Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $8.3 million (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Up to 3 months
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $350,000 (average ~$27,000)
• Geographic Focus: Los Angeles County

Contact Details

• Website: www.dohenyfoundation.org
• Phone: (213) 488-1122
• Address: 707 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 4960, Los Angeles, CA 90017
• Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:30am - 3:30pm
• Grants Portal: Accessible via Grant Eligibility & Application page

Overview

The Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation was established in 1949 by Carrie Estelle Doheny, widow of Los Angeles oil pioneer Edward L. Doheny, with an initial gift of $30 million. Mrs. Doheny was a devout Roman Catholic who was named Papal Countess by Pope Pius XII in 1939 and Los Angeles Woman of the Year by the Los Angeles Times in 1954. With total assets exceeding $215 million, the Foundation distributes approximately $8-10 million annually to around 300 organizations. Its mission centers on improving the welfare, health, and education of Los Angeles residents while supporting Roman Catholic ministries and faith-based organizations. The Foundation has been a consistent presence in Los Angeles philanthropy for over 75 years and is particularly emphasizing mental health challenges in 2026, alongside continued focus on Catholic education, restorative justice, and transitional-age youth.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• General Grant Program: $1,000 - $350,000 (average ~$27,000) - Online portal application with monthly thematic deadlines. Reviewed monthly except July, September, and November.
• Campership Grant Program: Supports summer camp scholarships for underserved youth. Applications accepted in January, reviewed in March.
• Capital Grant Program: For construction/major technology projects over $50,000. Letter of Intent opens January 12, full applications due by August 12. Reserved for organizations with long-standing Foundation relationships.
• Doheny Eye Institute Research: Ongoing primary benefactor relationship established by Mrs. Doheny in 1947 (not an open application program).

Priority Areas

1. Social Welfare: Critical needs services, food/shelter, campership programs, mentoring, job training for formerly incarcerated, transitional-age youth, trauma recovery, restorative justice
2. Health and Wellness: Illness support, pregnancy/maternal health, counseling, disability assistance, senior care, free/low-cost medical services, medical research
3. Education: Catholic elementary schools, Catholic high school/university scholarships, adult education/literacy, Catholic campus ministry
4. Religion: Los Angeles Roman Catholic evangelization, faith-based organizations, religious orders, seminaries, Archdiocese of Los Angeles projects, retreat centers

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals or non-US institutions
• Individual scholarships
• Work outside the United States
• Organizations outside Los Angeles County (rare exceptions)
• Publishing, television, films, or radio programs
• Travel funds
• Advertisement
• Political purposes
• Endowments
• Local government agencies
• Capital campaigns (except long-standing partners)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

• Michael S. Feeley (President and Chair)
• Robert A. Smith III (Vice Chair)
• Tom Boyle, Antonio Felix Ed.D., Rev. Perry Henry C.M., Margaret Morrow, Mary Ann Murphy (Directors)
• Rev. William Piletic C.M. (Director Emeritus)

Key Staff:

• Nina S. Shepherd (Chief Administrative Officer, CFO)
• Catherine Sanders (Program Director)
• Lisa Rogers, Lucero Noyola (Program Officers)

President Michael S. Feeley states: "The staff and directors of the Foundation remain committed to Mrs. Doheny's vision to support and enhance a vibrant and healthy community for all people in Los Angeles. In 2026, with particular emphasis on addressing mental health challenges, the Foundation will continue our focus on Catholic education, restorative justice, and transitional-age youth."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications submitted through online grants portal:

1. Create account on grants portal
2. Identify appropriate monthly Thematic Area of Funding
3. Submit application before thematic area deadline
4. Receive confirmation email within 30 minutes

Organizations may only apply once per year. Applications after thematic deadline must wait until next year's cycle (opens end of October).

Decision Timeline

• Submission to confirmation: 30 minutes
• Full processing: Up to 3 months
• Board meetings: Last Thursday of each month (except July, September, November)
• Capital grant decisions: Before year-end
• Campership decisions: By end of March

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. However, majority of ~300 annual grantees have 10+ year relationships with Foundation. Breaking into grantee portfolio as new applicant described as "very hard."

Reapplication Policy

No stated waiting period for unsuccessful applicants. Missed deadline applicants must wait until following year's cycle.

Application Success Factors

• Catholic alignment is strongest success factor: Over half of grantees have Catholic affiliation
• Long-term relationships dominate: Majority of grants go to organizations with 10+ years of prior relationship
• Start with phone call: Grantees recommend initiating contact before applying
• Be honest and detailed: Application takes average 9 hours to complete
• Match correct thematic area: Choose area reflecting organization's primary purpose
• Align with 2026 priorities: Mental health, Catholic education, restorative justice, transitional-age youth
• Geographic precision matters: Must serve Los Angeles County residents
• Site visits standard: One-hour visits are regular part of evaluation
• General operating support available: Unlike many foundations
• Capital grants for established partners only: Requires multi-year relationship

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Catholic identity or alignment is single strongest predictor of funding success
• Plan for long-term relationship building - first application is beginning of multi-year cultivation
• 2026 strategic priorities provide clear funding signals: mental health, Catholic education, restorative justice, TAY
• Initiate contact with phone call during office hours (M-Th, 7:30am-3:30pm)
• Thematic deadline system is strict - missing deadline means waiting full year
• Average grant ~$27,000 but tailor request to relationship and program scope
• Online portal considered user-friendly though application detailed and time-consuming

References

1. Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation Official Website: www.dohenyfoundation.org (Accessed February 2026)
2. Grant Eligibility & Application Page: dohenyfoundation.org/grants/grant-eligibility-application/ (Accessed February 2026)
3. Frequently Asked Questions: dohenyfoundation.org/grants/frequently-asked-questions/ (Accessed February 2026)
4. From the President - Michael S. Feeley: dohenyfoundation.org/about/presidents-welcome/ (Accessed February 2026)
5. Board & Staff Page: dohenyfoundation.org/about/board-staff/ (Accessed February 2026)
6. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/956202911 (Financial data 2023-2024, Accessed February 2026)
7. Instrumentl 990 Report: instrumentl.com/990-report/carrie-estelle-doheny-foundation (Grant volume data, Accessed February 2026)
8. GrantAdvisor: grantadvisor.org/profile.php?ein=95-6202911 (Grantee reviews and application experience data, Accessed February 2026)
9. Inside Philanthropy: insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/southern-california-grants/carrie-estelle-doheny-foundation (Strategic guidance, Accessed February 2026)
10. Doheny Eye Institute InSight Newsletter January 2024: doheny.org/news/newsletter/insight-at-a-glance-jan-2024/ (75th anniversary acknowledgment, Accessed February 2026)