The Doyle Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,900,000 - $3,145,717
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 4-5 months (July 1 deadline, mid-November notification)
• Grant Range: $99 - $500,000 (Median: $2,000)
• Total Assets: $57.9 million
• Geographic Focus: National (emphasis on California and Nevada)
• Number of Annual Grants: 270-294

Contact Details

Website: https://doylefound.org

Address: San Clemente, CA

Grant Application Portal: https://doylefound.org/grants/grant-application/

Overview

The Doyle Foundation, Inc. was founded in 1997 by Gertrude R. Doyle following the passing of her husband Frank M. Doyle in 1996. Frank Doyle, the seventh son of immigrant parents, attended Fordham and Rutgers Universities and combined education with a dedication to opening doors when opportunity knocked. Initially established to provide scholarships in the Huntington Beach, California area, the foundation expanded over time to include grants to nonprofit organizations nationwide. After Gertrude's passing in late 2008, the foundation was renamed to honor both founders. With total assets of $57.9 million, the foundation now distributes approximately $3 million annually through 270-294 grants, fulfilling the Doyles' dream of creating "a better world for all." The foundation's mission is to promote communities of productivity and prosperity with access to education and advancement.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Doyle Foundation operates one annual grant cycle with no defined focus areas. Grants range from $99 to $500,000, with a median grant of $2,000. Applications are accepted through an online portal on a fixed annual deadline (July 1), with decisions announced in mid-November.

Grant Philosophy: "Our goal is to be a part of the solution, not the entire solution" - the foundation aims to provide partial funding rather than fully funding projects.

Priority Areas

The foundation awards grants "for the betterment of life" and does not specify defined focus areas. Based on recent grant recipients, the foundation has funded organizations across diverse sectors including:

• Education and Youth Services: Community colleges, educational programs, youth development
• Veterans Support: Veteran service organizations, rehabilitation programs (e.g., Warrior Foundation Freedom Station - $500K, Workshops for Warriors)
• Healthcare: Children's hospitals, medical research, health services (e.g., Regents of the University of CA Irvine - $250K)
• Animal Welfare: Animal shelters and rescue organizations (e.g., Best Friends Animal Society, Coastal Animal Services Authority)
• Community Development: Human services, poverty alleviation, community support (e.g., KidWorks Community Development Corp - $200K)
• Disability Services: Organizations supporting individuals with disabilities (e.g., Misericordia Foundation - $150K)
• International Aid: Humanitarian organizations (e.g., Doctors Without Borders)

The foundation awards grants to 501(c)(3) organizations incorporated in the United States of America.

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations not incorporated as 501(c)(3) in the United States
• Multiple projects from the same organization in a single year (organizations may only apply for one project at a time)
• Full project funding (they aim to be "part of the solution, not the entire solution")

Governance and Leadership

The foundation maintains a private governance structure. Detailed information about current trustees and board members is not publicly disclosed on the foundation's website.

Founding Legacy: The foundation reflects the values of Frank M. Doyle, described as having "a firm handshake, a clear steady gaze, a welcoming smile, a persuasive energy and a dynamic achiever," and Gertrude R. Doyle, who together believed in creating opportunities through education and community support.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Doyle Foundation accepts grant applications through an online portal at https://doylefound.org/grants/grant-application/

Application Window: January 1 through July 1 annually

Key Requirements:

1. Complete online application in the required format
2. Project overview
3. Executive profile including:
   • Contact information
   • Organization's mission statement
   • Program description
   • Project timeline
   • Demographics
   • Detailed budget
4. Board approval minutes
5. Organizational qualifications
6. Required supporting documents:
   • IRS Determination Letter
   • Articles of Incorporation
   • Bylaws
   • Most recent annual report
   • IRS Form 990

Critical Rules:

• Only complete proposals submitted in the required online format will be considered
• Incomplete proposals will be automatically rejected
• Organizations may submit only ONE project proposal per year
• Grant funds can only be used for the specifically agreed upon purpose

Decision Timeline

• Application Deadline: July 1
• Review Period: July - November
• Notification: Mid-November
• Total Timeline: Approximately 4-5 months from deadline to notification

All applications are reviewed after the July 1 deadline. There is no advantage to submitting early.

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose the total number of applications received or overall success rates. Based on available data:

• 294 grants awarded in 2024
• 270 grants awarded in 2023
• 313 grants awarded in 2022
• 489 grants awarded in 2021
• 607 grants awarded in 2020

The significant variation in annual grant numbers suggests the foundation is flexible in its grantmaking based on the quality of applications and available funds.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publicly state restrictions on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations that meet eligibility criteria may apply annually, regardless of previous outcomes. Organizations may only submit one project proposal per application cycle.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's publicly stated guidance and recent grantmaking patterns:

Application Completeness is Critical: The foundation explicitly states that incomplete proposals will not be considered. Ensure all required documents are submitted in the exact format requested through the online portal.

Partial Funding Mindset: Applications should demonstrate how the requested grant fits into a broader funding strategy. The foundation states: "Our goal is to be a part of the solution, not the entire solution." Show how your project is diversely funded or explain your plan to secure additional support.

Focus on Impact: The foundation's mission emphasizes "communities of productivity and prosperity with access to education and advancement." Applications should clearly articulate how the project promotes these values and creates lasting positive change.

Detailed Budget Required: The foundation requires a detailed budget as part of the executive profile. Be specific about how grant funds will be used and ensure alignment with the project description.

Board Approval Matters: Board approval minutes are required, indicating the foundation wants to see organizational commitment to proposed projects at the governance level.

Diverse Geographic and Programmatic Reach: While the foundation has California and Nevada roots, they fund nationally across diverse sectors. Don't self-select out based on location or program area if your organization has a strong mission alignment.

Grant Size Varies Widely: With grants ranging from $99 to $500,000 (median $2,000), tailor your request to match your project's specific needs rather than assuming a particular grant size. Recent large grants ($150K-$500K) went to established organizations with significant projects.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Submit complete applications only - incomplete proposals are automatically rejected; use the required online format exactly as specified
• Apply for partial funding - the foundation explicitly states they want to be "part of the solution, not the entire solution"; demonstrate how the grant fits into broader funding strategies
• Focus on community impact - emphasize how your project promotes "communities of productivity and prosperity with access to education and advancement"
• One shot per year - organizations can only submit one project proposal annually, so choose your strongest project
• Plan for a 4-5 month timeline - applications submitted by July 1 receive decisions in mid-November; plan your project timeline accordingly
• Don't self-select out - the foundation has no defined focus areas and funds diverse causes nationally; if your mission aligns with bettering life, apply
• Include all required documents - IRS determination letter, articles of incorporation, bylaws, annual report, Form 990, and board approval minutes are mandatory

References

1. The Doyle Foundation, Inc. Official Website - Grants Page. https://doylefound.org/grants/ (Accessed January 2026)
2. The Doyle Foundation, Inc. Official Website - About Us. https://doylefound.org/about-us/ (Accessed January 2026)
3. The Doyle Foundation, Inc. Official Website - Grant Fact Sheet. https://doylefound.org/grants/grant-fact-sheet/ (Accessed January 2026)
4. The Doyle Foundation, Inc. Official Website - Grant Application. https://doylefound.org/grants/grant-application/ (Accessed January 2026)
5. The Doyle Foundation, Inc. Official Website - Grant Recipients. https://doylefound.org/grants/grant-recipients/ (Accessed January 2026)
6. The Doyle Foundation, Inc. Official Website - Mission Statement. https://doylefound.org/mission-statement/ (Accessed January 2026)
7. Cause IQ - The Doyle Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/frank-m-and-gertrude-r-doyle-foundation,880372802/ (Accessed January 2026)
8. Instrumentl - The Doyle Foundation Inc 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/the-doyle-foundation-inc (Accessed January 2026)
9. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Doyle Foundation Inc. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/880372802 (Accessed January 2026)
10. Grantmakers.io - The Doyle Foundation Inc Profile. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/880372802-the-doyle-foundation-inc/ (Accessed January 2026)