The Green Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $8.5 million (2025)
Success Rate: Not publicly available
Decision Time: Not specified
Grant Range: Varies by program
Geographic Focus: Southern California emphasis

Contact Details

Website: https://www.ligf.org
Phone: Not publicly listed
Email: Not publicly listed

Overview

The Green Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1995 and based in Pasadena, California. With total assets of approximately $160 million, the foundation distributes over $8.5 million annually in grants. The foundation's mission is "to uncover new opportunities and encourage growth to effect positive change within institutions." The foundation operates with a focus on supporting established organizations that demonstrate strong management, financial stability, and measurable impact. In 2025, they awarded 245 grants across their priority areas.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation organizes its grantmaking into three main categories:

General Operating Support: $4,985,000 (2025)
Program Support: $2,415,000 (2025)
Discretionary Grants: $1,147,250 (2025)

Priority Areas

Community Services - $4,602,500 (2025) - Largest funding area
Education - $2,609,000 (2025)
The Arts - $1,310,750 (2025)
Special Projects - $25,000 (2025)

What They Don't Fund

Not specified in available documentation.

Governance and Leadership

Chairman of the Board: George H. McCrimlisk
Board Members: Ron Wilcox, Kathleen McCrimlisk, Brandon Di Tullio, Jeffrey Smith

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important Notice: The Green Foundation is currently NOT accepting Letters of Inquiry or Full Proposals from new institutions. Unsolicited in-person visits are not permitted. The foundation appears to work primarily with pre-existing relationships and does not maintain a public application process for new applicants.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's closed application process, organizations seeking support would need to be identified through existing board member connections or through the foundation's own outreach. The foundation shows preference for institutions with:

A demonstrated history of achievement
Good management practices
Stable financial condition
Significant programs with measurable impact
Self-sustaining programs that won't require continued foundation support

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the closed application process.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, success factors focus on organizational characteristics they value:

Demonstrated Track Record: The foundation explicitly seeks organizations with a "history of achievement"
Financial Stability: Organizations must show "stable financial condition"
Measurable Impact: Programs should have "measurable impact" with clear outcomes
Sustainability: Strong preference for "self-sustaining programs" that won't require continued foundation support
Geographic Relevance: While not explicitly stated, the foundation appears to have a Southern California focus, as evidenced by their emergency funding response to Southern California wildfires

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

The Green Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications from new organizations
With $8.5+ million in annual grantmaking across 245 grants, they are an active funder but work through existing relationships
Community Services receives the majority of funding (54% of total grants)
The foundation values organizational stability and sustainability over innovative but unproven programs
General operating support represents the largest category of grants, suggesting flexibility in how funds can be used
Organizations already in their portfolio likely have the best chance of continued or increased funding

References

ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Green Foundation Profile (accessed December 31, 2025)
The Green Foundation Official Website (https://www.ligf.org) (accessed December 31, 2025)
GuideStar Profile for The Green Foundation EIN 95-4509163 (accessed December 31, 2025)
Cause IQ Profile for The Green Foundation (accessed December 31, 2025)