Richard C Seaver 1978 Trust
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests, so the only realistic route in is an invitation, and a small charity should look for a genuine introduction to its trustees rather than sending a cold proposal.
- Education is the clearest field named in its purposes, though the filing also records grants to arts, healthcare, libraries, recreation and conservation organisations, and religious organisations, so a request should be framed around the organisation's own work.
- Across its recent filings half of its 141 grants to organisations were $10,000 or less, and about 8 in 10 fell between $2,500 and $75,000, so a modest request fits; its largest grant was $300,000, so that band is typical rather than a ceiling.
- In the most recent filing, 83% of its grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had also funded in earlier filings, so the field is relationship-led and a first-time applicant should expect to compete with established grantees.
Overview
Richard C Seaver 1978 Trust is a US private foundation based in Los Angeles, CA.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2025, TY2024, TY2023) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
Its grants go to educational institutions and a broad range of other charitable organisations. The records also identify arts organisations, healthcare providers, public libraries, recreation and conservation organisations, and religious organisations among recipients. Education is the clearest specifically named field in the purposes; many other grants are recorded simply as charitable. Most recorded grant dollars went to California, with further substantial giving to Texas, Connecticut and New York.
Themes
From its grants, not stated by the foundation:
- Education
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in California, Texas, Connecticut and New York.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2025 filing, 83% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2023 or TY2024 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2023, TY2024 and TY2025 filings, half of its 141 grants to organisations were $10,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2023–2025.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 3%
- The largest single recipient received 16% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2025, 83% of grant dollars went to organisations Richard C Seaver 1978 Trust had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 3% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 59 grants in tax year 2025 by size
Median $10,000 (tax year 2025)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Uscs Foundation · Education$300,0002025 tax year
- Yale University · Education$155,0002025 tax year
- University of Houston · Education$150,0002025 tax year
- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden · Charitable$110,0002025 tax year
- Los Angeles Opera · Arts$100,0002025 tax year
- Heartbeat Opera · Arts$50,0002025 tax year
- Marist University Weil Collection · Education$40,0002025 tax year
- Lewa Wildlife Conservancy USA · Charitable$40,0002025 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Martha Seaver — Trustee
- Christopher Seaver — Trustee
- Patrick T Seaver — Trustee
- R Carlton Seaver — Trustee
- Victoria S Dean — Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 tax year | $1,410,510 | $1,300,000 | $27,786,499 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $1,513,859 | $1,327,500 | $30,214,557 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
| 2025 tax year | $1,923,547 | $1,590,750 | $33,015,073 | Filing for 2025 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.
Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.
Data privacy and security by default
Your organisation's past successful grants and experience
AI analysis of what reviewers want to see
A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours
Spotted something that needs correcting? Let us know
At a glance
Applying to Richard C Seaver 1978 Trust?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Los Angeles, CA
Applying to Richard C Seaver 1978 Trust?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Los Angeles, CA