively on Catholic secondary and higher education, with total assets of approximately $2.9 million and annual giving exceeding $6.9 million in 2024. The foundation's mission focuses on tuition assistance through scholarships, recognizing that many students would not otherwise be able to complete their education. William H. Hannon (1913-1999) was a Southern California real estate developer who built his fortune primarily in Westchester and surrounding areas, and whose commitment to Catholic education was rooted in his own experience as a Loyola University student whose tuition was sponsored on the promise of future repayment.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Catholic Education Scholarship Program: Variable amounts up to $150,000 per institution annually

• Approximately 15 colleges and 25 high schools apply each year
• Funds distributed to institutions for scholarship allocation
• Schools determine which students receive scholarships and amounts
• Foundation has no direct role in student selection once funds are distributed

Capital Support Program: Variable amounts (discretionary)

• Available in select years at foundation's discretion
• Provides crucial infrastructure funding for educational facilities
• Example: Mount Saint Mary's University received $10.75 million for capital projects including Wellness Pavilion and Hannon Hall student residence

Emergency Relief: Variable amounts up to $150,000 (situational)

• During COVID-19 pandemic, foundation provided up to $150,000 in additional emergency funds to selected schools

Priority Areas

Education:

• Roman Catholic secondary schools (high schools)
• Roman Catholic colleges and universities
• Tuition assistance and scholarship programs
• Educational infrastructure and facilities

Geographic Focus:

• California statewide
• Primary emphasis on Los Angeles area and Southern California

Beneficiary Focus:

• Students who would not otherwise be able to afford Catholic education
• Institutions serving low-income communities

Recent Grant Recipients:

• Mount Saint Mary's University: $810,000 in scholarship support; $10.75 million total in capital funding and renovation support
• Saint Mary's College: $184,000 (February 2024) for Lasallian Educators Fellowship program
• Multiple Catholic high schools in Los Angeles region

What They Don't Fund

• Individual student applications (funds go to institutions only)
• Non-Catholic educational institutions
• Elementary schools (covered by the separate William H. Hannon Foundation)
• Healthcare organizations (covered by potential future expansion only)
• Social services (potential future consideration only)
• Programs outside California
• Non-501(c)(3) organizations

Governance and Leadership

Elaine Ewen, President

• Full-time position
• Former attorney and personal lawyer to William H. Hannon
• Personally selected by Hannon to serve as executive director
• Compensation: $214,375

Board Structure: Intentionally comprised of individuals from various walks of life rather than family members, distinguishing it from the family-run William H. Hannon Foundation. Specific board member names beyond President Ewen are not publicly available in standard foundation directories.

Founder's Philosophy: William H. Hannon was known for his humility despite his wealth, holding business meetings at Denny's coffee shop across from his office. His commitment to Catholic education stemmed from his own experience: unable to afford college, his parents arranged for him to attend Loyola University with the promise he would repay tuition from future earnings—which he did "and then some." In one memorable exchange with Mount Saint Mary's leadership, when Hannon stated he only gave to organizations visible from his office window, the sisters pointed to their campus in view, to which he replied, "You got me, sisters."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Bill Hannon Foundation operates through institutional applications rather than a public application process. Approximately 15 colleges and 25 high schools apply each year for scholarship assistance.

Application Details:

• Applications are accepted from accredited Catholic high schools and colleges
• Only IRS-certified 501(c)(3) non-profit public charities eligible
• Geographic limitation: California, with priority to Los Angeles area
• Funding is not automatic; institutions must apply annually
• Site visits may be part of the evaluation process

Application Deadlines: Tied to quarterly board meetings

• August 1: For September board meeting
• November 1: For December board meeting
• February 1: For March board meeting
• May 1: For June board meeting

Application Method: Contact foundation directly via phone (310) 207-0303. Specific application forms and requirements should be confirmed with foundation staff.

Decision Timeline

• Grant proposals considered at quarterly Board of Directors meetings
• Applicants notified in writing within 30 days of the quarterly board meeting
• Site visits may occur as part of evaluation process before decision

Success Rates

Specific success rates not publicly available. Approximately 40 institutions (15 colleges and 25 high schools) receive funding annually.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented. Contact foundation directly to inquire about reapplication procedures for previously unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Based on known recipients and foundation priorities:

• Catholic identity: Strong commitment to Catholic education and mission is essential
• Accessibility focus: Serving students who cannot otherwise afford education
• Southern California roots: Priority for institutions in Los Angeles area where Hannon lived and worked
• Demonstrated need: Serving low-income students or communities
• Established relationships: Long-term partnerships appear valued (e.g., Mount Saint Mary's has received funding since 2012)
• Clear impact: Show how scholarship funds enable students to complete their education
• Flexibility in fund use: Institutions determine which students receive scholarships and amounts
• Infrastructure impact: For capital requests, demonstrate how facilities directly support student education
• Persistence and relationship building: Mount Saint Mary's partnership began with an in-person meeting in the late 1980s
• Humility and authenticity: Foundation values genuine need and student outcomes over formal presentations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Catholic institutions only: This foundation exclusively funds Catholic secondary schools and colleges
• Institutional applications only: Individual students cannot apply; only schools can request funding
• Geographic focus matters: California institutions, especially in Los Angeles and Southern California, are the primary beneficiaries
• $150,000 annual cap: Plan requests within the maximum per institution limit for scholarship programs
• Quarterly opportunities: Four application deadlines annually provide multiple opportunities to apply
• Rapid decisions: 30-day notification timeline after board meetings means relatively quick turnaround
• No public website: Direct phone contact is necessary; be prepared to call (310) 207-0303

References

• Mount Saint Mary's University. (2021). "Donor Profile: Bill Hannon Foundation." MSMU Newsroom. https://www.msmu.edu/newsroom/news-articles/2021/donor-profile-bill-hannon-foundation/ (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Bill Hannon Foundation - EIN 31-1663038." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/311663038 (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory. "Bill Hannon Foundation | Foundation Directory." https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=HANN023 (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• Instrumentl. "Bill Hannon Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | 990 Report." https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/bill-hannon-foundation (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• GuideStar. "Bill Hannon Foundation - GuideStar Profile." https://www.guidestar.org/profile/31-1663038 (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• Saint Mary's College. "Grant To Fund Expansion of Lasallian Educators Fellowships." https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/news/grant-fund-expansion-lasallian-educators-fellowships (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• Montage Health Foundation. "Donor Story - Donor establishes Bill Hannon Foundation." https://chomplegacy.org/?pageID=3&storyNum=1 (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• Angelus News. "LA Catholic schools among new Hannon Foundation grant recipients." https://angelusnews.com/local/la-catholics/hannon-40th-anniversary-grants/ (Accessed March 10, 2026)