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Foundations / California

Milo Bekins Foundation

Preselected recipients only Santa Barbara, California · EIN 956039745

Milo Bekins Foundation is a private foundation in Santa Barbara, California. In tax year 2025 it gave $327,134 in 21 grants; the typical grant was $15,000 and the largest $42,134. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.

Giving in 2025 was up from $280,000 the year before.

20% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.

Giving by year

Tax yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$285,00021$4.6 million
2024$280,00018$5.2 million
2025$327,13421$7.2 million

How to apply

Milo Bekins Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.

IRS filings on ProPublica

What Milo Bekins Foundation funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 4 states, the most to California.

StateGrantsAmount
California17$277,134
New York2$30,000
Maryland1$10,000
Virginia1$10,000

Grants paid in 2025

All 21 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
Troopreach Foundation
Santa Barbara, CA
General operating$42,134
California Science Center Foundatio
Los Angeles, CA
Science support$25,000
University of Redlands
Redlands, CA
Educational support$25,000
Entertainment Community Fund
New York, NY
Performing arts and entertaiment support$20,000
Harvard-Westlake School
Los Angeles, CA
Educational support$20,000
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA
University support$20,000
The Thacher School
Ojai, CA
Educational support$20,000
Optimist Youth Homes and Family Ser
Los Angeles, CA
Foster children placement and mental services$20,000
First Place for Youth
Los Angeles, CA
Support youth$20,000
Childrens Hospital of la Foundatio
Los Angeles, CA
Medical support$15,000
Music Academy of the West
Santa Barbara, CA
Academic support$15,000
Assistance League of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Philanthropic support$10,000
Episcopal Community Services
National City, CA
Philanthropic support$10,000
Vineyard Theatre
New York, NY
Performing arts and entertainment support$10,000
Individual
CA
Cultural and theatrical support$10,000
National Wildlife Federation
Reston, VA
Support wildlife$10,000
Born Free USA
Silver Spring, MD
Support animals$10,000
Pacific Lodge Youth Services
Woodland Hills, CA
Philanthropic support$10,000
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural His
Santa Barbara, CA
Museum support$5,000
Venice Chamber Community Foundation
Venice, CA
Philanthropic support$5,000
Western Los Angeles County Council
Van Nuys, CA
Philanthropic support$5,000

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2025 filing.

Questions people ask

Does Milo Bekins Foundation accept grant applications?

No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.

How much does Milo Bekins Foundation give?

$327,134 in tax year 2025, across 21 grants, with a typical grant of $15,000.

Who runs Milo Bekins Foundation?

Its 2025 filing lists Michael Bekins (Co-Trustee), Richard Bekins (Co-Trustee) and Jacqueline Bekins (Co-Trustee).

What does Milo Bekins Foundation fund?

Based on its grants, mainly education, youth programs and arts and culture.

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