Ann Peppers Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2.19 million (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Contact foundation for timeline
• Grant Range: $4,000 - $176,000
• Geographic Focus: Los Angeles County, California

Contact Details

Administrative Contact: Whittier Trust Company - Philanthropic Services 177 E. Colorado Boulevard, Suite 500 and 800 Pasadena, CA 91105 Phone: 626-441-5111 Website: www.whittiertrust.com

Foundation Address: 177 E Colorado Blvd, Suite 800 Pasadena, CA 91105-1982

Overview

The Ann Peppers Foundation is a well-established private foundation founded in 1959 with total assets of $50.8 million and annual charitable disbursements of approximately $2.19 million as of 2024. The foundation honors the legacy of Ann Peppers by supporting causes she cared deeply about within Los Angeles County. Operating for over 60 years, the foundation consistently makes 56-60 grants annually to diverse nonprofit organizations across education, health and social services, arts, and cultural preservation. The foundation's grant-making represents 96.1% of its total expenses, demonstrating a strong commitment to charitable distribution. Grant administration is professionally managed through Whittier Trust Company's Philanthropic Services division.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a general grant program with the following characteristics:

• Annual grant distribution: Approximately $2 million across 60 grants
• Individual grant range: $4,000 - $176,000
• Median grant size: $30,000
• Application method: Contact Whittier Trust for submission guidelines

Priority Areas

Higher Education

• Scholarships to private colleges and universities (by invitation only)
• Student success and support programs
• Academic enrichment initiatives

Youth and K-12 Education

• Youth development programs
• K-12 educational initiatives
• College preparation and access programs

Health and Social Services

• Nonprofit health service providers
• Social service programs addressing community needs

Arts & Historic Preservation

• Arts education programs
• Cultural organizations
• Theater and performing arts
• Historic preservation projects

What They Don't Fund

• Higher education scholarship programs are by invitation only - institutions cannot apply directly
• Organizations outside Los Angeles County (with limited exceptions)

Governance and Leadership

Key Officers:

• Philip A. Swan - President and Director (compensation: $18,000)

  • Vice President at UBS Wealth Management, Los Angeles
  • Board member of Colorado College
  • Associated with LA Master Chorale

• Jennifer F. Devoll - Vice President and Director (compensation: $18,000)

Additional Leadership:

• LaWayne Williams
• Pegine Grayson
• Mary J. Machado Schammel

The foundation's grant-making activities are administered by Whittier Trust Company's Philanthropic Services division, providing professional grant management and due diligence.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts grant applications through its administrative partner. Organizations seeking funding must:

1. Contact Whittier Trust Company's Philanthropic Services division at 626-441-5111
2. Request submission guidelines and application format
3. Submit applications according to the provided guidelines

Note: Higher education institutions interested in scholarship support operate on an invitation-only basis and cannot apply directly.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. Applicants should contact Whittier Trust for information about review schedules and notification procedures.

Success Rates

While specific success rates are not published, the foundation consistently awards approximately 60 grants annually from its applicant pool.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies is not publicly available. Organizations should inquire directly with Whittier Trust about policies for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of recent grant recipients and funding patterns:

Strong Geographic Alignment

• Organizations based in or serving Los Angeles County, particularly Pasadena and surrounding communities, align best with the foundation's priorities

Demonstrated Impact in Priority Areas

• The foundation consistently funds organizations with proven track records in education, arts, health, or social services
• Programs serving youth and educational advancement receive particular attention

Appropriate Grant Size

• Requests in the $10,000-$50,000 range align with the foundation's typical giving patterns
• The median grant of $30,000 suggests this as an optimal request amount

Established Organizations

• Recipients include well-established nonprofits like Pasadena City College, California Lutheran University, and A Noise Within theater company
• Organizations with clear governance and financial stability appear favored

Direct Service Programs

• The foundation prioritizes organizations providing direct services rather than advocacy or research
• Educational programs with measurable student outcomes are particularly successful

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Contact Whittier Trust first - The foundation requires initial contact through its administrative partner for all application guidelines and procedures • Focus on Los Angeles County impact - Emphasize local community benefit, particularly in Pasadena and surrounding areas • Target $30,000 requests - Align your ask with the foundation's median grant size for best positioning • Demonstrate educational outcomes - Given the foundation's strong education focus, highlight any educational components or youth development aspects of your programs • Prepare for limited public information - Be ready to gather specific application requirements directly from Whittier Trust as details are not publicly posted • Consider partnership opportunities - For higher education institutions, explore potential invitation to their scholarship program through existing relationships • Emphasize direct service delivery - Focus proposals on tangible program activities rather than general operating support or capacity building

References

• Cause IQ Ann Peppers Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/ann-peppers-foundation,952114455/ (Accessed February 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=PEPP001 (Accessed February 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Ann Peppers Foundation Form 990-PF filings. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/952114455 (Accessed February 2026)
• GuideStar Profile. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/95-2114455 (Accessed February 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/ann-peppers-foundation (Accessed February 2026)
• Southern California Grantmakers Member Profile. https://socalgrantmakers.org/profile/org/3161 (Accessed February 2026)
• Pasadena City College Ann Peppers Scholarship Program. https://pasadena.edu/foundation/ann-peppers-scholarship.php (Accessed February 2026)
• California Lutheran University Scholarship Page. https://callutheran.academicworks.com/donors/ann-peppers-foundation-scholarship (Accessed February 2026)
• A Noise Within Institutional Funders. https://www.anoisewithin.org/support-us/ways-to-give/institutional-funders/ (Accessed February 2026)
• Whittier Trust Company. https://www.whittiertrust.com/ (Accessed February 2026)