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Foster Family Charitable Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.0M
Grant Range
$11K - $0.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,961,637 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not disclosed
  • Grant Range: $11,000 (median) - $510,000 (maximum observed)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Stockton, CA and California, with some national grants

Contact Details

Address: Stockton, CA
EIN: 47-1476998
Website: None
Email: Not publicly available
Phone: Not publicly available

Important Note: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Foster Family Charitable Foundation was established in 2015 as a private family foundation based in Stockton, California. With assets totaling approximately $31.5 million, the foundation distributed $1,961,637 across 26 grants in 2023. Led by Dr. Robert Scott Foster, MD, a longtime Stockton ophthalmologist, and his family members, the foundation operates as a private grantmaking entity focused on supporting education, human services, and community development primarily in the Stockton area. The foundation generates revenue primarily through asset sales (66.4%), dividends (17.3%), and interest income (17.1%). Charitable disbursements represent 82.5% of the foundation's total expenses, demonstrating a strong commitment to grantmaking relative to operational costs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis with no formal grant programs or application cycles. All grants are made to preselected charitable organizations.

Grant Size:

  • Median Grant: $11,000
  • Observed Range: Up to $510,000
  • Average Grant: Approximately $75,000

Priority Areas

Based on recent grantmaking patterns, the foundation supports:

  • Education: Major grants to University of the Pacific and educational institutions
  • Community Development: Support for organizations like Reinvent Stockton Foundation
  • Human Services: Funding for organizations serving vulnerable populations including PREVAIL
  • International Development: Support for Village HopeCore International
  • Housing: Major grant to Habitat for Humanity
  • Food Security: Grants to organizations like World Food Program USA

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not:

  • Accept unsolicited grant applications
  • Have open application processes
  • Fund organizations outside their preselected network
  • Publish specific exclusion criteria

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors/Officers:

  • R. Scott Foster, MD - President & Treasurer (Compensation: $97,500)
  • Ryan Foster - Secretary & Director
  • Cynthia Foster - Director
  • Nicole Foster - Director

Dr. Robert Scott Foster is a board-certified ophthalmologist who has practiced in Stockton for over 50 years. His practice is located at 36 West Yokuts Ave, Stockton, and he is affiliated with Dameron Hospital and St. Joseph's Medical Center-Stockton. The foundation represents the family's philanthropic commitment to the Stockton community and beyond.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This 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."

All grants are made at the discretion of the board to organizations with which the family has established relationships or connections.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. Organizations that have received funding from the Foster Family Charitable Foundation appear to share these characteristics:

Connection to Stockton: The majority of grants support Stockton-based organizations or institutions with strong ties to the Stockton community, reflecting the family's deep roots in the area through Dr. Foster's 50+ year medical practice.

Established Organizations: Grant recipients are established nonprofits with clear missions and track records, including major institutions like University of the Pacific and Habitat for Humanity.

Diverse Causes: The foundation supports a broad range of charitable activities without narrow thematic restrictions, categorizing all grants simply as "CHARITABLE" in their filings.

Significant Investment: Recent top grants include:

  • Habitat for Humanity (Americus, GA): $510,000
  • Village HopeCore International (Stockton, CA): $240,000
  • University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA): $221,008
  • Reinvent Stockton Foundation (Stockton, CA): $187,629
  • PREVAIL (Stockton, CA): $150,000

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and makes grants only to preselected organizations.
  • Local Focus with National Reach: While primarily focused on Stockton and California, the foundation has made significant national grants (e.g., Habitat for Humanity in Georgia).
  • Wide Grant Range: Grants vary significantly from the $11,000 median to exceptional grants exceeding $500,000, suggesting flexibility based on organizational need and relationship.
  • Family Foundation Model: As a private family foundation led by Dr. Foster and family members, grantmaking decisions reflect personal philanthropic interests and community connections.
  • Relationship-Based Giving: Organizations in the foundation's network appear to benefit from ongoing relationships and multiple years of support.
  • Stockton Community Commitment: The foundation demonstrates strong commitment to Stockton-area organizations, reflecting Dr. Foster's five-decade presence as a physician in the community.
  • Not a Target for Cold Outreach: Grant seekers should not attempt to apply to this foundation through traditional grant applications.

References

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