Mary E Bazar-Robin Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $6,101,868 (2023)
Number of Grants: 17 (2023)
Founded: 2016
Geographic Focus: Primarily California, with some national grants
Foundation Type: Private family foundation

Contact Details

Address: C/O Rodnunsky, 5959 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91367

Phone: 818-737-1090

EIN: 81-2673882

Note: This foundation does not have a public website or email address.

Overview

The Mary E Bazar-Robin Foundation was established in 2016 by Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Bazar, the President and CEO of Sensor Systems Inc., an antenna company she founded with her first husband that became a major supplier for commercial and corporate aircraft. Betty led the company until her death in 2021 at age 98. The foundation continues her philanthropic legacy, supporting organizations in healthcare, aviation education, and community services. In 2023, the foundation distributed over $6.1 million in grants to 17 organizations. The foundation operates as a private family foundation with grants awarded through trustee discretion rather than a public application process.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Healthcare

Children's hospitals and pediatric care facilities
Cancer centers
Blood services and American Red Cross programs
Major medical institutions

Aviation Education

Aviation museums and educational facilities
University aviation programs and infrastructure
Scholarship programs for aviation students
Unmanned and autonomous systems research

Education

Scholarship programs at Mount Saint Mary's University (Los Angeles)
University of North Dakota scholarship program
Educational facilities and infrastructure

Community Services

Homeless services and family support programs
Preschool programs for vulnerable populations
Service dog organizations (MobilityDog)
Community-based nonprofit organizations

Notable Grant Recipients

Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA): The foundation has been a major benefactor since 2018, contributing nearly $6 million in total. In recognition of this partnership, the 5 East Wing of the Marion and John E. Anderson Pavilion at CHLA has been named the Betty Bazar East Wing.

American Red Cross: The foundation has generously supported the Red Cross, including funding for the Pomona Blood, Platelet and Plasma Donation Center, which was renamed The Betty Bazar Blood Center in 2024 to honor the foundation's founder.

University of North Dakota: The Robins were pivotal benefactors behind the design and construction of Robin Hall, a $22 million building that serves as home base to UND Aerospace's pioneering work in unmanned and autonomous systems.

Homeless Services: Funded a new preschool at a Woodland Hills homeless shelter, named in honor of Betty Bazar.

MobilityDog (Mobility Service Dog - West Coast Project): The foundation underwrote office space at the Western Justice Center for this service dog organization.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the foundation's funding history suggests a focused approach on healthcare, aviation education, and community services rather than broad general support.

Governance and Leadership

Paula Bazar-Sandling, Chairman of the Board: Paula is Betty Bazar's daughter and was formerly a nurse at Children's Hospital Los Angeles from 1981 to 1987 before joining the family company, Sensor Systems Inc. She established the foundation in honor of her mother.

Susan Baker, President and CEO: Susan is Betty's grandniece and assumed the role of CEO after Betty's passing in 2021. She continues to lead the foundation's philanthropic mission.

Seymour "Si" Robin: Si Robin is associated with the related Si Robin Foundation (also based in Woodland Hills, founded 2016, EIN 81-2673844). The Robins own and oversee Sensor Systems, Inc. and received an honorary doctorate degree alongside Betty from the University of North Dakota in 2018.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Mary E Bazar-Robin Foundation does not have a public application process. This is a private family foundation that makes grants through trustee discretion. Grants are typically awarded to organizations with which the foundation has established relationships or where family members have personal connections.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation has demonstrable connections to organizations in these areas:

Healthcare Sector Connections: Paula Bazar-Sandling's background as a former nurse at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (1981-1987) suggests personal connections to healthcare institutions, particularly pediatric care. Organizations with whom board members have professional relationships appear to receive consideration.

Aviation Industry Network: Through Sensor Systems Inc., the foundation has deep connections to the aviation industry and aviation education institutions. The foundation's support of University of North Dakota's aerospace program, which received recognition through the naming of Robin Hall, demonstrates their commitment to institutions advancing aviation technology and education.

Geographic Focus: The foundation shows strong support for organizations in the Los Angeles area and Southern California, where the foundation and Sensor Systems Inc. are based, though they also support institutions in other states where they have established connections (such as North Dakota).

Application Success Factors

Since this is a private foundation without a public application process, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, their funding patterns reveal clear preferences:

Long-term Partnership Approach: The foundation's relationship with Children's Hospital Los Angeles, which began in 2018 and has grown to nearly $6 million in total giving, demonstrates a preference for sustained, substantial support rather than one-time grants.

Naming Recognition: Multiple facilities have been named in honor of Betty Bazar, including the Betty Bazar East Wing at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and The Betty Bazar Blood Center (American Red Cross Pomona facility). This suggests the foundation values recognition of their founder's legacy.

Aviation and Aerospace Focus: Betty Bazar's professional legacy in the aviation industry through Sensor Systems Inc. is clearly reflected in the foundation's support of aviation education and aerospace programs. The $22 million Robin Hall at University of North Dakota represents the foundation's most significant infrastructure investment.

Healthcare and Children's Services: With Paula Bazar-Sandling's nursing background and the substantial support for Children's Hospital Los Angeles, pediatric healthcare appears to be a core priority. The foundation also supports vulnerable populations, as evidenced by the preschool at a Woodland Hills homeless shelter.

Community Connection: Organizations in Woodland Hills and the greater Los Angeles area receive support, particularly those addressing local needs such as homeless services and community programs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No Public Application Process: This foundation awards grants through trustee discretion and established relationships, not through an open application process. Unsolicited proposals are unlikely to be successful.
Relationship-Driven Philanthropy: Organizations with connections to board members or the family's professional networks (healthcare, aviation) appear most likely to receive funding.
Substantial, Long-term Commitments: The foundation makes significant grants to a small number of organizations (17 grants totaling $6.1 million in 2023) rather than many small grants, suggesting they prefer deep partnerships over broad distribution.
Geographic and Sector Focus: Priority appears to go to healthcare (especially pediatric), aviation education, and community services in Southern California, though they support select national institutions.
Legacy and Recognition: The foundation values honoring Betty Bazar's legacy, as evidenced by multiple named facilities and programs.
Sibling Foundation: Be aware of the separate but related Si Robin Foundation (EIN 81-2673844), also based in Woodland Hills and founded in 2016, which may have complementary funding priorities.
Family Business Connection: Sensor Systems Inc., the aviation antenna manufacturing company, remains central to the family's identity and likely influences funding priorities toward aviation and aerospace education.

References

Information accessed: December 2025