← Back to US Funders Directory

RDL Charitable Trust

Annual Giving
$1.2M

RDL Charitable Trust - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,155,128 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Varies by project
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Orange County, California
  • Application Process: No public application process

Contact Details

Address: 28202 Cabot Rd Ste 300, Laguna Niguel, CA
Website: https://therdlfoundation.org/
EIN: 81-6572207
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) Private Independent Foundation

Overview

The RDL Charitable Trust was granted tax-exempt status in August 2016 and operates as a private independent foundation based in Orange County, California. As of 2024, the trust holds total assets of approximately $23.9 million and distributed $1,155,128 in charitable grants (representing 71% of total expenses). The foundation has shown steady growth in its grantmaking activities, increasing from 6 awards in 2020 to 19 awards in 2023. The trust is managed by trustees David Lowenthal and Ania M. Lowenthal. Known grantees include Goodwill Industries of Orange County (specifically supporting the Tierney Center for Veteran Services), the Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), and various family support programs and donor-advised fund initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The RDL Charitable Trust does not operate formal grant programs with defined application cycles. Based on available information, the foundation supports:

  • Veteran Services: Support for the Tierney Center for Veteran Services through Goodwill of Orange County
  • Family Support Programs: Various initiatives supporting families in need
  • Healthcare: Including sponsorship of CHOC Children's events ($20,250 for 2020 gala sponsorship)
  • Community Programs: Including adopt-a-class paddle programs and donor-advised fund initiatives

Grant amounts vary by project and are determined at the discretion of the trustees.

Priority Areas

Based on documented grants, the foundation appears to prioritize:

  • Veterans and military family support services
  • Healthcare organizations serving children
  • Family welfare and support programs
  • Community development initiatives in Orange County, California
  • Educational programs

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a private foundation without a public application process, funding decisions appear to be made based on trustee discretion and existing relationships.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • David Lowenthal - Trustee (Compensation: $460,492 in 2024)
  • Ania M. Lowenthal - Trustee (Compensation: $379,000 in 2023)

Ania Lowenthal operates the Law Offices of Ania Lowenthal in Ladera Ranch, California, specializing in estate planning, wills, and trusts.

The foundation operates with minimal administrative overhead beyond trustee compensation, with charitable disbursements representing 71% of total expenses in 2024.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The RDL Charitable Trust operates as a private foundation where grants are awarded based on trustee discretion. The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications through a formal process.

Grants appear to be awarded to organizations with which the trustees have existing relationships or awareness, or through trustee-initiated research into community needs.

The foundation maintains a basic website (https://therdlfoundation.org/) with a contact form for inquiries and updates, but this is not an application portal.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's documented grantmaking pattern, the trustees appear to identify beneficiaries through:

  • Existing community connections in Orange County: The foundation's grants concentrate on Orange County-based organizations, suggesting the trustees maintain awareness of local nonprofits through community involvement
  • Focus on veteran services: The documented support for the Tierney Center for Veteran Services at Goodwill of Orange County indicates a specific interest in military and veteran causes
  • Healthcare and family support sectors: Grants to CHOC and family support programs suggest trustees track organizations working in these areas

Organizations working in the foundation's areas of interest in Orange County may consider sending introductory information to the foundation via their website contact form, though there is no guarantee this will result in funding consideration.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly available. As a private foundation operating without formal application cycles, funding decisions are made at the discretion of the trustees throughout the year.

Success Rates

Success rates are not available. The foundation made 19 awards in 2023, 11 in 2022, 8 in 2021, and 6 in 2020, showing growth in grantmaking activity.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept formal applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the RDL Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, based on the foundation's documented grantmaking patterns:

  • Geographic alignment is critical: All documented grants support Orange County, California organizations
  • Focus on veteran services: The foundation has demonstrated sustained support for veterans and military families through its grants to the Tierney Center for Veteran Services
  • Healthcare for children: Documented support for CHOC suggests interest in pediatric healthcare
  • Family support programs: Multiple references to family support initiatives indicate this as a priority area
  • Established organizations: Documented grantees like Goodwill Industries and CHOC are well-established nonprofits with proven track records

Organizations most likely to receive funding appear to be those serving these specific populations in Orange County with demonstrated impact and professional operations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists - This foundation awards grants based on trustee discretion, not competitive application cycles
  • Orange County focus - All documented grants support California-based organizations, specifically in Orange County
  • Veterans and families are priorities - Documented support for Tierney Center for Veteran Services and family support programs indicates strong alignment with military/veteran causes
  • Growing but selective grantmaking - The foundation increased from 6 grants (2020) to 19 grants (2023), but distributed just over $1.1 million to 19 recipients in 2024
  • Relationship-based funding - As a private foundation, grants likely flow to organizations known to the trustees through community involvement
  • Healthcare and children's causes - Documented support for CHOC indicates interest in pediatric health
  • Limited transparency - The foundation provides minimal public information about its funding priorities or processes beyond IRS filings

References

← Back to US Funders Directory