S L Gimbel Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $16,308,568 (2024)
• Total Assets: $333 million
• Grant Range: $6,000 - $500,000+
• Geographic Focus: Inland Empire, California, national, and international
• Application Process: No public application process (invitation only)

Contact Details

• Address: P.O. Box 2591, Orange, CA 92859
• EIN: 03-6088692
• Type: Private Grantmaking Foundation

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests.

Overview

Established in 2002 and receiving tax-exempt status in July of that year, the S.L. Gimbel Foundation honors the memory of Susan H. Gimbel, an ultrarunning legend and philanthropist who passed away in 2006 after battling ovarian cancer. Susan was renowned for being the only woman to successfully complete the Double Double Grand Canyon crossing in under 30 hours and won numerous ultramarathons in the 1980s and early 1990s. Since 2010, the foundation has operated primarily through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) established with the Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF), through which it has granted over $69 million to causes nationwide and internationally. With assets of $333 million, the foundation focuses on advancing the arts, education, environmental sustainability, and human dignity issues. The S.L. Gimbel Advised Fund is the largest single fund in IECF's history.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through the S.L. Gimbel Advised Fund at the Inland Empire Community Foundation. Grants range from $6,000 to over $500,000, with the foundation making one large annual grant to IECF, which then distributes funds to various nonprofits.

Recent Major Grants to IECF:

• 2024: $16,308,568
• 2023: $12,240,553
• 2022: $9,907,388

Since 2011, the S.L. Gimbel Advised Fund has awarded over $5.1 million to 100+ nonprofits in the Inland Empire alone, with additional national and international grantmaking.

Priority Areas

The foundation supports four core areas that reflect Susan Gimbel's passions:

1. The Arts - Supporting arts organizations and cultural programs
2. Education - Including scholarships (such as the S.L. Gimbel Foundation Scholarship Fund for medical students) and educational initiatives
3. Environment - Environmental conservation, sustainability, and protection of natural spaces
4. Human Dignity - Including food security, animal protection, health, and human welfare

Recent giving has expanded to include food security and animal protection causes.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. Applications from organizations without an existing relationship are not accepted.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (all uncompensated):

• Ron Ficaro, Trustee (20 hours/week)
• M Lauren Ficaro, Trustee (20 hours/week)
• Denise Ambrosio, Trustee (10 hours/week)
• Michael Healey, Trustee (listed in some filings)

The foundation operates with no paid staff. All trustees serve in a volunteer capacity. The foundation was established to honor Susan H. Gimbel's legacy as an ultra-marathon runner, outdoor enthusiast, and philanthropist.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The S.L. Gimbel Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

The foundation operates primarily by making large annual grants to the Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF), which then distributes these funds through the S.L. Gimbel Advised Fund to nonprofits aligned with the foundation's mission. Grant decisions are made at the trustees' discretion.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation works through a structured partnership with the Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF). Organizations seeking funding from the S.L. Gimbel Advised Fund should:

• Connect with IECF: Since the S.L. Gimbel Foundation channels its grantmaking through IECF's donor advised fund structure, building a relationship with IECF is the primary pathway. Organizations in the Inland Empire or working in the foundation's priority areas (arts, education, environment, human dignity) may become known to IECF through their community work.

• Geographic Focus: The foundation has shown particular interest in the Inland Empire region of California, though it also makes national and international grants.

• Alignment with Susan Gimbel's Legacy: Organizations whose work connects to Susan Gimbel's passions—outdoor recreation, ultramarathon running, environmental conservation, the arts, and education—may be of particular interest to the trustees.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations cannot directly apply. However, understanding what the foundation values can help organizations working in their priority areas:

Focus Areas Alignment: The foundation supports causes that Susan Gimbel cared about. Organizations working in arts, education, environmental conservation, or human dignity issues are aligned with the foundation's mission.

Geographic Considerations: While the foundation makes grants nationally and internationally, it has shown strong commitment to the Inland Empire region through its partnership with IECF. Since 2011, over $5.1 million has been distributed to 100+ Inland Empire nonprofits.

Grant Size Flexibility: The foundation has made grants ranging from $6,000 to over $500,000, indicating flexibility in supporting both smaller community organizations and larger initiatives.

Specific Areas Recently Funded: Recent expansions include food security and animal protection, in addition to the core areas of arts, education, environment, and health.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Direct Applications: The S.L. Gimbel Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests—organizations cannot apply directly
• Work Through IECF: The foundation operates through a Donor Advised Fund at the Inland Empire Community Foundation; building relationships with IECF is the key pathway
• Substantial Resources: With $333 million in assets and annual giving exceeding $16 million, this is a major philanthropic force
• Four Core Priorities: Arts, education, environment, and human dignity issues—all reflecting Susan Gimbel's personal passions
• Flexible Grant Sizes: Historical grants range from $6,000 to $500,000+, supporting organizations of various scales
• Legacy-Driven: The foundation honors Susan Gimbel's memory as an ultrarunner and environmental advocate—organizations whose missions connect to these themes may resonate with trustees
• Growing Impact: Annual distributions have grown significantly, from $9.9M in 2022 to $16.3M in 2024

References

• Inland Empire Community Foundation. (2022). "$9.9M Gift Received from S.L. Gimbel Foundation." https://www.iegives.org/gimbel9-9/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Inland Empire Community Foundation. "$16M S.L. Gimbel Fund Gift for Social & Environmental Causes." https://www.iegives.org/16m-s-l-gimbel-gift/ (Accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "S L Gimbel Foundation." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/36088692 (Accessed January 2026)
• Grantmakers.io. "S L Gimbel Foundation Profile." https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/036088692-s-l-gimbel-foundation/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Planet Ultramarathon. (2006). "Susan Gimbel." https://planetultramarathon.wordpress.com/2006/05/20/susan-gimbel/ (Accessed January 2026)
• University of California Riverside School of Medicine News. (2024). "SOM Students Receive $580,000 in Scholarships from Inland Empire Community Foundation." https://somnews.ucr.edu/articles/2024/02/09/iecf-2023-scholarships (Accessed January 2026)