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Reissa Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,047,350 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $525,000
  • Grant Median: $13,000
  • Geographic Focus: California (Los Angeles County) and Texas (Austin area), plus national urgent needs
  • Total Assets: $71 million (2023)

Contact Details

Address: 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377

Website: https://reissa.org

Phone: 800-839-1754

Twitter: @ReissaFound

Overview

The Reissa Foundation was established in 2016 when the RGK Foundation, founded in 1966 by philanthropists Ronya and George Kozmetsky, split into two family foundations managed by different branches of the Kozmetsky family. Named after a discovered nickname for Ronya Kozmetsky, the foundation represents the Scott family branch and is committed to addressing social problems and improving the lives of vulnerable populations in California and Texas. With assets of $71 million and annual giving of approximately $3 million, Reissa takes a thoughtful, collaborative, and impact-oriented approach to grantmaking. The foundation made 94 grants in 2023, continuing the Kozmetsky family's philanthropic legacy that has awarded over 3,500 grants totaling $133 million. Their approach centers on listening to communities, encouraging innovation, and providing trust-based, catalytic funding with reduced administrative burdens.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Los Angeles County Community Well-Being Support for underprivileged children and families in LA County with focus on improving access to health, education, housing, and other resources. Recent grants: $2,500 - $25,000

LA County Dual System Youth Funding for programs supporting youth involved in both child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Current grants through this program: $30,000 - $75,000

Reissa Texas (Affordable Housing & Foster Care) Focus on the intersection of affordable housing and child welfare system prevention in Texas, particularly the Austin area. Current grants: $25,000 - $200,000

Three pillars:

  • Advocacy for affordable housing policies
  • Development and financing of housing projects
  • Supportive services for families and youth

Urgent Community Needs Responsive, opportunistic grantmaking addressing emerging needs across Texas, Southern California, and nationally. Recent grants: $50,000 - $150,000

Priority Areas

  • Child welfare and foster care: Youth aging out of foster care, dual system youth (involved in both child welfare and juvenile justice)
  • Affordable housing: Preventing child welfare involvement through housing stability
  • Juvenile justice: Supporting crossover youth, reducing incarceration
  • Gun violence prevention: Support for gun safety advocacy organizations
  • Vulnerable populations: Women and children, disaster victims, migrants, at-risk populations
  • Criminal justice reform: Supporting reentry and transformative justice initiatives

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. Their focus is specifically on California and Texas (with some national urgent needs), so organizations outside these areas are unlikely to receive funding unless addressing urgent national priorities.

Governance and Leadership

Board Members

  • Laila Scott - Chair and Board Member
  • Suzanne Scott - Board Member and President
  • Jordan Scott - Board Member (President of 512 Asset Management and founder of Industry ATX, an affordable housing development firm; passionate about housing for at-risk families)
  • Caitlin Scott - Board Member
  • Bethany Scott - Board Member
  • Nadya Scott - Board Member (Retired)

External Leadership

Scott Koch - External Executive Director (Director of Philanthropy at Monograph philanthropy)

  • Involved with foundation since its establishment in 2016
  • Previously cofounded Waterline Partners LLC, acquired by Northern Trust Bank
  • Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA®)
  • Texas A&M graduate

Foundation Quote: "Our grandparents were both children of immigrants, and they knew living in America gave them tremendous opportunity. They felt a duty to give back to their communities, which we share."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Reissa Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states on their website: "We do not accept proposals or applications" and "do not accept unsolicited grant proposals."

All grants are made to preselected charitable organizations identified through the foundation's board discretion, strategic partnerships, and collaborative networks. Organizations are selected based on the foundation's assessment of community needs and strategic priorities rather than through a competitive application process.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Grants appear to be awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year as the board identifies strategic opportunities.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only grantmaking model.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only grantmaking model.

Application Success Factors

Since the Reissa Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional "application success factors" do not apply. However, organizations that have successfully received funding share these characteristics:

Alignment with Core Values:

  • Scott Koch emphasizes that relationships with grantees are "respectful, trust based and designed to empower the organizations while reducing the grant based administrative burdens"
  • The foundation values organizations that are innovative and willing to pilot new programs
  • Strong emphasis on listening to impacted communities and centering their voices

Geographic and Programmatic Fit:

  • Organizations working in Los Angeles County or Austin, Texas
  • Programs addressing child welfare, foster care, juvenile justice, affordable housing, or urgent community needs
  • Work with vulnerable populations including dual system youth, families at risk of child welfare involvement, and at-risk young adults

Collaborative Approach:

  • The foundation states they work "highly collaboratively with nonprofits, government agencies, professionals, families, and other funders"
  • Connection to Southern California Grantmakers or other collaborative networks may increase visibility
  • Organizations that demonstrate partnership with other stakeholders

Evidence of Impact:

  • Foundation focuses on "areas with greatest potential for impact"
  • Takes a "thoughtful, impact-oriented, but not over-complicated approach to grantmaking"
  • Interest in funding research, building data capacity, and supporting evaluation

Recent Grant Examples:

  • Children's Law Center of California: $50,000 for APPLA Youth & Youth Voice
  • Evident Change: $30,000 for Dual System Youth Research
  • Children Now: $75,000 for Family Urgent Response System
  • Youth and Family Alliance: $200,000 for Texas programs
  • Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund: $150,000 for national advocacy

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This funder operates on an invitation-only basis and explicitly does not accept unsolicited proposals
  • Relationship-driven: Funding decisions are made through board discretion based on strategic priorities and community relationships
  • Focus on catalytic funding: The foundation provides "early stage, catalytic funding" and encourages innovative pilot programs
  • Trust-based approach: Scott Koch ensures relationships are "respectful, trust based and designed to empower organizations while reducing grant-based administrative burdens"
  • Geographic specificity: Strong focus on Los Angeles County and Austin, Texas, with limited national funding for urgent needs
  • Collaborative networks matter: Active member of Southern California Grantmakers; organizations connected to funder collaboratives may have greater visibility
  • Family foundation legacy: Continues 60+ year Kozmetsky family philanthropy tradition with focus on vulnerable populations
  • Strategic partnerships: Works through collaboratives and strategic partnerships rather than individual organizational outreach

References

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