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Wurwand Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.8M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.9M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2.8 million
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Approximately 3 months (for Skill Set Training Grant program)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $950,000
  • Median Grant: $5,000
  • Total Assets: $63.5 million
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Los Angeles, CA; some support across the United States

Contact Details

Overview

The Wurwand Foundation is a private family foundation established in November 2018 by Jane and Raymond Wurwand, co-founders of the global skincare company Dermalogica. With assets totaling $63.5 million, the foundation awarded $2.8 million through 67 grants in 2024. The foundation's mission centers on empowering entrepreneurs and youth through skill-based training and education, with a particular focus on underserved communities in Los Angeles. The foundation's flagship initiative, FOUND/LA, has assisted nearly 17,000 local business owners and distributed over $1 million in pandemic relief grants. The foundation has gained recognition for its simplified, direct-giving approach that minimizes bureaucratic processes and centers on no-strings-attached support for entrepreneurs, particularly women, immigrants, and BIPOC business owners.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Skill Set Training Grant (Launched 2025)

  • Amount: Up to $75,000 for a one-year pilot
  • Focus: Nonprofit organizations providing direct skill-based training and education to young people in Los Angeles
  • Target Sectors: Healthcare, skin therapy, aesthetics, barbery, construction, welding, automotive repair, and other hands-on professions
  • Application Method: Two-stage process with invitation required to submit full application

General Grantmaking

  • Amount: $1,000 - $950,000 (median $5,000)
  • Focus: Organizations aligned with the foundation's mission of supporting entrepreneurship and community development
  • Application Method: Invitation only for most grants; does not accept unsolicited applications except through specific grant programs

FOUND/LA Initiative

  • Partnership-based support for nonprofit organizations serving local entrepreneurs
  • Focus on providing funding, mentorship, incubator programs, and educational resources
  • Target: Women, immigrant, and BIPOC business owners seeking working capital and business development support

Priority Areas

  • Skill-Based Training and Education: Programs that teach practical, career-oriented skills leading to financial independence
  • Entrepreneurship Support: Organizations helping underserved entrepreneurs build and grow businesses
  • Community Health: Healthcare access and wellness services for underserved communities
  • Economic Empowerment: Programs enabling individuals to achieve financial stability and self-reliance

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals or For-Profit Businesses: The foundation only grants to 501(c)(3) organizations and other tax-exempt entities
  • Organizations Outside Geographic Focus: Currently operating primarily in the Greater Los Angeles area
  • Programs Outside Funding Priorities: Projects that don't align with entrepreneurship, skill-building, or community health focus

Governance and Leadership

Raymond L. Wurwand - President Co-founder of Dermalogica and president of the foundation, overseeing strategic direction and grant-making decisions.

Jane D. Wurwand - Secretary Co-founder of Dermalogica and passionate advocate for entrepreneurship education. Jane has stated: "Entrepreneurship for others has become my life's work," reflecting her mother's advice to "learn how to do something. When you have a skillset, you can own your future." Jane serves as a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship and emphasizes decisiveness and purpose-driven work: "If you have 70 per cent of the information, you have enough to make a decision."

Marsha Olson - Director of Community Partnerships Previously worked at The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation focused on global health and development. Marsha oversees community engagement and partnership development for the foundation's programs. Compensation: $154,064.

The foundation operates with a lean, direct-giving philosophy. Jane Wurwand has articulated their approach: "Grant making is notorious for its bureaucratic processes, but now is not the time to burden potential beneficiaries with strict application requirements or reporting hurdles. The eligibility and documentation requirements to receive grants from our Small Business Recovery Fund are simple."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Skill Set Training Grant:

  1. Interest Form Submission: Submit interest form by the posted deadline (e.g., September 12 for 2025 cycle)
  2. Invitation to Apply: Organizations meeting eligibility criteria will be invited to submit full applications
  3. Full Application: Complete detailed application with instructions provided upon invitation
  4. Site Visits: Finalists participate in site visits and Zoom meetings
  5. Award Decision: Grant awards communicated in early December

For General Grants: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications for general grant programs. According to the foundation's policy, they "only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations and do not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Most grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on strategic alignment with foundation priorities and existing relationships.

Decision Timeline (Skill Set Training Grant)

  • Interest Form Due: September 12
  • Full Applications Due: October 24
  • Finalists Selected: Week of October 27
  • Site/Zoom Visits: Early November
  • Grant Awards Announced: Early December

Total Timeline: Approximately 3 months from initial interest form to award decision

Success Rates

The foundation awarded 67 grants in 2024 from total assets of $63.5 million. Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed. For the Skill Set Training Grant program, the foundation anticipates funding between 1-4 organizations, indicating a competitive selection process.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Organizations should contact hello@wurwandfoundation.org to inquire about future opportunities or reapplication guidelines.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Insights

Alignment with Core Mission: The foundation emphasizes supporting organizations that teach practical skills leading to economic self-sufficiency. Jane Wurwand's guiding principle is "learn how to do something"—programs should provide tangible skillsets that enable career stability and potential business ownership.

Direct Impact and Simplicity: The Wurwands advocate for streamlined processes and direct impact. Jane states their approach offers "simplified grant making that avoids bureaucratic processes, using simple eligibility and documentation requirements." Applications should clearly demonstrate direct service delivery without excessive administrative overhead.

Focus on Underserved Communities: Recent major grants demonstrate commitment to serving underserved populations:

  • Saban Community Clinic ($950,000, 2023) - Healthcare access for underserved communities
  • Acevedo Foundation ($100,000, 2023) - Latino community empowerment
  • Inclusive Action for the City ($100,000, 2023) - Social justice and equity initiatives

Entrepreneurial Approach: The foundation values organizations that embody entrepreneurial principles. Jane's advice to entrepreneurs applies to grant seekers: "Focus, focus, focus. There is no plan B." Applications should demonstrate clear focus, decisiveness, and commitment to mission.

Partnership Potential: For the Skill Set Training Grant, the foundation explicitly considers "potential for long-term partnership" in selection criteria, suggesting they seek sustainable relationships beyond single-year funding.

No-Strings-Attached Philosophy: The foundation believes in trusting grantees. They advocate for "grants — a no-strings-attached lifeline" and leave it to organizations to determine how to best use funds for recurring operational needs and program delivery.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic Focus is Critical: The foundation currently operates primarily in Greater Los Angeles. Organizations outside this area should verify eligibility before applying.

  • Demonstrate Direct Skill-Building: The strongest applications will show clear pathways from training to employment or business ownership, particularly in hands-on trades and practical professions.

  • Simplicity Matters: Keep applications straightforward and focused on impact. The foundation values streamlined processes and direct service delivery over complex administrative structures.

  • Serve Underserved Populations: Explicitly demonstrate how your organization reaches women, immigrants, BIPOC communities, and others overlooked by traditional systems.

  • Think Long-Term Partnership: For invited grant programs, convey potential for ongoing collaboration and sustained impact rather than one-time projects.

  • Know the Invitation-Only Process: Except for announced grant programs like the Skill Set Training Grant, the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Build relationships through their FOUND/LA initiative or community partnerships.

  • Contact Before Assuming Eligibility: If uncertain about fit, reach out to hello@wurwandfoundation.org. The foundation encourages pre-application communication to determine alignment.

References

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