Simonian Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $715,700 (2022)
• Success Rate: N/A (Invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (preselected organizations only)
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: Multi-state (California, New York, Wisconsin)

Contact Details

Location: Beverly Hills, CA Note: No public contact information available as foundation does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

The Simonian Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Beverly Hills, California, with approximately $10 million in assets. Established as a family foundation (EIN: 88-2707665), it distributes grants to preselected charitable organizations across multiple states. In 2022, the foundation awarded $715,700 in grants to three organizations. The foundation operates with an all-volunteer leadership structure, with family members serving as officers without compensation. While maintaining active grantmaking operations with over $13 million in annual expenses, the foundation maintains a closed-door policy and does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with public applications. All grants are awarded to preselected organizations at the discretion of the foundation's leadership.

Priority Areas

• School Programs and Educational Initiatives
• Medical Research
• General Operating Support for Charitable Organizations

What They Don't Fund

As a closed foundation, they do not fund unsolicited requests from any organizations not already in their portfolio.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation operates with an all-volunteer leadership team serving without compensation:

• Jean Simonian - Chief Executive Officer
• Gregory Simonian - Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer
• Mikael Cohen - Secretary

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Simonian Family Foundation explicitly states they do not accept unsolicited grant applications. All grants are made to preselected charitable organizations chosen by the foundation's leadership.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - decisions are made internally for preselected organizations only.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept public applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation works only with preselected organizations.

Application Success Factors

As this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. Organizations currently receiving support appear to have established relationships with the foundation's leadership. The foundation shows consistent support for education and medical research initiatives, particularly those serving communities in California, New York, and Wisconsin.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Simonian Family Foundation is a legitimate grantmaking foundation but operates as a closed foundation
• Do not submit unsolicited grant applications as they will not be considered
• The foundation has demonstrated consistent support for education and medical research
• All current grantees appear to be preselected based on existing relationships
• With approximately $10 million in assets and $715,700 in annual giving, the foundation maintains active operations
• Geographic focus includes California, New York, and Wisconsin

References

• Cause IQ nonprofit database profile for Simonian Family Foundation (EIN: 88-2707665)
• Instrumentl foundation directory listing
• Grantable foundation profile data
• IRS NTEE classification records (Code T20 - Private Grantmaking Foundation)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer reference to Form 990 filings