The John C Mithun Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,279,614 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (invitation-only grantmaking)
• Grant Range: Varies from individual scholarships to $1.5 million capital gifts
• Geographic Focus: Santa Barbara County, California
• Total Assets: $59.5 million (2024)
• Number of Grants: 63 awards in 2023

Contact Details

Address: 1135 Harbor Hills Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109-1740
Phone: (805) 695-8178
Alternative Address: 117 Calle Bello, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
EIN: 45-4228213

IMPORTANT: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organisations.

Overview

The John C Mithun Foundation is a private independent foundation established in April 2012 and based in Santa Barbara, California. With total assets of $59.5 million as of 2024 and annual giving of approximately $2.3 million, the foundation focuses its philanthropic efforts on supporting the marriage of arts and education, providing funding for youth-based performance initiatives, and ensuring the continuation of musical education in schools. The foundation is governed by three trustees: President John C. Mithun (also known as "Jack Mithun"), Vice President Mercedes Millington (a former elementary school educator), and Secretary Susan M. Torrey. In September 2025, the foundation was honoured at the Granada Theatre's Ninth Annual Legends Gala for its contributions to the performing arts community in Santa Barbara. The foundation demonstrates strong commitment to Santa Barbara County organisations, with 80.9% of expenses dedicated to charitable disbursements, making it one of the most significant philanthropic entities supporting arts, education, and youth development in the region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation does not operate formal grant programmes with published guidelines. Instead, it makes strategic investments in organisations aligned with its mission. Notable funding areas include:

Arts and Education Integration

• Lobero Theatre Community Access Fund: $100,000+ annually to subsidise local performing arts and youth performance organisations
• Granada Theatre Support: Major contributor to Santa Barbara's historic performing arts venue
• Support for youth-based performance initiatives and musical education programmes

Educational Excellence

• San Marcos High School Building Community Wellness Project: $1.5 million lead gift (2024) - the single largest donation ever made to San Marcos High School
• Santa Barbara Education Foundation: Ongoing support for teacher innovation grants
• UCSB Scholarships: Individual need-based scholarships for undergraduate students
• Support for Health Careers Academy programmes

Children and Family Services

• Santa Barbara Family YMCA: $90,000 for childcare scholarships and financial assistance
• Girls Inc. Goleta Valley Centre: Support for library development and endowment building
• Programmes directly serving children and families in Santa Barbara County

Priority Areas

Based on documented grants and public statements from foundation leadership, the foundation prioritises:

1. Performing Arts for Youth: Youth theatre, music education, dance programmes, and performance opportunities for young people
2. Arts-Education Integration: Programmes that combine artistic expression with educational achievement
3. Community Wellness: Health education, mental health support, and wellness initiatives for students
4. Educational Innovation: Teacher-led innovation, career pathway programmes (especially health careers), and transformative educational facilities
5. Access and Equity: Scholarships and subsidies ensuring all children can access arts education and childcare regardless of financial means
6. Santa Barbara County Focus: Strong preference for organisations serving Santa Barbara County communities

What They Don't Fund

While the foundation does not publish explicit exclusions, research suggests they do not typically fund:

• Organisations outside Santa Barbara County
• Capital campaigns unrelated to education or arts facilities
• General operating support for large established organisations (prefer transformative projects)
• Individual artists (focus is on youth programmes and educational institutions)
• Religious organisations for sectarian purposes
• Political campaigns or lobbying activities

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

John C. Mithun - President
Also known as "Jack Mithun," he serves as the foundation's president. The foundation honours his mother, Doris B. Mithun, who worked as a dietitian and nutritionist. The Health Careers Academy complex at San Marcos High School was named the Doris B. Mithun Health Careers Academy in recognition of the foundation's $1.5 million gift.

Mercedes Millington - Vice President
A former elementary school educator with deep passion for the performing arts. Described by Granada Theatre leadership as a "visionary whose generosity and passion have illuminated the performing arts across our community." Millington has stated about the performing arts: "It's something we all need... we need to feed our souls."

Susan M. Torrey - Secretary
Serves as secretary of the foundation with compensation of $15,000 (2024). Torrey represents the foundation in public announcements and has articulated the foundation's commitment to education, stating regarding the San Marcos High School gift: "We are honoured to support San Marcos High School... It is San Marcos paving the future for students."

The foundation operates with a lean structure, with the three trustees making all grantmaking decisions. The foundation's governance reflects strong personal involvement from trustees who are deeply embedded in Santa Barbara's arts and education community.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds, as documented in their IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Organisations cannot submit grant applications, letters of inquiry, or proposals unless specifically invited to do so by the foundation's trustees. The foundation proactively identifies organisations aligned with their interests in arts education, youth development, and community wellness.

Getting on Their Radar

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organisations interested in potential funding should focus on relationship-building strategies:

Build Visibility in Santa Barbara Arts and Education Networks

• The foundation's trustees are actively involved with the Granada Theatre and Lobero Theatre - both venues serve as hubs for Santa Barbara's performing arts community
• Trustees Mercedes Millington and Susan M. Torrey were honoured at the Granada Theatre's Ninth Annual Legends Gala (September 2025), indicating strong connections to this venue
• Organisations working in youth performing arts should build relationships with these established institutions

Demonstrate Impact in Foundation Priority Areas

• The foundation has shown particular interest in programmes combining arts and education
• Programmes serving youth with performance opportunities, musical education, or arts integration have received support
• Community wellness and health education programmes (especially those serving students) align with recent major gifts

Cultivate Relationships Through Board Connections

• Mercedes Millington's background as an elementary school educator suggests she may be approachable by educational organisations
• The foundation's support for organisations like the Santa Barbara Education Foundation, Royal Pride Foundation, and Channel Islands YMCA suggests trustees are engaged with established nonprofit leadership in the county
• Attendance at Granada Theatre and Lobero Theatre events may provide networking opportunities

Key Considerations:

• The foundation appears to favour organisations with which trustees can develop personal connections and see direct impact
• Multi-year relationships are common - the foundation provides ongoing support to Lobero Theatre, Granada Theatre, UCSB, and others
• Transformative projects with naming opportunities may be of particular interest (e.g., Doris B. Mithun Health Careers Academy)
• Projects that serve multiple foundation priorities (arts + education + youth + community impact) are most likely to attract attention

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation operates on its own timeline for identifying and approaching organisations. Based on the San Marcos High School announcement in May 2024, major gifts may be developed over extended periods through trustee engagement with organisations before formal commitments are made.

Success Rates

Not applicable - there is no application process. The foundation made 63 grants in 2023, 58 grants in 2022, and 60 grants in 2021, suggesting consistent annual grantmaking to a portfolio of organisations.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - there is no formal application process. However, the foundation's pattern of ongoing support to organisations like Lobero Theatre, Granada Theatre, UCSB, Santa Barbara Education Foundation, and others suggests they maintain long-term relationships with aligned organisations.

Application Success Factors

IMPORTANT NOTE: Since this foundation does not accept applications, these factors represent patterns observed in organisations that have received funding, which may inform relationship-building strategies.

Alignment with Arts-Education Mission

Organisations that successfully attract support demonstrate clear integration of arts and education. As described in multiple sources, the foundation "focuses its philanthropic efforts on supporting the important marriage of arts and education, providing funding for youth-based performance initiatives, including the continuation of musical education in schools."

Examples of funded projects:

• Lobero Theatre Community Access Fund: Provides $100,000+ annually to subsidise local performing arts and youth performance organisations, directly supporting youth access to professional performance venues
• San Marcos High School Building Community Wellness Project: $1.5 million gift creates Health Careers Academy while transforming student wellness centre, combining education, health, and student wellbeing
• Santa Barbara Education Foundation teacher grants: Supports classroom innovation including theatre performance camps and creative teaching approaches

Deep Santa Barbara County Roots

All documented grants benefit Santa Barbara County organisations. The foundation demonstrates strong preference for local impact where trustees can witness results firsthand. Funded organisations include established Santa Barbara institutions (Granada Theatre, Lobero Theatre, UCSB) and school-based programmes (San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara Unified School District).

Transformative Impact on Youth

The foundation prioritises programmes creating lasting change for young people. Susan Torrey's statement about the San Marcos gift - "It is San Marcos paving the future for students" - reflects this focus on transformative outcomes. Mercedes Millington's perspective as a former elementary school educator influences the foundation's emphasis on programmes that "feed our souls" through arts education.

Multi-Dimensional Community Benefit

Successful projects often serve multiple constituencies. The San Marcos High School project, for example, addresses:

• Student mental health needs (wellness centre transformation)
• Career pathway development (Health Careers Academy)
• Educational facility modernisation (replacing portables with permanent structures)
• Community health awareness (dietitian/nutritionist Doris B. Mithun honoured through naming)

Naming and Recognition Opportunities

The foundation appears receptive to naming opportunities that honour family members. The Doris B. Mithun Health Careers Academy naming demonstrates willingness to create legacy through major capital gifts when projects align with family values and foundation mission.

Established Organisational Track Record

Funded organisations demonstrate strong governance, community standing, and operational excellence:

• Granada Theatre: Historic venue celebrating 100 years, recognised leader in Santa Barbara performing arts
• Lobero Theatre: Oldest continuously operating theatre in California
• UCSB: Major research university
• Royal Pride Foundation: Established 2013, invested over $4 million in San Marcos High School
• Channel Islands YMCA: Large regional organisation with proven childcare programme track record

Personal Connection and Trustee Engagement

The foundation's leadership demonstrates personal involvement in funded initiatives:

• Trustees Mercedes Millington and Susan M. Torrey were honoured at Granada Theatre gala, indicating active participation in arts community
• Foundation provides ongoing multi-year support to organisations, suggesting sustained trustee engagement
• Trustee quote from Dan Oh: "Giving is not about programmes; it's about restoring joy and possibility for generations to come" - reflects values-driven, relationship-based philanthropy

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Unsolicited Applications: This foundation does not accept proposals, applications, or letters of inquiry. Do not send unsolicited funding requests.

• Relationship-Building is Essential: Focus on building visibility and relationships within Santa Barbara County's arts and education networks, particularly through Granada Theatre and Lobero Theatre connections.

• Arts + Education = Strong Alignment: Programmes integrating performing arts with educational outcomes are the foundation's sweet spot. Youth-based performance initiatives and musical education programmes demonstrate strongest alignment.

• Santa Barbara County Only: All documented grants benefit Santa Barbara County organisations. Out-of-area organisations should not pursue this funder.

• Think Transformative, Not Incremental: The foundation favours projects creating lasting change (e.g., $1.5 million for facilities transformation) over small operational grants, though they do provide ongoing support to established programmes like the Lobero Community Access Fund.

• Multi-Year Relationships Valued: The foundation maintains long-term commitments to organisations (Lobero Theatre, Granada Theatre, UCSB scholarships, Santa Barbara Education Foundation), suggesting they prefer sustained impact over one-time gifts.

• Youth Development Central: All funding ultimately serves children and youth, whether through performing arts access, educational innovation, health career pathways, or childcare scholarships. Adult-focused programmes are not in scope.

• Trustees are Hands-On: With only three trustees making all decisions, personal relationships and alignment with trustee values (particularly Mercedes Millington's passion for arts education and Susan M. Torrey's commitment to student futures) are crucial.

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The John C Mithun Foundation (EIN 45-4228213). Form 990-PF filings 2021-2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/454228213 (Accessed January 2026)

2. The Santa Barbara Independent. "A Glamorous Granada Legends Gala." September 18, 2025. https://www.independent.com/2025/09/18/a-glamorous-granada-legends-gala/

3. Noozhawk. "San Marcos High Gets $1.5 Million for Community Wellness Project." May 9, 2024. https://www.noozhawk.com/san-marcos-high-gets-1-5-million-for-community-wellness-project/

4. The Santa Barbara Independent. "San Marcos High School's Building Community Wellness Project Receives $1.5 Million Dollar Lead Donation from John C. Mithun Foundation." May 9, 2024. https://www.independent.com/2024/05/09/san-marcos-high-schools-building-community-wellness-project-recieves-1-5-million-dollar-lead-donation-from-john-c-mithun-foundation/

5. Lobero Theatre. "Youth Programs." https://www.lobero.org/support/youth/ (Accessed January 2026)

6. Noozhawk. "Lobero Theatre Foundation Continues to Serve Santa Barbara's Performing Arts." https://www.noozhawk.com/lobero_theatre_foundation_continues_to_serve_santa_barbaras_performing_arts/ (Accessed January 2026)

7. Noozhawk. "Santa Barbara Family YMCA Receives $90,000 for Childcare Program." https://www.noozhawk.com/santa_barbara_family_ymca_receives_90000_for_childcare_program/ (Accessed January 2026)

8. Channel Islands YMCA. "In the News: The Santa Barbara Family YMCA receives $90,000 for Childcare." https://www.ciymca.org/news/news-santa-barbara-family-ymca-receives-90000-childcare (Accessed January 2026)

9. Girls Inc. of Santa Barbara. "Impact Stories & Positive Effect Testimonials." https://girlsincsb.org/impact_stories/the-heart-of-educational-programs/ (Accessed January 2026)

10. UCSB Psychological & Brain Sciences. "The PBS Department would like to congratulate Alessandra (Allie) Mittelstet for receiving this years Philip S. Rethis Memorial Award." 2019. https://psych.ucsb.edu/news-events/news/2019/pbs-department-would-congratulate-alessandra-allie-mittelstet-receiving-years

11. Grantmakers.io. "Profile - The John C Mithun Foundation." https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/454228213-the-john-c-mithun-foundation/ (Accessed January 2026)

12. Candid Foundation Directory. "The John C. Mithun Foundation." https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=JOHN782 (Accessed January 2026)

13. Santa Barbara Education Foundation. "Our Supporters." https://sbefoundation.org/our-supporters/ (Accessed January 2026)

14. Noozhawk. "Santa Barbara Education Foundation Awards a Record $200,000 in Grants." https://www.noozhawk.com/santa-barbara-education-foundation-awards-a-record-200000-in-grants/ (Accessed January 2026)