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Jean Perkins Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.2M
Grant Range
$1K - $1.4M

Jean Perkins Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,230,347 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $126,720,211 (2024)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $1,398,000
  • Number of Grants: 23-24 annually
  • Median Grant: $159,000
  • Geographic Focus: California, Texas, and Washington (primarily)
  • Application Process: No public application process - preselected organizations only

Contact Details

The Jean Perkins Foundation does not maintain a public website or published contact information. The foundation is registered in Nevada with offices in Las Vegas, NV.

EIN: 33-0436485

For organizations seeking information, contact details may be obtained through:

  • IRS Form 990-PF filings available at ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
  • Foundation databases (Candid, GuideStar)

Overview

The Jean Perkins Foundation was established in 1991 (receiving 501(c)(3) status in February 1991) and incorporated in California on August 20, 1990, by James J. Carroll III. The foundation honors the legacy of Jean Perkins Stuart, heir to the Carnation Company, who passed away in 2004. Having no children, Jean Perkins Stuart wanted her estate to support causes including medical research and veterans. She was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and had an abiding love for her country.

With assets exceeding $126 million as of 2024, the foundation distributes approximately $6 million annually through 23-24 grants. The foundation focuses on education (particularly veteran support), medical research, first responder programs, and human services. The foundation maintains a deliberate approach to grantmaking, selecting organizations that align with Jean Perkins Stuart's original charitable interests rather than responding to public applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Instead, it makes strategic grants to preselected organizations across several focus areas:

Veteran Education & Support (Major Priority)

  • University of Texas at Austin: $325,000 annually for veteran scholarships (55 undergraduate scholarships at $5,000 each, plus 7 graduate scholarships at $5,000 each)
  • Total support to UT Austin veterans since 2011: Over $3.5 million
  • Foundation for Women Warriors: $200,000 to support female veterans

Medical Research & Healthcare (Major Priority)

  • UCLA Foundation: Up to $1,398,000 for urology department research and medical device needs
  • Children's Hospital of Los Angeles: $300,000 for CBDI program
  • St. John's Health Care Foundation: $487,675 for medical equipment purchases
  • American Cancer Society: $367,500 for cancer research
  • Henry M. Jackson Foundation: $350,000 for traumatic brain injury research

First Responder Support

  • Los Angeles Fire Department Scholarship Fund: Established by the foundation in 2007, providing up to $40,000 per Merit Scholar ($10,000/year for 4 years) and $7,500 for runners-up
  • Total LAFD scholarship funding since inception: Over $2.3 million awarded to 81 Merit Scholars and 116 runners-up

Education & Research Institutions

  • Harvey Mudd College: $175,000 to support education of engineers, scientists, and mathematicians
  • Hoover Institution: $553,900 for national security, technology, and law programs

Vision & Accessibility

  • CHIPS Vision to Learn: $42,000 to support vision programs

Employee Support Programs

  • Bel Air Bay Club: $25,000 for employee scholarship fund

Priority Areas

Based on recent grantmaking patterns, the foundation prioritizes:

  1. Veteran support and education - particularly for those who have served in combat zones
  2. Medical research - especially cancer, traumatic brain injury, and urology
  3. First responders - firefighters, police, and emergency personnel
  4. STEM education - engineering, science, and mathematics programs
  5. Healthcare infrastructure - medical equipment and facilities
  6. National security research - technology and law intersections

Geographic Preferences

While based in Nevada, the foundation primarily funds organizations in:

  • California (largest concentration) - Los Angeles area, Claremont, Bay Area
  • Texas - Austin (UT veteran scholarships)
  • Washington - Limited presence
  • Wyoming - Occasional grants (St. John's Health Care Foundation)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has explicitly stated that it:

  • Does not accept unsolicited requests for funds
  • Only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations
  • Does not operate a public application process

Based on grantmaking patterns, the foundation likely does not fund:

  • International programs (focus is domestic, particularly serving U.S. veterans and first responders)
  • Arts and culture organizations
  • Environmental or conservation programs
  • General operating support for organizations outside their core focus areas
  • Religious organizations (no evidence in grant history)

Governance and Leadership

Officers and Directors (2024)

James Carroll III - President & CEO

  • Founder of the foundation (incorporated it on August 20, 1990)
  • Compensation: $476,667 (2024)
  • Elected to Hoover Institution Board of Overseers
  • Provides significant support to Hoover Institution's national security work through the foundation

J. Joe Connolly - Financial Officer

Caitlin Bell Carroll - Director

  • Also serves as EVP External Relations
  • Connection to Foundation for Women Warriors (one of the foundation's grantees)

Justine Carroll Campbell - Director

Cindy Connolly - Director

R. Joseph Hull - Director

The board appears to be family-controlled, with the Carroll family playing central roles in foundation governance and strategic direction.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Jean Perkins Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Organizations cannot submit applications, letters of inquiry, or proposals to this foundation. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to organizations they have identified and selected.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's stated policy against unsolicited applications, there are limited pathways for new organizations to receive funding:

Hoover Institution Connection: James J. Carroll III serves on the Hoover Institution Board of Overseers and the foundation has provided significant support ($553,900 in recent grants) to Hoover's National Security, Technology, and Law programs. Organizations working in national security, technology policy, or law may find connections through Hoover Institution networks.

Veteran-Focused Organizations: The foundation has demonstrated deep commitment to veteran causes, particularly through the University of Texas at Austin program (over $3.5 million since 2011) and Foundation for Women Warriors. Organizations serving veterans, especially with education or transition programs, align with Jean Perkins Stuart's original charitable intent.

Medical Research Institutions: Major medical research grants to UCLA ($1,398,000), Henry M. Jackson Foundation ($350,000), American Cancer Society ($367,500), and others suggest receptivity to established medical research institutions, particularly those working on cancer, traumatic brain injury, or conditions affecting veterans and first responders.

First Responder Programs: The foundation's establishment and ongoing support of the LAFD Scholarship Fund (over $2.3 million since 2007) demonstrates interest in first responder education and support programs.

Board Networks: Given the family-controlled nature of the board, relationships with board members or organizations they're already connected to may provide the only realistic pathway to consideration.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications. Grant decisions are made by trustees based on their own research and identification of organizations aligned with the foundation's mission.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since this funder does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, analyzing their grantmaking patterns reveals what attracts the foundation's attention:

Alignment with Jean Perkins Stuart's Values The foundation's grantmaking directly reflects the founder's stated interests: "medical research and veterans" combined with her "incredible love for her country" as a Daughters of the American Revolution member. Organizations serving veterans, supporting first responders, or conducting medical research align with her legacy.

Established Institutions with Track Records The foundation funds major, established institutions: UCLA, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, University of Texas at Austin, Harvey Mudd College, American Cancer Society, Hoover Institution. There is no evidence of grants to small, emerging, or startup organizations.

Multi-Year Commitment Potential The UT Austin veteran scholarship program (ongoing since 2011, $325,000 annually) and LAFD Scholarship Fund (since 2007, over $2.3 million total) demonstrate the foundation's preference for sustained, multi-year relationships rather than one-time grants.

California Connections Despite being Nevada-registered, the overwhelming majority of grants support California organizations, particularly in Los Angeles and Southern California. This likely reflects Jean Perkins Stuart's Beverly Hills residence and the Carroll family's Los Angeles connections (foundation originally formed at 10877 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles).

Clear, Measurable Impact Funded programs show concrete outcomes: specific number of scholarships (55 undergraduate veterans, 7 graduate veterans), specific research equipment purchased, specific medical research programs supported. The foundation appears to favor programs with quantifiable results.

STEM and National Security Focus Recent grants to Harvey Mudd College ($175,000 for engineers, scientists, mathematicians), Hoover Institution ($553,900 for national security/technology/law), and UCLA urology research ($1,398,000) suggest interest in technical, scientific, and security-related programs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Application Possible: This foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited applications. Do not send letters of inquiry, proposals, or requests.

  • Preselected Organizations Only: The foundation identifies and selects all grantees. Unless your organization has an existing relationship with board members or has been approached by the foundation, funding is not accessible.

  • Focus on Veterans and Medical Research: These two areas dominated Jean Perkins Stuart's charitable interests and continue to drive 60-70% of the foundation's grantmaking. Organizations outside these areas rarely receive support.

  • Geographic Preference: While Texas receives significant support (UT Austin veterans program), California organizations receive the majority of funding, particularly those in Los Angeles and Southern California.

  • Institutional Scale Matters: The foundation funds major established institutions (UCLA, Children's Hospital LA, American Cancer Society, major universities) rather than small community organizations.

  • Long-Term Relationships: When the foundation commits to an organization (UT Austin since 2011, LAFD since 2007), they maintain multi-year funding relationships. One-time grants are less common than sustained support.

  • Board Member Connections: James J. Carroll III's service on the Hoover Institution Board of Overseers and the foundation's subsequent grants to Hoover suggest that board members' institutional connections influence grantmaking decisions.

References

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