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The David Geffen Foundation

Annual Giving
$130.0M
Grant Range
$5K - $15.0M

The David Geffen Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $130 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $15,000,000 (with occasional mega-gifts up to $200 million)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Los Angeles and New York City, with select national organizations
  • Assets: $438.6 million (2023)

Contact Details

Address: 12011 San Vicente Blvd., Ste. 606, Los Angeles, CA 90049-4926
Phone: 310-581-5955
Email: Not publicly available
Website: No formal website

Note: The foundation maintains a notably low profile and does not publish an annual report or grants list.

Overview

The David Geffen Foundation was established in 1987 by entertainment mogul David Geffen. With assets of $438.6 million and annual charitable disbursements of approximately $130 million, the foundation represents one of the most significant private philanthropic entities in the United States. The foundation focuses its giving in five major areas: populations affected by HIV/AIDS; civil liberties; the arts; issues of concern to the Jewish community; and healthcare. Known for both consistent mid-level grantmaking ($5,000-$15 million) and occasional transformational gifts (up to $200 million), the foundation has made landmark contributions including $200 million to UCLA's medical school (now the David Geffen School of Medicine) and $100 million to Lincoln Center to renovate Avery Fisher Hall (now David Geffen Hall). The foundation is characterized by insiders as "open-minded" and "thoughtful" but maintains an intentionally low profile without a formal website or public-facing operations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with designated funding tiers. Instead, it makes grants on a discretionary basis across its priority areas. Individual grants typically range from $5,000 to $15 million, though headline gifts can reach $100-$200 million for transformational projects.

Application Method: Invitation only / preselected organizations

Priority Areas

HIV/AIDS and Health

  • HIV/AIDS research, treatment, and advocacy organizations
  • Cancer research and treatment centers
  • Disease research institutions (particularly AIDS/HIV, cancer, and multiple sclerosis)
  • Medical schools and healthcare facilities

LGBTQ Rights and Civil Liberties

  • LGBTQ advocacy and legal defense organizations
  • Marriage equality campaigns
  • Civil rights and human rights organizations
  • Women's rights and reproductive rights

Arts and Culture

  • Major performing arts centers and theaters
  • Museums and visual arts institutions
  • Music organizations and orchestras
  • Film and media arts
  • Cultural landmarks and preservation

Jewish Causes

  • Organizations serving the Jewish community
  • Israel-related institutions

Other Priority Areas

  • Criminal justice reform
  • Civic engagement and democracy
  • Homelessness services in Los Angeles
  • Education institutions

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publicly disclose specific exclusions, but based on its giving patterns, it does not appear to fund:

  • Organizations outside its established priority areas
  • International development (outside of specific health/human rights focus)
  • Environmental conservation
  • Animal welfare
  • Sports programs

Governance and Leadership

Founder and Trustee: David Geffen (no compensation reported)

Executive Director: Dr. J. Dallas Dishman (compensation: $459,605 in 2023)

David Geffen, as an openly gay entertainment mogul and billionaire, brings personal passion to the foundation's work, particularly in LGBTQ rights and HIV/AIDS causes. The foundation operates with minimal staff, reflecting Geffen's preference for a low-profile approach to philanthropy. No public statements or quotes from leadership regarding funding priorities or application preferences are available, as the foundation does not maintain public communications channels.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The David Geffen Foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are awarded based on:

  • Trustee discretion and strategic priorities identified by David Geffen and foundation leadership
  • Pre-existing relationships with organizations
  • Invitation from foundation leadership
  • Strategic initiatives identified by the foundation

Organizations cannot apply directly for funding. The foundation identifies potential grantees through its networks and strategic priorities.

Getting on Their Radar

According to Inside Philanthropy, while the foundation is "open-minded" and "thoughtful," it prefers remaining inaccessible. Direct solicitation is discouraged. However, sources suggest:

Relationship Building Through Intermediaries

  • The foundation may be more receptive to introductions through trusted intermediaries rather than cold outreach
  • Organizations already receiving support from similar funders in Los Angeles or New York philanthropic circles may have better positioning
  • Contact with foundation staff (310-581-5955) to "learn more about how its grantmaking is evolving" is mentioned as a possibility, though success is not guaranteed

Organizational Profile

  • The foundation heavily favors well-established organizations with proven track records
  • Los Angeles and New York City organizations, particularly major institutions, have received the bulk of funding
  • Organizations should have significant capacity and scale to align with the foundation's preference for established entities

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Given the foundation's discretionary, invitation-only approach, there is no standard application cycle or decision timeline.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. As the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional success rate metrics do not apply.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept applications. Organizations that have established relationships with the foundation may receive ongoing or repeat support at the foundation's discretion.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, based on analysis of the foundation's giving patterns, organizations that have received support share these characteristics:

1. Established, High-Profile Organizations The foundation consistently supports major, well-established institutions such as UCLA, Lincoln Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Museum of Modern Art, and ACLU. Smaller or newer organizations are rarely represented in the foundation's grant portfolio.

2. Geographic Alignment Organizations based in or serving Los Angeles and New York City receive the vast majority of funding. National organizations with strong presence in these cities also receive support.

3. Mission Alignment with Founder's Priorities

  • Organizations working on HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ rights, and civil liberties align with David Geffen's personal advocacy as an openly gay man
  • Arts and culture institutions, particularly in music, theater, and film, reflect Geffen's entertainment industry background
  • Major medical research institutions, particularly in cancer and HIV/AIDS treatment

4. Transformational Impact Potential The foundation's largest gifts ($100-$200 million) have supported naming opportunities and transformational projects (medical school buildings, concert hall renovations, major cancer research initiatives).

5. Existing Relationship Infrastructure Organizations that have received support typically have multiple touch points with Los Angeles or New York philanthropic communities where David Geffen is active.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists: Do not waste time preparing unsolicited proposals; they will not be considered
  • Relationship building is essential: Focus on getting connected to the foundation's network through intermediaries and shared philanthropic circles
  • Think big and established: The foundation favors major institutions with proven track records, not emerging organizations
  • Geographic focus matters: Unless you're a national powerhouse organization, being based in Los Angeles or New York City significantly improves chances
  • Mission alignment is critical: Organizations must clearly align with HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ rights, civil liberties, arts/culture, Jewish causes, or healthcare
  • Be patient and strategic: This is not a quick-turnaround funder; relationship building and positioning may take years
  • Consider the founder's biography: David Geffen's background in entertainment and his identity as a gay man inform the foundation's priorities; organizations should understand how their work connects to these personal drivers

References

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