Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- Only organisations based in California can apply, since the foundation's published application accepts submissions only from California-based organisations, so an organisation elsewhere should look to another funder.
- If your work fits its named fields of education, medical research, cultural arts, or assisting the impoverished and disabled, and you can show a clear need and a tangible plan, the foundation is worth approaching.
- Its typical grants fall between $2,500 and $25,000 with a median of $5,000, so a modest request in that range fits, although its largest grant has been $64,000.
- Send applications by 30 December, 30 March, 30 June or 30 September for its January, April, July or October meetings, by post to the address on the form or by email.
- Repeat funding is a large part of its giving, with 71% of its grant dollars going to organisations it had already funded, so a new applicant should expect strong competition.
Overview
Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Foundation is a US private foundation based in Palm Springs, CA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website and other web pages about the foundation (dcnnews.com), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation’s mission says it provides funds to organisations and individuals to help improve the lives of the needy and less fortunate in its community. Its special emphasis is on education, medical research, cultural arts, and assisting the impoverished and disabled. Its published application is for organisations: the form asks for an initial grant request, and submissions are accepted only from organisations based in California. Applicants may submit by post or email, with recurring cut-offs linked to meetings in January, April, July and October. The foundation therefore combines a broad charitable purpose with particular emphasis on the named fields and a California-only route for organisational applications.
Themes
- Education
- Medical research
- Cultural arts
- Impoverished and disabled
Geographic Focus
California.
How to apply
Organisations send the grant application by post to the address at the top of the form or by email to the foundation.
Deadlines: Applications are due by 30 December, 30 March, 30 June and 30 September for the January, April, July and October meetings, respectively.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 71% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 261 grants to organisations were $5,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The foundation prioritises organisations and initiatives that align closely with its mission. (as reported in other published sources)
- Organisations should demonstrate both a clear need and a tangible plan for making a difference. (as reported in other published sources)
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 1%
- The largest single recipient received 7% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 71% of grant dollars went to organisations Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 2% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 89 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $5,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Eisenhower Health · To support healthcare needs in the region$64,0002024 tax year
- DAP Health · To advocate for healthcare for all, especially those affected by hiv and aids$45,0002024 tax year
- Do the Right Thing Greater Palm Springs · To support community services$45,0002024 tax year
- Joslyn Center · To enhance the well-being of all adults 50+ through innovative programs and services$35,1002024 tax year
- Living Desert Zoo and Gardens · To support community services$35,0002024 tax year
- Cathedral City Senior Center · To provide social services to seniors$35,0002024 tax year
- Palm Springs Cultural Center · To promote arts and cultural programs$35,0002024 tax year
- Desert Symphony · To bring professional orchestral concerts to the desert cities$30,1002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Alma Banuelos — Director & Secretary
- Ken Randman — Director
- Dirk Etchison — Director
- Steven Tobin — President & Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $1,241,144 | $725,900 | $18,068,833 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $1,482,302 | $872,200 | $20,018,865 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $1,560,557 | $955,500 | $19,593,879 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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Applying to Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required