Oarsmen Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests, so a cold application is unlikely to be considered; the realistic route is an introduction through an existing connection to the foundation.
- Its stated fields are churches, children, education and health, and the grant record includes churches, health-care organisations, shelters and arts organisations, so work in those areas fits most closely, though the filings do not describe the activities funded.
- No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in California, Massachusetts and Oregon, which is a pattern rather than a rule.
- About 8 in 10 grants fall between $5,000 and $75,000, and half of grants are $20,000 or less, so a request of around $20,000 is a realistic size, while the largest grant of $250,000 is not a ceiling.
- Repeat organisations received 96% of grant dollars in the latest filing, so the foundation leans towards existing relationships, but the filings do not say how new grantees are found.
Overview
Oarsmen Foundation is a US private foundation based in Torrance, CA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (torrancememorialfoundation.org), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation says it has worked to support churches, children, education and health. Its grants have gone to public charities and universities, including churches, health-care organisations, shelters and arts organisations. The filings record the purpose of each organisation grant simply as funds for charity, so they do not add detail about the activities supported or distinguish among these fields. The grant record covers California and recipients in other states, while the foundation's own account describes these supported fields as part of its charitable work.
Themes
- Churches
- Children
- Education
- Health
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in California, Massachusetts and Oregon.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 96% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 262 grants to organisations were $20,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 11%
Outside the US or with no state on the filing: 2%
- The largest single recipient received 6% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 96% of grant dollars went to organisations Oarsmen Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- <1% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 77 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $20,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Cure Alzheimer's Fund · Funds for charity$250,0002024 tax year
- Rolling Hills Convenant Church · Funds for charity$120,0002024 tax year
- Torrance Memorial Health Care Foundation · Funds for charity$100,0002024 tax year
- Reignite Hope · Funds for charity$100,0002024 tax year
- Union Rescue Mission · Funds for charity$100,0002024 tax year
- River Church of the South Bay · Funds for charity$100,0002024 tax year
- Calvary Chapel · Funds for charity$100,0002024 tax year
- Live Action · Funds for charity$100,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Scott D Schuler — 2nd Vice President
- Rosalie T Schuler — 1st Vice President
- George L Schuler — Treasurer
- Brenda Husman — Controller
- John D Whitcombe — Secretary
- Kimberly S Whitcombe — President
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $3,204,612 | $2,810,510 | $39,425,438 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $2,864,968 | $2,412,400 | $48,156,752 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $3,328,058 | $2,926,500 | $54,785,330 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Oarsmen Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Torrance, CA
Applying to Oarsmen Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Torrance, CA