Jean Perkins Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $5,184,218 (2023)
• Total Assets: $72,014,182 (2023)
• 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 organisations 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 organisations 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 honours 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.

The foundation distributes approximately $5 million annually through grants. The foundation focuses on education (particularly veteran support), medical research, first responder programmes, and human services. The foundation maintains a deliberate approach to grantmaking, selecting organisations that align with Jean Perkins Stuart's original charitable interests rather than responding to public applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation does not operate formal grant programmes with published guidelines. Instead, it makes strategic grants to preselected organisations 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 programme
• 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 programmes

Vision & Accessibility

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

Employee Support Programmes

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

Priority Areas

Based on recent grantmaking patterns, the foundation prioritises:

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 programmes
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 organisations 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 organisations
• Does not operate a public application process

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

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

Governance and Leadership

Officers and Directors

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 organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

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

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's stated policy against unsolicited applications, there are limited pathways for new organisations 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 programmes. Organisations working in national security, technology policy, or law may find connections through Hoover Institution networks.

Veteran-Focused Organisations: The foundation has demonstrated deep commitment to veteran causes, particularly through the University of Texas at Austin programme (over $3.5 million since 2011) and Foundation for Women Warriors. Organisations serving veterans, especially with education or transition programmes, 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 Programmes: 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 programmes.

Board Networks: Given the family-controlled nature of the board, relationships with board members or organisations 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 organisations 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, analysing 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. Organisations 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 start-up organisations.

Multi-Year Commitment Potential The UT Austin veteran scholarship programme (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 organisations, 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 programmes show concrete outcomes: specific number of scholarships (55 undergraduate veterans, 7 graduate veterans), specific research equipment purchased, specific medical research programmes supported. The foundation appears to favour programmes 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 programmes.

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 Organisations Only: The foundation identifies and selects all grantees. Unless your organisation 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. Organisations outside these areas rarely receive support.

• Geographic Preference: While Texas receives significant support (UT Austin veterans programme), California organisations 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 organisations.

• Long-Term Relationships: When the foundation commits to an organisation (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

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Jean Perkins Foundation (EIN 33-0436485). Form 990-PF filings 2021-2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/330436485 (Accessed January 2026)

• Grantmakers.io - Jean Perkins Foundation Profile. 2024 grantmaking data including recipients and amounts. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/330436485-jean-perkins-foundation/ (Accessed January 2026)

• University of Texas at Austin, Office of the Dean of Students - Jean Perkins Foundation Veteran Scholarship. Programme details and history. https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/veterans/perkins.php (Accessed January 2026)

• Los Angeles Fire Department - LAFD Scholarship Fund. History and programme details. https://lafd.org/about/scholarship (Accessed January 2026)

• Hoover Institution - National Security, Technology & Law Working Group. Information about James J. Carroll III support. https://www.hoover.org/research-teams/national-security-technology-law-working-group/about (Accessed January 2026)

• Candid (Foundation Directory Online) - Jean Perkins Foundation Profile. Basic foundation information and grantmaking focus areas. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=PERK047 (Accessed January 2026)

• Charity Navigator - Jean Perkins Foundation Profile. Financial information and tax filing access. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/330436485 (Accessed January 2026)

• UCLA Health - Dr. Isla Garraway Profile. Mentions Jean Perkins Foundation funding for urology research. https://www.uclahealth.org/providers/isla-garraway (Accessed January 2026)

• UCLA Health U Magazine - Gifts. Details on Jean Perkins Foundation support for Operation Mend and Scholars in Translational Medicine programmes. https://www.uclahealth.org/u-magazine/gifts-790 (Accessed January 2026)