The Auen Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- If your work supports mature adults and their families through social services, healthy ageing, caregiving, end-of-life, intergenerational or family programmes, and you serve the Coachella Valley, which the filing names as a priority, this foundation is worth approaching.
- Most of its grants fall between $5,000 and $30,000 with a median of $15,000, so a request in that range fits its usual pattern, although its largest grant was $125,000 and that band is not a ceiling.
- Because 83% of its grant dollars went to organisations it had also funded in earlier filings, a first approach should be made through the Contact Us form with a letter of about one page, sent before one of its quarterly review dates in January, April, August or November.
- A message that indicates a potential match leads to application login details, after which further information, financial records and a site visit are required, and grantees must provide a three-month progress report and a six-month final report.
- Its board members and programme officers also reach out to nonprofits, so a relationship-led approach may suit, but the filing does not say how competitive its grants are.
Overview
The Auen Foundation is a US private foundation based in Palm Desert, CA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Auen Foundation focuses on improving the lives of mature adults and their families through a broad range of programmes. It seeks partnerships in social services, healthy ageing, caregiving, end-of-life, intergenerational work, family programmes and related areas. It particularly values assisting local ageing residents and their families in the Coachella Valley. Its approach includes developing long-term programmes with lasting impacts, working with other funders, and helping charitable organisations strengthen strategic plans, marketing, resources and leadership. The foundation describes its grants as supporting charitable and educational programmes and services, primarily in the Coachella Valley, and says its board members and programme officers reach out to nonprofits with research and information about programmes that benefit mature adults. Its focus is community benefit for older adults and the wider family.
Themes
- Social services
- Healthy aging
- Caregiving
- End-of-life
- Intergenerational programmes
- Family programmes
Geographic Focus
Priority: Coachella Valley.
How to apply
Organisations without application authorisation can begin by sending a short message, approximately one letter page, through the Contact Us form to express interest in a grant.
Deadlines: Letters of intent are reviewed quarterly, with submission dates in January, April, August and November.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 83% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 149 grants to organisations were $15,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The foundation looks for partnerships and programmes that serve mature adults and include social services, healthy ageing, caregiving, end-of-life, intergenerational and family work.
- A message that indicates a potential match leads to application login information; further information, financial records and a site visit are required.
- Grantees must provide a three-month progress report and a six-month final report.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 7% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 83% of grant dollars went to organisations The Auen Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 56 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $20,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Barbara Sinatra Children's Center at Eisenhower · to help expand the Forensic Medical services$50,0002024 tax year
- Eisenhower Medical Center · to support development of Eisenhower Intergenerational Child Care Center$50,0002024 tax year
- Palm Springs International Film Society · to support Senior Volunteer Programs for the 2025 film festival$50,0002024 tax year
- Alzheimers Coachella Valley · to support services for Alzheimer's clients$50,0002024 tax year
- Rancho Mirage Writers Festival · to continue videotaping and airing of all Festival sessions for seniors that are not able to attend$35,0002024 tax year
- Joslyn Senior Center · to support the Aging Mastery Program$30,0002024 tax year
- Alzheimers Coachella Valley · to fund charitable services for those living with cognitive impairment$30,0002024 tax year
- Ranch Recovery Centers · scholarships for seniors$30,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Sherrie Auen — Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $1,862,892 | $836,025 | $30,270,718 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $1,511,333 | $828,700 | $32,216,128 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $1,590,226 | $1,064,000 | $33,095,982 | Filing for 2024 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
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to The Auen Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Palm Desert, CA
- auenfoundation.org
Applying to The Auen Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Palm Desert, CA
- auenfoundation.org