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The Eisner Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$10.4M
Grant Range
$25K - $0.3M
Decision Time
1mo

The Eisner Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10,354,848 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 30 days for LOI response; quarterly board reviews
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $300,000 (standard grants $100,000-$300,000; Opportunity Grants up to $25,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Los Angeles County and New York City only

Contact Details

Address: 9401 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 735, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Phone: (310) 228-6808
Email: info@eisnerfoundation.org
Website: eisnerfoundation.org

Overview

Founded in 1996 by Michael D. Eisner (former Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company) and his wife Jane, The Eisner Foundation is a family foundation that has evolved into America's only foundation investing exclusively in intergenerational solutions. Since 2015, the foundation has focused entirely on supporting programs that unite multiple generations—particularly youth and seniors—to address society's most persistent challenges of inequality, lack of access, and injustice. Distributing over $7 million annually to nonprofit organizations, the foundation is led by CEO Trent Stamp and governed by an intergenerational board comprising the Eisner family across three generations. The foundation operates with complete fiscal transparency and requires no family members receive compensation for their service.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Standard Grants: $100,000 - $300,000

  • Available as single or multi-year grants (single-year most common)
  • Support types: general operating, project support, capacity-building, capital projects
  • Available on rolling basis year-round

Opportunity Grants: Up to $25,000

  • One-year terms, renewable for small organizations
  • Designed for smaller organizations or larger entities launching new intergenerational initiatives
  • Encourages innovation and entrepreneurial approaches

Eisner Prize Fellowship: $50,000 per fellow

  • Annual cohort of 3-5 emerging intergenerational leaders
  • $10,000 personal fellowship + $40,000 project grant
  • Special emphasis on young people, people of color, and those serving historically marginalized communities
  • Year-long fellowship beginning in August

Priority Areas

The foundation exclusively funds intergenerational programming that brings multiple generations together. Successful programs include:

  • Education & Mentoring: Older adult volunteers tutoring and mentoring youth in reading, writing, and academics
  • Arts & Cultural Enrichment: Intergenerational music, theater, and creative arts programs
  • Healthcare Access: Programs improving quality of life for both aging populations and youth
  • Family Support: Support for grandparents and family members caring for young children
  • Community Building: Programs that create lasting connections across age groups to address structural inequalities

The foundation seeks organizations that address root causes rather than merely symptomatic relief, with measurable outcomes demonstrating success.

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations outside Los Angeles County or New York City
  • Programs without meaningful intergenerational components connecting youth and seniors
  • Organizations allocating less than 75% of operating expenses to direct program work
  • Single-generation programs (youth-only or senior-only services)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Family Board Structure (no compensation for service):

  • Michael Eisner: Founder, former Disney CEO, shapes foundation mission
  • Jane Eisner: President, guides day-to-day operations
  • Breck, Eric, and Anders Eisner: Michael's three sons, direct grantmaking strategy
  • Georgia, Stacey, and Terena: Spouses serving as advisors
  • Multiple grandchildren involved, making the foundation itself intergenerational

Executive Staff

Trent Stamp, CEO (since 2008)

  • Leading expert on healthy aging and intergenerational programs
  • Former founding President of Charity Navigator
  • M.P.P. from Duke University; B.A. from UC Santa Barbara

Cathy Choi, Senior Director of Programs

  • 25+ years in nonprofit, philanthropic, and political sectors
  • Former Program Officer at California Community Foundation
  • M.P.A. from Syracuse University; B.A. in Economics from UCLA

Chelsea Mason, Director of External Relations

  • Oversees communications and Eisner Prize Fellowship
  • Former Digital Marketing Manager, Los Angeles Philharmonic

Skyler Valle, Foundation Administrator

  • Manages grants, special projects, and operations
  • B.A. in Integrative Biology from UC Berkeley

Leadership Perspective

CEO Trent Stamp articulates the foundation's philosophy: "We found that when we were able to fund a program that was intergenerational, we were able to, as foster grandparents say: It's every dollar spent twice. We were able to invest in two groups at the same time and create high quality outcomes."

On successful programs, Stamp notes: "The populations these organizations serve highlight the incredible diversity of our region. They demonstrate that when intergenerational programs are thoughtfully crafted, they can truly serve everyone."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Rolling Applications: Accepted year-round with no fixed deadlines

Stage 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

  • Submit through online portal at eisnerfoundation.org
  • Must "clearly and succinctly demonstrate how the applicant organization incorporates intergenerational programming"
  • Response within 30 days of submission
  • Review grant criteria before submitting to ensure eligibility

Stage 2: Full Proposal (by invitation only)

  • Invited applicants submit comprehensive application materials
  • Includes financial statements and detailed project information
  • Foundation CEO and program staff review for alignment with goals

Stage 3: Required Site Visit

  • All applicants undergo site visits, including previous grantees
  • Conducted by foundation management and program staff
  • Opportunity to demonstrate program in action

Stage 4: Board Review

  • Foundation prepares recommendation for board consideration
  • Board meets quarterly (four times annually)
  • Final approval decisions made at quarterly meetings

Decision Timeline

  • LOI Response: Within 30 days
  • Board Review: Quarterly (every 3 months)
  • Notification: Following each board meeting
  • Total Process: Typically several months from LOI to final decision

Success Rates

Success rate statistics are not publicly disclosed. The foundation distributed 148 grants totaling over $10.3 million in 2023, indicating selective but substantial grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations whose applications are declined at any stage may reapply, but must wait one full year from the date of the decline letter before submitting a new application.

Application Success Factors

Clear Intergenerational Focus

Applications must demonstrate genuine intergenerational programming—not simply serving multiple age groups separately, but creating meaningful connections between generations. According to the foundation, "successful LOIs will clearly and succinctly demonstrate how the applicant organization incorporates intergenerational programming."

Demonstrated Efficiency

The foundation benchmarks organizations against peer nonprofits in similar sectors and locations, generally funding organizations that allocate at least 75% of operating expenses directly to programs. Financial efficiency is a critical evaluation factor.

Strong Leadership

The foundation prioritizes organizations with leadership teams that "actively empower their staff and the next generation of leaders." This includes succession planning and investment in developing emerging leaders.

Measurable Outcomes

Organizations must demonstrate documented success with measurable achievement patterns. The foundation seeks "demonstrated success, and measurable patterns of achievement." For established organizations, this means proven track records. For newer organizations (under three years) applying for Opportunity Grants, evaluation focuses on leadership expertise and potential.

Vision for Systemic Change

The foundation specifically seeks organizations employing "an intergenerational lens to combat structural challenges" rather than merely providing services. Applications should articulate how intergenerational approaches address root causes of inequality, lack of access, and injustice.

Examples of Funded Programs

Recent grants illustrate what succeeds:

  • 826LA ($154,500): Growing senior volunteer corps to mentor under-resourced youth in creative and expository writing
  • UCLA Generation Xchange ($783,042/3 years): Placing older volunteers in South LA elementary classrooms to improve academic outcomes while promoting senior wellness
  • Heart of Los Angeles ($1,050,000/2 years): Eisner Intergenerational Music Programs sustaining musical engagement across generations
  • School on Wheels ($300,000/2 years): Matching older volunteers with 1,800 homeless students annually for one-on-one tutoring

Geographic Alignment

Strict geographic requirements: organizations must be based in or serve populations in Los Angeles County or New York City. Applications from other regions will not be considered.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Intergenerational is non-negotiable: This must be the core approach, not an add-on. Programs should demonstrate how bringing generations together creates better outcomes than serving each group separately.

  • Show the "double benefit": Articulate measurable outcomes for both youth and seniors. The foundation values efficiency—"every dollar spent twice."

  • Emphasize systemic solutions: Frame your work as addressing root causes of inequality and injustice, not just symptoms. Use language around structural challenges and long-term community change.

  • Demonstrate efficiency: Ensure at least 75% of budget goes to direct programming. Be prepared to be benchmarked against peer organizations.

  • Start with a strong LOI: You have 30 days to hear back, so invest time in crafting a clear, succinct LOI that immediately demonstrates your intergenerational approach.

  • Geographic fit is mandatory: If you're not in LA County or NYC, don't apply. The foundation strictly limits grants to these two regions.

  • Consider Opportunity Grants for new initiatives: If you're a smaller organization or testing a new intergenerational program, the $25,000 Opportunity Grants provide an entry point.

  • One-year wait if declined: Plan your application carefully—if declined, you must wait a full year to reapply.

References

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