Argyros Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $20,952,017 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not specified (contact foundation)
• Grant Range: $250 - $1,010,000
• Average Grant Size: $192,220
• Total Assets: $198 million
• Geographic Focus: Orange County, California (primary), with grants across the United States
• Number of Awards: 109 grants (2023)

Contact Details

Primary Contact: Wendy Hales (or Wendy Cantor)
Address: 949 South Coast Drive, Suite 600, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: 714-481-5000
Website: None
Email: Not publicly listed

Overview

The Argyros Family Foundation was established in 1979 by George L. Argyros, a successful real estate developer and former United States Ambassador to Spain, and his wife Julia. With assets of approximately $198 million, the foundation has become one of Orange County's most significant philanthropic entities, awarding 450 individual grants totaling $126,253,840 since 2020. The foundation maintains a deliberately low public profile and does not operate a website, limiting publicly available information about its grantmaking strategies. Leadership has transitioned to the next generation, with daughters Stephanie and Lisa (Melissa) Argyros serving as Co-Chief Executive Officers alongside the founding generation. The foundation focuses its giving on five core areas: education, health care, youth development, arts and cultural programs, and human services, with special interest in supporting nonprofit organizations within Orange County, California, while also making grants to institutions across the United States.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with designated funding levels. Instead, grants are awarded on a rolling basis through direct contact with the foundation. Grant awards vary significantly based on the project and organization:

• Small Grants: Starting at $250 for modest initiatives
• Mid-Range Grants: Average grant size of $192,220
• Major Gifts: Up to $1,010,000 through the foundation, with the family making additional transformational gifts of $10-25 million directly to institutions

Application Method: Rolling basis, no fixed deadlines. Applicants must contact the foundation directly for submission instructions.

Priority Areas

Education

• Higher education institutions, particularly business and economics programs
• Early childhood education
• Educational facilities and infrastructure
• Chapman University (Argyros College of Business and Economics)
• University of Southern California

Health Care

• Maternal-fetal medicine and nursing excellence
• Disease research and treatment
• Hospital infrastructure and specialized care centers
• Significant support to Hoag Hospital, City of Hope, and CHOC (Children's Hospital of Orange County)
• Marine science and related health research

Youth Development

• Child welfare programs
• STEM education for youth
• Girl Scouts leadership programs
• Youth sports and cultural programs
• Orange County High School of the Arts Foundation

Arts and Culture

• Performing arts centers and theaters
• Cultural institutions and programming
• Arts education
• Segerstrom Center for the Arts
• South Coast Repertory

Human Services

• Community-based programs serving vulnerable populations
• Special projects addressing specific community needs

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, the foundation's approach suggests:

• General operating support is less favored than special projects
• Organizations outside their core focus areas (education, health, youth, arts, human services)
• Organizations without established track records or community presence

Governance and Leadership

Founders:

• George L. Argyros - Real estate billionaire, former U.S. Ambassador to Spain, former owner of Seattle Mariners
• Julia Argyros - President of the Argyros Family Foundation, active in selecting grant recipients

Current Leadership:

• Stephanie Argyros - Co-Chief Executive Officer & Director (USC Class of 1992, USC Trustee, CHOC Foundation Board member since 2011)
• Lisa Argyros - Co-Chief Executive Officer & Director, Board Member
• Kevin Hauber - President
• Brent Law - Secretary, Chief Investment Officer, and Director

Key Quotes from Family Members:

Julia Argyros on nursing excellence: "For many years, I have watched with great admiration as Hoag has used its resources to thoughtfully develop what is without question one of the nation's finest nursing services. Hoag's nurses are incredibly talented, dedicated and compassionate."

Julia Argyros on maternal-fetal care: "The Fetal Care Center of Southern California gives expectant parents facing unexpected diagnoses access to the highest levels of expert care – for them and their babies. We are truly proud to support the great work of CHOC."

Julia and George Argyros on institutional support: "This gift reflects our belief in supporting important institutions that have an impact across communities."

Lisa Argyros on nursing education: "It is an honor to be able to support Hoag nurses, help them realize their dreams of higher education, and support their continual efforts to provide wonderful care to our community."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Argyros Family Foundation accepts unsolicited applications but does not maintain a public website or online application portal. Prospective applicants must contact the foundation directly to inquire about application procedures.

Required Application Materials:

• Organization identity and historical background
• Statement of intended use for funds
• Federal Identification Number (EIN)
• IRS determination letter (proof of tax-exempt status)

Submission Process:

• Contact Wendy Hales (or Wendy Cantor) at 949 South Coast Drive, Suite 600, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• Phone: 714-481-5000
• No application deadlines - rolling acceptance

Grant Focus: Grants are typically awarded for special projects and situations rather than ongoing operational support.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Applicants should inquire about expected timeframes when submitting their applications.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly available. In 2023, the foundation made 109 grants from the total number of applications received (not disclosed).

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Organizations should inquire about reapplication procedures if their initial request is declined.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's low public profile and lack of published guidelines, success factors must be inferred from their funding patterns and documented priorities:

Geographic Alignment: The foundation shows clear preference for Orange County-based organizations or programs that significantly impact the Orange County community. Organizations outside this geographic area should demonstrate compelling reasons for support.

Special Projects Over Operating Support: According to IRS filings, "grants are typically paid for special projects and situations." Applications should focus on discrete initiatives with measurable outcomes rather than general operating requests.

Institutional Relationships: Review of major grants suggests the family develops long-term relationships with select institutions. Organizations receiving multiple gifts include Chapman University, USC, Hoag Hospital, CHOC, City of Hope, and Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Building relationships through smaller grants or engagement opportunities may lead to larger support.

Excellence and Impact: Julia Argyros's quoted emphasis on "one of the nation's finest nursing services" and "incredibly talented, dedicated and compassionate" staff suggests the family values excellence and demonstrable impact. Applications should highlight quality indicators, expert leadership, and community impact.

Focus on "Important Institutions": The family has stated their belief in "supporting important institutions that have an impact across communities." Applications should clearly articulate the organization's importance to the broader community and its ripple effects beyond direct beneficiaries.

Capital and Named Opportunities: Many of the family's largest gifts have resulted in named facilities (Argyros College of Business and Economics at Chapman, Julia Argyros Center for Nursing Excellence at Hoag, Argyros Family Foundation Peristyle Plaza at USC Coliseum). Organizations offering naming opportunities for significant capital projects may receive stronger consideration.

Multi-Generational Appeal: With leadership transitioning to daughters Stephanie and Lisa Argyros (both born in the early 1990s or later), programs that appeal to younger philanthropists—particularly those focused on innovation, STEM education for girls, and next-generation approaches to traditional fields—may resonate with current decision-makers.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Make direct contact: With no website or online application, personal outreach to Wendy Hales is essential to begin the conversation
• Emphasize Orange County impact: While the foundation gives nationally, Orange County organizations and programs receive priority consideration
• Frame as special projects: Position requests as discrete, time-limited initiatives with clear outcomes rather than ongoing operational support
• Highlight excellence and expertise: The family values supporting "the nation's finest" institutions and programs with demonstrated quality
• Consider the relationship-building approach: Major recipients tend to receive multiple grants over time, suggesting the value of starting with smaller requests and building relationships
• Think multi-generational: With daughters Stephanie and Lisa now leading as Co-CEOs, programs with contemporary approaches and appeal to younger philanthropists may gain traction
• Be patient with the process: The foundation's low-profile approach means less transparency in decision-making timelines and processes

References

1. Grantable - Argyros Family Foundation Profile - Accessed December 2025
2. Instrumentl - Argyros Family Foundation 990 Report - Accessed December 2025
3. Cause IQ - Argyros Family Foundation - Accessed December 2025
4. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Argyros Family Foundation - Accessed December 2025
5. Inside Philanthropy - Argyros Foundation - Accessed December 2025
6. Hoag Hospital Foundation - $7.5 Million Gift from Argyros Family - Accessed December 2025
7. CHOC Children's Foundation - Argyros Family Foundation $10 Million Gift - Accessed December 2025
8. Orange County Business Journal - OC's Wealthiest 2024: Argyros Family - Accessed December 2025
9. Hoag Hospital Foundation - $15 Million Gift for Nursing Excellence - Accessed December 2025
10. City of Hope - $25 Million Gift from Argyros Family - Accessed December 2025
11. Candid Foundation Directory - Argyros Family Foundation - Accessed December 2025