← Back to US Funders Directory

The Ahmanson Foundation

Annual Giving
$68.0M
Grant Range
$5K - $1.0M
Decision Time
3mo

The Ahmanson Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $60-76 million
  • Assets: Over $1.2 billion
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $1,000,000+
  • Typical Awards: $10,000 - $50,000
  • Decision Time: 2-3 months
  • Geographic Focus: Los Angeles County
  • Number of Grants: ~450 annually

Contact Details

Website: theahmansonfoundation.org
Email: info@theahmansonfoundation.org
Phone: (310) 278-0770
Address: 9215 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Overview

The Ahmanson Foundation was incorporated in 1952 by financier Howard F. Ahmanson and his wife, Dorothy Grannis Ahmanson. With assets exceeding $1.2 billion and annual giving of approximately $60-76 million, the foundation is one of Los Angeles County's most significant philanthropic institutions. Current President William H. Ahmanson, the great-nephew of the founder, leads the foundation with a distinctive philosophy: "If you can touch it, we will fund it." This capital-focused approach ensures that nonprofits receive the tangible tools and infrastructure needed to accomplish their missions. The foundation serves Los Angeles County by funding cultural projects in the arts and humanities, education at all levels, healthcare, programs addressing homelessness and underserved populations, and a wide range of human services. The foundation maintains Howard F. Ahmanson's founding commitment to "building community for the common good" and his conviction that money earned in Southern California should be reinvested there.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Ahmanson Foundation operates on a rolling application basis with no fixed deadlines. Applications are reviewed at quarterly board meetings or weekly executive committee meetings.

Capital Grants (Primary Focus)
The foundation's highest priority is capital expenses, including:

  • Building construction and renovation
  • Infrastructure improvements (HVAC, electrical systems)
  • Medical and scientific equipment
  • Technology and equipment purchases
  • Furnishings and fixtures
  • Artwork and cultural installations

Program Support (Occasional)
The foundation occasionally considers program/operational support exclusively for organizations with a demonstrated history of established and outstanding programs.

Scholarship Support
Provided only to nonprofit institutions (individuals are not eligible). Recent examples include the Ahmanson Veterans Scholarship Initiative.

Grant Amount Range: $5,000 to over $1,000,000
Typical Awards: $10,000 - $50,000
Average Annual Grants: Approximately 450 grants per year

Priority Areas

Arts & Humanities

  • Museums and cultural institutions
  • Performing arts facilities and equipment
  • Arts education programs
  • Cultural legacy projects

Education at All Levels

  • K-12 schools and programs
  • Higher education institutions
  • Educational technology and equipment
  • Special education facilities
  • Academic centers and research facilities

Healthcare & Medicine

  • Hospital infrastructure and equipment
  • Patient care facility improvements
  • Medical technology
  • Healthcare access programs

Homelessness & Housing

  • Transitional housing construction
  • Bridge housing programs
  • Organizations emphasizing accountability and recovery
  • Programs serving pregnant/postpartum transition-aged youth

Human Services

  • Programs serving underserved populations
  • Social service agency infrastructure
  • Community-building initiatives

What They Don't Fund

Organizational Types:

  • For-profit organizations or businesses
  • Private foundations
  • Religious organizations for sectarian purposes
  • Advocacy or political organizations
  • Organizations propagandizing, influencing legislation/elections, or promoting voter registration
  • Individual public schools (generally)
  • Regional and national charities (operational support)

Types of Support:

  • Grants to individuals
  • Continuing support
  • Endowed chairs or professorships
  • Annual campaigns
  • Deficit financing
  • Internships
  • Film production or media projects
  • General research and development
  • Workshops, studies, or surveys
  • Capital campaign operational costs
  • Underwriting
  • Exchange programs

Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees

  • William H. Ahmanson - President, The Ahmanson Foundation
  • Karen Ahmanson Hoffman - Managing Director and Secretary, The Ahmanson Foundation
  • Howard F. Ahmanson, Jr. - President, Fieldstead & Company
  • Mark A. Brooks - Head of School, Madison Country Day School
  • Glen March, MD - Co-Founder, Stratagem Investments, LLC
  • Patricia McKenna - Portfolio Manager & Principal, Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management
  • Stephen D. Rountree - Civic Leader
  • John B. Wagner - Founding & Managing Partner, Camden Asset Management, L.P.
  • Stephen D. Yslas - Corporate Vice President & General Counsel (Retired), Northrop Grumman Corporation

Emeriti

  • Leonard E. Walcott - Managing Director, Emeritus

Advisory Commission

  • Ken Choi - Managing Director – Head of Consumer Lending, SBA, & Mortgage Banking, East West Bank

Leadership Philosophy

President William H. Ahmanson articulates the foundation's unique approach with the motto: "If you can touch it, we will fund it." This capital-focused strategy ensures organizations possess the necessary tools and infrastructure to accomplish their missions.

On philanthropic freedom, Ahmanson states: "Being able to give, how, where and when is important to The Ahmanson Foundation because it gives us the ability to stay nimble and to better address areas of need."

On arts funding, he shares: "One of my favorite stories comes from an LAPD commander, who said 'We've never arrested a child with a violin case.'"

On homelessness, Ahmanson emphasizes accountability: "when people become accountable for their actions, start new lives with recovery and sobriety, there are more incentives to finish the program."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

The Foundation strongly recommends initially submitting a Letter of Inquiry describing the project for which you are seeking funds.

LOI Requirements:

  • Length: 1-3 pages maximum
  • Do not send full proposals at the LOI stage
  • Include:
    • Contact information with name, title, telephone number, and email address for both the direct contact and the head of the organization
    • Brief explanation of the need for support
    • Amount you intend to request
    • Project budget as an attachment

Submission Method:

  • Preferred: Online portal at theahmansonfoundation.org
  • Alternative: Email as PDF attachment to the Grants Administrator at info@theahmansonfoundation.org (include clear subject line)

Step 2: Initial Response

Applicants will receive a written response within 10 days indicating whether or not they qualify.

Those who may qualify will be notified within 30 days and invited to submit a full grant proposal for further consideration.

Step 3: Full Proposal

If invited, submit a complete grant proposal following the foundation's guidelines.

Decision Timeline

  • Initial LOI Response: 10 days (qualification screening)
  • Invitation to Submit Full Proposal: Within 30 days of LOI submission
  • Final Decision: 2-3 months from the day a full request is received
  • Review Schedule: Applications considered at quarterly board meetings or weekly executive committee meetings

Success Rates

While specific acceptance rates are not publicly disclosed, the foundation acknowledges that competition for grant funds is intense. With approximately 450 grants awarded annually and limited resources, the foundation states that "frequently, it is because we are unable to fund every request we receive" when proposals are declined.

Reapplication Policy

  • Waiting Period After Award: Organizations must wait 12-18 months after receiving a grant before submitting another request
  • One Request Per Year: Only one request per 12-month period can be considered
  • Priority to Infrequent Applicants: Organizations who do not submit requests every year will be given priority

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Advice

From the Foundation's FAQs:

  1. Follow Guidelines Carefully: "The Foundation encourages applicants to follow their guidelines in preparing a proposal and to call if you have a question."

  2. Focus on One Project: "You should apply for funding for one project at a time, and apply for the project that best fits their guidelines and is of highest priority for your agency."

  3. Seek Multiple Funders: "The Foundation rarely provides sole support for a project, and it is generally in your best interest to look for support from multiple sources of funding."

  4. Don't Skip the LOI: Do not send full proposals initially—start with the Letter of Inquiry process.

  5. Strategic Use of Letters of Support: "While they are not necessary, some letters of support do in fact strengthen a request."

  6. Ask Questions: "If you have questions about the letter of inquiry, please call the Foundation for clarification."

  7. No Pre-Submission Meetings: "Meetings with the staff at the Foundation prior to submission of a letter are generally discouraged."

Eligibility Requirements

  • 501(c)(3) Status: Must be a public charity (not a private foundation as defined in section 509(a))
  • Geographic Focus: Based in and serving Los Angeles County
  • Operational History: In operation for a minimum of 3-5 years
  • Organizational Stability: Must reflect established and stable leadership
  • Fiscal Management: Demonstrate sound fiscal management and efficient operation
  • Program Integrity: Show evidence of program integrity and effectiveness

Capital vs. Program Funding

The foundation's capital-first philosophy means that tangible, infrastructure-based projects are strongly preferred. As President Bill Ahmanson states: "If you can touch it, we will fund it." This includes:

  • Equipment and technology
  • Building renovations and construction
  • Infrastructure improvements
  • Medical devices and scientific instruments
  • Furnishings and fixtures

Program support is only occasionally considered for organizations with a demonstrated history with the foundation of established and outstanding programs.

Recent Funding Examples (2024)

Understanding what the foundation has recently funded provides insight into their priorities:

Education:

  • Scholarships for college students (e.g., St. John's College students for RILA program)
  • UCLA Law Public Services Internships ($25,000)
  • Children's Special Education Disability Fellowships ($15,000)
  • Equipment and furnishings for Tech Space at Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities
  • Occupational Therapy Clinic, Sports and Therapeutic Center, and classroom construction

Housing & Homelessness:

  • Construction of 50 units of transitional housing for pregnant or postpartum transition-aged youth
  • Soundproof meeting pods and laptops for relocated Bridge and Transitional Housing program

Healthcare:

  • Renovation of 21 single-patient rooms into double-capacity rooms at Martin Luther King Community Hospital

Arts & Culture:

  • Premiere performance support for "In the Footsteps of St. Demetrios"
  • Programmatic support for the Center for 17th and 18th Century Studies and the Clark Library

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and approach:

  1. Capital Projects with Clear Impact: Projects where physical infrastructure directly enables mission delivery
  2. Los Angeles County Focus: Deepest roots and service to LA County communities
  3. Established Track Record: Organizations with 3-5+ years of operation and demonstrated effectiveness
  4. Sound Financial Management: Evidence of fiscal responsibility and efficient operations
  5. Alignment with Priority Areas: Arts, education, healthcare, or homelessness/human services
  6. Accountability-Based Approaches: Particularly for homelessness programs, the foundation values models emphasizing accountability and recovery
  7. Community Building: Projects that contribute to building community for the common good

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Capital First: The foundation's defining characteristic is capital funding—"If you can touch it, we will fund it." Frame your request around tangible infrastructure, equipment, or construction needs.

  2. LA County Deep Roots: Geographic focus is paramount. Demonstrate how your organization is based in and serves Los Angeles County communities.

  3. Start with LOI: Never submit a full proposal initially. The 1-3 page Letter of Inquiry is the required entry point, with quick 10-day qualification feedback.

  4. Be Patient, Be Selective: With a 2-3 month decision timeline and 12-18 month waiting period after grants, apply strategically for your highest-priority capital project that best fits their guidelines.

  5. Demonstrate Stability: The foundation seeks organizations with 3-5+ years of operation, established leadership, sound fiscal management, and program integrity. Emphasize your track record.

  6. Don't Apply Alone: The foundation rarely provides sole support—show your diversified fundraising strategy with multiple funding sources.

  7. Accountability Matters: Particularly for homelessness and human services programs, emphasize accountability-based approaches and measurable outcomes aligned with the foundation's philosophy.

References

← Back to US Funders Directory